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, Sun, 12 Feb 2006 03:47:15
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I've been in a similar position twice, and both times paid to have the head gasket done - then got at least another 2½ years/50k miles out of the cars before changing to something newer. I thought the expense was worthwhile. But neither of them was 17 years old at the time, plus I'd owned them for longer and had some confidence in their basics. Also, I set 80% of my car repairs against my business profits so they cost me a little less than some people!
There's no real way for anyone but yourself to answer your question. You could hope that you have worked your way through most of the classic 100K repairs and can maybe look forward to cheap motoring - but I think you will have to budget another $1,500+ for that auto transmission job in the future, not least because all the problems with your car suggest it may not have been very well looked after before you bought it.
You do have the alternative of a Do-it-yourself head job, of course. But if the head gasket goes the car isn't going to be worth much as a non-runner. You are then left with parting it out, either to sell the parts or using them on a newer 9k. It doesn't sound as though your budget would really run to a nice low-mileage '98 car and buying another geriatric just gives you the chance to spend all that money over again. Plus, if you part out the car yourself you then get to pay to have the carcase removed after the sellable bits have gone.
Suggestions, for what they're worth - (1) keep going if you really like the car, but start actively saving for ongoing repairs. (2) do the head, get the car clean and shiny, sell it and buy something you feel comfortable with from all angles (pleasure-factor, practicality and financially). Or (2) go to someone specialising in used Saabs, use the '89 (un-repaired) as a trade-in, and pay for a decent one-year warranty on the replacement.
Sorry not to be any more help - Bill
, Sun, 12 Feb 2006 03:47:15
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