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Recently took my 1999 Saab 9-3 )to some great, very thorough Saab mechanics in town (been in business a while and are trusted from what I know) because it didn't start one morning (didn't even turn over) and has been starting poorly since I had it tuned-up. The car was recently purchased and used, but supposedly "in excellent condition" according to the mechanic I took for its prepurchase inspection--NOT associated with the person I purchased it from or the mechanics who've looked at it since.
Ultimately they told me it needed over $2000 worth of repairs, and, if I was lucky, around $1000 to get me a few states (around 1,000 miles).
The list of immediate needs included full, major servicing (fluids, filters, etc.,), spark plugs (the wrong heat range were put in the car), shifter repair (it shifts awkwardly, especially into reverse), muffler (its clogged and rusted), and small idler pulley. I have a friend 750 miles away who knows how to change fluids, filters, and fuses who's on my route (he's owned Saabs, worked on his own for several years, and is trustworthy).
Less immediate, but still necessary repairs, included DI cassette, turbo hose, PCV repair, and potentially head gasket (if this went, I couldn't repair the car--it wasn't however, listed as an absolutely necessary repair for my travel).
Any advice? From what I've told, are ALL those repairs necessary in order to get where I'm going? Are there other problems I should be on the lookout for? I'd like to be able to do all of these repairs, but am financially tight right now AND on a tight time-schedule. I am considering simply selling the car to someone who's more able to do the work.
posted by 65.19.56...
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