[ksowden1]

Booked the Griff in with Ken, he sounds real nice chap, and very knowledgable.

 

[MikeH]

Other than the head gasket,what are you having done? I shall be interested in the costs.
Check your mail
Mike

 

[ksowden1]

TCS Problem sorted (could be remortgage house time!), Kickdown Cable adjusted (after having Auto box and kickdown cable changed by non saab specialist the adjustment of the kickdown cable is quite specialist so I'm told) TCS/Auto Box calibrated together (must be done after either box, engine or TCS overhaul or every 5K according to the saab service sheets) Check engine light staying lit, having that reset and investigated (I think it's been on since one of the vacuum hoses holed) Its going for head pressure checks rather than immediate gasket because I'm not 120% certain the head Gasket's gone but still about 90! And it could be worse than a Head gasket if the Heads cracked like it could be.....another remortage will be required! Oh and possible Handbrake Cables as the Griffs seem to stretch and all the adjustment under the sun doesn't seem to make it right. Just hoping the Handbrake Cables ain't too much of a job as I was going to do it myself and could've saved on the bill but thought f**k it, let him have everything as I'm busy with other cars to do with the little trading I do, and I need it for August 18th so the pro can get to work rather than the spare time amatuer like myself, I hate being under deadlines when working, thats why I work on the railways!

 

[ksowden1]

Oh, by the way Mike, I don't think Ken will keep the car for a month just for an oil change like Ray Bagnell would....bless his heart!

Well, I hope not anyway...but anythings possible.

Fingers Crossed!

 

[MikeH]

In all fairness,Ray is getting better,it only took him three days to do a clutch for me,mind he did say initialy,that it would only take a day.
There is a story true or not I don't know,that Ray moved one of his long term projects,that had been up on the lift since time immamorial,and a dead rat fell on him.true or not the workshop has had a spring clean.
Mike

 

[ksowden1]

Thought you had an auto Mike or have you changed the beauty?

 

[MikeH]

Still have the green 2.3t,but we also have an old 9000s on a F plate,hence the clutch,damn thing has cost more to keep on the road than the jolly green giant.
Mike

 

[1989agoodvintage]

on a F plate[/b]

Must have been a bad year for 9000's, Mike. Judging by the amount my Carly cost to maintain

 

[ksowden1]

I think if we look at it we do tend to get the old rosy tints on a bit with them. If you look at everyone who comes on here who have probable better than average Saab 9000 specimens and see how much it costs to put right the things that are wrong, I think our hearts rule our heads. Autos, Timing Chains, TCS's all horrendously common to the point of if it was an fiat or a Renault say we'd all be saying what a heap of sh*t but because it's our precious Saab's (and I'm as guilty as anyone albeit it's now my Mrs who fly's the lfag in our house) we tend to take it in our stride and say "well it has done this many miles so it's only right" but you look at any 130K 2.3 Auto TCS equipped 92' onwards Saab and your looking at £3000 for new box, chains and Throttle Housing for it to get into the 250K mark so your effectively buying another car! I'm not saying Saab's are terrible, just that were more patient at times than an average motorist and we do tend to overlook the negatives. Merc's and Bmw's the last time I had them (a while back) have got there own quirks but none really as money zapping as TCS, Auto and Chains at such low miles as the Saab's need them at times.

 

[1989agoodvintage]

£3000 for new box, chains and Throttle Housing  [/b]

Well I spent nearly four without getting any of those items.

You are right though, you can become too attached to a car and it becomes difficult to let it go. Generally most cars these days can get to 150K without too much expense / unreliability, so in that sense Saabs are not that special. True there are probably more exceptional Saabs than most with super-high mileages but those are as much a testament to the owners as they are to the brand.

I'll keep buying them anyway. I could never imagine myself being happy driving around in a MUNDeo or whatever.

 

[MikeH]

Whilst I accept everything that has been said,there is still that something about 9000s,I can't speak about other models as it is a long time since my last 95 was driven away,with no regret from me I must add,the rust bugs had to be seen to be believed.I regularly decide to get shut of the 9000S,untill I look for a replacement.
It must go soon,as I need the money to spend on the JGG (Jolly Green giant),I can think of nothing that will pry that off me,well not under £4000 anyway.
Mike

 

[ksowden1]

Audi 200 Turbo Estate, BMW 735/750, Mercedes 300E?

 

[MikeH]

Don't know owt about the Audi,always seem a very nothing vehicle,forget the seven series,test drove a few before I bought the 2.3t,orrible vehicle,had a couple of Merc's in the past,spares were diabolical for price then,God only what they are like now,I paid £27.00 for a head gasket for my 220 in 1969!
So sorry mate,I am still stuck with the Saab's
Mike

 

[Eric van Spelde]

And all positively bargelike compared to the 9K (or for that matter, any Saab. Neither of them is very stylish either - I'd say the Merc and Beemer have fallen in the hands of low life, generally speaking, a long time ago- and neither will attract significantly lower maintenance/repair bills, at least not as long as you want to keep it in good nick. The reason people get away with running cars like these on a shoestring - well, relatively - is that their owners don't care as much as the average Saabscene poster...

 

[Andy Bowles]

Talking Costs, just got the Aubergine Machine back from having:

New Head gasket(and associated gaskets..), Engine steam cleaned etc..
Refurbished,12 months G/tee Starter motor.
New Quality Battery
Air Con recharge
Full service and inspection.

All inclusive, I still got change from gbp.550.00

Ok, a lot of dosh, but a lot of work too, all work done by a mate who has his own garage (proper company) and loves saabs blah blah..

on top of this, spent over 1500 quid up at Abbotts 6 months ago, admittedly some of that was luxuries, but the car has cost over 2500 ( over 3000 with tax/ insurance) in last 6 months ).

But hey, was I thinking about that yesterday when I got her back re-gasketed etc...??
Nah....

Andy

 

[ksowden1]

GOd, I love Saab's too, as long as you know where you stand with them. To be fair Mike Euro and German Swedish and KMS for that matter have brought the cost of owning any of the cars mentioned right down. I had an example a few months back, guy I sold a Cavalier SRI too, it had four months MOT left, so I said to him come back closer to the MOPT and I'll put 12 months onj again for ya free of charge. WHen he comes back it fails on rear wheel bearing...has it off has a look....loose as anything, fair cop from the garage needed doing no doubt. This being a '93 not a '92 needed a whole new hub as it is the non-maintenance non-tightening type bearing so off to looomk for one I go, talk to my local main dealer £86 + VAT right, ring around asking some other places that sell the odd new Vauxhall part cheapest £65 + VAT. Yet I've just had the sameproblem with my missus's Griff and it's cost me £68 + VAt for a Saab part...not blasted Vauxhall! I actually am more relieved when I have someone that fails and I can ert it from one of the Euro or GSF Car parts places than I am if its a main dealer of ring around specilaists looking to match the main dealer price like I would with Ford, Vauxhall or Rover.

Right thats my verbal finished!

 

[MikeH]

OK back to your vac' pipes Scrappy.I shall be leaving Minworth each night this week between 22.45 and 23.00 hrs,I am usually clear of Tamworth by 23.15 as I reckon to be finished in Burton for Mid-night.
I have a new pack of pipe,so you can use what you need and let me have the remainder back.
Mike
Scrappy check you mail and thanks Saabman