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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Poet on June 7, 2006, at 21:03:39
The vehicle: 99 Saturn SL2
Mileage: 52,416
New Tires: 4/06
New exhaust system: 4/06
New battery: 5/06Much of the body is new as Demolition Driver Poet is high risk insurance for a reason.
Service engine light has been on for a year (I'm so proud) it must be off or the State will not allow it to be tested for emissions. The plates are up for renewal this month, so that light has to be dimmed. $90 worth of diagnostic testing later, the light ain't off and I need more testing at another $90.
It needs new brakes (original, I'm still so proud)which I can afford and expected to have done.
They found something major wrong with the power steering and to fix it/replace the part, plus do a much needed engine tune up, we're talking $1,700. This quote is from a Saturn dealer, and I know dealer's are pricier than other repair shops, but I don't have time to drive around looking for other estimates. I don't want to be on the road if the power steering goes. I'm a bad enough driver with power steering.
I am kicking myself in the head that when I had that accident last year, I should have taken the money and let the insurance company take the car. I didn't want car payments then and don't want them now, but big credit card bills aren't welcome either.
Saturn repair guys both said that once the power steering thing is fixed, brakes are done and the diagnostic testing gets that stupid light off, the rest of the car is in great shape.
Repair?
Trade in?
Pry a license plate renewal sticker off someone else's car and glue it on my plate? Then pray a cop doesn't pull me over for something inane like a tail light not working and finds out the truth when s/he runs the plate info?
Take anti-anxiety meds? That one's a definite yes.
Poet
Posted by ron1953 on June 7, 2006, at 22:00:54
In reply to Any Car Experts Out There? Fix or sell it?, posted by Poet on June 7, 2006, at 21:03:39
Definitely fix it BUT the dealership is probably the most expensive place to get it done. Try to get a mechanic recommendation from a friend or relative. Also, there is no longer any such thing as a tune-up. So, they are suspect, as are many garages that sell "tune-ups". At 52K miles, maybe spark plugs, air & gas filters but shouldn't need anything else. I'm sure you can get the work done for less than $1700 and Saturns are pretty good cars reliability-wise; I had a friend who got 235,000 on one.
Posted by wildcardII on June 8, 2006, at 10:27:37
In reply to Re: Any Car Experts Out There? Fix or sell it?, posted by ron1953 on June 7, 2006, at 22:00:54
~i had the exact make and model but w/ much higher mileage and the stupid light was on but NOTHING was wrong. we don't have the inspection thing in SC but i had someone look at it and it needed a fuse (or something), replaced. 10$ max and the light was off. the dealerships are way high but i wld. get the problem looked at by a 2nd place and if it needs the repair, $1700 is way cheaper than a new car. also, you may be able to find the parts you need a a junkyard super cheap...
i miss mine =(
~babies, they change everything..LOL good luck
Posted by Poet on June 9, 2006, at 9:10:53
In reply to Re: Any Car Experts Out There? Fix or sell it?, posted by ron1953 on June 7, 2006, at 22:00:54
Hi Ron,
Thanks for the advice. I'm getting the brakes fixed tomorrow at CarX or Midas- whoever is cheaper. I'll take it to some non-dealer shops and see what they say on the power steering rack. I do need to take it to Saturn to finish the diagnostic test, but that's all I'll authorize them to do until I get some other price quotes.
I'm not as worried about the power steering fluid leaking as I am about the brakes and passing that emissions test, so the rack can wait a few weeks.
Poet
Posted by Poet on June 9, 2006, at 9:17:07
In reply to def. fix it!!, posted by wildcardII on June 8, 2006, at 10:27:37
Hi Wildcard,
I wonder, too, if that light is on for no reason. I need to take it in for a more advanced diagnostic test. Talk about a racket. You're lucky your state doesn't require this emission testing crap. Stinky garbage trucks are exempt- small passenger cars aren't. Not fair!
I'm going to get it fixed, I really can't afford a new car.
Maybe you can get a Saturn Vue? Not as cute, but more family friendly. :-)
Poet
This is the end of the thread.
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