Scanwest Autosport

I do most of my own work on my Saabs but when I'm stuck for expertise, tools, or parts, Scanwest is my first choice for help. They understand the value of keeping the older classic cars on the road and maintain a decent stock of used parts that are no longer available from the dealer in order to make this happen. They will provide advice for the home mechanic without pause. The shop rate may be on the high side, but you're paying for decades of experience from the techs that is just not found at a dealer. They will install used parts if available and if you ask, which can bring repair costs down significantly. I'm sorry to hear the other reviewer had a problem with an estimate and final work not matching -- in my experience that has got to be a fluke. A tensioner does get replaced with a new timing belt and yes, a cracked headlight often leads to multiple bulb replacements.\r They expanded to Subaru service a few years ago and now I see on their web site they service BMW, Mini and Audi more

Scanwest has a loyal following of Saab owners. I was initially one of them. But over several years and several thousands of dollars, I came to see their method. They know these cars, and they use that against their customers. They are all about the upsell. Sometimes you do want a mechanic who notices a problem that you weren't aware of. But Scanwest says things that are untrue. Example: Me: ""I need a headlight bulb."" Scanwest: ""Okay. You should replace that cracked glass cover, too."" Me: ""How much is that?"" Scanwest: ""$175. You'll go through a lot of bulbs if you don't replace it."" I didn't replace it. And three years later, not a single bulb more needed. Sometimes they do work that ""needed to be done"" without asking permission. That's illegal: Me: ""Why is my bill $300 higher than the quote?"" Scanwest: ""We replaced the tensioner when when we replaced your timing chain."" Me: ""Why did you do that? I didn't authorize that. Scanwest: It needs to be done when you change the chain."" Me: ""But I didn't authorize that. Nobody called me to ask. It's not on the estimate."" Scanwest: ""It's only three hundred dollars."" Yeah, right. And against state law. If they do work without asking, they should eat it. Not their customers. If you go there, sit in the waiting area. Listen to the phone calls. You will hear what I heard. Upsell, upsell, upsell. All day long. Not solving problems for customers, but finding ways to get more cash out of them. Pros: Technical skill is solid Cons: Not trustworthy more

I get my SAAB worked on at this shop, and have found them to be accurate and on top of the needed maintenance and repair. If you have a SAAB in the Seattle area, definitely check these guys out. At one point my transmission failed, and the owner, Rob, was clearly torn between taking a vacation the next week that he had planned with his wife, or tearing into my transmission to see why it had failed. We decided to install a rebuilt unit so that he could have his vacation. They have loaner cars which are older SAABs for the reasonable price of $10, but be sure to schedule in advance if you want a loaner. Oil changes are done anytime, just drop by. Pros: Independant, high technical knowledge and very into SAABs Cons: Loaners not always available more