1997 Saab 900

THREE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, THE CLUTCH CABLE ON MY CAR HAS BROKEN. THANKFULLY, EACH TIME I WAS WITHIN FOUR MILES OF MY HOME. WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO SHIFT, I WAS REQUIRED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HOME OR TO THE SERVICE STATION WITH NO STOPPING. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO BLOW THROUGH STOP SIGNS AND AVOID TRAFFIC. I DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO THREE MONTHS FROM NOW WHEN THE CABLE BREAKS AGAIN LEAVING ME STRANDED IN A LESS CONVENIENT LOCATION. *NM

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1997 SAAB 900S CONVERTIBLE - THE CLUTCH CABLE HAS BROKEN 3 TIMES IN 3 YEARS. EACH TIME, I HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD ONLY TO HAVE THE CABLE SNAP AND THE CLUTCH GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. ON SEPT 8, 2004 - THE CABLE BROKE FOR THE 3RD TIME - MY 5 YEAR OLD AND I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY - NARROWLY ESCAPING A MAJOR ACCIDENT OCCURING. MY IMPORT MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SAAB MANUFACTURER WHO ATTRIBUTES IT TO A POOR DESIGN. EACH FIX IS COSTING - $300 FOR LABOR AND PARTS AS WELL AS THE USE OF A RENTAL CAR FOR 1 WEEK BECAUSE OF A LONG DELAY IN GETTING PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I AM PURCHASING ANOTHER CAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY CHILD. HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP MY SAAB (FOR SUNNY DAYS) AS WELL. IS SAAB ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE? APPARENTLY THERE IS A PLASTIC PART AT THE END OF THE CABLE WHICH SNAPS OFF BECAUSE IT CAN'T TAKE THE CONSTANT PRESSURE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! WHAT IS THE FIX?*AK