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I recently took my car into a mechanic to rectify a knocking noise that started on a road trip between Pittsburgh, PA and Portland, OR. The initial prognosis was that it sounded like an engine rod knocking and that new bearings might solve the problem. What the mechanic found when he pulled the oil pan was a sludgy mess coating the pan and all of the engine's innards.

I was dumbfounded. I change the oil like clockwork every 3,000 miles with a synthetic or semi-synthetic oil. How could there be such a serious sludge buildup in my engine?

It was then that I did a little research online and learned about the "Saab sludge problem." I found countless instances of Saab owners having the same sludge buildup issues. I also stumbled upon a letter from Saab Cars USA to Saab owners, dated June 20, 2005 (approximately one month before I purchased the car), acknowledging the "oil sludge" as being caused by "defects in material and workmanship," not by owner negligence. The letter went on to state that Saab was offering an extended 8 year/unlimited mileage warranty on "internally lubricated engine components." To qualify for the coverage, one must provide full proof of oil and filter changes at "recommended intervals." I change my oil regularly, and I save all of my car maintenance receipts, so I assumed I would have no problem qualifying for coverage.

I called my local Saab dealer, and what they told me was that despite the fact that I could provide full oil change records for the three years that I've owned the car, I was ineligible for coverage because I could not provide records for the three years prior to my having purchased the vehicle. Even though the car had only 25,000 miles on it when I bought it, I had to provide full records for the entire life of the car.

I called the dealership from which I purchased the car, only to be told that the information I was requesting was confidential and that they could not divulge any records about the previous owner.

In a last ditch effort, I called Saab Customer Service, only to be told more of the same. I was ineligible for coverage because I couldn't turn over the records for the first 25,000 miles the car was driven.

So what I'm left with is a car that, despite my having cared for it and maintaining it with proper diligence, is about to die with little over 50,000 miles on it. My only options now are to replace the engine for what the dealership quoted as approximately a $6,000 job, or sell the car for what little value it has left.

Needless to say, I'm extremely infuriated by the entire experience. How a car manufacturer can produce a knowingly-defective automobile yet refuse coverage to those who fall victim to their inferior products is beyond me. It's unethical and unacceptable. I'm jaded and disgusted with the Saab company as a whole. Over the years, the Saab name has gained a reputation for quality craftsmanship, reliability, and service. Yet it's become clear that the quality of their products and service have greatly suffered since having been bought out by GM. If you're looking for a mid-sized hatchback or coupe, go with a Toyota or Subaru. ANYTHING but a Saab!!!