Saab Repair: fan clutch, electric cooling fan, radiator hose

Question
Hello,
  I think I bought the car from hell.  I bought it from a private owner and before I got home the heat gauge went to the top.  Needless to say it was very hard to find someone to work on imports but they replaced a radiator hose and thermostat.  But the mechanic said that the fan isn't turning fast enough to draw enough air through the radiator and the part would cost $400.  He said it would be OK unless I get stuck some hot day in bumper to bumper traffic.  I have noticed that at long lights the heat gauge goes up and it's scaring me to death.  Is there a cheaper way to fix this or can I drive it as is?

Answer
Put in a used or aftermarket electric cooling fan, you should be able to fix it up for WAY less than $400. I would think for about a hundred bucks you should be able to get yourself going again, and if you cannot get the fan to work off your existing wiring, you could always wire it directly from the battery, through a protective fuse, and a switch in the car, to the fan. Then you just turn it on when you need it.