Monday, July 21, 2014

Sigh, Updated



Need a new transmission.  For a 10 year old vehicle with +150,000 miles on it.  It may be time to euthanize.

Update:  Refreshing honesty  from the guy who would make money if he did the repairs/replace - don't.  The cost verses the worth of the vehicle isn't worth it.  It's still drivable, but has no overdrive.  It will pass inspection.  Don't be jumping out in front of traffic.  Don't be doing serious mountain driving.  Next year, when I have access to my money pot without the severe tax implications of this year, deal with it.

16 comments:

  1. Remember the rule of thumb: if the repair exceeds the value of the vehicle, then it may be time to replace the vehicle. On the other hand, I sometimes find that the repair is still less than a reliable replacement.

    Good luck.

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    1. Rev - Current value of the vehicle is maybe $2500 if nobody asks me questions about this and that... It is pretty much a beater. Which I liked - who cares about scratches and dings at that point?

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  2. Price used ones. Junkyard transmissions can sometimes go for many more years, especially if pulled from a low mileage wreck.

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    1. I thought of that after the first shock. And rebuild. I have to talk to them today.

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  3. Replies
    1. It's really bad timing, money-wise. I have the money to pay cash, but have to wait to access it. And I really was fine with driving a beater for years yet. You know what our roads are like.

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  4. Add a scream with frustration emoticon to that...

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  5. In other words, don't let Murphy's Law drive it.

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  6. The costs for repairs are SCARY.

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    1. They sure are. If you get away for less than $500 on a repair you're lucky.

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  7. If you can drive "as is", go for it. I mean, I've ridden with you and you're not exactly a fast or aggressive driver, Miss Daisy.

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    1. Exactly. It will get worse but right now as long as I keep it below 4000 rpm I'm ok. That means careful on hills and no passing.

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  8. A few ideas based on thirty years of selling cars and sixty years of driving beaters. Try a tranny flush where they disconnect the lines to the radiator (cooling lines) and attach them to a pump that flushes the torque converter and transmission. Should cost under $150. Anything you buy will need repairs. The question is how soon. If you put in a remanufactured transmission, how many months/years service can you expect from the vehicle. The last vehicle I didn't repair had 270,000 miles on it.

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    1. I do believe they said the torque converter was stuck open or some such thing. I will ask - thanks for the suggestion!

      Yeah, I asked for Matt get get me a cost for used. The more I thought about it, the more it seems that even if a used transmission runs just long enough to get out from under its warranty, that still gives me some breathing room and is way cheaper than a new vehicle.

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