For 2,000+ Mile Round-Trip Drivers Only! (II)

[marius97]

8 days out...took the car in for its pre-vacation oil change/check on an engine noise that started the day before...turns out we may need a totally new engine....Even if the used car warranty pays for the repairs, I don't know that it will be fixed in time. I guess that is why we drive down and stay at a family member's vacation home. Changing plans doesn't cost us anything. But I was soooo looking forward to leaving. I've been bored out of my mind since my college semester ended a month ago, but the kids aren't out for another seven days.

 

[dvczerfs]

great pics and have a safe trip tracy!
a new engine?

 

[angelat]

Ok, so we have plans to drive from the Poconos to Orlando in August.

We were planning on driving my husbands SUV ( a 2002 Acura MDX) because of the extra room and the DVD player and screens.

Last weekend however, we had a problem with the transmission overheating. We towed it immediately to a transmission repair shop who did a diagnostic and told us that it overheated, that there was no leaks or anything like that. But they need to open it up to diagnose the problem. We checked around and actually had it towed to another shop who was offering a better warranty and pricing. They will also run a diagnostic today and possibly need to open it up for a complete diagnosis.

I've read that it can be something quite simple, or it could be quite a big repair.

The bottom line is, my DH is leary of driving this (to FL and back) after it is repaired. I think that once they do the updates needed and repairs, it should be fine. But I may be looking through rose colored glasses. What do you all think? Anyone have experience with something similar?

I had a transmission rebuilt back in '93 on a '87 Mustang. It got another couple of years out of it before the engine crapped out at almost 300,000 miles. The transmission worked beautifully during that time and I made many trips from North Jersey to Wildwood during that time. This is why I'm thinking all will be fine.

Thoughts????

 

[MamaJessie]

The bottom line is, my DH is leary of driving this (to FL and back) after it is repaired. I think that once they do the updates needed and repairs, it should be fine. But I may be looking through rose colored glasses. What do you all think? Anyone have experience with something similar? Thoughts????

Once it is repaired it should be fine to drive. I can't imagine why not.

 

[dvczerfs]

Ok, so we have plans to drive from the Poconos to Orlando in August.

We were planning on driving my husbands SUV ( a 2002 Acura MDX) because of the extra room and the DVD player and screens.

Last weekend however, we had a problem with the transmission overheating. We towed it immediately to a transmission repair shop who did a diagnostic and told us that it overheated, that there was no leaks or anything like that. But they need to open it up to diagnose the problem. We checked around and actually had it towed to another shop who was offering a better warranty and pricing. They will also run a diagnostic today and possibly need to open it up for a complete diagnosis.

I've read that it can be something quite simple, or it could be quite a big repair.

The bottom line is, my DH is leary of driving this (to FL and back) after it is repaired. I think that once they do the updates needed and repairs, it should be fine. But I may be looking through rose colored glasses. What do you all think? Anyone have experience with something similar?

I had a transmission rebuilt back in '93 on a '87 Mustang. It got another couple of years out of it before the engine crapped out at almost 300,000 miles. The transmission worked beautifully during that time and I made many trips from North Jersey to Wildwood during that time. This is why I'm thinking all will be fine.

Thoughts????

well, thats a tough one. if it was me, even if it was repaired and you drove it all summer, i wouldnt be able to relax on the trip. anything can break down at anytime but i would spend the entire trip waiting for the trans "shoe to fall". but thats just me. if it was me, i would drive something else or rent a car.

 

[glen65]

Angelat,
I may have more questions than answers but maybe these questions will help you to come to the answer…

First, I would be nervous about taking a car with a newly rebuilt transmission on a long road trip.

Do you have AAA? If so, that will give you a little bit of an insurance policy for the trip. You will at least have towing and they will take it to a AAA approved shop but you still will have to pay for any repairs on the road.

What about the other car that you aren’t taking? Could you take that instead? Is it reliable but just doesn’t have the extra room or the dvd player? You can pick up a portable dvd player for about $50 if that’s important to the trip.

Have you thought about getting a renal car instead of driving one of your cars? You would save on the wear and tear on your own cars and have the luxury of taking a newer car on the trip. Check around, you might be able to find a good deal on a rental with unlimited mileage.

Hope this helps.

 

[sharadoc]

Angelat - My understanding is that all rental cars in PA are unlimited mileage so a rental could be the way to go!

 

[MamaJessie]

OK, now you guys are scaring me. Why shouldn't you drive a car with a rebuilt tranny on a long trip?

 

[glen65]

OK, now you guys are scaring me. Why shouldn't you drive a car with a rebuilt tranny on a long trip?

I'm not against driving a car with a rebuilt transmission on a long trip. However, I would be concerned about driving a car with a newly rebuilt transmission that has yet to be driven for at least a month to be sure it is reliable.

 

[dvczerfs]

OK, now you guys are scaring me. Why shouldn't you drive a car with a rebuilt tranny on a long trip?

im no auto machanic, i can check the oil, tire pressure and put gas in it. dont go by me. like i said, anything can breakdown, if it was me, i would be waiting for the trans to start making a noise or slipping all the way and back. thats just me. i got a flat on the ac expressway one year and for a long time, eveytime i feel the wheel pull one way or the other, im looking at my dash to see if im losing pressure anywere.if it was fixed and you got some mileage on it, i would feel better taking it.

 

[nono]

The transmission worked beautifully during that time and I made many trips from North Jersey to Wildwood during that time. This is why I'm thinking all will be fine.

Well, that trip is about 1/9 - 1/10th the length of your planned trip. So I guess that's why the concern. If you got stuck in Wildwood, the risk was low as you can always get a ride back home pretty easily, and could even convince someone to tow you there!

So, it just depends on your risk tolerance. Since it sounds like you have no history with the garage doing the repairs, I'd be concerned as to how good are they at nailing an entire problem in one shot. Without a shared history together, it's harder for me to have that trust that everything was done right the first time. And, how good is their warranty when your vehicle is 1000 miles away? (They might have a network, they might not).

Anyway, that's what I'd be weighing.

Good luck!

 

[angelat]

Thank you everyone!
We took it from the shop it was at and had a second opinion given at Lee Myles. I think we're going to stick with them. He advised me much the same as dvczerfs and glen65. He recommends we put 1000 miles on it after the rebuild and bring it in for a thorough check at that point and possiblly even once more before we leave. They are nationwide, though through the Carolinas and Georgia it doesn't seem that they have any shops. Florida, yes.

My car has a little more mileage on it and it's not quite as roomy or comfy as DHs SUV. It is a last resort to take it, but hopefully we won't have to. A rental is anywhere from $4-700 for our dates right now depending on what and where we rent!


Thanks everyone for your suggestions and input. I really do appreciate having you all here to bounce this off of.

 

[PrincessMom4]

Can't wait til my 60 day countdown. We really need this...

 

[dvczerfs]

Can't wait til my 60 day countdown. We really need this...

ill be at the mk when you hit your 60 day mark.

 

[sharadoc]

Can't wait til my 60 day countdown. We really need this...

ill be at the mk when you hit your 60 day mark.

I think we'll be at HS. No fantasmic and early close means lowest crowds of the week!

 

[glen65]

angelat,
I'm shocked that a mechanic would say what I suggested! Normally everyone disagrees with what I advise! LOL

 

[PrincessMom4]

I think we'll be at HS. No fantasmic and early close means lowest crowds of the week!

Sharadoc and Dvcderfs, did yall see my "Minnie"van?? LOL

 

[MamaJessie]

Oh that makes sense, make sure it has some miles on it so you can see if the problem was properly fixed. Feelin better now. It has been fixed for a couple months and we still have almost three and a half months left so that should be good. *phew* I thought maybe there was some hidden danger of the rebuilt tranny I didn't know about.

 

[matosfam]

40 minutes into our first Dis-roadtrip!
Kids still don't know where our "adventure" is taking us! LOL!

 

[MamaJessie]

40 minutes into our first Dis-roadtrip!
Kids still don't know where our "adventure" is taking us! LOL!

Oh my gosh that is so exciting. How far into the trip are you telling them?