Leaving in 5 days and driving to WDW...MONKEYWRENCH!

[Local_Girl]

Weeellll, I took the van (Honda Odyssey) into the dealership for an oil change and to check on what I thought was a minor transmission problem today. They tell us we need a new transmission in the van. Though normally that might be necessary, and a huge budget buster and a big pain, the BIGGEST problem with this situation is that we just completely replaced the transmission in this van 2-1/2 years ago. We had a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on the new tranny. We are at about 50,000 miles...so, of course, no longer under warranty.

They want $5000 plus for the new transmission/labor! DH is furious. The service folks at this dealership were trying to get Honda to honor the warranty, but it was denied. BTW, we do not tow anything with our van and the mileage on it is mostly due to highway driving. DH has a 15 year old Accord wagon with high miles on it and has had zero problems with the transmission in that vehicle.

So, not sure what to do. Unless Honda will cover the cost of replacing this transmission, we won't be getting it done. (Darn, I love my van. ) The immediate problem is what to do about the trip. Not going is the worst option as we've already paid for some things and they are non-refundable. We could take the Accord wagon, but with DH, me, and 2 teens, we'd be really cramped on a long trip and I'm a bit nervous about taking a vehicle with almost 300,000 miles on it. We could try to rent a vehicle...or fly...train?

Any suggestions? Maybe a hug...

 

[Justsyd2]

Here's a hug! Why not rent a car (or van) for the trip, and give yourself a bit of time to get another estimate? That estimate sounds really high to me!

 

[SDSorority]

Here's a hug! Why not rent a car (or van) for the trip, and give yourself a bit of time to get another estimate? That estimate sounds really high to me!

You know... I think that's a great idea, too! Normally you get unlimited miles!!

 

[bartleby1]

I don't know what year your honda is or whether it would even help if it was involved, but my 2008 had a recall involving the transmission software not long ago. Maybe check and see if yours was part of any recalls?

Hugs to you! Car problems stink!

 

[Soon2B4]

If you decide to rent, go the the transportation board. They would be able to help you work the best deal on a rental.

 

[DominicaAnne]

Gosh that stinks, but I'm glad they found it now, instead of you guys breaking down half way to Disney. I would check for airfare deals, just in case there's anything. Where are you coming from?

 

[gracie1]

I would not drive the van to wdw with a transmission problem. However, dealerships are definately much higher than garage/auto shops. The price of that transmission sounds awfully expensive. My father is a mechanic so I am pretty good with the price of items and getting things done. If I were you, definately call some other places to get a second opinion.

On another note, I know how you feel about the car budget buster. Even though mine is not as expensive, I had a flat tire the other day, of course right before my new ones that are getting put on this Saturday, and then the thermostat blew out so I have no heat This will be my third thermostat, which is also not normal. So I guess this is my "expensive" gift to myself for christmas this year

 

[GoodFairies]

I would be raising hell if my car had 50000 miles on it and was needing it's 3rd transmission. That is NOT normal.

I would have no problem trusting the high-mileage wagon that's proven itself trustworthy with no problems for daily driving.

 

[Darcy03231]

I'd definitely rent a van and take the trip as planned. If you go to www.mousesavers.com and to the rentals page there are codes listed. While some of them only apply to FL, there are others that are nationwide.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

We have never driven one of our cars to Disney. For the couple of hundred it cost us to rent it was definitely worth the piece of mind of not having to worry about the car. Now, it has been 6-7 years since we did this so make sure you look at car rental costs versus flying. We went over Christmas 2009 and I flew all 5 of us down there for $850. Good luck and I hope you can still take your trip!

 

[herdtoDisney]

Weeellll, I took the van (Honda Odyssey) into the dealership for an oil change and to check on what I thought was a minor transmission problem today. They tell us we need a new transmission in the van. Though normally that might be necessary, and a huge budget buster and a big pain, the BIGGEST problem with this situation is that we just completely replaced the transmission in this van 2-1/2 years ago. We had a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on the new tranny. We are at about 50,000 miles...so, of course, no longer under warranty.

They want $5000 plus for the new transmission/labor! DH is furious. The service folks at this dealership were trying to get Honda to honor the warranty, but it was denied. BTW, we do not tow anything with our van and the mileage on it is mostly due to highway driving. DH has a 15 year old Accord wagon with high miles on it and has had zero problems with the transmission in that vehicle.

So, not sure what to do. Unless Honda will cover the cost of replacing this transmission, we won't be getting it done. (Darn, I love my van. ) The immediate problem is what to do about the trip. Not going is the worst option as we've already paid for some things and they are non-refundable. We could take the Accord wagon, but with DH, me, and 2 teens, we'd be really cramped on a long trip and I'm a bit nervous about taking a vehicle with almost 300,000 miles on it. We could try to rent a vehicle...or fly...train?

Any suggestions? Maybe a hug...

Here's a hug This is a lousy situation! That transmission should totally NOT have gone out already. The $5000 seems really high, also. I had the transmission in my van (Chevy Astro) done a couple years ago for about half that.

I think, if I was in your situation-I'd rent a car or van and go on the trip.

Gosh, for the $5000 the dealership wants to fix that van, you could rent a vehicle for the trip and have over $4000 left to buy another van with...I've seen some decent used ones for that amount.

 

[BCV2003]

I had the transmission replaced in my Explorer last year for $2,000 so I would definitely shop around. I took mine to a place that specializes in transmissions.

 

[java]

Yes that sounds high to me too. But I think right now your best option is to rent a car- unless you have the time to shop around on the transmission.

 

[belle92471]

We had the same thing happen to us last year...3 days before leaving, thankfully our 2007 Toyota Sienna was still under warranty. But it was not going to be ready in time so we did have to rent a minivan(2 adults & 2 small children) It cost us about $500 for the rental, but it was a special trip with my in-laws and we weren't not going to go!!! Hope all works out for you and
ME(39) DH(42) DD(7) DS(4)

 

[Pembo]

Another vote for a rental and I'd get a second opinion on your transmission.

 

[lastminutemom]

You don't say what year your Odyssey is but please google it with the year (ie Honda Odyssey 2002 transmission problem)

Lots of Odysseys have faulty transmissions and across the country there is a huge variety of offers from honda.

Depending on your year, there may even be a class action lawsuit already formed.

 

[TiggerFan3590]

HUG to you....

Here is another vote for second opinion on the cost of the repair. Renting a van sounds like a great option.....

Pixie Dust for you!!!

 

[Local_Girl]

OP here...Thanks everyone for the support and suggestions--you guys are great! We've taken the van into a local transmission shop and they are looking at it this afternoon and will call us with an estimate. The guy there was shocked at the cost quote from the dealership as well. We'll proceed with the fix if the cost is reasonable and hopefully they can have it done before our trip.

Silly thing is, apparently with Honda, their method seems to be replace the tranny vs. fix it. I'm hoping the shop we've taken it to will be able to fix it for a fraction of the cost instead of having to replace the whole thing. We've just pumped money into the van for other things and since we own it (no payments, yay!) I'd rather keep it rather than have to get another vehicle now.

If we have to, we'll probably rent a car/van to go to WDW. Thanks for the suggestions about the best options if we go that route.

 

[budbeerlady]

Have a good trip OP and I hope you get better news today from the shop!

 

[SandrA9810]

I would look into having the tranny rebuilt. Which you could probably do for under 2 grand.