Trying to decide if we should fix our transmission...

[2Tiggers]

Has anyone fixed their transmission and been happy with that choice? Our van is getting old and has 144,000 on it. Just don't know if we should put that money toward a new or new used vehicle.

So, if you have been faced with this decision, what did you choose and why?

 

[tar heel]

We did several years ago and got about four more years out of the van. We did it because the price of a reconditioned transmission was a lot less than replacing the van and the rest of it was in good condition.

 

[herdtoDisney]

How much is the repair expected to cost?

I did repair the transmission on my van, which is a '98 Chevy Astro. I did it when the van was 9 years old, so four years ago. I still have the van and still drive it. I figure the repair paid for itself many times over.

 

[2Tiggers]

We will know more on the cost tomorrow. Our mechanic who doesn't do transmissions estimated 2,000. But that is just a guess. We will talk with this other mechanic tomorrow.

 

[Madison'smommy]

My DH had his replaced last year on his truck... It is a 1999 Explorer. It was a little under $2000.00. His truck is still going strong with nearly 200,000 miles on it. $2000 he put into it is less than a years worth of car payments... so its all good for us.

 

[BCV2003]

Three and a half years ago, I made the decision to replace the transmission in a 1996 Explorer that had 100,000 miles on it. The cost was $1800. At that time, I felt that if it lasted for 4-5 months then it would be worth it. This Explorer is still running fine and I'm glad that I did it even though this is just a secondary car now.

 

[DISdreamin']

I know someone that paid to put two transmissions in one vehicle over the course of a a little over one year. The outcome of a rebuild is, IMHO, only as good as the place you have it done. Reputable places should have a generous warranty (ie: not just 90 days!).

FWIW, replaced a transmission in a pickup earlier this year to the tune of $3200, replaced a trannie in a Suburban some years back for about $2500. Was very happy with the outcome with the Suburban, so we went that route with the F150. Happy so far!

The F150 came out with a 2 year, 24K warranty for any problems with the transmission. On passenger cars and vans the place we had the work done offers a lifetime warranty on parts and labor. If you can't find a place with a good warranty, I'd be very, very wary.

 

[Princesca]

I think you just have to run the numbers. But don't look at a replaced transmission as a write-off if you have it done. That (I would think) would give you a little more trade-in value if/when you DO decide to get rid of it.

I guess I would look at the car you'd likely buy if you bought one, figure how much it would cost you per month, and compare that to the cost of replacing the transmission. (Also factoring in any savings in gas for a car with better mileage, etc.) But also note your insurance will probably go up on a newer car.

 

[ssawka]

IMHO, others may disagree, I would not spend more to repair an automobile than it is worth. Check the blue book, if the repair is more than the value of the van, count your loses and move on.

 

[DISdreamin']

IMHO, others may disagree, I would not spend more to repair an automobile than it is worth. Check the blue book, if the repair is more than the value of the van, count your loses and move on.

Yes and no to this from my point of view. I would definitely take KBB into consideration. The F150 wasn't worth too much more than the trannie we put in it, BUT to replace it with another truck with no rust, known repair history, etc. was impossible, so it seemed to make the most sense to repair rather than try to replace. The mileage on it wasn't high, and if it gets through even the two warranty years without another major repair, it only comes out to $133 a month, which wouldn't get you far if you had to do payments.

 

[C.Ann]

Years ago we had a station wagon that I wrecked the transmission in (oops!) by running over a concrete barrier in a parking spot.. The car had 95,000 miles on it, but was in good shape otherwise (not even a rust spot on it).. We replaced the transmission for $1200 and got another 100,000 miles out of it before we used it as a trade in on another used vehicle.. (Was still running fine then too..)

If your vehicle has been very well maintained, depending on your cost, I think it would probably be worth it.. Just deal with someone very reliable..

Good luck..

 

[disneymarie]

We did several years ago and got about four more years out of the van. We did it because the price of a reconditioned transmission was a lot less than replacing the van and the rest of it was in good condition.

This, especially if you have someone mechanically inclined that does them...

If that is the only issue I would repair.

 

[squirrel]

I took my first Honda in to the dealership when the transmission went. They told me the cost to fix it. My dad called around and found another place that was cheaper.

Drove it over, about 2 blocks from the Honda dealership and left it for them to work on. When they finished it cost me more than what the Honda dealership wanted. Not only that but I didn't even get the car home without it giving out on me. They fixed it again and then it was fine for about 6 yrs. I decided not to put more $ into it as it wasn't passing AirCare and it was starting to rust in spots.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Our (2002) car's transmission became sick at 185K. Last year we paid 3000 for a factory remanufactured unit that has a 3 year/100k warranty.

We have enjoyed the last 12 months of stress free driving and have 2 years of coverage left. We have already at least broken even of the cost of the job compared to making car payments and the next 2 years should be gravy!

Even once the warranty expires, we expect to keep the car even longer.

 

[lisaross]

I think it depends on the cost of the repair, how old is your car? Were u planning on purchasing a new car - do u have money saved for a new car?

I have a 99 mini van with about 104,000 miles on it. i have made repairs this past year equalling a few hundred dollars - maybe all together about 500. I have been saving for a new car - the next "big" repair needed, i think i will purchase a new car - But again i've been saving and am mentally ready to do this!

Good luck!

 

[ksloane]

Put a new transmission in my 2004 Grand Prix 2 years ago...still running great! I don't remember what it cost but the car was paid off and I really didn't want a car payment. I've gotten another 2 years out of it, and *knock on wood* see no signs that I won't get many more miles out of it.

 

[kwhite1022]

We were faced with a similar situation back in August. Our 99 Pontiac Montana with 135,000 miles was going to need a new tranny. We felt that because of all the miles, and the fact that I had a small fender bender that made my only sliding door be wedged, the cost to replace both door and tranny was above what we though we could get out of it. We bought a 2005 Honda Odyssey, quite a step up from our old van, and LOVE it, we will have it paid for in one year, due to hubbies bonuses/double time. We had been without car payments for years, so while we didnt like starting with them again, things had changed so much from when we bought our last van, that we couldnt find a van to pay cash for that wasnt junk. Still one year of payments for this quality of van wont be too bad.....doesnt hurt that both hubby and I adore the ammenities in the Honda, and have no buyers remorse.

 

[DISdreamin']

We bought a 2005 Honda Odyssey, quite a step up from our old van, and LOVE it, we will have it paid for in one year, due to hubbies bonuses/double time. We had been without car payments for years, so while we didnt like starting with them again, things had changed so much from when we bought our last van, that we couldnt find a van to pay cash for that wasnt junk. Still one year of payments for this quality of van wont be too bad.....doesnt hurt that both hubby and I adore the ammenities in the Honda, and have no buyers remorse.

Sadly, you may want to watch that transmission carefully. Ody are known for having trannie issues. We had the one in our 2003 replaced right before 100K. Just before the extended powertrain warranty went away I went in and tried one last time to get them to acknowledge the issue I had been encountering. The service manager drove it and agreed there was a problem, and , a new trannie.

The problems with the Ody transmissions are perennial. There are known problems dating back to either the first or second generation Ody (they're on 4th gen now). I think that the transmission is the weak link in an otherwise really nice chain. I truly love our Ody, despite the transmission issues.

 

[kwhite1022]

Sadly, you may want to watch that transmission carefully. Ody are known for having trannie issues. We had the one in our 2003 replaced right before 100K. Just before the extended powertrain warranty went away I went in and tried one last time to get them to acknowledge the issue I had been encountering. The service manager drove it and agreed there was a problem, and , a new trannie.

The problems with the Ody transmissions are perennial. There are known problems dating back to either the first or second generation Ody (they're on 4th gen now). I think that the transmission is the weak link in an otherwise really nice chain. I truly love our Ody, despite the transmission issues.

Thanks for the advice but we feel pretty confident in what we bought, or else we wouldnt have spent the money. That said, trannies are trouble spots for any minivan, and should that happen, Id still have no remorse, I love it that much.

 

[DISdreamin']

I totally hear you, kwhite. DH and I have been talking about trading in my car and we keep coming back to the Ody, even though we had issues with ours. We like the one we have THAT much.

To the OP, did you decide that to do about your vehicle?