My car's transmission is going bad. Should I...

[Race4Peace]

get it fixed or get a new car?

BTW It's a '94 dodge shadow, 199,700 miles, and the auto trans. has had a leak for almost a year. it currently working in "limp home" mode. the transmission shifting was hesitant, switching like this:1,N,1,N,2,N,2,etc.

[lil-petunia]

1. find a gun owner and let him use it for target practice.

for the price of a rebuilt, and probable engine problems, (if the trannie leaks, the engine probably does too) you can get something newer, still used, and safer and lower mpg.

[Race4Peace]

4. a 2000Plymouth Neon?

[JVS]

2. Get a stick next time

[Race4Peace]

6. working on it

[physioex]

9. He has a ten year old car with 200K miles...

I think things went well rather well. Manual transmission require cluctch replacement every few years also depending on how you drive. It doesn't matter what transmission he chooses next time. The key is to change the fluids regularly and a person would do fine....

[JVS]

12. It is still cheaper and easier to fix a stick.

[physioex]

17. If something goes wrong yes it is cheaper...

But a major thing that people neglect with AT is the fact that they don't have the fluids changed every 30K miles. This will reduce the chances a tranmission would fail. It's also a matter of preference, I drive in stop and go traffic and I don't want the hassel....

[JVS]

19. I live in a very hilly area, so it's a question of when and not if...

as far as automatics are concerned.

I have been known to take backroads to avoid having to constantly clutch though.

[Race4Peace]

14. How do i change the fluid, anyway?

never did it before

[physioex]

15. LOL....It's time you learnt...

It's different for different cars. Some cars have transmission filters (American), some have metal mesh screens (Japanese), and yet others like Honda don't have a serviceable filter.

Note this is a typical case. And things vary based on car models...

American Cars:
Some American cars are rather messey as you have to first remove the transmission oil pan. Then you drain the fluid, and finally replace the filter. Then put everything back. I think your current car falls in this category....

Cars with mesh:
Some Japanese cars have a drain plug which will drain the fluid. Remove the pan if you want a complete fluid drain clean the mesh and replace all the parts back.

Cars with no serviceabale filters:
Honda's are like this. Drain the fluid and replace with new fluid. Honda cars are very picky and you have to replace the fluid with Honda fluid. It's sucks but that's how it goes.

There are many new machines that will replace the entire fluid. You have to take your car to a repair shop to do this. The disadvantage is that you would have to pay extra to have the filter replaced.


Hope this gives you and idea, feel free to ask furthur questions. If you buy a new car, do preventive maintenace, it will prolong the life of the car and save you money in the long run. This includes regular oil changes, cooling system flush, and transmission oil change.. :)

[Race4Peace]

16. And I didn't buy it new... I bought it used 3 years ago

[kysrsoze]

3. Buy another used car. You got a LOT of miles out of it though.

[Race4Peace]

5. It was bought as a used car 3 years ago

[physioex]

10. The car is at the end of it's life...This is quite normal....

[Reverend_Smitty]

7. Dump it quickly

a rebuilt transmission will set you back $700 easily. Not worth it IMHO

[physioex]

8. Plus installation costs...I agree....

Get another used car, you would be better of...

[physioex]

11. One final suggestion...

If you are financially able, consider donating the car to charity. There are several orgnaizations like the volunteers of america, and the kidney foundation you can find them in your phone book....

[CO Liberal]

13. We Took Our Plymouth Sundance to Aamco

The trans started slipping at 103,000 miles. It cost us $1,300 to get the trans rebuilt, but it's running like new now.

If the rest of the car is in good shape, you may want to consider getting the trans fixed. If not, it's time for a different car.

[Race4Peace]

18. Broke ABS, AC, front shock absorber system, is it time for another car?

[CO Liberal]

24. Probably

It may cost a small fortune to fix the ABS and AC, and replace the front shock absorbers (they're probably struts, which are far more expensive than regular shocks).

We decided to fix the trans in my wife's Sundance because the rest of the car was in excellent condition. And still is.

[TheMightyFavog]

20. Two words:

Viking funeral.

[radwriter0555]

21. new used car. OR buy a Scion, new, loaded, out the door, $14k

like I did when faced with the same problem.

SUCHA deal!



http://scion.com/drive/gallery/drive_xa_gallery.html

GREAT on gas, all the features, one fixed price, really HOT looking and fantastically priced for a sort of economy car.

I needed 4 doors and cargo space that saved on gas and was low in price.

VIOLA!

[leftyandproud]

22. neither

Go to a junkyard...Find a similar car that got totalled from the rear. I did this a few years ago...took the engine out of a crumpled(from the rear) 94 escort, and put it in my car. It only had like 20k miles on it when it was wrecked. I've been driving it without problems for three years now. Total cost including installation = $700

[Race4Peace]

23. I was thinking of doing that instead...

Buying a used transmission(in better condition than my current transmission) and putting it to use

[OKNancy]

25. Weird

I was just thinking of asking advise on DU about my transmission problems.

Should I get it fixed? ( I'm poor and can't really afford a new car)

Ten year old Dodge Caravan LE. Only 56,000 miles. I had it fixed before under warranty three years ago. It has never been right.
I'm afraid fixing it will cost more than it's worth.

[BiggJawn]

26. You got 200K out of a Chrysler product?

Good for you!
How much money you got? The cost of repair could exceed the value of the car.

We had a 5-speed replaced in a Mazda truck last year. $800 for a "Rebuilt" gearbox. That was not cost-effective, but we use the truck for yard and garden hauling

[Commendatori]

27. The most important thing is to

stop driving it immediately. A faulty transmission like that can give out at any time, like when you're pulling into an intersection. Take a cab, take the bus, but stop driving that thing. Now.

[yellowcanine]

28. Donate it to a charity and take the tax deduction. Buy another used car.

Unless you have extra money - a used car with 20,000 - 30,000 miles on it is the way to go.

[BlueJazz]

29. Race4Peace...I know that this is an obvious question....

but have you checked the Fluid Level in your Transmission?

From your desciption, sounds like it's just low on Transmission Fluid.

(You check it with the Engine running with Transmission in neutral)

[midnight armadillo]

30. Trade with me

I have a 93 Corolla that's rapidly approaching the same state. I am planning on trading it in soon and will cross my fingers that it behaves on the trade in day ;-)

Ok, so I don't really want to trade cars. The real fix: get a manual shift next time. Clutches fail gradually and fairly predictably, and won't, say, shift into neutral and STAY THERE when you're going 80 mph in rush hour traffic on the Mass Turnpike. (I picked up a few extra grey hairs on that one)

[ScreamingMeemie]

31. Check out the repair prices in your area because transmission guys

are notorious for the screw...But my father recently had the trans replaced in his Intrepid for $400. Good luck whatever you decide. :hi: