Replace transmission, or replace car?

buckle97 · May 12, 2006

Here's the deal:
I drive 160 miles round trip per day to work and back. I average 45,000 miles per year on my commuter vehicle.
Current commuter car is a 2002 Taurus with 116k miles on it. I bought it when it was 2 years old with 37k miles on it for $7,500. The market was, and still is, flooded with Taurus's so they come pretty cheap. I have had no problems out of it in the first 116k but yesterday the transmission went out. Now I have a decision to make. To muddy the waters a little more, just two weeks ago I had new tires, brakes, tune up, etc. done to the tune of $993.
What is everyone's opinion? Fix the car with 116k, or scrap it and start over?
I must say that I feel I have already gotten my $7,500 worth out of this car.

First quote for a new transmission is $2,969.00 installed.

Lawrence

dooleysm · May 12, 2006

I don't think I'd sink that kind of money into a car with that many miles. You could likely go out and buy a similar car that is running for that kind of money.

buckle97 · May 12, 2006

<font color="blue"> don't think I'd sink that kind of money into a car with that many miles. </font>

That’s my dilemma. Taurus’s are notorious for transmission trouble, so this isn’t news to me.

Lawrence

texbaylea · May 12, 2006

buckle97

Studies I have seen say that it is not economical to spend more than 50% of the value of a vehicle on repair. With the money you just spent you would be well over that 50% level.

Vernon

fishman · May 12, 2006

I think I would look at the cost of a rebuilt transmission, or better yet a low mileage one from a junkyard. At the rate you're putting miles on the car, you might get another two years out of it, so compare that to paying for another used one. Another way to look at it is that it's not worth but about $500 in it's current state, but with a working tranny it's probably worth at least $2500. So your actual transmission cost might be viewed as whatever $ you spend above $2k, which is the difference between your car with a working transmission and one without.

I would tend to want to repair it, particularly in light of the $1k you've recently spent to put new tires and brakes on it and tune it up. While I'm sure there are a lot of things that could go wrong, it's unlikely you'll experience engine failure in the near future, and you've just replaced a lot of consumables.

timb · May 12, 2006

What's it's value as is, what would be the value *with* a new tranny, and how many miles would you have to get out of it with new tranny to get back to "break even"?

Didn't know there were supposed to be general tranny weaknesses - when I traded my 88 Taurus in it had 140K+ and the tranny seemed perfect (as was the rest of the car, never did give me any trouble). I did have it flushed every 12K-15K.

beenthere · May 12, 2006

I wouldn't sink $3k into a transmission, but would consider $1k in a low-mileage used tran from a wrecked 2002 (if it could be found), trying to avoid a flood 'victim'.

Driving 160 mi a day must be for a high-payin job to do that day after day. About 4 hours of your life, 20 hours a week, or 1000 hours a year just driving in a high-risk situation. When I hear it, my 'pain' level goes up for you. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

MossRoad · May 12, 2006

Can't the tranny be rebuilt? The most I've ever put into a tranny was about $1100.00 and that was on a 4X4 truck. There are several reputable trannyshops here in our town. I would think it should be the same elsewhere... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

buckle97 · May 12, 2006

Quote #2 is in: $3,327.28

For the record, quote #1 is from a repair shop I use frequently (I have many vehicles). Quote #2 is from an independent transmission shop. Both places mentioned the labor being very high for this car.
Both transmissions are remanufactured transmissions, NOT new!

I have a call into the Ford dealership for a quote; I expect it shortly.

Lawrence