Replace transmission...or the car

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Replace transmission...or the car

Posted: 10/3/2005 10:40:28 AM EDT

I started having trouble with my transmission slipping etc on Saturday. So I take it in today to have it checked. Mechanic says I need to replace my transmission which is going to costs me about $2700. It is a 1999 Mercury Sable with 115,000 miles on it. It has been an excellent car; the only repair I have had is a wheel bearing. So would you have the transmission replaced or just buy a new car?

Posted: 10/3/2005 10:41:48 AM EDT

[#1]

I would just get a new car with about 50,000 miles on it. That way all the parts will have less use.

Posted: 10/3/2005 10:43:04 AM EDT

[#2]

In your case, the car. The tranny will fail again. Sables are notorious for having lousy transmissions. Honestly, I'm suprised you made it to 115,000 miles before transmission problems crept up.

Posted: 10/3/2005 10:45:19 AM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
In your case, the car. The tranny will fail again. Sables are notorious for having lousy transmissions. Honestly, I'm suprised you made it to 115,000 miles before transmission problems crept up.

Really? This is the third Sable I have had. The other two had over 150,000 miles on them when I got rid of them and I never had any problems with the transmission.

Posted: 10/3/2005 10:46:38 AM EDT

[#4]

Considering value, resale, price of new transmission and likelihood of other repairs I'd dump the sable immediately.

Posted: 10/3/2005 10:47:02 AM EDT

[#5]

Well...how much is the car worth?

If the answer is that the transmission is worth anywhere from half the value of the car on up? Sell the car.

I.e. if the car's worth 5k on the market and the tranny would cost $2700...I'd sell the car and use the $2700 to buy a new one.

Posted: 10/3/2005 10:48:49 AM EDT

[#6]

They had problems in the taurus and sable transmissions. One of the parts was aluminum and was replaced with a steel peice around the 2000 or 2001 model if I recall correctly.

Go to the Taurus Car Club of America website and they will have all the details. For the amout of money you would be spending on a tranny you could add a little more and get a car with less miles.

Posted: 10/3/2005 10:56:12 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Well...how much is the car worth?

If the answer is that the transmission is worth anywhere from half the value of the car on up? Sell the car.

I.e. if the car's worth 5k on the market and the tranny would cost $2700...I'd sell the car and use the $2700 to buy a new one.

Absolutely right. Those things have zero resale value with LOW MILES! With over 100k, forget it. Give it to a Katrina Family!

Posted: 10/3/2005 10:58:35 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Quoted:
In your case, the car. The tranny will fail again. Sables are notorious for having lousy transmissions. Honestly, I'm suprised you made it to 115,000 miles before transmission problems crept up.

Really? This is the third Sable I have had. The other two had over 150,000 miles on them when I got rid of them and I never had any problems with the transmission.

I honestly think you got lucky. Ford used to have a lot of problems with the automatics in their Bronco IIs...One of my family members had to have it replaced 3 times (last two were under shop warranty). I have heard of a lot of similar transmission problems in Tauruses and Sables...I'd just cut my losses and get a Honda, and if you want to buy American I'd probably go GM...

Posted: 10/3/2005 11:20:50 AM EDT

[#9]

Honda recalled over 1.4 million cars for bad transmissions last year, I wouldn't think that would be any better of a choice.

Posted: 10/3/2005 11:23:09 AM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
Honda recalled over 1.4 million cars for bad transmissions last year, I wouldn't think that would be any better of a choice.

A honda recall is the exception to the rule. And an American made car going over 100k without major repairs is also the exception to the rule.

Posted: 10/3/2005 11:48:42 AM EDT

[#11]

Buy a spare car just like it. Make one good runner and set the other on blocks in the front yard.

I saw a few of these and Taurus rom working at a repair shop in high school. Either they gave no problems or were total lemons. The problems usually started earlier but they did tend to start with the transmission or PCM. I'd toss it.

Posted: 10/3/2005 11:50:09 AM EDT

[#12]

what about a junkyard or remaned tranny? are you able to install yourself by any chance?

otehrwise, i'm inclined to say dump it. 2700 into a car with low resale value is hard to justify. another big repair anytime soon and you are going to take a bath on this thing. how much have you put into it lately? lots of service comes due, with good reason, around the 100,000 mile mark.

Posted: 10/3/2005 11:51:54 AM EDT

[#13]

www.automotive.com/1999/09/mercury/sable/

Posted: 10/3/2005 11:52:00 AM EDT

[#14]

Buy another car with a MANUAL tranny.

Posted: 10/3/2005 11:53:24 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
In your case, the car. The tranny will fail again. Sables are notorious for having lousy transmissions. Honestly, I'm suprised you made it to 115,000 miles before transmission problems crept up.

Really? This is the third Sable I have had. The other two had over 150,000 miles on them when I got rid of them and I never had any problems with the transmission.

I honestly think you got lucky. Ford used to have a lot of problems with the automatics in their Bronco IIs...One of my family members had to have it replaced 3 times (last two were under shop warranty). I have heard of a lot of similar transmission problems in Tauruses and Sables...I'd just cut my losses and get a Honda, and if you want to buy American I'd probably go GM...

Yup. Ford tranny's are notorious for being shit kickers.

Every ford I've owned/ridden/etc. has had some sort of tranny problem. Early 90's Taurus to a '04 Explorer that had to have a tranny rebuild at 38K miles and Ford told my FIL tough shit. Sorry. Sold my mercury after I was spending a good 40 Hours a month fixing shit going bad on it.

Haven't had to work on my Subaru since I got it. So much free time!

Posted: 10/3/2005 12:12:31 PM EDT

[#16]

I would go for a second opinion. Go to a shop that specializes in transmissions such as Lee Myles or Aamco. My mom had trouble with a Ford Escort about twelve years ago. My brother and I pushed the car to a local mechanic that was nearby. He told us that the whole transmission needed to be replaced and that it would cost $2100. We gave authorization for the work to be done. The next day, my mom sent me over with the check for the balance of the repair costs. I noticed that the car was missing and I informed my mom. She called up the owner demanding to know where her car was. He had farmed out the repair job to another shop. She was angry because she had the understanding that his shop was going to fix it. She demanded her car back without any work performed on it. She also demanded the refund of her deposit. She had the car towed to a Lee Myles shop that offered free towing. The car was inspected and there was only a failure of one part. The job cost only about $450. Get a second, third opinion (estimate of costs) - it could be cheaper somewhere else.

Posted: 10/3/2005 12:54:51 PM EDT

[#17]

I would get a new car. Most USA-built cars are made to last around 125-150,000 miles, and everything will need to be replaced. I would get either a Toyota or a Honda if you want to keep a car for the long-haul. The Toyotas and Hondas will last into the 300,000 mile range if you do your part, because my neigbhor had one that was sold at 250,000 miles. There is a reason why USA-built cars have a zero resale value.

Posted: 10/3/2005 1:02:43 PM EDT

[#18]

No friggin way should you spend the $2700

New car time my friend.

I speak from experience.

Posted: 10/3/2005 1:02:56 PM EDT

[#19]

Jasper trannys? Get one from the junkyard?

And get another (or 3 or 4) quotes.

vmax84

Posted: 10/3/2005 1:17:31 PM EDT

[#20]

I vote replace.
To add to the anecdotal evidence here: My wife's 1994 Mercury Sable was on it's 3rd transmission when we junked it. I don't think it had 120k miles on it yet. It also had bad CV joints.
The first transmission slipped and was sent back for grudgingly given warranty service. The second crapped out on my wife and caught on fire by the roadside (plenty of AT fluid in it, but something broke loose inside). The third would slip periodically a few months after installation.

We bought a Honda Civic. I'll not buy another Ford product new or moderately used until I start hearing better quality reviews.

Posted: 10/3/2005 1:22:42 PM EDT

[#21]

Was he Pre-Lubbing your ass or was this a Dry $2700 quote?

Posted: 10/3/2005 1:41:55 PM EDT

[#22]

I happen to be a used car dealer. According to NADA if its in average condition its worth 2500-3000 trade in and 4k-5k if you sell it yourself. That's for a GS model and I didn't add for options. Add 10% if its the LS, $75 if it has alloy wheels, $150 for AC.

That's about all the help I can give without seeing the car.

Posted: 10/3/2005 1:50:38 PM EDT

[#23]

What do you use it for? Is it your family primary vehicle? if you use it just for a reasonable commute? If just easy commuting, get it fixed and keep running it. Why get your self into another lonad and monthly payments?

People ask why I still drive my truck, well at about 200k miles and a rebuilt engine and rebuilt tranny it runs smooth as a new truck. All I pay for are gas and lube oil changes, my insurance payments are very reasonable. Compare that to a "new" vehicle with monthly payments and higher insurance, for what something that looks prettier? I don't think so. But I use it for commuting, camping, my shooting trips etc.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Replace transmission...or the car

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