Well, the garage just called

[xiphias]

It's the transmission of our car that went. They need to hand it off to their transmission specialist to figure out exactly WHAT it is that broke. Worst case, of course, is that we'll need an entirely new transmission -- three grand. It could be somewhat less than that, if it's less b0rked.

Lis and I are now wondering whether we should be thinking about replacing rather than reparing the car.

Any opinions, advice, etc? What do y'all know about transmissions?

Comments

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised. Toyota transmissions are generally fairly reliable, and it's *VERY* uncharacteristic of yours to just crap out like that. Maybe you want to investigate replacing it with a low-mileage used transmission?

[sarianna.livejournal.com]

Agreed--Toyotas last for-freaking-ever. That's definitely an less-expensive option.

[lietya.livejournal.com]

Depends in large part on the age, mileage, general condition, and value of the car.

kbb.com can give you a good idea of what it's worth; if it's at or near $3K, I'd consider replacing it, because you can find a halfway decent used car for that price. Unless you trust this car to continue running perfectly for years more (which I seem to recall you probably don't).

I second the fact, though, that Toyotas are generally noted for ridiculous reliability. (Our Camry is 180,000 miles and 13 years old.)

Oh, and you have my sympathy on the whole thing. This really sucks. I hope things work out well for you guys.

[bercilakslady.livejournal.com]

I don't know anything about transmissions other than the feel of them going (happened twice in the past two years), and the pain of paying for the repairs.

I know I'm not being terribly helpful, but I feel your pain, and I hope you manage to find a reasonable solution.

[mattblum.livejournal.com]

If the car needs a new transmission, you're probably better off replacing the car instead. I'm assuming it's not a very recent car, and that you've already paid off the loan, because if it were a very recent car with serious transmission problems, you'd probably be furious (I know I would be).

Have you made a lot of repairs on the car recently? If not, and the transmission just went, you may be in for a bunch more problems in the near future. It would completely suck to drop three grand on a new transmission and then find out that you also need to get five other things fixed.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

OTOH you could spend a bunch of money on a replacement car and have *its* transmission go three months after you buy it. I'm a big advocate of "better the devil you know than one you don't." If there's a mechanic who knows the car and knows that nothing else major is likely to break soon, better $3k on a transmission than twice that on a different car that may have a whole other set of problems.

I'm still croggled that a transmission would go on a car of such recent manufacture (it's a '98 or so, IIRC?). Toyotas are darn near bulletproof.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

2000 Camry. About 90 thousand miles or so. I'd sort of been expecting it to be good for another 50 at least.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

yeah. it used to be the case on American cars that transmissions died between 50,000 and 80,000 miles, but now you can expect them to last almost the life of the vehicle. (come to think of it, 50,000-80,000 miles used to be the life of the typical American car, back in the 70s.)

[mattblum.livejournal.com]

Wait, you have a 2000 Camry? I hadn't realized that.  I have a 2000 Camry, too, although mine has only just over 60,000 miles on it, and I've never had even the slightest problem with the transmission.

I can't imagine a Toyota transmission dying at 90,000 miles.  The transmission on my 1985 Camry, which I traded in (the car, that is) when I bought my 2000 one, had some problems after it hit 110,000 miles or so, but even then it didn't need a new transmission, just some repairs.

Forget what I said above. Get it a new transmission if it needs one, and ask the mechanic if he has any idea what caused the original one to crap out.

[wargoddess.livejournal.com]

I'd replace the car, it'll be cheaper. Why don't you go downstairs and ask merkcomet? Or does he need a slap upside the head?

>^,^

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen him in WEEKS. I mean, I hear him coming home sometimes, but I don't think we've actually SEEN each other.

[noveldevice.livejournal.com]

If you can manage it, a new car might be the best bet. I can't tell you how many absolute clattering old heaps Ranj and I have poured money into when just buying a new car, though painful to start, would have saved us a lot of time and expense. I drive a Kia Rio, it's been very reliable so far (I've had it for over a year and a half) and the payments are very affordable. And I don't have the constant background worry of relying on a car that I'm never sure will actually go when I turn the key. My background stress level dropped tremendously when I bought the Rio.

[msmidge.livejournal.com]

Me too, except with a low-end Saturn. It has caused me no problems at all in 5 years, knock on wood, and the payments weren't bad.

[navrins]

I don't know anything about those transmissions - or the secret Rebel base, either!

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad I have such helpful, helpful friends.

[navrins]

At least we're entertaining, right?

Transmission Trouble

[(Anonymous)]

Is your mechanic one you've used before and have confidence in? If so, he/she probably is in the best position to advise you about keeping or replacing the car. If not, maybe a second opinion would be a good idea. It seems quite odd that a 2000 Toyota would have transmission failure. You might also check for recalls from the manufacturer. If you want the name of a really reliable and reasonable mechanic for a second opinion, call Moby & Myli's person. I've got a great one in Belmont.