Would you put a new transmission in an 8 year old car with just over 100,000 miles?

[Anonymous]

Ours is a 2005. Looking a bit old. There are many around here that date to the birth of their kids -- 13 or so. It doesn't look so great. I would be inclined to roll the money into another car. So that would be $11 + $2.5 or 13.5 to put into a new one.

[Anonymous]

OP here. The car is in fair condition (read: not good condition as it's a well loved car). I just looked at KBB. Trade in value would be about $5100 and private sale would be about $7300. If we fixed it we would have to keep it another 3-4 years. Just three weeks ago the starter went. That was $800. At 105,000 the timing belt will need to be replaced (along with a few other smaller things). We are almost there. At the dealer that runs about $1500 just for the timing belt (our mechanic is a bit less). With transmission at $2500 we are looking at roughly $4000 over a span of 6 months. Last year we spent about $1500 on needed repairs as well. We are running numbers to see whether getting another car (not new) or keeping and repairing this one is the most feasible option for us right now.

And yes, it kills me to add car payments to our budget since this current car has been paid off for several years.

[Anonymous]

You'll spend ~$4k to take care of major items that will largely set you up for another 3-5 yrs. (not excluding that other things may need attending to) ....

compared to the cost of replacement, if the Odyssey is otherwise in good running condition and safe, etc., I would seriously consider doing the tranny.

Don't wait too long on that timing belt, either, that's important and will save engine-killing failure ... Do it before 105, don't take 105 to mean 110 (IMO/ IME)...

[Anonymous]

We did and the van is still running, but is now 15 years old and having some other issues. We're getting worried about major/dangerous situations now, and are a bit embarrassed being seen in it, so probably going to sell as is or donate soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lee's Auto in Brookland is a very very reputable trustworthy shop. 202-526-4443. Tony Lee is the owner and he is onsite. Julio is the shop manager. Martha is the shop receptionist. Great quality and fair prices. Using them since 2008. Wouldn't go ANYWHERE else. Located 2 blocks from the metro. Tell them Michelle who used to have the BMW sent you.

I don't go there anymore, but they are very good and trustworthy. We live way across town now. I have been back a few times though.

[Anonymous]

They should be able to do your timing belts when they do the transmission. Most likely they will already have everything apart and that means the timing belt replacement will not add much to the cost. The belts are cheap, it's usually the disassembly and reassembly to get to them that costs bucks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had this issue with a 2003 Odyssey. I opted not to put the $3500 into a car only worth $6000k (had 115k miles on it.) I thought about replacing it, but i put a lot of miles on my car (22k/year) wasn't convinced I wanted to drop that kind of money to have the car another 4y or so.

I'm the above poster who put 2500 (rebuilt transmission) into my Acura. My car was worth about 4500 at the time. However, I did not look at it like you. My alternative was a new car would have cost me 35K...so my decision was 35K or 2,500. That transmission has gotten me another 120K miles and 6 years, with only a timing belt change and a tire change....so that transmission "saved" me $32,500 and I essentially squeezed another full life out of my car.

Now, it's time for the car to go because frankly I'm sick of it.

There is more "value" in a car than the KBB value, the value is how long will the car last and prevent you from dripping 35K in cash or coughing up a car payment for the next few years of a few hundred dollars a month?

IN that time we've fully gutted our kitchen and basement, which would have been used on a car otherwise. I love my new Wolf range better than a new car.

You and I think alike. I have a 2002 Acura with 158,000 miles. I bought it pre-owned, after someone's lease ended. Just put new tires on it for the 3rd time, and it drives great. Other than replacing the starter and brake repairs, I've only done basic maintenance. My mechanic calls it a "jewel". Interior is starting to look a little worn, but I love thinking what I can do without a car payment each month.

[Anonymous]

Timing belt, timing belt tensioner, and water pump, all at once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Timing belt, timing belt tensioner, and water pump, all at once.

Yes, this!!

I have never seen a transmission close enough to the timing belt to save on labor hours. They're both under the hood, but the belt is near the firewall and may require removing the wheel for access. If you're giving them thousands, they might be willing to negotiate a bit, though.

[Anonymous]

OP, my uncle and aunt have a 2005 Odyssey with 150k miles that is still going strong, but they did not have to replace the transmission.

We tend to keep our cars ~8 years because I don't like making tough choices like this!

[Anonymous]

Since it's a van, no. If it were a car, especially being a Honda, I'd say yes. Vans are problematic. Probably not worth it (and I don't like them, haha)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had this issue with a 2003 Odyssey. I opted not to put the $3500 into a car only worth $6000k (had 115k miles on it.) I thought about replacing it, but i put a lot of miles on my car (22k/year) wasn't convinced I wanted to drop that kind of money to have the car another 4y or so.

I'm the above poster who put 2500 (rebuilt transmission) into my Acura. My car was worth about 4500 at the time. However, I did not look at it like you. My alternative was a new car would have cost me 35K...so my decision was 35K or 2,500. That transmission has gotten me another 120K miles and 6 years, with only a timing belt change and a tire change....so that transmission "saved" me $32,500 and I essentially squeezed another full life out of my car.

Now, it's time for the car to go because frankly I'm sick of it.

There is more "value" in a car than the KBB value, the value is how long will the car last and prevent you from dripping 35K in cash or coughing up a car payment for the next few years of a few hundred dollars a month?

IN that time we've fully gutted our kitchen and basement, which would have been used on a car otherwise. I love my new Wolf range better than a new car.

This is how I assess "worth it," too.

How much is the repair going to cost and how long are you going to keep it after it's repaired? If that monthly cost is less than the monthly cost of a car payment, then I make the repair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Timing belt, timing belt tensioner, and water pump, all at once.

Yes, this!!

I have never seen a transmission close enough to the timing belt to save on labor hours. They're both under the hood, but the belt is near the firewall and may require removing the wheel for access. If you're giving them thousands, they might be willing to negotiate a bit, though.

Rebuilding a transmission should really be done at a transmission shop. It is a very narrow specialty and if not done right could be a waste. You want someone dropping in a transmission who does that every single day, all day. Not someone who sees this once a month.

It's like getting a nose job from a plastic surgeon who does 85% of his work on boobs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lee's Auto in Brookland is a very very reputable trustworthy shop. 202-526-4443. Tony Lee is the owner and he is onsite. Julio is the shop manager. Martha is the shop receptionist. Great quality and fair prices. Using them since 2008. Wouldn't go ANYWHERE else. Located 2 blocks from the metro. Tell them Michelle who used to have the BMW sent you.

I don't go there anymore, but they are very good and trustworthy. We live way across town now. I have been back a few times though.

Tony Lee is our mechanic too. When our 2000 Honda Odyssey needed a new transmission last year, he referred us to a guy on NY Ave. I think we paid $2500. Car has 170K miles now and still going.