Need help with decision on replacing tramsmission on a 98 ford explorer sport

[jbooma]

Ok, here is the problem I need to replace my transmission it is a 98 Ford Explorer Sport with 166K miles on it. I can just get the part of the trans that needs to be fixed but that alone would be $2100 and does not help the other parts which all are the original. To replace it at the dealer it would be $3500 for a refurbished trans with a 3 year 75K warrant or i can get a junkyard trans for $2700 with only a 1 year warranty.

I would love to be able to drive this truck for at least 1 more year anything more would be a bonus. I have heard AAMCO is similar in pricing so curious what anyone here thinks, and if you have dealt with this truck and the same thing happened.

The engine appears to be in good shape but with 166 miles you never know and this could be the start of a lot of repairs, so the question is, is it worth it or not :)

[HSW]

Ok, here is the problem I need to replace my transmission it is a 98 Ford Explorer Sport with 166K miles on it. I can just get the part of the trans that needs to be fixed but that alone would be $2100 and does not help the other parts which all are the original. To replace it at the dealer it would be $3500 for a refurbished trans with a 3 year 75K warrant or i can get a junkyard trans for $2700 with only a 1 year warranty.

I would love to be able to drive this truck for at least 1 more year anything more would be a bonus. I have heard AAMCO is similar in pricing so curious what anyone here thinks, and if you have dealt with this truck and the same thing happened.

The engine appears to be in good shape but with 166 miles you never know and this could be the start of a lot of repairs, so the question is, is it worth it or not :)

If it is paid off use it as a tax write-off. No sense throwing good
money after bad. Use the 3K that the repair would have cost
as a nice down payment on a new car or as a large part of the
cost of a nice late model used honda accord or civic. This is
really a no brainer in my opinion. P.S. I own an 02' Explorer Sport
also. I have owned 3 Ford vehicles in the last 20 years and
can honestly tell you that it is all down hill from here.

[mboyd784]

My recommendation:


http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/322430/2/istockphoto_322430_dynamite.jpg

[jbooma]

My recommendation:


http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/322430/2/istockphoto_322430_dynamite.jpg


:laugh: :laugh:

[DCsportsfan53]

I certainly wouldn't drop 3K into that car with that milage. You may just want to use that for a downpayment on another car. As a bigtime Volkswagen guy, I can wholeheartedly reccomend that you buy a Honda or Toyota. Simply put, they outclass all competitors when it comes to value and reliability.

[jbooma]

I certainly wouldn't drop 3K into that car with that milage. You may just want to use that for a downpayment on another car. As a bigtime Volkswagen guy, I can wholeheartedly reccomend that you buy a Honda or Toyota. Simply put, they outclass all competitors when it comes to value and reliability.

true but if we can squeeze another year or two out of it then we will be sitting pretty in terms of a down payment for a new car, plus would not have to worry about a car payment, rise in personal property and rise in car insurance etc....

[mboyd784]

I certainly wouldn't drop 3K into that car with that milage. You may just want to use that for a downpayment on another car. As a bigtime Volkswagen guy, I can wholeheartedly reccomend that you buy a Honda or Toyota. Simply put, they outclass all competitors when it comes to value and reliability.

Mazda, Mitsu, and Hyundai are also very strong.

[Leonard Washington]

true but if we can squeeze another year or two out of it then we will be sitting pretty in terms of a down payment for a new car, plus would not have to worry about a car payment, rise in personal property and rise in car insurance etc....


so you're willing to pay $2700-3500 to drive for one more year? :doh:

[jbooma]

so you're willing to pay $2700-3500 to drive for one more year? :doh:


honestly i am hoping it lasts more then one more year, but compare that cost to the cost of a car payment say $400 over 12 months = 4800 plus the other costs that i currently do not have such as increases in personal property and insurance

the question though will the engine hold out?? if i could squeeze another 24K miles out of this puppy it would be great

the next car i am looking at is a 2007 X5 or MDX and would want to buy that at least 2 years used

[cadets08]

Yup a typical F.O.R.D. Fix Or Repair Daily. But hey it seems you are one of the lucky ones. For most the transmission drops out at 100K.

[Fred Jones]

I used to go by and talk to some mechanics at AAMCO. I watched them take apart and put back together transmissions. I asked two of them last fall what car they see least and both said Toyota.

I would say two to three years to get something out of the money for a transmission. As far as shops go it is all about the mechanic that is working on your car regardless of the shop. Dealers overcharge because you pay for all that overhead. AAMCO is ok if you know the mechanic (s) at that shop are good. Not are mechanics are. They guy I talked to is one of their better ones. Meaning, when others can't fix it they send it to him.

It is amazing how much the shops overcharge.

[twa]

I just had a rebuilt one put in my daughters 96 for $1000 w/ a 1 year warranty, It pays to shop around.
\
Mr Transmission is the chain,don't know if they are in your area though.

[Pete]

What's the trans doing that it needs to be rebuilt or replaced ?

[PokerPacker]

buy another used car :) i got mine for $500

[jbooma]

What's the trans doing that it needs to be rebuilt or replaced ?

it will not go past 1st gear now :(