I drive a 2001 CL. My check engine light has been on for months. I finally brought it in and was told that it needed new oxygen & temperature sensors, and a new accessory drive belt. By the time they had done the diagnosis, they were closing up for the day. They said there was no problem driving it this way unless it started acting up. Last night, as I was driving home -- at about 45-55 mph, suddenly the car lurched when I accelerated, then pulled back a few times. The RPM was jumping from 1 to 2 & back again. I let my foot off the gas and it stopped, but repeated again a few minutes later. I managed to get home without it happening again by driving slowly.

I took it in today and after waiting 6 hours, they said they had a different code and told me the valve cover gaskets were leaking and I needed a new intake manifold. (They also said I needed a new thermostat but that could wait). They wanted to charge $560 for just the intake manifold & gasket cover.

The car also needs other more expensive repairs that I've chosen not to do (engine mounts) because I was planning on buying a new car soon. I leave in a week to go out of town for an extended period, and I was hoping it would hold out till then. Again, they were closing up shop, so they couldn't do it today. They couldn't ge the part till Monday, so I drove home -- on the way, the car felt a little lurchy again. So my questions are --

Is it worth getting this fixed? (Vs. just rent a car till I'm back in town and can buy a new car?) I think the bluebook value of the car is about $1000-1200.
Will it make any difference on the trade-in price if it's repaired?
Does this pricing sound right?
Does the diagnosis sound right?
Is this something I can drive with for a week or two am I taking too great a risk?

My trusted mechanic retired a few years ago; I know nothing about cars, so I've been at a loss ever since. I appreciate your thoughts.

 

Did they tell you why you need an intake manifold?

 

I'm thinking time for a second opinion.

 

 

 

I wrote that when we understood you needed a full new intake manifold; it looks like you've since posted you only need a new intake manifold gasket. While a new gasket sounds a bit sketchy (they almost never fail), a full new manifold is virtually never required.

 

I see. I don't know the difference. Does $560 sound like the right price to you?

 

I suppose, I mean, it does sound a bit high, however, I'm questioning the actual need. I'm still thinking a second opinion is warranted.

 

 

Its your ECU barometric sensing unit.
Take it to Acura.

 

 

Thanks, I don't know what that means. ;-)

They've also told me I need new engine mounts. I'm thinking that's not causing this problem, right?

 

Your best options are to find a good trusted mechanic or buy a new car.

Asks a trusted friend for a recommendation to a good mechanic or start shopping for a new car.

 

How do you like the Mazda 3?

 

My wife and I like our Mazda3 a lot; a nice tight and maneuverable package with good room for four adults and some cargo in the hatch. The car gets good fuel economy (my wife typically gets about 32 mpg on a normal day-to-day basis), has good steering feedback, has a very light clutch and shifter mechanism and is a joy to drive. What I don't like it, and this criticism can be extended to include many/most modern cars, is the stupid multifunction screen; Nav, Audio, Trip Computer, and other functions are all grouped on the single screen which is basically single function. I much prefer my "old" car with regard to the above functions, all of them have their own discreet display (I use an aftermarket Garmin NAV unit), and to me require a lot less time with my eyes off the road compared to most new cars.

 

I haven't driven one yet, but I'm curious. I'd like to replace my car with a plug-in hybrid -- good rebates in CA -- maybe an Accord, Sonata, Ionic or mini. But some models I like, like the M3, don't offer a hybrid option yet.

 

Word on the street is Mazda ain't gonna do a hybrid anytime soon, if ever. Personally I have exactly zero use for a hybrid so I could care less.