MODS - don't switch forums, this is just a rant on car costs.....

Well, the Volvo is in the shop, check engine light came on for the transmission throwing a code. It's the Volvo version of the Acura SS tranny (slushbox). I got off the phone and was just told that I need a new tranny (out of warranty). A rebuilt tranny runs $3600 plus 13 hours of labor to install (@ $98/hour)



Not two hours after I tell them to start, I get another call saying that they looked around while taking the old tranny out, and I need an oil leak fixed on the oil return line to the turbo ($150), and my lower control arm bushings need to be replaced ($350--->only that cheap b/c they already have the suspension apart)


Now, I can afford to have the repairs done, so that is not a problem, but it's just shitty that all of it hit at once......Also, while typing this I was just also told that I'm due for the timing belt to be replaced.

I hate car costs.

/rant

 

Wow...get a tranny somewhere else.....

 

I can get one from Erie Volvo for like $2000 (used), but then there is no warranty on it. At least from volvo I'm completely covered (parts and labor) for a year

 

Feel for ya. I had a friend a couple weeks ago find himself in almost the same situation with his A4 and it ended up costing him mucho $$$.

 

wtf? $3600+plus 13hr for labor? rebuilding it should be that much and it doesnt take 13hrs to put in a tranny. take it somewhere else.

 

No one will touch the insides of these transmissions.....the only part that gets replaced often is the valve body, but the service manager gave me the numbers of some other customers, and they ALL had a new tranny within a year of the $2200 valve body job.

And the tranny removal is a BITCH on this car...I went and saw it today, and almost the entire front suspension is removed

 

Wow....a 3600 tranny that is guaranteed for a year

Your rebuild is a used one too...is there a problem with your trannys?

 

Write to Volvo of America and see if they will split the cost of something.

People tend to forget, if you ahve a strong enough case...they will tend to do this from time to time as good faith.

How many mmiles does the car have? Is it normal that the tranny should have gone when it did? etc etc etc

Never hurts to try. My old man did with bimmer and lexus when parts wore out prematurely.

 

I know it's used, but it actually has a few engineering changes that make them a *bit* more reliable. also, the guy at volvo seems like he would work with me even at two years if the tranny went south.....If I paid for all the labor and parts at list cost, I would be at almost $7000 for my bill, but I'm looking at like $4600 (he took alot of labor off all of the stuff, plus got the parts manager to get me the tranny at WAY below MSRP)

Yeah, same way that the 2Gen TL/CL tranny had the 2nd gear issue, this thing has a valve body issue....

 

Warranty is out at like 50K, car has 103K

 

You should be able to get a year warranty on rebuilt or used trannies from anywhere. Call around.

<-- has played this game too many times.

 

Ah well....103K dont know what to tell you.

What are their trannies rated to live too?

Just another reason i drive stick.

 

How's that? The problem is that no one rebuilds these trannies (cept for Volvo). I called all the Volvo specialty shops and tranny shops in the area, no one will touch them (cept to replace), and if I had the install done elsewhere, the dealership would charge me for the ECU shit that has to be done when replacing (they're doing it as part of the labor here)

 

Yeah auto trannys do tend to give out near the century mark....

 

I've heard of a lot of people getting 150K out of this tranny, but more that get like 75K.

 

Really? Tranny places won't rebuild them? That doesn't sound right. AAMCO, for example, should do it and will let you buy more warranty if you want.

 

Nope....NO ONE will get inside them. Most of the 2Gen CL/TL guys have had the same experience with those trannies (although there are a FEW places that have the specialization to work on them).

It's moot anyhow, the tranny is already being installed. Let's hope this one lasts at least 100K more

 

Rich guy.....

 

Nope, good credit. Since this is not a maintainance item for the car, I can have my school financial aid budget increased and take more loans to offset the cost of the repairs.

 

Ouch... but I guess 4600 is alot better then payments on a new car...

 

Yeah, and the inline 5 Volvo makes is an almost bulletproof block. As long as the tranny holds out, the drivetrain should be fine, and I could probably have this car another 5 years

 

 

Now that I am thinking about it, I would sell it for whatever you can get for it and put that money down on a new Civic/Mazda3 or good used version of either. It would more than likely be much cheaper in the long run and would save you some headaches.

Spending that much money to fix a car that is worth around $11,000 (in perfect shape) might be a mistake.

 

Ya know what sucks even worse.... posting in the wrong forum.... Moved to car talk.

 

I feel for you on this. My 2nd gen TL was in for the old tranny swap and I thought all is well, nothing out of pocket for me. Then they call to tell me I've got three bad engine mounts ($400, discounted since the engine was out of the car anyway). And I was *this* close to paying off that Visa bill.

 

werent the 01's and older known for a lot of problems?

 

No. The 01 was the first year of the new design, and the first year of the Geartronic tranny. It (the tranny) was full of problems. They redesigned it a bunch of times, hopefully this one is better. The car itself is solid....the block is a great design, very durable. Nice interior appointments, good handling (with my suspension upgrades).....overall i give it a 8/10 for a car....but the damn tranny is a pisser.

 

I'd trade the bitch in and get something more fun and less costly to drive.

 

I didn't realize that Aisin Warner transmissions were that shitty.... (AW right? My book says it takes T-IV fluid, so has to be Aisin Warner)

Then again, didn't Toyota have problems with Aisin Warner transmissions in their ES330 and RX300?

Try changing the fluid periodically next time in hopes of a longer life...