wise2k

Fam,
I have a 1999 tl that I loved until Friday when it got stuck in 1st gear til 3500 rpm, jerks into 2nd gear; come to a stop and take off it seems to be in neutral rpms high but little motion. Code p0740 and another one related to traction control.
Took it in to the dealer today and they said yup, you need a new transmission. Out of warranty by year and miles so it's gonna be $4,200. Told the guys I need to speak to the service manager and he asks why and I told him I cannot afford that much and would like to get help. He wouldnt let me speak to the service manager but 10 minutes later he says he spoke to him and the best they can do is $2,902.00.
Now, I do not know if I should even bother because I still need to change the timing belt and truth is, I do not even have that kind of money right now. WHAT SHOULD I DO..? I need ideas please, I know it would be easiest to me and my empty pockets to try trading it in but I would get peanuts Im sure cause of my desperate situation and the mileage and condition of the car.
PLEASE HELP ME!!

01tl4tl

the dealers offer at that mileage is about the best they can do- considering you are WAY past 109k miles cutoff and past 7 year/9 month

You option is to rebuild the current trans at aamco for about $2500
The timing belt-water pump-- 227k miles,,,, I hope its the second time- or you
are the new record holder!!! so you know thats a grand too

If you dont have the finances to fix it all up correctly- its time to let her go.
Be honest with buyers about the trans and service needed or karma will follow you into the next 5 cars~

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

It really comes down to what you "might" get if you sold it in its current condition. Honestly I doubt anyone, other than maybe a mechanic is gonna touch that car.

BTW, KBB, which I think inflates the numbers, says your car in "Fair" condition, which I'd say is a stretch, is worth $4000.

I would be lucky if someone offered me $2000 for a car which needs a new tranny.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Take it to a local shop and get it done at a much cheaper rate.

Bob_F

I agree with NSXNEXT.

Keep in mind what the car would sell for if you don't make the repair. It would be very hard to get any decent amount for a car with a failed transmission.

So compare that value with the value for a repaired car.

And, if you did decide against fixing it, consider what you might be paying for a replacement car. It might very well be that the $2900 repair is your best option.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

01tl4tl

he needs the timing belt-water pump too- plus if 220k miles - probably didnt get valve adjustment at 100-w/timing belt, so that needs to be done too

add $1200-1500~ depending on area labor rate and how much DIY on owners part

How much would you have to put into a $4000 used car...$500-1000? thats about what I would figure on any used car- they all need some type of work!!

SO-- how good is the rest of your 99- the overall car condition--versus, selling it for next to nothing, or put some more into it, and drive and 2-4 years until it drops--

rob-2

The car owes you nothing, I would put the cheapest tranny in there to get it back on the road and drive it until it either dies or you want something else.

Right now I wouldn't bother with any other service unless it's required. This car is towards the end of it's useful life, and I wouldn't be doing $4k in service to a car that's likely worth that.

If you're looking for a new car, maybe you can trade it into the dealership, they'll do the tranny at cost and you can get into a new car.

Since money sounds tight, goto a cheapo tranny place.

slavver01

iTrader: (3)

have you tried looking through Craigslist in your area or any junkyards for a 99 tranny? they pop up for cheap every once in a while.

fsttyms1

2900 isnt a bad offer at all for a rebuilt acura trans with warranty. You could check with other trans shops and see what they tell you. I personally would probably go with the acura trans.

ChrisQ1980

I suggest finding a used 99 tranny to get the car running again and sell it. If you don't have the money for the timing belt/water pump service be honest with the buyers and tell them that. It's a nice car otherwise and I don't think you would have a problem getting $4,000 for it in running condition.

fobstylez

iTrader: (3)

first off, sorry to hear bout your tranny. I was surfing craigslist earlier today and remember seeing about two TL trannys posted, so I would suggest looking for a used one. You do take a risk that it may happen again to that new tranny but spending even 2900 with that much mileage on the car, something will go wrong sooner or later. I would buy a used tranny for dirt cheap, have a local shop swap it in. I would say its 1k or less if you do your research correctly. Either that or finance a new car and work on it later. If you are low on cash, you dont have much options, either way, good luck to you man. Oh yeah, sell your lip kit, should be almost enough to buy a used tranny, thats if you get desperate. People snatch that up like hot cakes.

AznWay

iTrader: (8)

Try to get a loan at AAMCO to get the tranny fix.

I wonder if you could just drive the car to pawn title place an see how much would they gave you for your title. I think they only look at miles an condition of car. I don't think they don't test drive the car at all.


I have 99 Honda Odyessy with same problem. The tranny is bad in 2 gear, but i can still drive it. It happen over 5month ago. I just got to drive it slow on the take off an don't let the RPM pass 3K or the tranny started pausing alot when i step on the gas. I can drive over 80+ with no problem an it's been over 4K miles with this bad tranny. I would go buy used tranny but Last year I buy tranny for my 99 TL. I paid $2800 an got 3year/36K warranty from dealership. (I'm still paying off the loan for this tranny)

peteroo8

The car has too many mileage. Sell the car for $1K and put your $4K you would spend for the new tranny and timing belt torward a used car with low mileage. Spending $4000 on a car with 227000 miles is risky. Who knows what else may brake soon enough, and no many people would spend $4K to buy a car with that high mileage even if you repair the tranny.
Consider yourself lucky you got so much out of the car already.

Good luck.

rob-2

DONT go into debt for car repairs, its the first sign of serious financial trouble.

BLADE RUNNER

See if a local bone yard has an 02-03 TLS Motor & Trans together. Get an estimate from them on the cost installed in your car.

When you get a quote, see if they will go down a bit.

fobstylez

iTrader: (3)

One of the smartest comment i've read on a forum in a while. I double that

carlos9827

iTrader: (2)

If push comes to shove and you decide on getting the tranny done I would personally have it done at Acura with the quote that they gave you for $2900. That is pretty good considering its coming from an Acura dealer. My Cousin's tranny on his Volvo C70 recently went out at 98k miles and he paid 5k to get it done. Reason: He loves his car too much.
Other option is to just trade the car in, even if you get $500-$1000 trade in, quite Frankly that's better than investing $3k into a car that ALREADY has 227k miles on it and will most likely need repairs in the future. GL.

wise2k

This forum rocks! I thank everybody for their remarks, suggestions, and sympathy. GOOD NEWS: I went back to the dealer and pushed to talk to the service manager and kept it real with him that I am broke and still need to have the timing belt done. I just went to the sales guy to see if I can trade it in and they said they would give me $500 and I know my car is in excellent condition (for that age). He went and printed my history with the dealer, came back and said Oh, you are a regular customer. And I was like yes, last major work I had done was cleaning of my EGR passages and replace the EVAP canister. he's like yeah, I see that you also replaced your motor mounts 50,000 miles ago. He's like who else does your service, I am like there hasn't been anythig wrong with the car. He says you change your own oil..? I was like yes. He says, give me a few minutes. He comes back and says, if I do your transmission for $2,000 would I earn your business..? I was like OF COURSE! He says my handshake is a 'contract' that I will be bringing in my car to Acura at Oxmoor regularly for service, if Acura Client Services won't cover it he says the dealer would 'eat' the rest of the cost.
So yup, ACURAZINE JUST SAVED ME OVER 50% OFF THE ORIGINAL QUOTED PRICE AT THE DEALER!!!

$2,000 for a transmission from an Acura dealer, on a 99 with 227,000 miles, BEAT THAT! Thanks fam!

fsttyms1

Id take it. Thats a great offer and great dealer.

peteroo8

You're lucky dog.
Since they agreed to replace the tranny for $2K perhaps you can talk them in to rerplace the timing belt for half the price as well while they have so many parts off the engine. Doesn't hurt to try.

Bob_F

Great deal!

Now just don't let them tag you for some $900 repair that you don't need.

eggyhustles

they offer a leg..you tell him to ask for every limb lol..

phee

iTrader: (5)

congrats on the good deal. now you have half a new car. get the timing belt done at a local honda shop for 460 thats the going rate from what ive found.

BLADE RUNNER

Outstanding. Looking the guy straight in the eyes, telling him the truth in this market, really worked well for you. Congratulations...

By the way, your car looks pretty sweet.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

Considering your over double the warranty thats a great deal.

carlos9827

iTrader: (2)

I'm glad it all worked out for you. I know how hard it is to part with a car that you consider your baby.

Phrosttz0

good deal man.. id thank that guy again for helping you out.. its stuff like that, that will bring more customers to that dealership..

totaledTL

Glad to hear your good news. BTW I'm in Louisville also. Do you know of any good independent Acura/Honda shops around? Thanks.

wise2k

Got a call from the dealer saying the car is ready already. Please help me as to what I should look for. Shiny box to the right of the engine..? Or it might look old. What to ask about...warranty..? etc

PS. It was nice driving the 08 loaner though

wise2k

You mean in terms of bodywork..? Umm, not sure, Im at the east end and I've seen Etscorn's, and Bob Morris both in Middletown. When my roof was damaged I had it repaired at Neil Huffman, and they worked with me on my deductible and gave me a free rental.

fsttyms1

unless you marked your old trans ?? not much to look for. They look the same.

totaledTL

No I meant for mechanical repairs- thanks.