Walfunk

As I have posted, my transmission on my beloved NHP TL-S died about 3 weeks ago. I followed most of the suggestions of NOT trying to revive it and wasting money with the 3X3 fluid fix, etc. So now it sits at my mechanics garage with new motor mounts, new grounding strap, brand new alternator, new hood struts, new shocks and restored headlight covers. I'm sick, I dumped all that money (parts, towing and labor) into her for it just to dump the tranny on me. Much thanks to Acurazine over the years and with all the advice that I rec'd with the trans issue. Everyone who replied is appreciated. My question is: what should I do with the car now? Junk it for about $500? Try to part it out? Try to sell it? The interior is in decent shape, the body is good except for a few spots where the clearcoat failed. Oil was JUST changed, engine was running strong at tranny failure and all windows, radio, etc. worked fine. Interested to hear what you guys did when it was not worth it to fix a major issue with your cars.

I will look for replies. On a brighter note, I will only be leaving the TL2G forum to go over to the RL2G forum! Picked up a clean, Black/Tan interior 2008, that is awesome. The ride, performance, tech and luxury is making it easier to part with my TL-S. I think the trans failure was a blessing in disguise. The car feels so familiar to my TL, it was an easy sell and I love how it looks.

Thanks again fellas and see you on the RL2G side!

thoiboi

niceeeee

post pics in there once you get some!


So it's not really a goodbye, more a "see you on the other side"

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

or a testing waters fs thread

Walfunk

Yeah, it is more of a "see you on the other side" thread! @thoiboy. Rockstar143 what is a "testing waters fs thread"? Still miss my TL when I got the mechanic tho...

Walfunk

*when I SEE the mechanic tho....

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

LMAO...
like, hey, my TL is for sale.
Kinda but not sure.
Honestly...wouldn't it be worth throwing more money to replace transmission then recover ALL the cash you've put into maintenance by selling a working car to someone else?

Walfunk

Ohhhhhhh @rockstar143....hmmmm, didn't think about that at all. well, to fix it is gonna cost me close to 4k, right? Transmission and labor? Plus, I would do the AV6 swap, which my mechanic is not versed in and I can't seem to find anyone nearby that is. Plus, the engine has 330,000 miles on it, not sure if I could sell it for enough to recoup my costs. Please let me know if i'm mistaken. Thanks again for the idea. btw, the way the mechanic told me that most of the TL's in the junkyards are because of tranny failures. Such a shame for such a great looking car to have this issue. I was looking forward to passing mine down to my daughter.

thoiboi

I think just part it out is the best option..

RONE

Why not do a transmission swap on it?

thoiboi

asked and answered:

08KBP_VA

Id just let it go consider what you spent a sunk cost ...selling parts off a car with 330k miles will not likely be quick or easy. Pour your attention on RL and get it baselined.

Welcome to RL family

Walfunk

Thanks 08KBP_VA. What is this "baselining" you are referring to?

08KBP_VA

Sorry man...maybe I used wrong term. To me baselining refers to bring your vehicle up to maintenance/safety standards (yours, manufacturers or some other). In short bringing it to a "known state", known by you. This effort usualy includes:

1. Replacing all fluids (ATF, differentials, coolant, power steering, brakes etc)
2. Ensuring other PM is complete (TB, water pump, belts, pads/rotors, motor mounts etc) depending on mileage
3. Give the whole car a once over (front to back side to side)

Make sense?

Kris9884

Don't let 330k scare ya unless you know something about the motor that we don't. The trans swap is a direct bolt-on, why even throw yourself under the bus and tell a mechanic otherwise? Buy a trans, tell them to swap over all the goods because you already replaced them thinking they were the problem or something. Everything bolts right up, they would never know?? OR, post a job on craigslist, someone will gladly do it for like $4-500 if you tell them its the same trans getting replaced. Its really not that hard. It'll make a $500 car, worth $2500.

Where do you live? Heck, I'll buy it and flip it.

Walfunk

@Kris9884 Nope, had the car from 53k, Timing belt/water pump service done 2x, was about to get it done when tranny went. NEVER had an engine issue. Really thinking about the AV6 swap just so I could sell it/maybe keep it. I love the 2nd gen TL-S.

Walfunk

@Kris9884 and Acurazine. Any ideas where to get a AV6 transmission, what to look for and guesstimate on price? Starting to warm up to idea even tho I'm loving the RL...I live in Delaware.

BreezyTL

iTrader: (8)

Trans replacement are anywhere from 2-3k with labor and warranty. Might not be a bad deal to do that and run it to 500k miles.

If it were a 3G, I would say part it but I don't know what interest the 2G's pull. My trans went in my 05 and I parted it for more than I wanted as a whole. $3000< and still selling stuff. Only down side is, parts are taking up a lot of room at my house. If you have the room and time to do it, I would go that route.

Kris9884

I'd say search eBay or local salvage yards, car-part.com etc.. They can be had for $500-$1000 by themselves. They are fairly bulletproof so just aim for lower mileage and a warranty. If you plan to pay a shop to do it, it really may not be worth the cost. Expect a full days worth of labor so maybe another $1500 or less. NEVER go to the dealer for something like that. They specialize in auto sales, not auto repair, hence the huge repair bills.

Edit: They are all over eBay for $5-600. Ask a friend with some tools to help ya do it over a weekend and save on labor.

Walfunk

eBay for $5-600? Ok. If I can get one in that range, I have a mechanic that could help me I think...stay tuned. Thanks again for the info!

Kris9884

Nice! Keep us posted!