Okay so this sucks: On the way down to La Honda for the Best Buck in the Bay, my transmission blows.
Short version of the story is that I spent my entire afternoon waiting for AAA to find me on a frontage road near the Crystal Springs resevoir. Not an easy location to describe to an operator in call center in Whoknowswhere. It was sunny, but boring, and I wish I had brought my book. The only up-side was that I managed to coast to a marginally recognizable intersection and into a space amongst a row of parked cars. And there were two other guys waiting in their trucks-- rescue workers who I am sure are shirtless on a calendar somewhere. Woof.
The bad news came yesterday afternoon. Cost for repairs: $3,500. If they use a rebuilt/used transmission: $1,800-$2,000. Minimum 9 hours of labor (sounds like childbirth, and just as painful).
So, having JUST had a tune up, flushed the coolant system, installed all new brakes and all new tires, do I spend the money to fix it, or do I look at getting a new (used) car? With the hospital bills/student debt, I am not in a financial position to get a new car. Or even fix this one. But even the $2k fixing option is a lot to spend on repairs which might be best towards something newer.
What kills me are these two things: (1) There was a crack in the casing so all the transmission fluid drained out and that's why it all went ca-blewy; I had an appointment to flush the transmission fluid this weekend. and (2) It's a Saturn, known for good service record, and it only passed 60k miles last frigging week.
Open to suggestions here. I have to make a decision soon b/c it is just taking up space in my mechanic's garage.
No comments:
Post a Comment