That's the problem when dealing with "curbers", They rebuild junk and flip it. Used car, no warrenty. Unscruplous scumbags. Sorry to hear. I'd part it. I'm surrounded by Dutchmen out here, they have a saying " If you ain't dutch, you ain't much." That's why I try to avoid business with them. ( got screwed on a tractor from one.)
-- Edited by 87 player bird on Tuesday 2nd of February 2010 10:49:13 PM
Whats the cost of a rebuilt ? Would it be worth it over the long run to her ?
My thoughts too. See how much more a rebuilt would be and you'd probably get a minimun of a year warranty on it. Would also give you time to decide whether you want to keep it or not. Probably take a kicking to sell it or trade it in with that vehicle status. Tough one to come out as a winner.
Same spot I was in with my Suburban engine. I agree with the rebuild idea, you have to shop it around and do your research. Let's take $2,300. Where is she going to get a vehicle like the VUE for that kind of money, it's a 2003 so to me that's a good choice to rebuild that trans.
I don't know the "best" answer. Any vehicle without a warranty is a cr@pshoot. We take our chances and hope for the best. Replace the tranny, sell the vehicle and take your chance on another one or keep it. It's no good to anyone without being operational. I'm waiting for my daughters 79 Buick to die. Don't know what I'll do when that happens. Her 2010 plans include: Move in with boyfriend Get engaged Buy house Buy new car Renovate house Continue with University Earn enough money to pay Dad for insurance arrears since September 2009 Earn enough money to start repaying her 20% share of 2006/2007 tuition Earn enough money to pay for her half of last oil change and new windshield wipers
Good luck
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1967 Parisienne 2+2 1967 Grande Parisienne
1967 Laurentian 1967 Strato Chief
Remember, "The Government" only has money confiscated from us.
I would look into the rebuild, try and call some of your local reputable tranny shops, not sure where you are but may have to tow it in to a major metropolitan area where there is more compitition to get the best deal if the car is in good shape why not fix it? or pay twice that for something else that may very well have worse problems, or 10 times that for new at least with this one you know what you have. just my 2 cents
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1963 beaumont daily driver 1963 beaumont 327/glide (a work in progress) 1955 cameo 383 stump puller
Boy Carl, I deal with this often at work. I may be a parts guy but I've known many of our customers for over 20 years.
Customer drives in with a $3500 vehicle needing $2000 in repairs and asks me my opinion.
The first thing I do is ask---
How long do you want to drive this vehicle?
If they hate it and want it gone, I suggest taking their lumps now and moving on.
If they love it, I suggest paying the price and keeping it for long enough that they feel the repair was a worthwhile investment (lets say at least 2 years longer for a $2000 repair.)
I am in a similar situation right now with our Fleetwood. Runs great, engine has oil in the coolant. It could possibly last a long time like that since there is no coolant in the oil. I want to drive that car a while so I am going to suck it up and rather than spend a pile of money repairing the LT1, I will likely replace it. It's a gamble but most likely will be cheaper in the long run. I've seen too many repairs start small and end up being doozies.
I hope this all helps.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
I'm waiting for my daughters 79 Buick to die. Don't know what I'll do when that happens. Her 2010 plans include: Move in with boyfriend Get engaged Buy house Buy new car Renovate house Continue with University Earn enough money to pay Dad for insurance arrears since September 2009 Earn enough money to start repaying her 20% share of 2006/2007 tuition Earn enough money to pay for her half of last oil change and new windshield wipers
Good luck
Thank God there is more than just me in this club , say Rick does your daughter know what a gas station looks like? My eldest doesn't!
-- Edited by 73SC on Wednesday 3rd of February 2010 12:37:40 AM
Ray, this is daughter #2. She has to buy her own gas if she wants to drive the Buick. She had to figure it out herself. She has the option of borrowing her mother's car whenever she can, taking transit (free pass with university tuition) or paying for gas. Daughter #1 will be back from a year of bumming around New Zealand next month. She has a psychology degree and a sociology degree and 7 years of working part-time at Chapters. She is a very smart woman but has no idea of what she will do as an "adult". The degrees qualify her for nothing, her GPA was only 3.7 which doesn't get her into grad school. It seems like we all have our challenges dealing with the women in our lives. How did we let this happen!!!!!! What did we do wrong?
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1967 Parisienne 2+2 1967 Grande Parisienne
1967 Laurentian 1967 Strato Chief
Remember, "The Government" only has money confiscated from us.
I'd toss some termites in his shoes! That'll teach 'em!! Darn Dutch, and their salty snacks!
If a car is 'written off' there, does it not show on the title? I don't see the harm in buying a fixed vehicle, there's a reason for the low price! and the resale hurts a bit. I'd get some quotes on having it repaired, and compare what you can sell if for fixed or as-is... it will come down to a 'business' decision...
Not sure what the perimeters are, if you can still get in on it or if Canadian vehicles even apply but there's a GM settlement of a class-action lawsuit brought on by Saturn Vue owners over these bad trannys.. Here's one link to get you started.. Note it applies to vehicles w/ less than 125,00 miles so the 173 Km could fly also it ends June 2010!.
And Carl S... Since there's no coolant in the oil of the Fleetwood, there's no chance a tranny cooler is leaking is there?. Do these even have rad mounted tranny coolers?. This used to come upon this every now and then back in the day and a remote cooler was the cheap fix..
-- Edited by Ghost Post on Wednesday 3rd of February 2010 01:19:41 PM
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I like real cars best...especially the REAL real ones! ----------------------------------------------------------------
Carl I have a friend in the used car business who has 2 of those Saturn Vues sitting for quite awhile now. I think it's due to the CVT's. See what info you can find out on the class action lawsuit. Before I spent $2300 on it I would try to trade it and the 2300 on a more mainstream vehicle.
I agree.. thats what I would do.. her 'new" husband is Dutch, and does things very differently than I. They have a real nice 4 door Dodge truck, but He will not let her drive it to work as it is a "gas guzzler" I figured the $2300.00 for repairs plus tax, will drive the Dodge for 2 years, but that goes way over thier heads... lol
Well they are not destitute or without wheels so I would stay out of it and let the brainwave new husband figure it out. You know better than to waste your time & energy trying to convince a stubborn man
Hey Carl, here is a guy selling "new" trans. in Toronto. Shows a listing for the VUE AWD, I know they are probably different, but maybe he has something.......just a thought...
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John
1972 Pontiac Lemans (daughter's car) 2005 Pontiac Grand Am 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Understood....wouldn't want to start an argument or something!!!! Just thought I would let you know there are parts listed under the London area for KIJIJI as well. Including the place your daughter bought the VUE, If it is the same place I bought my wifes '05 Grand AM!!!
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John
1972 Pontiac Lemans (daughter's car) 2005 Pontiac Grand Am 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Wow .. am i the only Dutch Guy on this site whos noticing the slanted view
i have an idea , quit Dutchin it up with the Used transmissions & buy a rebuild or Gosh , suck it up & buy a new one that might actuall have coutermeasured parts in it ??
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2ner was here - Londons newest Porsche Tech
67 cutlass s
03 corolla le 01 vw passat wgn 09 RED LAMBO CAR BED
Wow .. am i the only Dutch Guy on this site whos noticing the slanted view
i have an idea , quit Dutchin it up with the Used transmissions & buy a rebuild or Gosh , suck it up & buy a new one that might actuall have coutermeasured parts in it ??
, say Rick does your daughter know what a gas station looks like? My eldest doesn't!
They have a real nice 4 door Dodge truck, but He will not let her drive it to work as it is a "gas guzzler" I figured the $2300.00 for repairs plus tax, will drive the Dodge for 2 years, but that goes way over thier heads... lol
Noted! I passed on your thoughts....thanks