Car Issues - WWYD?

missdanib · February 2010

So DH has a 1999 Explorer with I want to say over 180k miles on it (could be 160, I obviously don't drive it often). Anyway, the transmission is slipping, and has been for quite some time. He does not want to put a new or rebuilt transmission in it as he does not think that the truck is worth it (it would cost about equal to what the truck is worth). He would like to buy a new car "sometime" this year but we are not in a financial position to do so right now, and honestly, I don't see that situation improving anytime this year. In the mean time, we cannot drive across town without the transmission slipping (like as far as the hospital I am delivering at), and although it has not gone out, I can just see it happening with a two month old when it's 115 degrees out. So, WWYD? Just drive it until it finally dies, and deal with it then; dip into savings and put in a new transmission, even though that will cost as much as the car; or continue to live in lala land thinking that we will somehow be able to afford a car payment when we have no idea what is going on with my job? I honestly am at a loss here.

softskate31 · February 2010

is this your only vehicle? If so, I say replace it now (the car, not just transmission). If this is a 2nd vehicle and the other runs fine, then id make dh drive it until it dies. I would not trust it for a hospital run or baby carrier. Gl!

ninersdodgersgirl · February 2010

I'm probably going to go with the un-popular opinion here and say replace the transmission. Yes, it's a lot of money but you will be happy having a working car and NO car payment. Replenish your savings, and hopefully when your financial situation improves, you guys can get a new/used car and maybe even get something for the explorer because at least it'll be in somewhat running condition. GL!

wendilea · February 2010

I replaced the transmission in my Blazer last year. Honestly, it was the only thing wrong with the car and it runs like a champ now. I'm all for cheap car with no payments, esp. if your financial situation is iffy. You don't want to get stuck without a car and a newborn, or stuck with payments and no job. I vote fix it.

MDmassie111 · February 2010

I vote to fix it too. I think that's your best bet for now, and like pp said... Just start rebuilding your savings right away to cover what you had to spend on the trans. It's gonna suck having to pay that bill now, but in the end it will be better than having to worry about a car payment on a new car. And not to mention having reliable transportation to get you to the hospital when the baby comes! That's important : )

ariajean · March 2010

I think you got some good advice above. Although, when my Beetle started acting up, I traded it in for my Escape. We needed a family car anyway. The payment is ouchy, though, now that things are tight.

jweat013 · March 2010

The ladies who voted for fix it are probably right, but I vote to get rid of it. I had a Civic that had 180,000 miles on it, and once one big thing went wrong with it, it was all downhill from there. I would spend 1K-2K to fix each problem as it came up, because I didn't have any car payments, and wanted to keep it that way. In the end, it would have been cheaper and a lot easier to just replace it. So maybe fix it this time, but the minute something else goes wrong, RUN!

missdanib · March 2010

Thanks ladies! I think that I just about have him talked into fixing. He is also worried that things will continue to go wrong, and we will be throwing good money after bad, but for now, I think that this is the best option too.

Car Issues - WWYD?

Re: Car Issues - WWYD?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards