I have an 02 GLE with 97k miles on it. The auto trans is just starting to go...I can feel it slip slightly between 1st and 2nd and sometimes between 2nd and 3rd if it feels like it. I found an 03 SE TE 6 Speed nearby with 91k. They want $9k for it, but would trade mine in and hope to hell they don't notice the slight slipping(it's worse when its cold) and then pay the difference(assuming its less than what it would cost to put a new rebuilt trans in mine). I called local dealership and asked for rough price quote on new trans for the 02 and they told me they rarely if ever replace the engine or trans in "these cars". What I took that to mean is get a different car. Options are hold on to my 02 and drive it till the trans goes out then assess my options OR do the trade for the 03 shortly. Comments/Questions/Thoughts? Thanks in advance people.

 

Not sure about Nebraska, but $9k sounds a little steep for an 03 with 90K. You'd be in the mid to upper $7's in the Philadelphia area.

But it took me a couple months to find a MT. Autos were everywhere.

If the rest of the car is good and it's paid for, I'd talk to a local tranny shop about a rebuild before it gets too bad.

 

you gotta pay at least $3k to get the manual.

 

minnesota a 02 auto w/ 79k was 9k

 

Worth it just to get a 6 speed car, IMO.

My car has had the cold weather soft (slipped a few times) 2-3 upshift since I bought it with 113k on it. I now have 145k and it certainly hasn't gotten worse. Still shifts great when fully warmed up too.

 

I would assume that you'll need to put 3-4k with trade-in to purchase the 6 speed. If you like your auto, just get another one put in, in most cases, it is cheaper to get another low mileage tranny put in than have your current one rebuilt.

Also, when you get your tranny "rebuilt", it doesn't always mean you'll end up with a like new tranny, most transmission shops will only replace parts that are broken and leave the worn out part in there, so the transmission might drive good for a little while, but usually will not last more than a few year due to the other parts going bad that were originally not replace. Having all internals replaced is definitely $$$$$$.

I always suggest getting a low mileage used tranny to my customers.

 

oh and if you don't believe me, ask Scottwax ^^^, as he has written many posts about his experiences with rebuilt transmissions.

 

Seems high, I got my 02 SE with a 6 speed for $9500 with <40k miles on it.

 

I used to own an '03 with an auto tranny that did the same thing and the Nissan stealer told me that there was a service bulletin that addressed that situation. They took the car in for a few hours and downloaded an update into the computer. After that, the tranny never slipped again between 1st, 2nd or 3rd gears. Hope that helps.

 

6 speed ftw (as long as it's in good shape)

 

Buying used is never a guarantee.

You could have problems a month or two down the road which you can't forsee now.

Why take that risk? Especially when you're not getting a great deal on it.

 

Thanks for the opinions guys. I think I will talk with my boss who is a car guy and find out a good place to take it to get fixed. The dealership that had the 03 TE was only going to give me $5k for my car which is way too low. Plus all the hassle of re-licensing and paying tax for the new vehicle....we will see how it goes. Just need it to last me another 2 years until a new vehicle is in the budget.

 

Don't a lot of the '03 6MTs have issues with 3rd gear crunching due to bad syncros though?

Find an '04 6MT with HLSD to swap in

 

Haha I would love to get an 04 with a 6 speed. However I am still in school and money is an issue. If there was an 04 with 6 speed in good condition close to me and for sale and I could just happen to sell my car the same day I could pick up the 04....AND only pay $2-3k difference, perfect..otherwise I'm kinda screwed. haha

 

...out of the fring pan, and into the fire...

Fix YOUR tranny. There is NO benefit to "trading" a car into a dealership.

And $9k is STEEP for 91k...it'd have to be in PERFECT SHAPE!

gr

 

2 year nightmare with my old Accord. 5 transmission rebuilds and 30+ days of car rental. In the end, I put in a low mileage used transmission and never had a problem after that.

 

Scottwax...how much they charge you to but the transmission in? Where did you go? Where did you find the transmission?