The transmission in the Honda has a problem. It’s had a problem for several years. I am no car mechanic but I did have a transmission go out once. My van had a pretty good vibration right around 30 – 35 mph and if you took your foot off the gas, the vibration stopped. That’s how I learned that little tidbit of mechanical information.
It’s been probably four years, maybe five, since the Honda started doing that. Vince took it to a guy in Texas and he thought it had to do with the front axle or something so he changed that. Didn’t fix the problem, though Vince was sure it made it better.
I do have to say that I find it extremely weird (and I have no mechanical knowledge at all) that the transmission could be showing signs of a problem for five years and still be running. When the transmission went out in my van, it was like . . something is wrong with this car . . and within two weeks, it was being towed to a transmission shop for a new transmission.
When we got to Missouri where we have a great mechanic, I asked Vince . . talk to him about that transmission before you spend any $$ on that car. The car is 20 years old this month. We really can get rid of it and get a new one or a newer used one but it makes no sense to put $5,000 to $7,000 in repairs into a car that isn’t worth $2,000. Or, I should say . . that makes no sense to me!
Vince asked the mechanic about it and his response was “I don’t work on transmissions”, which to Vince meant . . the transmission is fine.
Last week we were out driving around on back roads kinda looking for a little farm that might be for sale and the car really started vibrating badly around 30 mph. Vince said “We’d better get this old girl home!” So, today, we dropped her off at a transmission shop and now we wait.
This is the point where all of us with old cars eventually find ourselves: We’ve spent $XX on this car already. Do we spend another $XX and hope that’s the last we have to spend or do we cut our losses, sell it for scrap and buy something else, which may or may not be any better. With a used car, you never know what you’re getting, even if it’s certified or comes with a warranty. Heck, the worst car I ever owned was one I bought brand new and had problems with it from Day 1 that never were fixed. Didn’t keep that car long and that’s one brand of vehicle I will never ever consider buying again . . even though I know I just got a lemon and there are lots of good cars on the road.
So, we’re waiting for a call from the transmission people. I’m glad this is Vince’s decision. I will not even voice my opinion though in my head, I may be saying “told you it was time for a new car!”
Hey . . I have new appliances coming. I’m happy. I don’t drive the Honda so if he wants to keep it and keep spending money on this repair and that repair, I’m not going without anything I want or need; my car seems dependable so . . I have nothing to complain about.
Sara Fridley says
I’m totally with you on NOT putting lots of money into old vehicles worth a third of the cost. They can just nickel and dime us to death. And it’s a safety issue. But then again, my dad – who was a mechanic – always said he didn’t want me on the road alone in a car that wasn’t reliable. We don’t get to choose where and when it might break down.
Chris Miller says
Oh my goodness! Your title had me worried that something terrible had happened to someone in your family!! I’m glad it was just the car! Whew!!
Judy Laquidara says
That was inconsiderate of me to use that as a title.
nalaxu says
I had a 19 year old Explorer that I loved and we kept putting money into it thinking it was better than a new car payment. This included a new transmission. Finally something else needed to be watched/fixed. I don’t even remember what it was. My husband talked me into getting a new Explorer. Sorry to say we never bonded. One thing that I hate is the lighting system. I cannot see to drive windy hilly roads at night. The lights are awful and can’t be fixed. There are many times I wish we had kept that old car. I would advise test driving new vehicle at night so you can be sure the lights work the way you want them to. If I had done that I never would have bought this car. It is five years old now and I still don’t love it.
Judy Laquidara says
We actually do not drive at night. Both of us have night vision issues. If we had an emergency, we’d probably ask someone else to drive us but that is good to know. Honestly, I doubt we ever buy another vehicle, especially if this fix on the Honda works.