advice on repair transmission before trade in

feb2750 · 06-23-2005, 01:48 PM

Would appreciate advice please. I have 2001 SL1 that I want to trade in on new car. Problem is trans needs valve body (about $1000 at dealer). Any ideas on how to proceed regarding fix trans prior to trade in or trade in as is? The problem is noticeable when car is driven. Thanks.

Qlara · 06-23-2005, 03:03 PM

If you do get the Tranny fix, it's better to sell the car privately than trading-in because you'll lose money on both side. (Fix cost + Dealer rip-off at trade-in).

2001 car already needed a valvebody job? I don't think it costs $1k to fix it. (Should be around $600 at dealer) Go shop around for better repair deal.

the_new_raceman · 06-23-2005, 03:07 PM

I would just trade it and not mention the trans problem

unkle bik · 06-23-2005, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_new_raceman

I would just trade it and not mention the trans problem

Don't think the appraiser is going to notice it not getting out of "Park"?

SpeedPlayer 97sl2 · 06-23-2005, 03:24 PM

Perhaps see if a reputable mechanic/shop can fix it for a lower price? It usually costs more to do repairs at a dealership due to higher parts and labor charges.

feb2750 · 06-23-2005, 10:44 PM

Thankyou everyone for your replies - very helpful. I guess I'll shop around for a better price for sure. Question for the new raceman and unkle bik - I was wondering about that issue. Is it even possible that a dealership would not test drive a trade-in? Seems unkle bik feels they certainly would but raceman, you seem to think they may not. Are you folks talking from experience or just making an educated guess? - please let me know.

unkle bik · 06-24-2005, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feb2750

Is it even possible that a dealership would not test drive a trade-in? Seems unkle bik feels they certainly would but raceman, you seem to think they may not. Are you folks talking from experience or just making an educated guess? - please let me know.

The three times I bought a new Saturn, the appraiser took it for a test drive. They went over the cars pretty well before coming up with a trade-in price. With yours being a more recent model, you can bet they will.

Only a fool would buy or take a trade-in without driving the car first.

the_new_raceman · 06-24-2005, 02:04 PM

Well i guess canadian dealers are fools...ive traded one and my buddy traded his in HORRIBLE shape and got 2k for his busted 95 sc2. Never checked either car while it was running. Just looked at the exterior and interior...

spencerb · 06-24-2005, 02:29 PM

A buddy of mine traded in a Tahoe that needed a new engine. A couple years later he traded in his Accord that needed a new transmission. I think the Accord had to be towed in. The dealer gave him less because it needed a repair, but it turned out to be a better deal than paying for the repair out of pocket first. Then again, he traded each of those vehicles to avoid the repair bill in the first place.

As the dealer what they would prefer. If they wholesale it, they might not care. They may have their guys do the repair, which would be done at-cost for them.

feb2750 · 06-24-2005, 10:50 PM

ok - I guess I have a plan now - thanks all, been very helpful.

the_new_raceman · 06-25-2005, 02:49 AM

We try

06-23-2005, 01:48 PM	#1
feb2750 New Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 6	advice on repair transmission before trade in Would appreciate advice please. I have 2001 SL1 that I want to trade in on new car. Problem is trans needs valve body (about $1000 at dealer). Any ideas on how to proceed regarding fix trans prior to trade in or trade in as is? The problem is noticeable when car is driven. Thanks.

06-23-2005, 03:03 PM	#2
Qlara Master Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Earth Posts: 5,905 Qlara's Photos	Re: advice on repair transmission before trade in If you do get the Tranny fix, it's better to sell the car privately than trading-in because you'll lose money on both side. (Fix cost + Dealer rip-off at trade-in). 2001 car already needed a valvebody job? I don't think it costs $1k to fix it. (Should be around $600 at dealer) Go shop around for better repair deal.

06-23-2005, 03:07 PM	#3
the_new_raceman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Barrie, Ontario Canada Posts: 1,114 the_new_raceman's Photos 1998 SC2	Re: advice on repair transmission before trade in I would just trade it and not mention the trans problem

06-23-2005, 03:24 PM	#5
SpeedPlayer 97sl2 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,532 SpeedPlayer 97sl2's Photos 1997 SL2 2002 SC2	Re: advice on repair transmission before trade in Perhaps see if a reputable mechanic/shop can fix it for a lower price? It usually costs more to do repairs at a dealership due to higher parts and labor charges.

06-23-2005, 10:44 PM	#6
feb2750 New Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 6	Re: advice on repair transmission before trade in Thankyou everyone for your replies - very helpful. I guess I'll shop around for a better price for sure. Question for the new raceman and unkle bik - I was wondering about that issue. Is it even possible that a dealership would not test drive a trade-in? Seems unkle bik feels they certainly would but raceman, you seem to think they may not. Are you folks talking from experience or just making an educated guess? - please let me know.

06-24-2005, 02:04 PM	#8
the_new_raceman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Barrie, Ontario Canada Posts: 1,114 the_new_raceman's Photos 1998 SC2	Re: advice on repair transmission before trade in Well i guess canadian dealers are fools...ive traded one and my buddy traded his in HORRIBLE shape and got 2k for his busted 95 sc2. Never checked either car while it was running. Just looked at the exterior and interior...

06-24-2005, 02:29 PM	#9
spencerb Master Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 5,007 spencerb's Photos 2008 Astra XR	Re: advice on repair transmission before trade in A buddy of mine traded in a Tahoe that needed a new engine. A couple years later he traded in his Accord that needed a new transmission. I think the Accord had to be towed in. The dealer gave him less because it needed a repair, but it turned out to be a better deal than paying for the repair out of pocket first. Then again, he traded each of those vehicles to avoid the repair bill in the first place. As the dealer what they would prefer. If they wholesale it, they might not care. They may have their guys do the repair, which would be done at-cost for them. ... Past Saturns: 97 SL2, 01 SC2, 04 VUE, 08 Astra, 02 L200.

06-24-2005, 10:50 PM	#10
feb2750 New Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 6	Re: advice on repair transmission before trade in ok - I guess I have a plan now - thanks all, been very helpful.

06-25-2005, 02:49 AM	#11
the_new_raceman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Barrie, Ontario Canada Posts: 1,114 the_new_raceman's Photos 1998 SC2	Re: advice on repair transmission before trade in We try ... If you dont like the tires ur on...change em...now how does that apply to life??? think about it.

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