Big Decision Time

[bmsgaffer86]

Sorry this is long...

So it has come to be that time. Some of you maybe remember me and my 1994 SE floating around the forums since 2001 ish. I had to have the transmission rebuilt once at 75,000 miles. She has been having issues again in the last year or two showing the same signs again.

As i approach 146,000 miles I wonder what to do. My dad wants me to sink 1500-1800 in a newly rebuilt transmission (comes with a new case). (Considering it is only worth $450-1100 depending on where you look, it truely is in pretty good shape) As of right now, the car runs and drives, but if i go for long distances (> 40 miles) of highway driving it will downshift out of 4th and stay that way till i pull over and turn the car off for a while. I only work about 25-30 miles from home, so this is never an issue on a daily basis. However, i know the engine is leaking oil and has had some strange noises that SHOULD be ok for a while, it runs strong, but its one of those things... could blow the engine a block away from the transmission shop.

My goal in life is to have a diesel pickup truck, and im planning on that costing around 25-35k. I DEFINATELY cannot afford the payments on that right now but will soon be out of school and so i was looking for my truck to be 4-5 years off. A newer SSEi (i dont want to deal with the intake plenum issues) looks to be around 8k. I personally cant afford that either, and my dad refuses to afford that. "Cant get a good running car for $1500, so rebuild the transmission"

What can I do to bridge the 4-5 years? Should i bite and for out nearly 2k? Or should I upgrade vehicles and push my truck possibly back 6 or 7 years?

I know there are some of you out here that have been through this. I need the "Wish i did it this way" or even the "I did it great this way" stories. Thanks for being a big help over the years guys and gals.

[CMNTMXR57]

Just buy something else used to bridge that time frame. Spending money to repair the one you got is fine *if* there is some value in it. If not, sell it. The used car market is definitely a buyers market nowadays. You can pick a decent, moderate to low mileage Impala, Grand Prix, even Bonneville for dirt cheap and put another 75 – 100k on the odometer until you can afford your pickup.

Use the change you’d have spent on the old car, and/or profit from the old car as the downpayment on the newer one, therefore reducing your debt level and keeping you right side up on the loan, so should that dream truck come along, you can cash out the equity in the vehicle you have and get what you want.

[94SilverSSEi]

If you have the room I would just keep the car you have now and just leave it for a parts car and buy another 1992-1994 SE. I'm sure you can get one of those for $1500

[00Beast]

A 2000-02 SSEi can be had for under $5k, depending on your area. I paid $4750 for my 00, and when it was totalled, got $6200 for it. Just FYI.

[BonneMe]

What are your issues?

Buy another car, put a used transmission in yours, or get it in decent shape and sell it.

Or drop in S2 swap..

[1fatcat]

Just buy something else used to bridge that time frame. Spending money to repair the one you got is fine *if* there is some value in it. If not, sell it. The used car market is definitely a buyers market nowadays. You can pick a decent, moderate to low mileage Impala, Grand Prix, even Bonneville for dirt cheap and put another 75 – 100k on the odometer until you can afford your pickup.

Use the change you’d have spent on the old car, and/or profit from the old car as the downpayment on the newer one, therefore reducing your debt level and keeping you right side up on the loan, so should that dream truck come along, you can cash out the equity in the vehicle you have and get what you want.

That would be the most sensible thing to do if everything goes as planned, but sometimes life doesn't go as planned. Depending on the job market it may take bmsgaffer86 a while to find a good job. And it will be hard to pay for even a $5,000 car with no job.

[Bigerik]

Problem with buying another used car is not knowing what problems you are getting into. I always figure when I buy a used car that I am in for another $1000 in repairs to make it right. Sometimes I get lucky and it doesn't happen, but usually thats how it works out.

[94SilverSSEi]

Problem with buying another used car is not knowing what problems you are getting into. I always figure when I buy a used car that I am in for another $1000 in repairs to make it right. Sometimes I get lucky and it doesn't happen, but usually thats how it works out.

and that is why i saif buy another but keep yours for parts so you'll have 90% of whatever you might need

[BlackHawk99]

IIRC, your car is white, in great condition, and you're from Kentucky. No rust, I presume?

I would just keep the car you have. Fix the tranny and keep on motoring. Don't take on any debt, especially a car note. Work your tail off to save up for a tranny, get it fixed, and just keep on driving it.

[mntnbkr]

You could always start keeping a look-out for a low mileage trans or engine/trans assembly to swap into it. It will cost much less if you can do it yourself that the $1500 trans rebuild that you're considering.

You're kind of in the perfect situation for this since you can continue driving the car as-is until you find a suitable donor trans.

[Jrs3800]

I'd rebuild the trans and keep on going.. But like stated it may be simpler to find a low mileage engine / Trans combo and drop them in..

Not sure what to tell you to do..

I do remember you... Good to see you are still around

[1fatcat]

Consider rebuilding trans and fixing any engine fluid leaks at the same time. You should be able to negotiate a better deal because of overlap labor times. The 3800 (as you probably know) is a very long life engine if maintained in a responsible way. And from the sounds of it, your cars body is clean, straight and no rust?

If you live in MN, I can offer to overhaul your existing engine and trans at the same time for a very reasonable price.