The DU Lounge

You have recently spent $6,000 for a new transmission, and you are planning on spending another $6,000 for yet another transmission for this vehicle. This means that you are spending $12,000 for one system on a vehicle that is only worth $5,000.

You were over-charged for the original transmission replacement.

Per Kelly Blue Book, the transmission replacement cost of your vehicle is:

Via dealer: $4,923 to $5,293
Via independent mechanic $3,642 to $3,966.

$6,000 is significantly higher than the independent mechanic range of $3,642 to $3,966. You indicated that you did not go to the dealer for the repair.

I'm not sure if you had a contract for the original repair.

If it were me, I'd consider two options:

1) A 90 day guarantee on a transmission replacement is basically no guarantee at all. You could try to negotiate with the mechanic that you used to get the repair re-done. It's been 8 months since the repair? I'm not sure of your relationship with the mechanic, but small claims court is always an option, since in Minnesota, you are under the $15,000 maximum. I'm not sure how to put this delicately, but you got ripped off by this guy if he is not standing behind his work at 8 months, especially after being charged too much.

2) You could sell or trade in your vehicle for around $5k and immediately buy a similar vehicle with a working transmission for around the same price. Whatever you do, do not sink another $6k into this vehicle.

Good luck and best wishes.