Car woes - suggestions

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kiwiharry

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#223313 23-Sep-2017 13:59

We have some major issues with one of our cars, so looking for some suggestions on what our options are.

We purchased the car in 2012 from one of the manufacturers dealers. Car was a Japanese import built in 2009. Aside from the NZ dealer, we were the first NZ owner. We did not purchase any mechanical insurance. Window price on the car was $19995.

In mid 2014 we noticed the occasional drop of fluid on our garage floor. Mentioned this at the next servicing; which was being done by a local service agent of the manufacturer, but they found no cause. A month or two later another drop was noticed, so told them again at the next servicing. By this time it was mid 2015. They said they found the head gasket was leaking, so needed a new head gasket. They also told us this is normally caused by an overheating engine. We had experienced no such overheating at all. Without going into much more detail I ended up having the repair done by an engine reconditioning specialist. Cost all up was around $3000.

A few weeks ago we noticed a whine from the engine bay, that coincided with gear change. It is an automatic transmission. Had it checked by the local service centre and they found an internal fault in the transmission. Quote for a new transmission was eye watering and the estimate for a transmission overhaul is in the region of about $8000.

The current car value is very close to this figure, so unsure if it is worth doing the repair.

My wife, who is the one that normally drives this car, has lost faith in both the car and the car brand, so looking to rid ourselves of the car.

Aside from either a private sale (with full disclosure) or trading it in, are there any other options that may give us the most value from the car given its condition and history?

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#1871508 23-Sep-2017 14:17

Have you gotten a second opinion on the transmission? Note that alot of mechanics (including alot of dealers) don't repair or rebuild automatic gearboxes inhouse. All they do is remove the gearbox, send it away to be fixed, and reinstall it again. So make sure that you take it somewhere that does the whole job inhouse.

Also I presume from what you say, the car otherwise still drives fine despite the whining noise? If so then your best option might be to keep driving it until the gearbox completely fails and only then buy a new car.

What make and model of car is it?

Edited to add

The engine revs are also going to vary with gear changes, So have you checked that the whining noise is definitely coming from the gearbox and not the engine? As you wouldn't want to ditch the car at a major loss over something like a failed alternator clutch or aircon compressor clutch, drive belt pulley, waterpump bearing etc.

kiwiharry

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#1871554 23-Sep-2017 14:44

Aredwood:

Have you gotten a second opinion on the transmission? Note that alot of mechanics (including alot of dealers) don't repair or rebuild automatic gearboxes inhouse. All they do is remove the gearbox, send it away to be fixed, and reinstall it again. So make sure that you take it somewhere that does the whole job inhouse.

Also I presume from what you say, the car otherwise still drives fine despite the whining noise? If so then your best option might be to keep driving it until the gearbox completely fails and only then buy a new car.

What make and model of car is it?

Edited to add

The engine revs are also going to vary with gear changes, So have you checked that the whining noise is definitely coming from the gearbox and not the engine? As you wouldn't want to ditch the car at a major loss over something like a failed alternator clutch or aircon compressor clutch, drive belt pulley, waterpump bearing etc.

At the moment I'll withhold the make and model of the car.

No have not got a second opinion yet. Still getting over the shock of the initial quote. Will get a second opinion next week.

Yes the car drives fine despite the whining noise.

Our thinking is, is it best to even get a few thousand dollars for the car (if possible) and buy another now? That way I have a happier wife (less whining) and she doesn't have the fear of car breaking down on the road.

I'm no car expert, so obviously rely on what the service centre told us and believe them when they say it is the transmission. Will have to see what the second opinion says.

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mattwnz

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#1871561 23-Sep-2017 14:52

I would check the dog and lemon guide to see if the problems you are having it are typical issues with your brand and model, and see if it has any suggestions. Sounds like you have already made up your mind esp if you have lost faith in it.

kiwiharry

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#1871570 23-Sep-2017 15:21

Thanks for that.

Yes we have pretty much made up our mind to get the car off our hands.

Will check that guide.

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#1871676 23-Sep-2017 20:05

Think of it as [20k - sale price] / number of years used then you get say 5k per year. Renting a car is how much per year? Taxis = how much per year? It's not too bad.

Think of it as memories made and time to say goodbye. You win some, you lose some, things even out in life. If you only want to win, then life can become quite miserable.

Be happy you have a car and is getting a better one :)

kobiak

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#1871788 24-Sep-2017 08:01

sounds like you have subaru legacy?

my mate from Melbourne, had similar issue with his 2006 car, head gasket started to leak, dealer insisted that it's normal wear and tear.

Mate found it's know issue and asked to be fixed under their consumer guarantee act. dealer refused. mate filled papers to lodge to court, and emailed scans to dealer. Few hours later, dealer confirms it's known issue and asked to bring car to be fixed at no cost.

Personally, I would not bother with such costly repair, write off/sell car. Get another.

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cruxis

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#1871844 24-Sep-2017 09:46

Sell off the car privately, Some buyers don't do due diligence when checking it over.

butlerboy

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#1871847 24-Sep-2017 09:53

Can I ask why you're not naming the car brand\model? Might be easier for people to help you if you did.
I had an Audi A3 that caused me no end of trouble and did it's best to bankrupt me and am more than happy to name.

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#1871855 24-Sep-2017 10:05

butlerboy: Can I ask why you're not naming the car brand\model? Might be easier for people to help you if you did.
I had an Audi A3 that caused me no end of trouble and did it's best to bankrupt me and am more than happy to name.

Most likely so that when it appears on Trademe you don't go and tell your friends not to buy it.

Wise move.

cadman

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#1872058 24-Sep-2017 14:42

Batman:

butlerboy: Can I ask why you're not naming the car brand\model? Might be easier for people to help you if you did.
I had an Audi A3 that caused me no end of trouble and did it's best to bankrupt me and am more than happy to name.

Most likely so that when it appears on Trademe you don't go and tell your friends not to buy it.

Wise move.

Or more accurately, a deceitful move. Funny how people's morals vary according to whether they stand to lose money or not. When did it become ethical to not disclose a known fault to a potential purchaser? No wonder car dealers frequently use the phrase "Buyers are liars". Edit: For the record, I'm no fan of car dealers either. They're hardly salt-of-the-earth types.

Anyway, the whole thing seems like a bit of a "throw the baby out with the bathwater" knee-jerk reaction sort of deal. A small transmission whine (if it it even is that) isn't necessarily the end of the world - unless you're a bit OTT OCD.

kiwiharry

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#1872118 24-Sep-2017 17:49

As indicated in my original post any private sale would be with full disclosure.

I haven't mentioned the brand/model as when we were given the quote, we also had a brief discussion with the service centre about selling or trading-in the car. They said they would get somebody at the dealership to call us. I somehow feel I should give them a few days to get back to me and didn't want the thread to turn into some type of name and shame before this contact had happened.

When the head gasket had to be replaced just over 2 years ago, we accepted that sometimes these things happen and carried on. Some people may be comfortable in paying a further $8k on repairs on a vehicle that is valued at around that same figure. For me, it sounds too much. Maybe my thoughts will change once I have got a second opinion and quote.

I like to think that I am one of those "be prepared for the worst but hope for the best" type of people.

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#1872132 24-Sep-2017 18:38

Is your automatic transmission a Dual Clutch (DCT) type, also called Powershift (Powersh*t) by a certain manufacturer? If so, there have been several recalls and legal action in some cases.

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Geektastic

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#1872818 26-Sep-2017 00:40

kiwiharry:

Aredwood:

Have you gotten a second opinion on the transmission? Note that alot of mechanics (including alot of dealers) don't repair or rebuild automatic gearboxes inhouse. All they do is remove the gearbox, send it away to be fixed, and reinstall it again. So make sure that you take it somewhere that does the whole job inhouse.

Also I presume from what you say, the car otherwise still drives fine despite the whining noise? If so then your best option might be to keep driving it until the gearbox completely fails and only then buy a new car.

What make and model of car is it?

Edited to add

The engine revs are also going to vary with gear changes, So have you checked that the whining noise is definitely coming from the gearbox and not the engine? As you wouldn't want to ditch the car at a major loss over something like a failed alternator clutch or aircon compressor clutch, drive belt pulley, waterpump bearing etc.

At the moment I'll withhold the make and model of the car.

No have not got a second opinion yet. Still getting over the shock of the initial quote. Will get a second opinion next week.

Yes the car drives fine despite the whining noise.

Our thinking is, is it best to even get a few thousand dollars for the car (if possible) and buy another now? That way I have a happier wife (less whining) and she doesn't have the fear of car breaking down on the road.

I'm no car expert, so obviously rely on what the service centre told us and believe them when they say it is the transmission. Will have to see what the second opinion says.