Car Help

[allie1105]

Hey everyone, I haven't been around in awhile because things have been so busy with grad school. I drive about an hour and a half each way to school - I've been doing it since January - and it has started to take a toll on my car.

Today (luckily this occurred AFTER I got home from school) my transmission stopped shifting and stayed in first gear. Lovely. I got home (more like CRAWLED home and got many nasty glares for going 15 mph) and my husband looked at it - transmission fluid looked fine, but that was all he knows how to check when it comes to the transmission I have a 2002 Saturn SC2. Anyone good with cars that might be able to give me a little bit of insight? I know that I am going to have to get it fixed (I already have an appointment, but it isn't until Monday!), but I don't want to sound completely clueless when I take it to the shop - I am afraid of being at the mercy of the mechanic.

Any advice would be great!

[dacrunkest]

Manual or Automatic?

[allie1105]

Automatic!

[winneythepooh7]

I had a problem where my transmission was skipping gears. Then the engine light came on. I ended up having to get the whole thing replaced. Luckily the car was still under warranty otherwise it would have cost over $2K. The mechanic told me in my particular model car he is always replacing transmissions. It's only a 2003 too. Guess I got a lemon! At least it's all paid off now and again thank goodness for warranties!! My fiance wants me to sell my car and get something brand new but I think this stuff can happen with any car and I don't want another car payment!!

[allie1105]

I had a problem where my transmission was skipping gears. Then the engine light came on. I ended up having to get the whole thing replaced. Luckily the car was still under warranty otherwise it would have cost over $2K. The mechanic told me in my particular model car he is always replacing transmissions. It's only a 2003 too. Guess I got a lemon! At least it's all paid off now and again thank goodness for warranties!! My fiance wants me to sell my car and get something brand new but I think this stuff can happen with any car and I don't want another car payment!!

UGH! At least it was covered! Mine isn't under any kind of warranty anymore, so if it is going to cost $2k, it looks like we are going to have to foot the bill :( I hav THE WORST luck with cars - when I was in college, I always had really old cars - my senior year, I had an 89 corsica - I blew the cylinder heads, which basically totaled it b/c it wasn't worth very much. I bought a 91 Dodge Shadow to get me through my final semester (I was so broke!) and the head gasket blew a month later, and I had no choice but to fix it (it was about $1K!). This is my first "nice" car - 2002 Saturn SC2 - and I think I give up on cars! They break no matter what, depreciate in value, can be ruined at any moment...I love cars like Audi or Mercedes but I will never buy one because right now, I think they all suck! Worst investment ever!

[winneythepooh7]

Honestly, I feel owning a car is like throwing money out the window, what with the cost of gas and something always needing to be fixed, on what often seems a monthly basis. I rarely even drive and feel like it's always something. The major positive about living where I live at least is I don't have to rely on my car so much---I use public transit to get to work during the week. Unfortunately, not everyone has that option.

[spokes]

a transmission problem is a hard thing to diagnosis without taking at look at it, but my guess is that it won't be a cheap repair, but that being said, who knows with today's car's with all thier sensors and what not. it could be a couple of hndred to get you rolling again........