What do I do now?
Posted by CrimsonMaple@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 22 comments
First time buyer for a car. I bought a 2012 Subaru Impreza and I got a lean on the car about three years ago. Bought at around 115k Miles now sitting at 133k Miles.
The transmission is going on the car now, I’ve noticed some jerking when driving the car around in first. I’ve stopped driving on the car for the time being.
I’ve scheduled an appointment for a mechanic to take a look at the vehicle a few weeks out from now, thankfully I’ve been offered rides to places by friends.
I still owe about 4k on the car and don’t know what to do from here. Given the accidents I’ve had on the car, plus the transmission going it’s likely a lost cause. Where should I go from here? Will my gap insurance help me out any? I feel like I got bent over backwards on this car…
Any advice would be appreciated…
resornihgp@reddit
I think you should wait for them to diagnose it before making assumptions. Just explain the issue to the mechanic and let them do their job. In the meantime, I suggest looking into DePIN solutions that allow you to earn while driving. A good one is NATIX, and it's basically free to set up.
Thelakesman@reddit
Probably just needs fluid and filter change in the gearbox, presumably it’s an automatic??
ChrisGear101@reddit
Find a mechanic that doesn't make you wait 2 weeks. That's crazy.
CrimsonMaple@reddit (OP)
I’ll dig around and find a shop that’ll get me in sooner. I appreciate the advice on having a shop figure out what specifically is going on.
The problem isn’t new to me unfortunately, I’ve just been too broke to bring it in and unfortunately that’s only made it worse. My last mechanic buddy said it was a lost cause because it’s a CVT. (I know think he’s full of shit for that opinion.)
Here’s to hoping it just needs new fluid and a filter…
HondaForever84@reddit
Pretty sure Subarus CVT is chain driven, not a belt. Obviously keeping up with maintenance is crucial, but let’s not lump all CVT’s into one category. Coming from a Honda guy, Subaru is one of the better ones
Xubria@reddit
Around here most mechanics are backed up for a month. I do all my own work at home so lucky don't have to waste money with mechanics but most of my friends go to them, 1 month wait to change a serpentine belt on my buddies dodge truck. I went and did it in 15 minutes for him.
tsurutatdk@reddit
Find the best mechanic for your car's safety and your driving experience. If you're always on the road, why not take advantage of the Natix Drive&App? You can earn while driving, and their AI dashcam is completely free to use once you install the app.
Heavenly825@reddit
But you stated you had accidents on it when you have an accident on it you should have got the repair then
JMSTEWARTJAX@reddit
Very sorry for your situation. I don't have one solution for you but I can offer some information. Transmission repairs are expensive, replacing a complete transmission even more so. Subarus have a reputation of being somewhat difficult to work on because of the layout of the engine, basically the entire engine has to come out for even minor work. In my opinion due to the age of the vehicle it's probably not worth fixing. You may be able to sell it as a "mechanic's special", if aside from the transmission the car is in decent shape you should be able to get at least a couple of thousand dollars. I believe your priority should be getting enough money to pay the lien. Alternatively, if you have decent credit and don't mind getting into a car payment you can probably arrange to have the debt on your car rolled over into a new car loan. Dealers do this all the time and if you can afford it it may be your best option. Good luck.
Hot_Block_9675@reddit
Good advice, I just hope the OP doesn't go to a dealer to arrange any type of future financing or "work around". They have larceny in the heart in EVERY transaction - especially when it comes to financing. It's where they make their money.
james123123412345@reddit
They typed lean. I think they meant loan. They got a loan to buy it three years ago. Of course they could have a lien on the car but nothing else refers to that in the post, and they do mention they still owe on the loan.
Hot_Block_9675@reddit
I can only comment on what the OP said in his post, not speculate what he meant to say.
...there is ALWAYS a recorded lien on the car when you take out a secured loan. There's not a question if he "could have a lien" on the car. It exists the minute the loan documents are signed and is part and parcel to the loan.
Regardless - the issue is satisfying a legal obligation that if not addressed will sabotage his financial future with a HUGE ding to his credit score. Big time.
CrimsonMaple@reddit (OP)
I unfortunately learned that when I bought a car that was bogged, painted over and sold with a transmission with less than 20k left on it ;~;
Admiral_peck@reddit
that's no good, but if it still runs and drives, in the USA that's at least a thousand dollars in value immediately.
my suggestion would be an older cash car like the 94 f150 i just bought from someone desperate for $500, something with tons of room to work around and as few of options as possible, and drive that until you can pay for the loan, then buy something nicer after that loan is gone, i recommend avoiding dealers and doing a loan directly from your own bank to buy the next car third party. personal loans of $2-3k are pretty easy, or if you want much newer, any bank will loan on a car under 10 years/100k miles in age at a fair price if you don't have any defaults on record, be sure to get the car checked out by a known and trusted mechanic, many mechanics will happily send one of their employees with you to look at a car after hours for a small fee, and some may even do it at no charge hoping to retain your business. I do it all the time for free, and I'm gonna tear that car apart in terms of recommending work before I tell you what is good on it, and then give you a price that I would happily pay for the car personally if I was in the market. mechanics are often brutal buyers when it comes to cars as we will not abide cheap parts or shoddy work.
Admiral_peck@reddit
in this case, the engine does not need to be removed to pull the transmission from the bottom, but pulling the trans on any car is still major work.
that said if the wreck damage is repaired well, the car is likely worth much more than the $4k they owe once the transmission gets replaced.
JMSTEWARTJAX@reddit
But they have to factor in not only the $4,000 that they owe, but at least several grand to repair or replace the transmission. So in all likelihood they will not be able to sell the car even with a working transmission after paying off the loan and factoring in the cost of the new transmission or repair of existing transmission. Remember it's a 12-year-old car with body damage as well.
Admiral_peck@reddit
And? I've sold a 30 year old car with all sorts of body damage running and driving with problems for $2k
CrimsonMaple@reddit (OP)
This is about what I thought. I appreciate the insight on the “Mechanic’s Special” sale and validation that dealers can roll your old loan into your new loan. The car unfortunately needs body work and is in rough shape but I’ve kept up on maintenance on the vehicle and put in new Shocks, Battery and Front Brakes.
Hopefully that’s worth something. I’ll see where servicing the transmission fluid and filter gets me and go from there.
SchoolAmbitious5817@reddit
Figure out the issue before you start car shopping. It could be a dozen issues that aren't catastrophic. Also that's pretty low mileage IMO. I haven't kept up with Subaru's in 10+ years, but the old ones used to last forever, 130k is barely broken in on some of the 2000s ones I've been around. If the engine is good you might be better off paying for a new transmission than killing the car.
In my experience when I've got friends writing off their car before they know the damage, they've already started looking around and are basically ready to get a new car. I knew a guy who said his car was "basically totaled" because it needed a new CV axle. He just wanted something different.
CrimsonMaple@reddit (OP)
That’s currently the plan. I’m more-so worried about the absolute worst case scenario where I take it to a shop and am told that my car is totaled over this. Really hoping all it needs is a fluid and filter change.
The early gen Nissan CVTs are crap and usually die around 150k so this is pretty much par for the course unfortunately and previous owner was nowhere near as nice to this car as I’ve been.
I’ve become so skeptical and now just want a mid 00’ car because the newer ones are just made like crap.
AlaskaGreenTDI@reddit
Obviously you want to be prepared for the worst here but in the meantime I’d be hoping you only need a trans service and not a complete transmission.
CrimsonMaple@reddit (OP)
Crossing my fingers and toes for this one ;~;