| qeg84doa |
| My beloved 2001 MDX with 106000 miles was just diagnosed with a bad tranny at the dealership. Ive had issues with the tranny before around 65000 miles when it was in warranty and they replaced the EGR valve. That seemed to help but I dont think it ever fixed it. Acura just called and said that he's going to talk it over with the service manager but he would probably be able to get the repair done with warranty for $1700. I told him "ouch" and explained that that was still really too much. I think he'll call back with a lower amount- hopefully but my question is- Is that a pretty good deal? Should I take it or try to ask for a better deal? Right now the x is still very driveable, it just slips in and out between 4th and 5th. It actually took 2 techs to finally "feel" the surge. I could probably take it across town and trade it in with no problems-hmmm-dilema-trade in? or fix for 1700? Any ideas much appreciated. |
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| ROTORRAY |
| If you really like the car $1700 might not be a bad deal. For that amount (MAXIMUM!!) you get a rebuilt tranny. Push for the 3/36 warranty and accept nothing less. You can do a search on this and Honda is all over the board with how they handle these "adjustments." My son paid $2500 for his Accord with 104K miles so, in that respect, you are getting a deal. ALWAYS push for more but it's a gamble. You could trade it but you'll be spending a LOT more than $1700 just in sales tax, and you loose that when you drive it off the floor (PLUS A LOT MORE!). You're mileage is low enough that you have a lot left in that car. Get the 3/36 warranty and drive it until that warranty is nearly out then start looking for a new veh. What do you have to loose?? Take the money you would have spent on a new one and put it away each month. When you're ready to buy you already have most of the money saved and you are way ahead of the game. If you were to trade I'm sure, if they know ANYTHING about this tranny's miserable history, that they will inspect/test it to make sure it's OK. If they don't and it's running fine you won. If they do and it takes a real dump on them you LOST! It's always a gamble. Personally, I would get it fixed and exjoy it for another few years, if you really like it. Let us know what you end up doing. |
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| qeg84doa |
| Thanks for the advice Rotorray, I really do like the car and I have maintained it meticulously. It will be paid off next May 09. I believe I will probably take the "deal". I'm not very good at negotiating but will stand my ground. I know if I trade for something else I'll get the shaft. At least like you said, I'll have 36,000 miles to find something in the mean time. Although, I must admit, with gas prices @$3.48/gal something with a little better MPG would be nice. I'll never forget though what Dave Ramsey once said-"Your car gets better gas mileage when it's not dragging a payment book around." |
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| midnightMDX |
| Keep pushing as hard as you can. But that $1700 doesnt sound like a bad deal. Definitely push for the warranty on that. You only have a year left to make payments on it, so you might as well keep for a few more years. |
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| ROTORRAY |
| I read all the time about folks thinking about trading in/selling their car which gets XX mpg. I don't think they understand, though, that they'll be paying a BUNCH for that new car, both for the car and associated fees and increased insurance costs. You can buy a lot of gas with what they're spending on the new car, PLUS they still have to buy gas anyway. Keep what you enjoy. Pay it off and you'll still have 2 years (if you get the 3/36) of no car payments. You can save some of the money you save for the next new car and spend some on gas for this car. You're ahead by keeping it. Some dealers try to give Honda's standard 12/12 warranty which is standard on their parts. Some, as in my son's case, gave the 3/36 without question. I think a component as expensive as the tranny, and having such a miserable track record, deserves more than the 3/36 but I think that's all you'll realistically get. Ask them FIRST about the warranty. If it's 3/36 you've got it!! If it's not don't "go off" on them. Just calmly explain your familiarity with their miserable trannys and that you have been reading all over the 'net about them and Honda's arbitrary warranty consideration. Even Consumer Reports has discussed their miserable trannies. Talk to them about your being a good customer and that that should be worth SOMETHING. If the dealer won't budge ask for the number to Honda/Acura Corporate and go from there. They've spent MILLIONS on warranty replacements and your's isn't the first and certainly won't be the last. I think you'll get what you want in the end. Good luck, and keep us posted. |
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| qeg84doa |
| I'll keep you posted... My dealership maint. manager just happens to be on vacation right now(my luck) and client services has to discuss with him before proceeding. My guess is that I'll hear something Monday. They'll probably go over maint history and repair history to see if I "qualify" for help. |
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| ROTORRAY |
| ...for "tranny failures" (or similar). Print out what people have said and bring it with you to talk to the Maintenance Mgr. I wouldn't talk to him on the phone unless he comes up with the 3/36 right away. I understand they've already offered you the $1700 deal so what else are they considering other than the warranty? If they don't come up with the 3/36 tell them other dealers do it without question (Tracy Honda, Tracy, CA). Ask him why there isn't a "stadard" warranty on this unit. Also discuss "loss of value" in that your model year has a HISTORY of failures which decreases its value when you do try to sell it. Some owners have reported 2 and 3 tranny replacements so even the first replacement might not go the distance. They went to a separate transfer case for '03 and beyond and you will be getting a rebuilt for your year which doesn't have this feature. If you did the previous recall they offer you the deal. If you didn't they replace it paying 100%, which is why I don't recommend doing the recall on this unit, but for many it's too late. Remember, though, that you won't have to do any of this "dealing" if they give you the 3/36 warranty. They're giving you a "fair" adjustment on the unit (you did drive it for 100K miles) so although we object to paying anything due to a design defect, they could give us NOTHING arguing that it's beyond the new car warranty by both mileage and time. It's only because the problem is so widespread that they are covering their @$$. It's also a large liability issue since the thing can fail at speed, completely lock up and then what do you do? You're in the fast lane in front of a 90,000 pound semi and your car skids to a stop with a frozen tranny. Guess where the truck is going! This is their liability and they are hoping to get away from it as time goes on and these units are replaced/destroyed/whatever. Good luck!! |
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| qeg84doa |
The service manager just called back and he said that the regional district manager and Acura Client Services are offering 75% of warranty work( whatever that means) which boiled down to $954.55+tax out the door Labor and parts with 3yr/3600 warranty. The tranny will be coming out of Ohio to arrive this Friday.They will let me use a loaner( hopefully the 08 X)- I took the deal.
I just bought myself 3 more years for $1000- not great but not too bad. Overall I'm pretty satisfied considering that Acura didnt really have to help me out. It sure lets me know that at least they care about their reputation. |
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| phins2rt |
| I'd say you did very good! The problem with getting on 08 MDX loaner is you won't want to give it back!:trustme: |
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| midnightMDX |
| You got a good deal on that trans, and the 3 year warranty is a huge plus. :4: |
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| ROTORRAY |
| I really don't think that you could have received better.. The warranty is the big plus as these rebuilt units have been known to fail shortly after installation (remember: YOU are giving them the road test!!). Glad you prevailed and keep us posted. In 3 yrs you can seriously look for a new vehicle. There will be a lot of competition at that time for your $$$$. Be flexible and check all that's available which meets your needs. GOOD LUCK!!! |
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| qeg84doa |
Thanks everyone.:)
For anyone else going through a similar situation I have this advice:
Read through all the relating forums. I pretty much read everyone of the tranny related posts and pulled info from many of them.
1.Keep all of your receipts for parts that you purchased for maintaining your vehicle.- they didn't ask to see them but Acura Client Services did ask if I had them. Use Honda stuff don't be cheap.
2.Be kind on the phone. Everyone wants a win/win. They don't want you to be unsatisfied-believe me, they want to help you so you buy another x next time.
3.Be patient. I'm not sure about this one but I believe if you set back and let the process work, it wont look like you're desperate to settle for the first offer. It may take a week to resolve this with Acura Client Services, Your Acura dealer etc.
4.And mostly, seek the advice of this forum, it has been very helpful.
Richard
Jeffersonville, IN |
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