I have a 2001 Mazda Tribute with 143000 on the clock. The o/d warning light started coming on recently and engineers have diagnosed problem as broken belt (I have no 2nd or 4th). This can be repaired for $500-$700 but it may last 6 months or 3 years. Alternatively I can get the whole automatic transmission reconditioned as new with a 30k warranty on it for $3200 (it's a major job) Prices from a reputable automatic transmission specialist. The car is a second car but I need the size for dog, transporting stuff etc. I don't do huge ks in it. Do I risk it and get a repair or should I invest in the full reconditioning?. I don't want to buy a new car as I can't see I'll get much for $3000! My Mazda has been regularly serviced and the bodywork is in very good order. WWYD?
franc123,
Feb 13, 11:51am
If you are going to keep it for say another 3-5 years and you are only going to be doing a few thousand km a year then the cheap repair should be fine, if however you want to keep it longer and/or do heavy towing with it doing the full recon would be the better option. Those vehicles overall were pretty good if they are looked after, the chances of anything else major going wrong is pretty remote. The auto trans was really the worst aspect of them.
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