I need your thoughts / '04 Aztek

[jaren82109]

About a month ago, I purchased a 2004 Aztek with 119k miles and a bad transmission. After taking it to a few transmission shops, the cheapest price I could get was $4k for a whole transmission replacement. Not only do I think this price is a little high, I'm worried that I'll run into more problems with the car in the future, and I'm not sure if it's worth the risk. I've heard that head gasket failures are common with the Aztek, and that's not a cheap fix. If I was told that I wouldn't run into any /major/ problems after this transmission replacement, then I think I'd go for it, as I only bought the car for $900. What do you all think?

 

[melsg5]

Why would you invest 4k into a vehicle that is worth alot less? Donate it and get a $900 tax deduction and then use the 4k to buy something else and have it checked before buying it.

 

[jaren82109]

Why would you invest 4k into a vehicle that is worth alot less? Donate it and get a $900 tax deduction and then use the 4k to buy something else and have it checked before buying it.

I've seen other Azteks with a similar amount of miles for sale for about $4k-$5k. Putting $4k into the transmission and buying the car for only $900, I figured it wouldn't be that bad of an investment.

 

[melsg5]

They had to have been in excellent condition with low miles.

______________________________

 

[jaren82109]

Man, I'm in denial haha. I love this car and I would love to get it up and running again. Seems like it could last a long time if I get the transmission replaced.

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

www.car-part.com for a used trans with low miles and a "A+" condition... find one where they give you at least a 90 day + warranty...is my best advice ( worked for me on my Sunbird (88k mile trans) and is still working after 11 years)

Doug in P.R.

 

[SweetAztekMa'am!]

How's your 04 Aztek holding up?
I've had my 04 since 09, 216,000+ miles. Engine rebuilt at about 150,000 miles if memory serves correct, in 2016, due to blown head gasket. In general, her engine has run great since the rebuild (shout out to Moffit's Machine Shop in Fayetteville, NC). Transmission became a bit iffy around 2019, and had a couple consults with recommendations for $$$$ transmission rebuild. My husband researched online and decided to add an after-market kit to the transmission for about $50 and a whole day of painful, frustrating labor. But she runs good! Just had a connector C305 incident this past once, that's why I came on here to search the forum and see if anyone else has said anything about it when I saw your post.