Drivetrain problem

The car in question is a 1999 Plymouth Breeze...(I want some replies which is why it is in here and not in the Breeze section). I am looking for a cheap "2nd car," but want to spend less than $1200. Here is an ad I have seen:

NEEDS TRANNY WORK!

1999 Plymouth Breeze, 74K miles, body in great shape, interior also excellent condition (non smoker). Power Windows, Power Steering, Power Locks, Air Condition, Cruise, Stereo. This car has a lot of life for somebody willing to fix it. Make me an offer!!! Must sell in 30 days.

So I sent him an email for more detail and he wrote:

I had the car looked at by an auto mechanic. He said worse case scenario for a total trani overhaul would be around $2500. It might not need that. The only way to know for sure is to take it completely apart and find the source of the problem.

The trani does not shift. It'll get up to 35 mph and stick. The only way to know what gear(s) need replaced is to take it completely apart. Yes you could easily be looking at putting $2-3K in it. You would still have a good running car for $4,000 if that meets your need.

Hope that helps.


**** Without "seeing it," What kind of risk is there in this? What are the chances its more minimal than major?


Thanks in advance :)

that's very risky. There could be a host of problems with that transmission. Have a friend who's an auto technician take a look at it, preferably someone who's a Chrysler guy. Since I work around Chrysler transmissions, I would suggest that if you can ask for a service record of what has been done to the car, namely, transmission service. If he has no records, that's a big, red flag that goes up that tells me that this car is not worth buying. Though the price is low, the problems associated with it is not worth the hassle.

I don't suppose it would be worthwhile to check the codes to see if it could be a solenoid out?

Good comments....I will see if its driveable...per se to Autozone and get the OBD II scanned...if I do, I will post the codes.

Another idea is that if you are good with a wrench you can get used tranny's for around 700.00