1999 Sable Cost of replacing Engine, Tranny

[kbalabha]

My 1999 sable broke down after a 90K checkup with a local mechanic and ofcourse after getting ripped for $500. The car was stalling a little when I decided not to risk it and drove straight to the local mechanic shop. I was told I needed a new engine gasket and that's about it. The next morning while driving to work the car shuddered and stopped. After towing it to another mechanic shop I was told that it has to do with my engine chain getting jammed due to no oil in the engine (the first mechanic told me that he filled all the oil levels) and the engine needs to be taken out. A week later I was informed that one of the pistons completely disntegrated and the engine is no good, I need to replace the engine. I was sent an estimate of $2000 for parts ($900 for a used 24 Valve 3.0 engine plus 12+ hours of labor). After one month after several visits in between I was told the car was ready for pickup. When I test drove teh car there was heavy drag with the tranny not shifting smoothly. Now I am told that the torque converter may be out and also the tranny may be out as well. Another estimate of $1000 to replace the tranny and the torque converter. Right now I am in the hole for $4K. I have a feeling I am getting ripped and hence decided to browse the internet and found this group. Can someone help me??

[flybynight]

they've taken you for the ride of your life my friend. they fed you a bunch of bogus info and youre really screwed at this point i would say the prices of the parts are about right... but for what you got out of the deal and what you still have to do with it.... you should have bought a new car.

[kbalabha]

Originally Posted by flybynight

they've taken you for the ride of your life my friend. they fed you a bunch of bogus info and youre really screwed at this point i would say the prices of the parts are about right... but for what you got out of the deal and what you still have to do with it.... you should have bought a new car.

Thanks. I knew I got ripped. "Should have bought a new car" option is gone so I have to either (i) continue driving the car for the next 6 months (the mechanic offered me a 6 month warranty :-)) or (ii) sell the car to get my $4K back and buy a new car. What do you suggest?

[burrelld]

Originally Posted by kbalabha

Thanks. I knew I got ripped. "Should have bought a new car" option is gone so I have to either (i) continue driving the car for the next 6 months (the mechanic offered me a 6 month warranty :-)) or (ii) sell the car to get my $4K back and buy a new car. What do you suggest?

At this point in time you are looking at a market for used 99 Mercury Sables that is getting around $2,500 to $3,600 for a private party sale.

If you trade it in, a dealer will give you far less than half of that.

You won't get your money back by selling the car. You might list it on eBay, with the six months warranty, and get from $3,000 to $3,500, but your $4K is an amount unattainable.

[KyooMac]

The depreciation value of the Sable/ Taurus's is exponentially negative. I have a '98 and is starting to show signs of dying. I've done all the work and maintenance on it myself up until now. After three no-starts in a row, I gave up and bought a used Pacifica. The Sable is a great car when it works, but when they start to die, put it out of its misery and get rid of it.