I have not had fluid flushes for car at any.

ANONYMOUS

MEMBER
2001 MAZDA MIATA
13,500 MILES

I have not had fluid flushes for car at any point. My error. Now my Mazda technician is blaming that on the following:
slight transmission leak (qt low)
leaking oil gasket (slight)
and due to age clutch out soon, possible struts/suspension issues?
I love this car, just havent really taken the best preventative care. Only oil change each 3k miles.
So far I have only had to replace tires, batter, spark plugs/wires hoses, etc.
I would like to keep it so-
he estimated 1500 transmission, 900 oil gasket, 575 fluid drain/flush
So at $3,000 with transmission repaired and replaced fluids is this a gamble worth taking?
If this is a good option, then is there any other maintenance issues I should take care of as well?
I really would like to drive this car another 3-4 years, I normally have averaged less than 10K per year.
Its either sell asap while its driving, or. Spend money on repairs to keep it- I just don't know if its cost effective?

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

None of what you mentioned could have been prevented with regular maintenance. You listed generic problems that can occur on any car. Should I even share that I haven't flushed the cooling system OR changed the oil in my '88 Grand Caravan in over 10 years and 120,000 miles! Or that the transmission fluid and filter has been replaced once in its entire life only because a $3.50 side cover rusted out; and I regularly pull an tandem axle enclosed trailer that's bigger than the van. The van has 237,000 miles and shows no signs of quitting. I add one quart of oil about every 1,000 miles so there's always fresh additives in it. Now, ... Understand that I'm not describing neglect. That is abuse, but I do it to make a point to my students of what some engines are capable of. I'm not recommending anyone neglect maintenance.

I would question the dollar amounts you listed. $1500.00 for a slight transmission leak? For that price I want an explanation of exactly what he thinks is leaking and what it's going to take to fix it. 900 bucks for an oil gasket? Which one? The only thing I can imagine costing that much is the oil pan gasket on a Ford. Some of them require lifting or practically removing the engine. 575 to drain and flush the cooling system? Come on. There aren't nearly as many disreputable mechanics as everyone thinks but in this case it sounds like you're being taken advantage of. It's time for a second estimate from a different shop. All of those repairs on my Caravan would total less than 500 bucks.