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Re: Auto gearboxs. Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Mon, 5 Feb 2001 08:49:32
In Reply to: Auto gearboxs., WRS, Sat, 3 Feb 2001 18:16:31 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The autobox on the 9000 is a bit of a problem area, but you've got to put that into context. It's common for the box to have problems in the 80-120K range. Some autoboxes last much, much, longer (as in Dick from FC). If you're buying an automatic 9000, it's safe to assume that you'll need to do some major box work in the 100K range. If the box lasts forever, then you're ahead of the game. If the box breaks, then you've planned that in.
The ZF was used throughout 9000 production. There are some reports that newer cars don't have as much trouble, but then again, they're newer. I don't believe there were any major upgrades on the ZF.
The reason to keep the autobox problems in context is that we're talking about 100K miles here. Remember when cars didn't go 100K miles? Now we're wringing our hands because the transmission might need some work! Depending on your driving, that's 5-6 years between problems with the transmission. And it's not like the manual transmission never breaks - clutches, clutch cylinders, shift linkages. Yes, the manual breaks less often, but it still breaks. Cars break.
If you're buying a used 9000 auto, look for a low mile car (always a good idea), and look for maintenance records (also a good idea). You want to know that the owner had the tranny fluid changed regularly. The ideal case is to find a car where the owner has just dropped the $$ to have the tranny replaced, and now you've got a nice car with a fresh tranny. If you're buying a car with an older autobox, use that as a bargaining point, and make sure the price reflects the possiblity of needing work.
Another note on the autobox - if it starts to act up, get it fixed. There are minor problems that can be fixed very cheaply (broken accumulator springs, leaking govenor seals) with the tranny in the car, but if left to age, will eventually take out the box and require a complete rebuild. So stay after problems.
I own (or have had) three autobox 9000's. One car had autobox problems at 100K or so, and I had it rebuilt. The rebuild lasted barely 20K. But I lay the blame for that on the folks that rebuilt it, not the transmission. The other cars are running strong.
Cars break - you've got to deal with that. But you can't say that you should never buy a 9000 automatic because, gasp, every 5-6 years the transmission might break. Heck - heads blow, oil pumps fail, cars get slammed by some goat-roper in a SUV.
hope this helps.
, Mon, 5 Feb 2001 08:49:32 <-- Viewing This Message
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