Strong engine, excellent paint and interior, garage kept. I did all the service, including tranny flush and filter change every 60K.
Tranny started acting just a tiny bit strange the last few days. It's been 15K miles and over a year since my last tranny flush.
Then tranny failed on hwy. In cruise control, it shifted down to 3rd on a slight rise, then over-revved and slipped completely when it shifted back up to OD.
10 miles later, 3rd gear failed exactly the same way: downshifted to 2nd in some climbing curves, 3rd gear slipped completely when it shifted back up.
I drove the remining 35 miles home in 2nd. Reverse did not work when I got home, but it did work the next morning.
Tranny fluid level is correct for cold on dipstick, but plenty dark.
It's a nice-looking, good running vehicle. Sitting in my driveway.
What do I do with it?
It's 15 years old, 195K miles, max blue book = $3800 if everything works. The tags just expired, and the insurance renews at the end of the month.
Cost of tags + insurance renewal + tranny shop = $2850 to drive it again.
I live in a small town, only 1 local tranny shop. It's a big shop, well-equipped, well-known, well-liked. He doesn't want me to bring him just the tranny. Said he wants to do the whole job because of decades of past issues with people doing the removal and reinstall themselves. He quoted $2500. He said he is just like every other tranny shop in America: he has done a ton of 4L60's.
I can drop it myself and cart it 3 hours to a rebuilder in Boise, but I'm not excited about doing the removal and reinstall myself. I don't have a lift, only jackstands. I do have a tranny jack and tools. I've only done old Ford manuals, never a modern auto like the 4L60.
What else can I do with this car? What are my options?
Does it have any meaningful salvage value if I drive it to a salvage yard?
Are there any parts that people are desperate to find? Maybe I could part out a few pieces and sell the shell to a scrap yard?
Looking for ideas...
Thanks!