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1996 Protege: Faced With Repair or Trade-in Question. Advice Needed

Hello

I am posting my question on a this forum (I'm hoping there are some Protege owners out there) and the auto repair forum hoping to hear from someone who has some experience with my problem. The car is a

1996 Protege with a 5-speed manual transmission and 80,000 miles on it. A rattling sound developed about 10 days ago, seeming to come from under the floorboards.

The dealer took a look today and said that the transmission requires a $1200 overhaul. They are certain something needs to be replaced inside the transmission, but won't know which part until they open it up.

The question is, what to do? I'm wondering if this is a one time thing, I get it fixed and drive the car happily for at least another three years. Or could this just be the beginning of a steady stream of repairs?

Does anyone out there have any experience with having their manual transmission overhauled? If so, can you tell me how long the repair lasted? Or can you comment about the longevity the Protege in general

- should I be looking at replacing the car rather than sinking $1200 into the transmission?

The car is not abused or driven hard, and has been maintained well.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Reply to
kmc
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First, get a second opinion from an independent shop. Then maybe a third.

Reply to
Lanny Chambers

I agree with Lanny... get another opinion or two. I had an 87 323, and my daughter has a 92 MX3, both have had a problem perhaps sounding similar to yours. Firstly, do you notice anything abnormal with the tranny... shifting not smooth ?? do you feel vibrations in the shift lever ? does the rattling stop with your hand on the shifter??? the probs I've experienced relate to the shifter linkage getting loose/corroded at the bottom of the gear-shift lever, accessible from under the car. The incessant rattling went away when this connection was lubed/tightened.

Pete '94BRG

Reply to
Pete Breemhaar

I posted the question on behalf of a coworker. She did get a second opinion. The estimate varied from $1200 to $3000, depending on what they found once they opened up the transmission.

She opted to get a new car.

Reply to
kmc

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