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Help! Repairs cost more than the car is worth!! - READ ONLY

102 messages,  Last post on Jul 05, 2007 at 8:33 AM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda 626

Messages Page 3 of 11

#21 of 102 I am in the same boat.- (sinking!!!) by sue5727

Oct 07, 2003 (11:59 am)

I also have a 1997 Mazda 626 whose transmission is on the outs. I have no second gear. I have found the same situation as you are. The value is less than what it costs to repair it. I have found that it is an expensive car to drive because of the maintenance costs- brakes- 4 times ( I have 103,000 miles) and I need struts- 4 at a cost of over $700. Transmission at $2,200. Ouch! I have a sneaky suspicion that there are some major problems with that year and model's transmission. The guy at the dealership told me that the day I brought it in for a transmission check there were 2 other same make year and model Mazdas in for the same problem. I've checked Mazda's website for recalls but nothing. They don't post technical bulletins so I have no idea how bad a problem this is nationwide with the 1997 626's. I will probable end up giving it to charity.

#22 of 102 TSBs by dsattler

Oct 09, 2003 (12:02 pm)

The NHSTA posts them, as does alldata.com, as I recall.

#23 of 102 NHTSA by jratcliffe

Oct 09, 2003 (2:59 pm)

NHTSA, not NHSTA - don't want someone misgoogling.

#24 of 102 Oops... by dsattler

Oct 10, 2003 (9:02 am)

...sorry. Damn Internet: spelling counts. When I become king...

#25 of 102 chuckle by jratcliffe

Oct 14, 2003 (7:40 am)

Not that I have anything against the New Hampshire School Transportation Association or anything.

#26 of 102 (not the host here) by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 30, 2003 (9:20 am)

Sounds like this "national chain" has pumped up the price on this repair. Unfortunately, I wish you had come to us first before laying out the inspection fee, because that is the trap right there. If you think about it, what can you possibly say to a shop when you've already "invested" $500 and they ask you "what do you want to do?"
 
With a bad transmission, this car is practically worthless. I have no problem with the donation route as long as you have a good printout of your car's retail value. Even IF you deduct the price of a used transmission installed (about $1,500), and thereby being perfectly honest, you will still show a KBB value near $5,000.
 
That is correct, you must have an appraisal if you declare over $5,000, so try to stay under that.
 
Depending on your tax bracket, you might end up with $1,500 in your pocket for a donation approach, which is probably more than you'll get trying to sell the car as is.
 
Speaking of used transmissions, have you explored that route as a cost-saving compromise?

#27 of 102 1998 Mazda 626 losing power by hja

Mar 16, 2004 (12:00 pm)

My 1998 Mazda 626 loses power when the A/C is on and the driver changes into Park. When the car is in Drive or any other gear, there are no problems with the A/C. As soon as I switch to park with the A/C on, the RPM's go way down (the car almost dies) and barely stays on. Any suggestions?

#28 of 102 hja by thel

Mar 16, 2004 (3:42 pm)

I'd suggest posting this in the Maintainence and Repair board or on of the 626 boards. I think you missed the point of this thread...

#29 of 102 Similar troubles by koolkat

May 04, 2004 (5:41 pm)

I bought 98 626 1.5 yr ago for 6.5K at 50K miles in pristine condn 1 owner.
Thought it was good deal. Has been giving AT check
engine light occasionally. TOok to Natl AT chain,
came up with 1.8K min 2.6K (with Torq convt) estimate. Have it in today in a indep AT shop for 1.8K rebuild. Wish I had read this post and gone the put in used AT route. This car sucks and is
not a good buy even w/ lower price. Especially since I have had Toyotas that ran 160 and 130K w/o any transmission problems.
So donation route or repl with used is way to go. Also in Nor CA I dont see any ads for cars with prices as low as what is in TMV or KBB midpoint.
(see autos.yahoo.com) Priv parties seem to ask
for more than TMV and are getting it in this area.
SO u can use slightly higher valuation of u document current listings in newspapers or online

#30 of 102 Bad Credit Car Just died Any hope???? by tweety3

Nov 08, 2004 (6:52 pm)

This might possibly be the wosrt scenerio that you have heard.....
Our credit is not good... Around the 500 mark. We had a BK back in 2001 and since have struggled so much its been nearly impossible to raise it much. My car just died and it will cost around $4000 to fix it. Here's the real kicker... We still owe $5000 on this car! So fixing it is out of the question, even if we did have the money. (Which we don't!) So here is what I have to walk on a dealership with:
*Bad Credit
*No $$ for down paayment
*Exhisting vehicle for possible trade-in not running
* Still owe $5000 on this car
*Can't afford a payment more than what we pay now, which is $250.
 
**So basically its like, "We need you to pay off our exhisting loan, take this car that needs fixing, and give us a new car, all while keeping our payments around the same. ($250)
 
Is there any hope at all for us? I have read other questions on this forum. Some others are in better shape than us, and have been told there's not much hope....
 
Would a dealership possibly discuss a lease with us? Should we give up now?
 
Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks for your time.... I know this is probably the worst anybodys ever heard....

Messages Page 3 of 11

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