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I Drive A 2013 Ford Fusion With About 165,000 Miles On It…Worth Repairing Or Time For A New Car? ―Here's A Car-Saving Compilation Of Social Media Advice

A non-mechanic 2013 Ford Fusion owner has a transmission that slips and hesitates. A mechanic quotes her $3,500 for repair/replacement. How would you help someone with this question?

Is a transmission experiencing some unusual driving issues a good reason to dump it just because it is a Ford and its mileage has recently surpassed the 150,000 mile-mark expectation car owners used to rely on when deciding it is time for a new car? Not so fast, according to a recent Mechanic Advice Reddit forum. Times have changed, and so have opinions about older cars.

Ford Fusion Decision About Repairing or Replacing Her Ailing Car

In a recent article, I wrote about the polarizing controversy over whether or not car owners facing a similar transmission problem should or should not heed the mixed advice of having their ailing car's transmission fluid flushed. However, beyond the reasons behind the debate, the article demonstrated a video where a mechanic recommends how his garage approaches this type of transmission fix that works most of the time and saves his customers thousands of dollars.

"Ideally, I'd like to get another year or two out of it before making a big purchase."

According to the owner of the 2013 Ford Fusion about her situation:

  1. Until recently, it's been running fine.
  2. The car itself is in decent shape.
  3. It was maintained regularly.
  4. She has the financial means to buy a new car.
  5. “I'd like to get another year or two out of it before making a big purchase.”

The last point is one I like that you do not often hear.

When it comes to car repairs, car owners mistakenly believe that once the repair is done, it will either solve all of their problems or that the first expensive repair is a sign to dump the car or sound off a car's death knell.

Yes, we all should grieve over the senseless death of any car.

My point is that both views are extreme in many cases, whereas the original poster just wants to get a little more value out of her used car before they part ways.

Wisely, she chose to reach out on Reddit, desiring help to make her second smartest decision.

A Car-Saving Compilation Of Social Media Advice

Following the forum thread, here is a summary of the most useful and practical answers provided to the OP. These answers apply not just to her Ford Fusion but, in most cases, to any owner of almost any make or model of used car facing a similar problem.

Please note that the advice is not necessarily sequential but should be viewed more as a flexible, first-things-first approach.

  1. A car owner should assess what this car means to them on a personal level. ―Do you have an emotional attachment to the car? Does it mean anything more to you than just a means of getting from point A to point B?
  2. Who told you it needed a transmission replacement? ―In other words, do you have a second confirming opinion of the car's prognosis, or are you relying on just one garage's advice?
  3. Is there a simple and relatively inexpensive fix? ―As pointed out in several posts, the slightly malfunctioning transmission could be due to:
  • A low transmission fluid level.
  • A hose or other engine component left undone or loose while serviced, i.e., a vacuum leak causes the transmission symptoms.
  • A malfunctioning transmission sensor or related ECM module problem.
  • Degraded transmission fluid that can be fixed with either a new fluid change or with one marketed and positively reviewed for successfully fixing minor transmission problems. It might be a roll of the dice, but for a small bank, the return could be significant. An additive such as a tube of Lubegard Instant Shudder Fixx, as one poster recommended, could be used after the fluid change. 

4.What is this model's reliability history? ―An easy search of your model will reveal other repair/financial issues you could be facing while keeping your car. For example, the EcoBoost engine in many Ford models is known for a $3K water pump failure/repair. Is it a generally reliable naturally aspirated engine, or is it a troublesome turbocharged model? Some model years of the Ford Fusion and the Ford Escape are known for a problematic 6F35 transmission; as such, are there any recalls or class action lawsuits you could benefit from?

5. Weigh the costs of a new car over the repair of your old car. ―If you are on the edge of a decision, this is the most sensible and helpful advice given from the post comments:

Post Advice on Smart Used Car Cost Calculating

 

In conclusion, the OP's forum topic quest for help shows that she is not alone in her recent experience and is a testament to the help one can find when asked. In short, dumping a used vehicle can be as wrong a decision as ignoring the aforementioned advice, agreeing right off to a single diagnosis, and paying whatever price is quoted from a garage without further investigation.

What are your thoughts on transmission repairs, and/or when do you believe is the right time to let your used cargo? Have you had experiences like the OP shared that defy what the article promotes or others experienced? Share your stories in the comments below.

For additional articles related to transmission problems in your car, here are three recommendations for your consideration:

  1. Servicing Your Vehicle's Automatic Transmission Can Be a DIY Project That Saves You Money
  2. Transmission Problem Diagnosis With This Simple Tool
  3. Ford F-150 Transmission Test Owners Can Do While Driving

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and works on restoring older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites as well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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