I have a used 2012 Ford Escape that I bought 2 or 3 years ago used. I paid cash. I don't owe anything on it. It has had transmission trouble and now needs a new transmission costing $3400. I hate the fact that the car needs such expensive work and has so few miles on it. (I had multiple mechanics look at it and I am confident of the diagnosis regarding the transmission, unfortunately). Transmission would be "re-manufactered" and come with a 100,000 mile/ 3(or5?) year warranty.
I generally just *hate* having to deal with car repairs in any form. I bought this car after off-loading a horrible clown car that was a terrible choice for me (monthly payments - new car - learned my lesson). I really hoped to drive this car until it fell apart at 200k miles or something. Unfortunately, it appears to be falling apart at 50k miles...
The car is drive-able - in the sense that I can get it from the shop to my house - but not reliable - I don't want to drive it any distance and I don't think it is safe at this point (It lost all forward power on Monday and took several tries, unfortunately while stuck in a parking garage on the ramp - to get it to do anything other than drive in reverse).
Should I suck it up and make these repairs? Try to sell it without the repairs? If so, how do I set a price for a car needing such an expensive repair? Take it to Carmax and see what they would give me for it? If I buy something else - how do I get something reliable (basically - I guess get a Toyota or a Honda...?).
Today I am picking it up from the transmission shop and parking it at home while I sort out what to do. I can get by for a while with my bike, but not for long. (Before anyone tells me to just bike it - I am a single parent with two children in the DC area. I bike commute as much as I can given my schedule and the weather - but I can't handle doctors appointments and kid's needs and grocery shopping, my work, and various other activities w/o a car at this point in time.)