Good DFF Car?

[workathomedad]

It looks like this just needs a new radiator (~$500?), of course there could be other problems.

http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/cto/5433389194.html

[kevlarswift]

Moisture (coolant) ruins transmissions. This could be an expensive mistake. I would avoid unless you really know what you are doing.

[Clean Shaven]

Sounds like the transmission cooler internal to the radiator has failed, resulting in coolant mixing with the transmission fluid. Not particularly harmful to the engine, but the transmission might be trashed. Budget in the cost of a replacement transmission (and new radiator) and see if it is still a good deal.

[BudgetSlasher]

I'll second what has been said already. Coolant in the transmission is not just replace the radiator and change the fluids. There is a good chance there is also damage to the transmission. Unless you have the skill to determine or a mechanic tell you the likely extent of the damage I would consider it as needing a new (or at least new to this car there are tons of good parts at cheap prices at you-pull junky yards) radiator AND transmission.

[workathomedad]

Thanks guys! It is good to know what it means, and that it's out of my league. I would probably be better off buying (keeping) something working and learning to repair problems as they arise.

[HipGnosis]

What the heck is a "DFF car"??

[fiveoh]

I'm guessing dff= drive for free

Like the mmm article

[Papa Mustache]

I would be really picky about cheap cars with automatic transmissions. Very easy to trash an automatic if they aren't well maintained and expensive to have rebuilt/replaced.