Should I be nervous about a fluid change?

[TJeno]

Hey, guys. Lately, I've been considering the option of selling off my '04 GT and buying up to a good deal on a '06 GT. Far more options, great condition, less miles.

But, here's the thing.

When I asked about servicing, they had mentioned that the transmission fluid had been flushed and the filter was changed. This put a red flag up in the back of my mind because I call a myth floating around that a transmission fluid change can actually hurt a transmission that hasn't been regularly maintained.

This is the only reason I'm somewhat wary of this car, is it justified for this reason?

[REDCRAPGP]

Hmm it's not the end of the world but I would be damn sure that you test drive it and make sure the tranny is shifting well and keep in mind the potential for the tranny to go out in the future is there so I would make sure you negotiate on the price or have that money set aside in case it does. How many miles and what are they asking for it.

[TJeno]

Hmm it's not the end of the world but I would be damn sure that you test drive it and make sure the tranny is shifting well and keep in mind the potential for the tranny to go out in the future is there so I would make sure you negotiate on the price or have that money set aside in case it does. How many miles and what are they asking for it.

Care if I link a CL ad?

[REDCRAPGP]

Nope go for it

[TJeno]

http://waterloo.craigslist.org/cto/4493298809.html

[rodguezsciii]

test drive, test drive, and test drive some more....and definitely don't give him asking price....

[Scottydoggs]

the ad dont say it was flushed.

"Has new air and transmission filter along with all new belts, fresh oil change and new rear tires." best thing to do is take it for a good long test drive on a hot day, watch the trans temps in the dic. check the fluid color and smell.

looks like a pretty nice car from the pics. i dig that color too.

[dsmuts]

And it being sc helps

[BillBoost37]

It's like doing an oil change on teh engine. If there weren't problems before..there's not going to be a problem from it.

[industrialfish]

And it being sc helps

It can't be. The ad clearly states it's a 3.5L engine in it. :grin:

And why would it need an oil change every 2500 miles, unless it was driven HARD. With that many miles it is probably mostly highway/commuting miles which are not hard on the engine. That mileage is also 16,000 average miles a year. Meaning you'll have to believe he had time to take it to a service station for an oil change every 7 weeks?

[Scottydoggs]

not true, i used to put 3,000 miles a month on my pick up trucks, so i was literally doing a oil change a month. and i did them every month.

at home myself of course. at 175,000 miles the inside of the engine looked new still.


pop the oil cap off look at the rockers, if they are clean and golden looking hes telling the truth about the oil changes.

[BillBoost37]

In many of my cars the oil was changed 2500-3000 miles, because I wanted them to run well and forever. Funny thing is .. it worked. Like Scott, I've had cars where I was doing an oil change every month or less. There were times I was putting on 60K a year at 3000 mile oil change intervals. Oil changes haven't always required a mortgage to afford.

[industrialfish]

I've done it too. The point being, we have done it, not taken it somewhere to be done by someone else.

[BillBoost37]

Again.. incorrectamundo my buddy.

I didn't have a house, garage or place to do an oil change that the time. At lunch, a friend and I would zip up the road to a local place walk next door to Subway and before the sandwiches were done being made the cars would be outside with fresh oil.

[industrialfish]

Again.. incorrectamundo my buddy.

I didn't have a house, garage or place to do an oil change that the time. At lunch, a friend and I would zip up the road to a local place walk next door to Subway and before the sandwiches were done being made the cars would be outside with fresh oil.

Alright, point made.

[Scottydoggs]

those oil change paces dont cost much more then a DIY oil change these days.

[TJeno]

the ad dont say it was flushed.

"Has new air and transmission filter along with all new belts, fresh oil change and new rear tires." best thing to do is take it for a good long test drive on a hot day, watch the trans temps in the dic. check the fluid color and smell.

looks like a pretty nice car from the pics. i dig that color too.

I asked the seller out of curiosity and they mentioned they had a complete fluid flush done at 125K.

Thanks, guys; I appreciate all of the input. Would you guys say it's at a fair price point if it's in the condition that the owner claims?

[BillBoost37]

That's in the range of what it should cost.

[REDCRAPGP]

Check the kbb and compare. I would still negotiate on the price in case things like the lim, elbows etc need to be done. It gives you some wiggle room for potential repairs.

[Scottydoggs]

I asked the seller out of curiosity and they mentioned they had a complete fluid flush done at 125K.

Thanks, guys; I appreciate all of the input. Would you guys say it's at a fair price point if it's in the condition that the owner claims?

bigger question is is this the original owner? and was the tranny ever serviced before. owner seems to be claiming he keeps up on the maint, so maybe hes a good owner and had it done 50,000 miles ago, if so thats ok that he flushed it.

its when its never had a service in its life and its over 100,000 miles your asking for trouble. but then some times if it wasn't beat on, aka adult owned, the fluid may have been in good shape when he had it flushed.