2011 Yukon..Transmission shot... worth replacing?

[Matt81]

So here’s my story... purchased a 2011 Yukon 3 years ago. I have a balance of $8,000 left on the loan. Recently the transmission started making some noise and had it checked out at the local dealership. They told me it’s shot and given the age and mileage of the car it’s not worth replacing. The estimate was 5300 to replace tranny.

my car now has 170,000 miles and I never had an issue until now. Even though it’s got 170,000 miles, the car still rides like a champ...(until my tranny situation)

so I’ve been shopping for cars lately. I checked out a new base Yukon that isn’t nearly as loaded as mine and I’m looking at 900 dollar a month payments and to be honest, I’m not looking to spend that much money on a car per month that I’m not going to own.

So I’ve been shopping for cars and to be honest, there is nothing out there that excites me like my Yukon.

so my question is, so you think it’s worth replacing the transmission on a car with 170,000 miles that I still owe 8 grand on? If I can get at least 3 more years out of this car after replacing tranny I think I will be fine. But then in the back of my mind I find myself wondering if I’m crazy for considering spending so much money on a car that has 170,000 miles.

I’m no car expert but just wondering what the thoughts of the community are on my situation. Especially the thoughts of some mechanics. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

matt

 

[wjburken]

So here’s my story... purchased a 2011 Yukon 3 years ago. I have a balance of $8,000 left on the loan. Recently the transmission started making some noise and had it checked out at the local dealership. They told me it’s shot and given the age and mileage of the car it’s not worth replacing. The estimate was 5300 to replace tranny.

my car now has 170,000 miles and I never had an issue until now. Even though it’s got 170,000 miles, the car still rides like a champ...(until my tranny situation)

so I’ve been shopping for cars lately. I checked out a new base Yukon that isn’t nearly as loaded as mine and I’m looking at 900 dollar a month payments and to be honest, I’m not looking to spend that much money on a car per month that I’m not going to own.

So I’ve been shopping for cars and to be honest, there is nothing out there that excites me like my Yukon.

so my question is, so you think it’s worth replacing the transmission on a car with 170,000 miles that I still owe 8 grand on? If I can get at least 3 more years out of this car after replacing tranny I think I will be fine. But then in the back of my mind I find myself wondering if I’m crazy for considering spending so much money on a car that has 170,000 miles.

I’m no car expert but just wondering what the thoughts of the community are on my situation. Especially the thoughts of some mechanics. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

matt

Personally, I would replace the transmission.

I had a similar situation with my 2007 Denali. At 160K, my transmission needed replacing. Cost was $4000 at the time for a GM reman that came with a 100K warranty on parts and labor. Never regretted that decision and drove that vehicle until it had 300K on the clock.

Again, my recommendation is replace it and enjoy your 2011 for many years to come.

 

[fastscirocco]

I would start by getting a 2nd opinion and have a transmission shop look at your truck and make sure it truly needs replacing. Dealerships seem to want to replace instead of repair, there is a possibility your trans can be repaired or rebuilt at significantly lower cost.

 

[mikeyss]

With having 8k left on your loan, you would be even more upside down financially if you don't fix it. It won't be an easy trade, and they will give you peanuts for a trade. The estimate for replacement is a bit high in my opinion, and I would get a second opinion as to the state of the transmission. There could be other issues causing your concerns. It would be financial suicide if you do not fix your vehicle, and besides, if you love it...fix it and keep it for the 3 years you're looking to get out of it. As you say too, it beats a $900 payment

 

[avalonandl]

Trans shop can rebuild usually for 2500-3000 depending whats needed. Get it done and continue to drive. Get that loan paid off ASAP also.

 

[Miami-Dade]

So here’s my story... purchased a 2011 Yukon 3 years ago. I have a balance of $8,000 left on the loan. Recently the transmission started making some noise and had it checked out at the local dealership. They told me it’s shot and given the age and mileage of the car it’s not worth replacing. The estimate was 5300 to replace tranny.

my car now has 170,000 miles and I never had an issue until now. Even though it’s got 170,000 miles, the car still rides like a champ...(until my tranny situation)

so I’ve been shopping for cars lately. I checked out a new base Yukon that isn’t nearly as loaded as mine and I’m looking at 900 dollar a month payments and to be honest, I’m not looking to spend that much money on a car per month that I’m not going to own.

So I’ve been shopping for cars and to be honest, there is nothing out there that excites me like my Yukon.

so my question is, so you think it’s worth replacing the transmission on a car with 170,000 miles that I still owe 8 grand on? If I can get at least 3 more years out of this car after replacing tranny I think I will be fine. But then in the back of my mind I find myself wondering if I’m crazy for considering spending so much money on a car that has 170,000 miles.

I’m no car expert but just wondering what the thoughts of the community are on my situation. Especially the thoughts of some mechanics. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

matt

A lot of really good independent mechanics outsource their transmission work to really good reasonable transmission shops. Same goes for alignment and other things.

With that said...if it were me...I would definitely fix the transmission.

 

[petethepug]

So you’ve got the 6SP 6L80 trans. Guessing you’ve got 2WD so install is less expensive than AWD or 4WD. Only a few shops are capable of properly rebuilding the orig trans which is the route I will go on my 08 AWD when it fails.

$900 a Mo is just the beginning. Ins, registration also takes a hike. Bank on $1.5k to drop in a preloved warranty trans from a wrecker. Figure $2.5k to $3.5k for a reman or a rebuild of your existing trans at an Indy shop. GM just came off a strike that has left some owners without replacement parts on newer vehicles. My buddy is dealing with this having a $800 mo payment on a 2013 3500 duramax truck he can’t drive due to a rear end collision. It’s been a month w/o body panels.

If you want out of your truck, consider the cheapest trans replacement (wrecker) and trade your 2011 in for a <2014 CPO vehicle. In 2015 things didn’t go so well on the new 8SP trans, A/C components and cabin noise/buffeting issues. Stay away from those.

Keep in mind that if you want more long distance mileage and reliability, a budget trans replacement is the way to go as it gives you a new vehicle only where needed.


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[Big Mama]

Fix it as you mentioned “nothing rides like it” it’s just part of the game. Don’t take on 900 month or you’ll wish you had your old rig back after a few payments.

 

[trailblazer]

I’d slam in a used trans with under 100k. Flush the cooler too before hooking anything up. Hell install an aftermarket cooler too. On Car-Part.com I’m seeing 6L80E’s for $900-1600 for ones with 50k to 75k miles. I’m seeing fresh Reman units with 18-36mo warranties for as low as $2300. If you really have to think hard then get the $900 one (they still come with a brief warranty) and treat it well. Paying $5000 is ludicrous. I hope you know that replacing a transmission in these trucks is only a few hours. Removal is one hour and installation and extra BS is about 2 hours. Half a day flat no more. If you’re hearing otherwise SHOP AROUND. Have it towed to a different shop.


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[Seamus]

I understand why people do this lamenting because your adding value to something that you feel isn't worth that much. BUT add 3-4 NEW car payments up. Then imagine having to continue that car payment for 60-72 months! So in other words it is worth it to YOU to fix this truck and NOT have that car payment. It is definitely cheaper and rational to fix a known vehicle. Part of owning a car. If you really get in touch with the amount of a new new truck, interest on that loan and depreciation on that truck......avoiding that for 3K is the way to go. I have had many new trucks....that great 'feeling" goes away after 6 months! LOL

 

[Matt81]

I understand why people do this lamenting because your adding value to something that you feel isn't worth that much. BUT add 3-4 NEW car payments up. Then imagine having to continue that car payment for 60-72 months! So in other words it is worth it to YOU to fix this truck and NOT have that car payment. It is definitely cheaper and rational to fix a known vehicle. Part of owning a car. If you really get in touch with the amount of a new new truck, interest on that loan and depreciation on that truck......avoiding that for 3K is the way to go. I have had many new trucks....that great 'feeling" goes away after 6 months! LOL

you hit the nail on the head. That is exactly the debate going on in my head. After the feed back received I think it makes sense to shop for for a second opinion and find a shop to repair it. Received a lot of great feed back and advice on this forum!

 

[trailblazer]

Call up shops and ask them how much to install a tranny if you supply it from a junkyard. Personally I’d do this job in my 2-car garage but I have the means, ability, and experience. I did an Allison 1000 swap without a lift on my garage floor and it was tough. The HD transfer case was the hardest part! With the right tools you can do anything. I started that way in high school. I worked at an auto shop (at the front desk) part time and learned a lot about how easy it is to work on cars. The difference between a Pro mechanic and a Shadetree mechanic is efficiency. They aren’t rocket scientists at all; just dudes with common sense. I didn’t grow up with money. I knew how much it cost to have a pro replace intake gaskets and how much it cost if I did it. I could save $300 if I did it myself. Now repeat that 100’s of times over the course of 25 years. I’ve saved a TON of cash. I’ve justified buying a TON of oddball tools.
Could you replace it yourself or do you have handy friends? I’d swap a buddy’s transmission in a heartbeat.


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[91RS]

I would start by getting a 2nd opinion and have a transmission shop look at your truck and make sure it truly needs replacing. Dealerships seem to want to replace instead of repair, there is a possibility your trans can be repaired or rebuilt at significantly lower cost.

Because it generally costs the same to just replace the transmission as it does to do a full rebuild. The only way fixing it would be cheaper would be to go in and replace only what’s broken and hope the rest is good. If he buys a new transmission from the dealer he gets a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty that’s good nationwide at any dealer if he has any trouble. That alone is worth it. You get it fixed by a shop and you’ll be lucky to get a few months of warranty that’s good only at that shop.

 

[carterchapman]

My '05 Denali transmission went out at 122,000 miles. Lost reverse and 2nd gears. Local shop rebuilt it for $1400 (he gave me $300 off as a vet). I've put 65.000 more on the rebuild and it's running fine. I say find a local, reputable shop for a rebuild...

 

[trailblazer]

6L80E’s seem to cost about $700-1500 more to overhaul versus a 4L60E. I’m not sure why; the 4L60 and 80’s are “easy” to overhaul according to a friend of mine. Maybe the overhaul kits cost more? Expensive TC?
I watched this video last night; Gary Ferraro is a great guy and will answer your questions pretty quickly. If you use him (he is in Long Island?) he isn’t cheap but is very thorough. I’ll ask him why it costs more to O/H a 6L series.

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[91RS]

Because there are more parts at a higher strength rating.

 

['99_Tahoe LS 4WD - AZ]

Personally, I would replace the transmission.

I had a similar situation with my 2007 Denali. At 160K, my transmission needed replacing. Cost was $4000 at the time for a GM reman that came with a 100K warranty on parts and labor. Never regretted that decision and drove that vehicle until it had 300K on the clock.

Again, my recommendation is replace it and enjoy your 2011 for many years to come.

I ABSOLUTELY agree with Wade's opinion. I would not simply go with what the dealership stated as they'd love to sell you a new vehicle. Get some other repair estimates from reputable mechanics and have the most reasonable one (with a warranty) do the work. Your Denali has plenty more life in it and nothing sucks more than making new car payments...esp with the low quality and low reliability of the new GM SUVs.

 

[67RS427]

6L80E’s seem to cost about $700-1500 more to overhaul versus a 4L60E. I’m not sure why; the 4L60 and 80’s are “easy” to overhaul according to a friend of mine. Maybe the overhaul kits cost more? Expensive TC?
I watched this video last night; Gary Ferraro is a great guy and will answer your questions pretty quickly. If you use him (he is in Long Island?) he isn’t cheap but is very thorough. I’ll ask him why it costs more to O/H a 6L series.

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Completely different transmission and a very poor comparison... 6L80 is a clutch to clutch transmission, operates totally different than a 4LXX. You have the expense of the clutch packs and the TECM alone is another $500-$600 and then needs to be programmed for another $100. It's a larger transmission with more wearable parts inside along with electronics. Very easy to remove and replace and if you find someone that knows how to rebuild them, they are actually very simple.

*OP, Fix the transmission, it will be well worth it. My truck has 170k miles on the body but everything else is better than it come from the factory.

 

[Mark Shipley]

So here’s my story... purchased a 2011 Yukon 3 years ago. I have a balance of $8,000 left on the loan. Recently the transmission started making some noise and had it checked out at the local dealership. They told me it’s shot and given the age and mileage of the car it’s not worth replacing. The estimate was 5300 to replace tranny.

my car now has 170,000 miles and I never had an issue until now. Even though it’s got 170,000 miles, the car still rides like a champ...(until my tranny situation)

so I’ve been shopping for cars lately. I checked out a new base Yukon that isn’t nearly as loaded as mine and I’m looking at 900 dollar a month payments and to be honest, I’m not looking to spend that much money on a car per month that I’m not going to own.

So I’ve been shopping for cars and to be honest, there is nothing out there that excites me like my Yukon.

so my question is, so you think it’s worth replacing the transmission on a car with 170,000 miles that I still owe 8 grand on? If I can get at least 3 more years out of this car after replacing tranny I think I will be fine. But then in the back of my mind I find myself wondering if I’m crazy for considering spending so much money on a car that has 170,000 miles.

I’m no car expert but just wondering what the thoughts of the community are on my situation. Especially the thoughts of some mechanics. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

matt

Ditto - Second opinion from reputable trans shop.. Is fluid look or smell burnt? They are famous for torque converters going out? Most Trans shops do not use all gm parts (thank god). They use good after market Sun/planet gears IE. Keep it. Fix it.

 

[Horseprw]

Dealer says not with fixing.... Sells you a new car at $900/mo, gives you $500 for your non running trade, installs reman tranny for 1k and sells it for 9k on their lot. Win win for them, lose lose for you.
How much do you pay per mo on your 8k loan?