# Repair it or Chunk it **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** transmissions, civic, honda\ **Created:** [April 15, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-it-or-chunk-it/63740 "2011-04-15T22:46:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![taylorneel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb9ed0/32.png) [@taylorneel](https://community.cartalk.com/u/taylorneel)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 10:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-it-or-chunk-it/63740/1 "2011-04-15T22:46:35Z")
My 98 Honda Civic with 163,500 miles needs the “transmission rebuilt”. this is gonna cost me ~$2000. should I have this repair done or buy a new car? ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-it-or-chunk-it/63740/2 "2011-04-15T23:23:38Z")
I’d search for a used or rebuilt tranny for less money. What kind of warranty would you get with the $2000 rebuild? ---
**Author:** ![taylorneel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eb9ed0/32.png) [@taylorneel](https://community.cartalk.com/u/taylorneel)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2011, 11:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-it-or-chunk-it/63740/3 "2011-04-15T23:40:03Z")
three year warranty…does that make a difference? what would a used/rebuilt ‘tranny’ run me? ---
**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 2:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-it-or-chunk-it/63740/4 "2011-04-16T02:14:32Z")
Doubtful that a used trans will come with that type of warranty. Consider the overall condition of the car before you decide on the rebuild, but $2000 can get you quite a few more miles if the rest of the car is in good shape. ---
**Author:** ![UncleTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e9a140/32.png) [@UncleTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/UncleTurbo)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 11:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-it-or-chunk-it/63740/5 "2011-04-16T11:32:42Z")
Your Honda is due for a new timing belt, has the belt been replaced recently? If not, you are looking at a $500 bill for a timing belt job. If you don’t replace the belt the motor could be destroyed if the belt breaks. Then you have a car with a rebuilt trans, but a shot motor. In other words if you go for a new/used/rebuilt tranny without paying attention to the timing belt on the motor it could all be a waste of money. '98 Civics are still good cars if the body, interior, and general condition of the car is good. $2,000 is pretty cheap wheels. If you can afford a new car then get one, if you are on a tight budget fix the Civic. ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 11:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-it-or-chunk-it/63740/6 "2011-04-16T11:33:46Z")
It depends what your Civic looks like and general condition. I would only do this if maintained well, no body work needed, nice interior. If do not know when or have not changed the timing belt, good time to move on. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-it-or-chunk-it/63740/7 "2011-04-16T15:42:20Z")
It depends in part o how much money you have for another car. If it’s $2000 for a car or a rebuilt transmission, I’d go with the transmission. That assumes you have taken care of the car. $2000 will likely buy you a car that needs work immediately. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 4:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/repair-it-or-chunk-it/63740/8 "2011-04-16T16:13:52Z")
If the car is otherwise in good shape, this is probably worth it. Where are you having the work done? The usual recommendation here is to use a good local transmission shop (not a chain).