# Should we fix our Honda or get a new one? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** odyssey, honda\ **Created:** [May 14, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-we-fix-our-honda-or-get-a-new-one/48834 "2010-05-14T14:52:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![amybf3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7c8e57/32.png) [@amybf3](https://community.cartalk.com/u/amybf3)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-we-fix-our-honda-or-get-a-new-one/48834/1 "2010-05-14T14:52:50Z")
Our 2001 Honda Odyssey has 151,000 miles, needs a new transmission, spark plugs, and fix the loose engine mount, plus 2 new tires for a grand total of $5500. Should we fix it or buy a new Honda Odyssey? ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-we-fix-our-honda-or-get-a-new-one/48834/2 "2010-05-14T15:07:54Z")
What shape is the vehicle in overall? If it’s still solid it would be much less expensive to repair it than to replace it. $5,500 is a lot less than $35,000. ---
**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 3:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-we-fix-our-honda-or-get-a-new-one/48834/3 "2010-05-14T15:32:28Z")
Is it due for a timing belt any time soon? You might want to add that cost to your estimate? Is this quote from a dealer? If so, get a second estimate from an independent mechanic (not a chain shop). Ed B. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-we-fix-our-honda-or-get-a-new-one/48834/4 "2010-05-14T15:35:49Z")
All these items, except the transmission, are items normally occurring on any car. As stated, if the rest of the car is OK, I would go ahead and fix everything, and then religiously maintain the transmission from then on. With proper and timely fluid changes, these transmissions should last twice as long. ---
**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:** [May 14, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-we-fix-our-honda-or-get-a-new-one/48834/5 "2010-05-14T16:03:50Z")
However the transmission is a normal occurrence for Honda Accord/Odyssey’s of that era. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-we-fix-our-honda-or-get-a-new-one/48834/6 "2010-05-14T16:26:58Z")
This is not a car question, this is a money question, right? Financially, can you do EITHER of these things without pain?? ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/should-we-fix-our-honda-or-get-a-new-one/48834/7 "2010-05-14T17:06:53Z")
These transmissions are notorious for failing. Get rid of it ASAP and buy a used 2005 model or newer Odyssey to get away from the lousy transmissions. If you fix it, shop around for a much lower price. You don’t need to go to a Honda dealer.