I have a 1993 ford taurus 3.8L V6 automatic GL. My transmission has failed and I need to get it fixed. The shop I took it too gave me three solutions to choose from: a used transmission for $2000; rebuild my transmission with a 12 month warranty for $2500 or lastly rebuild my transmission with a 36 month warranty for $3500. Which one do you think I should choose?
None of the above.
A 93 Taurus is really not worth 2000 dollars and that’s a bit high on an installed, used unit. Trans shops around here run about 300 dollars labor and used transmissions vary quite a bit; 250-500 on average.
One possibility is to call around to some salvage yards, try to find a yard that has a low miles transmission, and can install it. Some yards will install the unit for a nominal fee and guarantee the unit also. If for some reason the trans is defective then changing it out is done on their dime, not yours.
Another possibility is to find a used/rebuilt unit on eBay, Craigslist, etc in your area and preferably have a transmission shop install it. An example possibly.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__AXOD-Ford-Taurus-Mercury-Sable-Automatic-Transmission_W0QQitemZ250268231473QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQadnZCarQ20Q26Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQddiZ2811QQadiZ2865QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250268231473&_trksid=p3756.m14.l1318