Im about to get a 2000 Mercury Cougar as my first car, it wasn’t taken care of at first, but after my dad bought it from a dealer in 2014 its had a lot of work on it. As of right now it has 190k miles, its had a new engine with about 30k miles on it at about 160k miles. Its been parked for two years because my dad didn't have the money or time to work on it because he lost his job, but he said that there wasn't much needed done with it. I mainly need to put a new transmission in it because the transaxle slips.
It really depends. There is an investment there with the engine. If the rest of the car is in good shape and you can swap it yourself sure. A tranny shop is gonna be expensive. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it ask amongst your friends see if someone can help you. You can get a rebuilt one for 1500 bucks. It’ll run you 3-4k have a transmission shop supply and install.
Really the transmission is the only major issue and i can get one for 2k off auto zone, other than that it’s just other small stuff.
That’s not bad if you can swap it yourself
I have 0 knowledge and no tools to swap a transmission 😂 but what ive learned online its 900 to get it swapped at a mechanic shop near me
Ok, so motors new. If you invest 2900 you will have a car with new drivetrain. If you do that have the rear end serviced, new fluid. And if there are any seals leaking have them replaced. Now for the reality of what you are about to do.
Your gonna have a car that is 21 years old, 160k miles on everything else. I would recommend you start learning to work on simple things yourself. Brakes, Tie Rods, Ball Joints, sensors, alternator, starter, water pump, everything else in the car that isn’t new. And over time little things are gonna break and need maintenance. If you can do those things then it’s not gonna be a big deal. If you can’t do things like suspension, brakes, steering it’s gonna nickel and dime you to death.
I know the basic stuff, i just have no idea on replacing a transmission lol
Investing 3-4K in a new tranny seems like a bad idea to me for that car
Before spending are fortune, get it inspected by mechanic first and see what he says about it first but make sure the mechanic is reliable and knows what he is doing okay
My dad used to be a car mechanic before working for ncr so im chillen 👌