Hi! I am new to this channel and have a question: I was gifted a 2003 Acura MDX AWD with 154K mile but it has a transmission problem where the gear is disengaging when I make a complete stop. To drive, I would have to put it in the 2nd gear and then move slowly up to D5. I took the car to a car mechanic for inspection and was told the solenoid needs to be replaced or the worst scenario the transmission needs to be replaced. This could cost me anywhere between $1k to $4K. It also seems the car has other issues like the coolant is leaking and the navigation system is not working. I would like to use this car as a backup car but is not sure if it is worth putting the money into the car to fix it. I look forward to hearing your opinion.
Thank you,
the curious girl
I took the car to a car mechanic for inspection and was told the solenoid needs to be replaced or the worst scenario the transmission needs to be replaced.
Take the car to a transmission shop who work on these cars and have them check it.
It also seems the car has other issues like the coolant is leaking
For this one, you can either diagnose it yourself (lots of videos on YouTube) or have a trustworthy mechanic fix it for you.
the navigation system is not working.
As Scotty always says: Use your phone for navigation. There are much better and cheaper to work with.
At the end, depends on the repair cost, make the final decision.
thank you for your suggestion
You're welcome. Keep us posted.
And if, like me , you don't have a smart phone, get a map.
Yea you need a good reliable transmission shop that works on Hondas/Acuras to assess it. Those years had transmission problems BUT it could possibly be just a solenoid issue and that should not be terribly expensive to fix if you want to keep it as a run around car. Coolant leak cold be the pump which now means a Timing belt/pump service so that could run you $900 to $1100 by a mechanic (not dealer). To me it would depend on the overall condition and care the MDX has been through to decide if pouring money into it. 154k is not a TON of miles. But if its beat, rusted and electronics failing it sounds like a pass.
Thank you for your advice I think I will sell the car as IS and use the money to tune up my mom's 2004 Toyota RAV for a run-around car.