My daily driver is a 1999 Honda Accord EX V6, auto transmission, but I believe the transmission is getting pretty close to needing to be fixed or replaced. When going uphill, the shifts can be very jerking. And often the car will wait too long to downshift. When on even roads, I don't really notice the harsh shifting too much. On uphill is when it's really bad.

Should I "drive it till it dies" or try something to preempt the failure? I've looked into replacement transmissions and my local Honda dealer wants to charge me around $2,300. Rebuild places are seeming to quote even more. I don't think the car is really worth that to me... I would rather part it out.

Any suggestions?

 

If indeed you get to the point that you're ready to replace the transmission, I would suggest a Reman unit available thru Honda Parts Division. It has all the most recent upgrades and have shown much better success rates than rebuilding or going the used route. As to who installs it is up to you.
I am curious however; has the transmission fluid ever been changed on the unit?

P

 

Good question, I'm really not sure. I will have it flushed tonight and let you know what the results are. I will ask for it to be strained so they can look for metal shavings.

 

Where would be the best place to buy the reman unit? Any dealership? Any cheaper place to get it?

 

Your local Honda dealer's part's department would be your best bet. The shipping expenses from anywhere other than local would be astronomical.
Looking at the price your dealer quoted you is within the ballpark.
After getting some estimates, you may well find they are the cheapest..... as strange as that sounds.

P

 

Years ago changing the transmission fluid was the first thing my dealer did after making a test drive with my two year old Accord. Result was a much smoother ride: in normal driving conditions I could hardly feel it shifting anymore.
This was a '93 Accord but the mechanic told me that he'd already solved a lot of problems with transmissions this way.