So I'm a newbie and bought our 99 AWD Rx300 in Tx. Now live in Phx and just recently read all the crazy horror stories of the failing transmission. I've got ~120K and took it to the dealer here to have the tranny fluid change. I asked them to do a flush but they recommended against it as it could cause problems...especially since i haven't been having any troubles. I did find out from their record pull that the previous owner did a transmission solenoid change?? but no failed transmission yet. I just did the drop off so i have no idea what they found in the fluid change or anything.
Anyhow, I was wondering...it sounds like everyone that has had the transmission failure, that they've pretty much pony'd up $4500-5k for the replacement at the dealer...(that's refurbished)...or bought a new one at ~7k at the dealer (which is the same flawed design)...or gone to outside transmission shop to rebuild the same unit...
Luckily I haven't had it happen yet, but I'm curious if there's an upgrade, swap, or custom transmission that can be used instead of just having it rebuilt for an essentially rebuilt-flawed transmission.
If it's inevitable (and it sounds like it is) can't we group buy or get a better one put in that we know won't have the failure or the over zealous 15K fluid changes? I'm just assuming Lexus won't do anything and really if it does fail on me and i have to spend the money, I refuse to buy the same piece of junk to replace if there's just better alternatives. I mean...if there's a race worthy one or solid aftermarket one, why not find one that actually works with longevity?
Can some other transmission be swapped in from another Lexus or Toyota model?
I ask this cause I work on Hondas/Acuras and it's just so common to interchange, swap, or just have readily accessible upgrades for performance items that when something breaks on it...i just buy a non-factory but better item. (i.e. clutch goes out, put in a performance one from HKS, EXEDY, or anything but OEM...)
I've got all my vehicles running pretty long and strong.
My oldest girl is a 91 integra ... 332133 miles baby. same engine, tranny...heck even the suspension's factory....*but whatever broke, i upgraded to better components.
Anyways, I've been looking around locally and on the web.
Has anyone tried www.levelten.com for their "bullet proof" transmissions?
I emailed them and they said they've done this transmission "all the time" and can make them tow worthy. (although i have no clue if it's just a sales pitch)
Locally, there's another one www.prtrans.com that says they have a custom made "stump puller" heavy duty transmission. Anyone tried them before?
I'm a firm believer in the old saying..." if it ain't broke, don't fix it" but like to add, "...and if it breaks, fix it so it won't break again."
Anyhow, so this is a new one for me to start doing all these additional 15K tranny flushes....I mean, I bought her for my wife thinking it was going to be *less* maintainence than all my other cars....sheesh.
Ahhh, i'm starting to go off topic...:whistles:
Alrighty, any thoughts and aid is greatly appreciated!
Thanks everyone!
-k