In need of serious help

[Missy85]

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@Dj4Money wrote:

 Any problems will impact the resale value. LKQ is just a car parts site; an independant shop can rebuild it for less, but it might be more cost effective to get a used one.

 There is less labor involved and you'll get your car back faster. If you have a leak, you need to know where it's coming from. It might be a seal that has been damaged some how. Not sure why it would not want to shift into 2nd; what is your fluid level and does this happen with the transmission is full of fluid or only happens when it's near empty?

  If the trans is leaking where the driveshaft meets the transmission, that's only a few hundred to replace (parts and labor) any local transmission specialist can do this for you.

 
 If it's leaking where the input shaft and torque converter come together, it will be more costly because of more labor but it will still be much less than $2,500, way less.

 Given all this, it will still look like your upside down with the car being worth about half of what it the loan is. I still say my previous suggestion stands. If you get max trade-in value and 100-120% financing, it could mean a new car and even with the leftover value of the Charger rolled into your new car loan, the much lower interest rate would mean your payments overall will be somewhat lower than they are now.

 As long as you get it fixed and then grill them on trade-in value, it should turn out pretty well. 

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I just spoke to my husband and asked for more information about the leak, he has taken it to Dodge as well as another transmission shop for quotes. It's not leaking from either one of those places he says it's leaking from the side. I was also mistaken about the problem being 2nd gear, it's actually 1st gear every other gear is fine. At both shops he was told it needs a new transmission. It does run a little better with fluid but it still makes that studder noise (?) but the fluid leaks out pretty fast.

I was told by a dealer that rebates on a new car could help with the negative equity, is that true?

[Dj4Money]

 Missy85 wrote:

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Dj4Money wrote:

 Any problems will impact the resale value. LKQ is just a car parts site; an independant shop can rebuild it for less, but it might be more cost effective to get a used one.

 There is less labor involved and you'll get your car back faster. If you have a leak, you need to know where it's coming from. It might be a seal that has been damaged some how. Not sure why it would not want to shift into 2nd; what is your fluid level and does this happen with the transmission is full of fluid or only happens when it's near empty?

  If the trans is leaking where the driveshaft meets the transmission, that's only a few hundred to replace (parts and labor) any local transmission specialist can do this for you.

 
 If it's leaking where the input shaft and torque converter come together, it will be more costly because of more labor but it will still be much less than $2,500, way less.

 Given all this, it will still look like your upside down with the car being worth about half of what it the loan is. I still say my previous suggestion stands. If you get max trade-in value and 100-120% financing, it could mean a new car and even with the leftover value of the Charger rolled into your new car loan, the much lower interest rate would mean your payments overall will be somewhat lower than they are now.

 As long as you get it fixed and then grill them on trade-in value, it should turn out pretty well. 

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I just spoke to my husband and asked for more information about the leak, he has taken it to Dodge as well as another transmission shop for quotes. It's not leaking from either one of those places he says it's leaking from the side. I was also mistaken about the problem being 2nd gear, it's actually 1st gear every other gear is fine. At both shops he was told it needs a new transmission. It does run a little better with fluid but it still makes that studder noise (?) but the fluid leaks out pretty fast.

I was told by a dealer that rebates on a new car could help with the negative equity, is that true?

 Leaking fast out of the side? Sounds like the drain pull is leaking - http://etereman.com/blog/chrysler-automatic/the-w5a580-is-one-strong-transmission-but-it-is-not-with... But I also see that -

 The W5A580 is extremely sensitive to the quality of the transmissions fluid. Every with slightest hint of water in the fluid (as low as 0.05%) the transmission can start shuddering. If you experience shuddering with your transmission, try changing out the fluid with new fluid and be sure to replace the internal filter - See more at: http://etereman.com/blog/chrysler-automatic/the-w5a580-is-one-strong-transmission-but-it-is-not-with...

I would take it somewhere and make them show you were it's leaking. If your not experiencing any slippage (bad clutches) it doesn't sound like you need a rebuild just some maintanace.

  Do you know anybody that is familiar with cars? I would highly suggest you take them with you as you and your husband are suffering from a lack of overall knowledge about cars and could be suckered into spending WAY more than you need too because you believe the "experts" and don't know any better.

  This transmission (and the entire suspension system) is shared with the previous generation Mercedes Benz E Class.

  Print this picture out and make them show you where the leak is - http://imagizer-cv.imageshack.us/a/img191/4527/gd5i.jpg

  You can also find out more about this transmission on Benz enthusiast forums like Benz World.

  Downpayment (which is what you woud be using the rebates for) do help. But I was assuming money was tight so you want 100-125% financing which means no money down. 

 As long as you have no late pays on your current car loan, you may qualify.