kleetuz

iTrader: (2)

Found what seems to be a pretty good deal on an s5 NA, which we would buy and hang onto for a couple of years with light driving for my sister when she gets to drive.

The car was just repainted, everything works on the car except the passenger side door lock wont open by use only of the drivers side, maybe just manual locks. It has 108000 on the odometer, the interior is just about perfect, the smog pump was mounted on in some bootleg fashion which is the only thing that looked out of place and can be fixed easily. Overall the car looked as good as possible really. The biggest concern about getting this car is that it has an automatic tranny. How are these transmissions? Reliable for how many miles? Are there common problems with them that make them weak? And how do I tell if it is a four speed or three speed auto, I thought they all were 4 speeds but it seems to be three maybe...drive is 3rd and 4th? or 2nd and 3rd? how do I tell? the price is $2950

thanks

dr0x

Autos suck performance wise, but since its for a girl I dont think shes really going to care. They are good as long as you dont run 250hp thru them

vaughnc

You're confused because the torque lockup thingamabob makes it seem like a 5 speed. That's why it mysteriously drops into gear 3.5 on the hightway instead of 3rd gear.

I think the auto lasts about as long as the engine if you take care of it. That means don't force it to downshift @70MPH or into 2nd at 40MPH. Also have the tranny fluid changed during the 30K mile tuneups. That also means get a tuneup now if your buying it.

LI FC Greg

I had an 89 automatic for 6 years so i know what is up with them. The auto car is very, very good but it is not a drag racing car. If you like cars that slam you in to the seat form a dead stop, do not buy the car. For a standstill, the car is slow and all SUVs will pull it from a stop. However, once rolling the car is very fast because the transmission downshifts the moment you hit the gas. When merging on the highway, it will pull 2nd gear to 80 MPH. NICE. When crusing on the highway and you want to pass someone, just plant your foot, the car downshifts to 2nd and you take off much better than a 5sp in 3rd gear. NICE. What is not good is track driving, autocross or even twisty road driving because all automatics go for the highest gear possible as soon as you get out of the gas. It always wants to be in 4th.

The transmission does not have a great reputation but seems to hold up until you abuse it. Its a pretty modern electronically controlled 4speed overdrive. Fourth gear is obviously the overdrive. Mine died after race track use @ 95,000 miles.

If you get the car, avoid the temptation to shift it manually and do not use the HOLD feature. Doing this will kill it. Also, do not rev it past 7000 as the torque converter cannot handle it. Finally, unless the transmission has just been rebuilt, DO NOT change the fluid in the pan or have it flushed. This is bad for old auto trannys. To ensure it will last longer, add an additional tranny cooler. It already has one, but could use another.

Do not believe people who tell you it will not be fun. Maybe not as fun as a 5 speed, but just drive it an enjoy it.

kleetuz

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the input. Decided not to get the car I don't think there is one around that would match the cosmetic quality of the car, but the transmission feels wierd and I just don't like it, I think it would yield more problems than wanted eventually.