Car issues in Louisville, could use help?

**OBE4ISU** · 03-15-2012, 01:52 AM

So, a friend and I were on our way down to Louisville last night and my SUV decided to start having issues right before we got to our hotel and we ended up having to get towed the last 20 miles to a service center. I'm not a mechanic and not good with vehicles by any means, but I'm fairly sure it's a transmission issue (will know more after the shop looks at it obviously), but my question is if it's a fairly serious/fairly pricey transmission problem that might take a couple of days to fix, what's my best option? Should I rent one of those u-hauls that can tow a vehicle and drive that back to Ames? Should I just have it fixed down here even if that means staying extra days and missing class? Any Cyclone fans down here that will be heading back with towing capabilities that could help me out? Suggestions?

**Trainer** · 03-15-2012, 02:28 AM

Originally Posted by OBE4ISU

So, a friend and I were on our way down to Louisville last night and my SUV decided to start having issues right before we got to our hotel and we ended up having to get towed the last 20 miles to a service center. I'm not a mechanic and not good with vehicles by any means, but I'm fairly sure it's a transmission issue (will know more after the shop looks at it obviously), but my question is if it's a fairly serious/fairly pricey transmission problem that might take a couple of days to fix, what's my best option? Should I rent one of those u-hauls that can tow a vehicle and drive that back to Ames? Should I just have it fixed down here even if that means staying extra days and missing class? Any Cyclone fans down here that will be heading back with towing capabilities that could help me out? Suggestions?

It's 2:30 in the morning, you will have better luck tomorrow. Bump this to the front of the page early and keep asking if it drops off to get some answers.

**iowaboy** · 03-15-2012, 05:57 AM

Originally Posted by OBE4ISU

So, a friend and I were on our way down to Louisville last night and my SUV decided to start having issues right before we got to our hotel and we ended up having to get towed the last 20 miles to a service center. I'm not a mechanic and not good with vehicles by any means, but I'm fairly sure it's a transmission issue (will know more after the shop looks at it obviously), but my question is if it's a fairly serious/fairly pricey transmission problem that might take a couple of days to fix, what's my best option? Should I rent one of those u-hauls that can tow a vehicle and drive that back to Ames? Should I just have it fixed down here even if that means staying extra days and missing class? Any Cyclone fans down here that will be heading back with towing capabilities that could help me out? Suggestions?

Get an estimate for repairs down there, get an estimate here in iowa with people you know. Compare the difference then price a U Haul carrier to tow it back if necessary. I always feel more comfortable dealing locally with MAJOR repairs.
Just make sure tranny fluid isn't low.

**Cyclonesrule91** · 03-15-2012, 07:07 AM

What was it doing?

**Gunnerclone** · 03-15-2012, 07:11 AM

Trade it in and get a new car. I'm sure Louisville has some nice dealerships.

**cstrunk** · 03-15-2012, 07:17 AM

Yeah, what was it doing?

**marothisu** · 03-15-2012, 07:25 AM

If it's a transmission issue, I don't know. It will probably take a few days. I'd say that if the estimates aren't bad and you need it fixed, just straight up rent a car and come back the next day or day after or whatever to get your car. That is IF you trust the mechanics (almost an oxy moron sometimes!).

I can't tell where you are though from your message...

**Clonehomer** · 03-15-2012, 07:36 AM

Rather than renting a uhaul, I'd go to the car rental place and see if they have a pickup big enough to pull it with the uhaul car trailer. Uhauls charge per mile with their trucks where you can often get unlimited miles on cars from hertz or something.

**CtownCyclone** · 03-15-2012, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Clonehomer

Rather than renting a uhaul, I'd go to the car rental place and see if they have a pickup big enough to pull it with the uhaul car trailer. Uhauls charge per mile with their trucks where you can often get unlimited miles on cars from hertz or something.

Might be a tall order towing an SUV. That's a lot of weight to be pulling depending on the size of the SUV. Not sure if the rental car places will have a truck with enough guts (and towing equipment) to pull.

Transmission issues can be pretty pricey. On the last vehicle that I had where the tranny went out, it was more cost-effective to buy a new (well, new to me) one.

**CapnCy** · 03-15-2012, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by CtownCyclone

Might be a tall order towing an SUV. That's a lot of weight to be pulling depending on the size of the SUV. Not sure if the rental car places will have a truck with enough guts (and towing equipment) to pull.

Transmission issues can be pretty pricey. On the last vehicle that I had where the tranny went out, it was more cost-effective to buy a new (well, new to me) one.

Yeah, not knowing the year of your vehicle/value, if the price tag is high for the repair, hop on the Louisville craigslist, have someone fed ex the title to you, and unload it. If you are REALLY a jerk, you could unhook the battery cable and say "just needs a new battery" and high tail it out of Dodge. :) j/k

**SCarolinaCy** · 03-15-2012, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by OBE4ISU

So, a friend and I were on our way down to Louisville last night and my SUV decided to start having issues right before we got to our hotel and we ended up having to get towed the last 20 miles to a service center. I'm not a mechanic and not good with vehicles by any means, but I'm fairly sure it's a transmission issue (will know more after the shop looks at it obviously), but my question is if it's a fairly serious/fairly pricey transmission problem that might take a couple of days to fix, what's my best option? Should I rent one of those u-hauls that can tow a vehicle and drive that back to Ames? Should I just have it fixed down here even if that means staying extra days and missing class? Any Cyclone fans down here that will be heading back with towing capabilities that could help me out? Suggestions?

Call your Grandmother, tell her you are stranded and ask for her to wire you money. Grandmothers never turn you down.

**bringmagicback** · 03-15-2012, 08:34 AM

trade it in. semi srs.

**rebecacy** · 03-15-2012, 08:37 AM

maybe waking up before 10 am would be a good start

**cdnlngld** · 03-15-2012, 08:44 AM

What kind of SUV and what year? What is it doing? Depending on the situation you may be able to limp it home. If you have, say an explorer and the O/D gear is slipping out when your trany downshifts(and is not properly reingageing the lower gear), you can, in most casses, manualy put the vehicle in one of the lower gears and get home that way. Your mileage will go down but otherwise you should be fine. Please let us know what the symptoms are. Make and model too.

**im4cyclones** · 03-15-2012, 08:49 AM

Get an estimate from garage. Call another place down there and tell them the diagnosis and ask for an estimate. Then call some places in Ames (actually, I use Heartland Tire in Boone - they are good guys and ave always treated me fair, but that is a different thread). Then price of towing it back. Then check the value of your car on edmunds.com or kelly blue book.

Do you own the car outright or do you still owe on it?

Right now, I would be on the phone!