Automatic transmission longevity question

wsmm · #1 02-20-2007, 11:55 AM

Looking at a 95 Cherokee Sport with an automatic and 4.0 HO engine. Engine has been replaced and current engine has only about 110,000 miles on it. The trans however has 231,000 mile on it. does anyone have a feel, and I know it's a sibjective answer, for the approximate milage that you can get out of an automatic before a rebuild? I know a lot of factors go into longivity, but I'm trying to get some parameters to decide if I ouhld purchase this vehicle. Price is going to be between %2,000 and $2,500.

Thanks
Bill

stump_breaker · #2 02-20-2007, 02:19 PM

IMO, and others may chime in differently, there is no way to tell the life of an auto tranny w/o knowing the history. Even then it's still a crap shoot. I would expect the transmission to go out soon and negotiate that into the price of the vehicle.
I bought a Honda with extremely detailed records from the first day it rolled off the lot in 1987 for $950. Every bolt, line and part that was changed has a receipt and mileage attached and the car itself is right at 150k miles and the car had been driven by city folk all it's life. The guy reminded me a lot of the stereotypical movie representation of a mobster's accountant.
About two weeks ago while backing out of my parking space at work, the lower ball joint broke and the wheel fell off and then under the car.

$900 later.......I'm still getting 35 mpg. It was worth it to me to repair the car.

Longevity is relative to the treatment of the vehicle and when you buy used, you buy someone else's problems so hope for the best but prepare for the worst. You have to ask yourself, if you spend $2k on this Jeep and it goes out next week, will it be worth another $1k+ to repair?

NIX · #3 02-20-2007, 05:04 PM

But if that tranny shifts fine and the color and smell of the fluid is OK, than it may last a while. The AW4 is a good tranny...

xjy173 · #4 02-20-2007, 07:19 PM

How does the Jeep drive on test? If it shifts ok and the fluid is the right color and not burned then I would consider buying. Not only does the trans have 231k on it but the transfercase, axles, driveshafts, differentials, and the rest of the drivetrain also do.

You could also ask the seller how the transmission was serviced while he owned it, (he may not be the original owner) but it might give you more insight than you have now. I fretted over my 96 XJ that I bought used back in 2003 but you do your homework and make your choice and then you have to take a 'leap of faith'. That is the nature of buying a used vehicle. Good Luck!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

dragonslayer · #5 02-20-2007, 09:45 PM

I would not worry about the tranny to much I have a cherokee that has almost 300,000 on it and I just replaced it because someone gave me one with only 20,000 miles on it.The AW4 is a great tranny never had any problem with mine. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img]