conversation: User (lucasbytegenius): "I bought a car three months ago for $7000 total including TTL. It is a used 2007 Volks Jetta with 103k miles, but it was in good condition. \n\nDuring the test drive before I bought it, I noticed some strange transmission issues where the RPMs would shoot straight up, and then it would slam into gear. I alerted the salesman who was in the car with me and he said he'd take it into service. When it came back, he told me they replaced the vacuum pump (which I later learned was for the oil) and on the second test drive, there were no issues with the car. Great! So against my better judgement I bought it, but I made sure to get their "BG" warranty, which involves putting additives in the car and then the warranty covers the engine, transmission, etc. up to 4 months or 4000 miles and up to $1500.\n\n2 weeks later the issue popped up again. Crap. I was working 12 hour days 7 days a week during the first month (August), so I couldn't do anything about it. I spent September trying to get ahold of the head of service as per the recommendation of someone I knew who worked in the used cars department at that dealership, but never could get ahold of him. I got ahold of one service guy who said he'd call me back and never did, and finally last month (October) I got ahold of another service guy who told me to bring the car up there. \n\nDiagnosis was $120, which was covered under the warranty, but when the guy came back he told me I needed a new transmission which would cost $5000, which wasn't covered. I paid $7000 for this car 2 1/2 months ago at the time, so I was like hell no. I explained the situation to the guy and he said he couldn't do anything, call the salesguy. I did that. This particular salesguy is very vague and all over the place sometimes, but over the phone I heard "we need to get you into another car". Ok, sounds good.\n\nI go up to the dealership again and he starts showing me cars that I know are within the value of my car when I bought it. I'm still skeptical but play along. After riding around in one of them he hands me a credit app, and then alarms went off in my head. Turns out they weren't going to swap my car (duh) but instead would give me $800 for it and I would have very low payments on another vehicle. Fuck that!\n\nI explain the situation again to the salesguy and he finally gets it, and I talk to his boss, and his boss talks to his boss, and when he comes back he explains to me that they could not find the transmission issue noted ANYWHERE. It's not on the service record, it's not on the service sheet I was handed when I bought the car (should have noticed that, still kicking myself), it's not scribbled on the back of my folder at the dealership. All that's noted is the vacuum pump replacement, which makes me think the salesguy never told service the issue, he just dropped it off and they looked it over, saw an oil leak, and fixed that. And of course the salesguy doesn't remember the issue.\n\nThe salesguy's boss is a nice guy from what I can tell, and he tells me he's looking into options for me, and that I can't drive my car right now because it will further damage the transmission, and gives me a loaner for a few days. Two days ago I drive back up there and they tell me that they're going to try to trade in my car for a higher amount than I otherwise would get for it, and that they're not looking to make money off me but I may have to finance. I'm thinking at this point, with nothing concrete to force them to do anything for me (since that issue isn't in writing), I might as well go for it, and I am going up there today to learn all the details. If I only end up paying $2k or $3k total for a newer, better car, then I might just go for it, still cheaper than a tranny replacement. And they don't owe me anything really.\n\nHowever in the meantime I left a transmission place a message on what it would cost to fix things, and I'm asking for help here, because I really don't want to make another mistake. I live in Texas, but unfortunately the Lemon Law doesn't protect me. \n\nI'm also thinking about what they're going to do with my car, and I'm going to ask them if I can drive it off and think about the offer for a few days, and if they say no, I know something's up, because if the car isn't worth fixing then why do they want to make sure it's not damaged further, right?"
  Self: "No, it's why you get a mechanic to look at the car first.  Or simply not buy a car with noticeable transmission problems.\n\n\n"
  turnuptuneinthrowawa (turnuptuneinthrowawa): "This. My transmission was acting funny on a test drive. They told me They changed the oil so I bought it now I'm fucked.  Pls hlelp."
  DasBoots32 (DasBoots32): "the biggest problem with noticing that on a test drive is that you have no idea how long that has been a problem. they could have been destroying it for years. all i can say is if you find any sort of problem or anything weird do not buy. anything will effect another part somehow. which reminds me i need to buy a new wheel soon. it's a little bent and causes uneven tread wear. it also adds slight loading to the suspension but due to tire rotations i'm not worried about it yet. "
  turnuptuneinthrowawa (turnuptuneinthrowawa): "Have you considered it just your vacuum pump?"
  