What are my chances of repair under warranty (Buick Regal)

getbush

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2001
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I have a '99 Regal with 57,9xx on the clock. We bought from my 60-something year old great aunt who took perfect care of it. The car has a 60,000 mile extended warranty on it through GM. I just started noticing slipping in the tranny when it shifts from 3rd to 4th. It has thunked a couple times, but it is fairly subtle at this point. I'm afraid they will keep me hanging and say the problem can't be duplicated, until it requires a $2500 check to fix. My mom has a 2000 with 130,000 and it slips horribly, it's about done. I hate american cars, i was happy to be in it, but now i want to be back in my 93 altima with 118,000 that runs like a top.
P.S. I have an appointment to take it in at 8am, in 6 hours.
Cliff Notes

99 regal
58,000 miles
60,000 mile warranty
transmission slips subtly but consistently
Will i be screwed?
 

getbush

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2001
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Well, I hope there is no issue. It's a subtle slipping, i'm just worrying they won't acknowledge it at this point. But maybe i worry to much. Thanks
 

getbush

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2001
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UPDATE
I dropped the car off, and not 20 minutes later I get a call saying a technician drove it and couldn't duplicate the problem. So basically i have to wait for it to get worse, and then pay for it out of my own pocket. f@$# GM and american cars in general.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: getbush
UPDATE
I dropped the car off, and not 20 minutes later I get a call saying a technician drove it and couldn't duplicate the problem. So basically i have to wait for it to get worse, and then pay for it out of my own pocket. f@$# GM and american cars in general.
Take it to another service center.

You have ~2000 miles for them to duplicate the problem with. ;)
 

Originally posted by: getbush
UPDATE
I dropped the car off, and not 20 minutes later I get a call saying a technician drove it and couldn't duplicate the problem. So basically i have to wait for it to get worse, and then pay for it out of my own pocket. f@$# GM and american cars in general.
You'd get the same response from a mechanic at any shop, not just an American dealer.

Do a few high-rev neutral drops and I'm sure you'll accelerate the problem.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
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I dropped the car off, and not 20 minutes later I get a call saying a technician drove it and couldn't duplicate the problem.
I was going to predict the exact same thing.

Unless the problem goes to hell soon or you can figure out a way to replicate the problem, and show them, you won';t be able to get this covered.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
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Originally posted by: jumpr
Originally posted by: getbush
UPDATE
I dropped the car off, and not 20 minutes later I get a call saying a technician drove it and couldn't duplicate the problem. So basically i have to wait for it to get worse, and then pay for it out of my own pocket. f@$# GM and american cars in general.
You'd get the same response from a mechanic at any shop, not just an American dealer.

Do a few high-rev neutral drops and I'm sure you'll accelerate the problem.
Yeah, go do a few light to light's. ;)
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
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When did you have the fluid changed last, and who did it?
Does it do it more cold, warm, or both?

Also the whole "american cars are crap" just shows me you are a idiot. EVERY car maker has had a tranny go bad. So juts because you have one that is bad does not mean ALL american cars are bad. I have seen american cars with over 300K with no tranny work needed. Also other car companies buy trannys from GM as they know, if taken care of, they are very good.
 

getbush

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2001
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The reason I mentioned my hatred for american makes is past bad experiences with american transmissions in my family. We have replaced 3 off the top of my head, and the one in my mom's regal is about to die. My '93 Altima drives great, so that is my personal experience.
P.S. The replaced transmissions were in a 90 lesabre, 90 k1500, and a 93 lesabre
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
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Make sure that you document each visit.

If it finally goes just after the 60K mark, yo may have a leg to stand on, in that the unit was brought in with the compliant.

Also, write to the district office about it.
When was the tranny last serviced?
 

propellerhead

Golden Member
Apr 25, 2001
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Originally posted by: woowoo
Go for a ride with the tech and show them....

Yup, this is your best option. Not all dealer service centers will offer this right away. But if you mention it, they'll agree.
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
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Originally posted by: Skoorb
I dropped the car off, and not 20 minutes later I get a call saying a technician drove it and couldn't duplicate the problem.
I was going to predict the exact same thing.

Unless the problem goes to hell soon or you can figure out a way to replicate the problem, and show them, you won';t be able to get this covered.

check the warranty. Some will cover a "pre-existing condition"

Next time the shop tells you they can't replicate it then just say "I'd like the service records to state that I am indeed having this problem and they you are unwilling to fix it. This is for my records so that when it does brake you will have to cover it no matter what mileage."

Then you can politely say "fix it now or fix it later, you're still gonna eat it"

;)

Key word here being the fine print on your warranty and "pre-existing condition"
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
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Originally posted by: getbush
The reason I mentioned my hatred for american makes is past bad experiences with american transmissions in my family. We have replaced 3 off the top of my head, and the one in my mom's regal is about to die. My '93 Altima drives great, so that is my personal experience.
P.S. The replaced transmissions were in a 90 lesabre, 90 k1500, and a 93 lesabre
That's odd. GM has a reputation for excellent transmissions.

ZV
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,380
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Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: getbush
The reason I mentioned my hatred for american makes is past bad experiences with american transmissions in my family. We have replaced 3 off the top of my head, and the one in my mom's regal is about to die. My '93 Altima drives great, so that is my personal experience.
P.S. The replaced transmissions were in a 90 lesabre, 90 k1500, and a 93 lesabre
That's odd. GM has a reputation for excellent transmissions.

ZV

they're one of the few companies that actually make transmissions, IIRC.

know who toyota and honda get their transmissions from?
 

getbush

Golden Member
Jan 19, 2001
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Well i picked up the car today, and there was no resolution on the transmission. I guess they took it out again, including a service manager, and they didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. They did however have to replace the automatic climate control head unit, because most of the LEDs in the display had burnt up and it was no longer visible in daylight. That was a $500 dollar part. I think i will keep an eye on it for the next thousand miles, i'm not driving much at the moment due to summer break.