You may have seen my recent thread about my Mazda 3's transmission noise. After diagnosis, I determined that it's something inside the trans, probably a balance shaft or output shaft bearing. That requires the case to be opened and stuff to be rebuilt, and since we're in there, the clutch and flywheel would get replaced along with a crusty slave cylinder hydraulic line. Not cheap, and around here, that's a Mazda dealer job. Used and remanufactured 6-speed G66M-R transmissions for the 2.5L MZR seem to be unobtanium; I am having trouble finding one anywhere locally, and there aren't many out there at all. Tons of them up in Canada, but they aren't shipping to the US at all right now. The rest of the car is doing fine and it runs/looks great, so this really sucks.
My two other fleet vehicles are not good daily driver replacements for the Mazda: a 41-year old never ending restoration project that's not on the road, and a 41-year old pickup that runs mostly well but gets 8mpg and hates the highway.
The rest of my situation is of note. I used to drive A LOT for my commute. In current (and post) pandemic times, things will be much different. My job is 100% work from home until "sometime next year". Once things open back up, I will be working from home mostly with some visits to the office. That office is either a train ride or a 35mi drive away, so I will need something to get around regardless. This opens up options beyond econoboxes.
So, I have a few options/scenarios on the table:
Option 1: Fix the Mazda.
If I could find a used trans for a reasonable price, this would likely be happening. I've seen exactly two for around $700 + shipping (another $200-300), and in unknown condition. Figure $900, plus another $400-500 for clutch, flywheel, slave cylinder line, fluids, and beer for using my buddy's lift. Even then, I'm still in a car with 185k miles, even though it's still in great shape otherwise and runs like new.
Option 2: Brand New Car.
I really like not having a car payment, but paying for repairs every month on an older beater is basically that. I've narrowed the field to 3 frontrunners in the mid-$20k range: New Mazda 3 with a stick, Civic Si, or VW GTI. The dealer we bought my wife's CX-5 from has a manual 2020 3 that's gray with a RED interior (Sexxxay!!!) but I have a hard time spending what they cost now, and I'm not the biggest fan of the exterior styling. There aren't many Civic Si's left around here, and the ones left are getting marked UP due to no 2021 Si's and there are zero deals. That leaves the GTI. I like them on paper and love the looks, but the ownership experience with my 2002 Jetta I used to have still haunts my dreams. They do have the most robust aftermarket and I know they are better than they used to be. Mazda gets traded in and disappears. I've considered a few others as well (Elantra GT with a stick, Mustang Ecoboost, Camaro with the turbo 4, etc).
Option 3: Slightly Used Car.
If I go used, and I'm making payments on it, it has to be no older than a 2015 for various reasons (modern tech, insurance/finance rates, etc). I've forever said that I want a newish Charger or Challenger R/T. I love them both, but I still have a rager for a 2015+ Challenger R/T. After driving a few of them, I really like them. I fit great in there, I love how they drive and look, and I'd probably keep it forever if I got the right one. Now's the time, right? Problem is, I'm having trouble finding a deal on one. Pre-COVID, I was finding them for as low as $20k, sometimes less. Now they are all in the high $20k+ range used. Lame-o. Waiting for one might be an option. Also considering off-lease, CPO semi-luxury stuff like the Infiniti Q50. Again, Mazda gets traded in.
Option 4: Save a little and get something "interesting" for under $5k.
The "What older car would you daily drive" thread had me thinking: What if I could find something slightly older and cool with enough tech to be a dependable daily driver? I'm thinking something like a 1987-88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, 4th Gen Camaro Z28/Firebird Trans Am, something weird and Japanese, etc. It has to be highway capable and dependable in all weather. I've even considered the 90's-early 2000's small SUV's like a Blazer ZR2, Xterra, etc. One of them might be fun. Figure around $5k with a little more up front for maintenance. That leaves me with having to sell my broken Mazda on my own. Also, since there's a pandemic, fly-and-drives are out of the question, and out of state stuff even nearby might be hard to register here in MA. I do have a friend with a truck and trailer for New England retrieval.
Am I forgetting anything? Am I nuts? Have a 2010-13 6-speed Mazda 3 trans you are tripping over that you want to sell? How 'bout a clean 4th Gen F-Body? All comments/insight appreciated!