I'd be most concerned about the burned transmission fluid. Was the fluid too low for a while? or did something else cause the burning? Does the transmission currently shift OK? Do you have to drive through the mountains?

Automatic transmissions baffle me. (I just have a basic understanding of their opperation.) I think I'll get a book and learn how they work.

Does the transmission currently shift OK?

Yeah - seems to work fine.

Do you have to drive through the mountains?

I'd imagine so. There are mountains in Utah, right?

Hey Jilli, here's a Wikipedia list of Steampunk works in all media. Might find something in there you want to consume.

Well fuck.

$1450.00

Well fuck.

$1450.00

I was just going to complain about being charged an extra $35 by my cable company that I don't owe, but I think I won't now. Sorry, Aimee.

Eeep, that's a lot Aims. Do you know another mechanic to check with?

eta: xposty before the big bad price post....

Yeah - seems to work fine.

I would tend to think it'd be OK to risk it. You'd definitely want to check the transmission fluid level on a regular basis during your trip.

If your mechanic recommends flushing the transmission then I'd do that.

There are mountains in Utah, right?

Yep. Are you gonna take 40 East?

What kind of car/truck is it? How heavily loaded will it be? Are you gonna pull a trailer?

I don't.

I'm trying to check with my sister's friend to see if any of this can be held off until we get to Michigan.

What kind of car/truck is it? How heavily loaded will it be? Are you gonna pull a trailer?

2001 Windstar. Not that heavy. No.

Well fuck.

$1450.00

That sucks. That's practically the price of a rebuilt transmission right there. (I think - haven't priced that in a while.) What did he say was wrong with it?

A second opinion might be a good idea. If it's a trustworthy mechanic, you could ask him, "Can it last a few thousand more miles before I do the work?"