Yeah, I guess that one was naturally coming....

Sorry about that. i'd have wondered the same thing! I actually did research the codes. Place that did the emissions test said it was probably tranny-related. I then took it to Tranny Shop 1. They seemed so confused by the codes, I lost faith right away that they actually employed anybody who had solid background with the Mercedes thing. They said it needed a new one, but they couldn't say why, and I'm a "why?" kinda gal. Left there with a quote for replacement and no real answers. They also told me it had no leaks at all, which I knew was not true.

Fast forward to Tranny Shop 2. This business had real good reviews, but you could just feel from reading them that the place charged high rates. I felt like they were probably good, and since I was still messing with the idea of fixing it, I took it there. What an experience! The guy at the front desk was exactly what you might find at an exquisite hotel, and the building itself was lovely and didn't look remotely like an auto repair place. Upscale everything, nice furniture, even their shuttle was a very nice SUV. The concierge, for lack of a better descriptive term, was on point. Nice, friendly, professional, and handled many aspects. The place even sent me emails with photos and explanations after they tested it to acquire the codes. I already felt like I knew some of the codes were caused by my replacing the battery a few weeks earlier, but I just shut up and let them do their search for the cause, They ended up explaining that it had something to do with solenoids, it did have a leaking transmission pan, and it did need replacement. Their estimate was $4500+...

Holy cow! That was $1500 more than Shop 1.... and I really couldn't afford it, as I needed to get as much for the car as possible. I literally did not have the initial investment required, lol. Even though I felt I could find another private buyer at around 9 to 11 thousand, I just couldn't spend money I didn't have not knowing when I'd sell it, while struggling to pay rent on my home in another city and lot rent for the upscale park my dad parked his mobile home in. It damn near made me collapse physically and emotionally, but I finally accepted I needed to just sell it fast and unload it. My best friend has a thing about Carmax, and had been telling me for a long time that they were the best way to sell it, but I researched it and felt they'd lowball me worse than just about anyplace. I hadn't met up with the likes of Peddle, Copart, et al... lol!

We even made a bet on how much Carmax would offer. They were close by, and as much as I was now curious enough to almost do it (and yes, I wanted to be right) I never went to see them. I just didn't want to leave my dogs sitting at home while I wasted probably at least two hours in an irritating situation where I knew they'd offer very little., I also didn't want to drive it around much. I would rather take my schnauzers for some exercise at the nearby dog park than sit in Carmax for no good reason.

I even priced a wholesale transmission. It has to be ordered, of course. It was $2600 wholesale, and I would need to find a sort of mom and pop shop to put it in. I was at the end of my rope, and needed to just sell the car. It was a specific set of circumstances I needed to make this happen, and I will admit that in my lifetime, I have often let my intuition be my guide. Some think that's stupid, and I'm ok with that. To each his own and all that jazz...

I had several offers. Most were low. Too low. I had to emerge with a little bit of self-respect in order for the entire year to not be a wash, and to protect the very small amount of confidence I had left. By the time the mechanic and his wife contacted me, I was convinced that the circumstances, people, and price were all converging together at that moment so I could try to move on with my life.

I still feel a little badly regarding the welder who lived 5 or 6 hours away and was allegedly coming that weekend to pick it up and pay me $3250. But something told me he would back out, or not make it again, or something... so I took the $3300 and they came to get my dad's Crossfire that Saturday. Cash in hand. With a trailer! Just the nicest people, too! It was my only child's 23rd birthday. We've both had a bad year. I realize it's not pragmatic or sensible, but it mattered to me who I sold that car to. I went outside to the carport, and I had a talk with my dad via his last baby. The car was gleaming in the light when I backed it out, and I saw the blues and blacks or whatever color flecks you can see in the gray color. I found out when they arrived that where they live is a beautiful mountainous area, and that made me smile. I had grown to really love dad's little Crossfire. It was a car that people noticed, and would comment on out in public. I'm not really an attention seeker by nature. Like my dad, I kind of prefer a solitary life (within the boundaries of having two very noticeable and lively dogs as my companions). But I love driving cars that just happen to get noticed. I think that for me and dad, as well as others like us on car forums, get a bit of a confidence boost from driving such cars. If they have a body style that is not commonplace now, that's even better. I prefer older models that aren't made anymore. I can't count on fingers and toes combined the number of offers I have had between my '89 Conquest, my '88 Conquest, and the 3000gt I now drive. I got attention in dad's Crossfire, as well. I'm 60 now, so sometimes I wonder (very briefly) if it appears strange to people to see a 60 year old lady driving a Mitsubishi 3000gt that's red and has a huge spoiler. It has a very satisfying growl, as well. It kind of snarls, lol. I love it! This is off topic, but I also listen to my stereo real loud and like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Alice in Chains, and I swear like a sailor though you might think I wouldn't. It takes all kinds.

I apologize for being so wordy, but I'm feeling a bit talkative lately. I just really wanted to explain that of course I checked out all of my options and did my level best to find out all I could about what the problem was with the car. It's in my nature to do so, and equally in my nature is not wanting you car people to think I'm a complete dummy! So much for independence and not giving a hoot what other people think, lol...