If Lexi do not need work, I will gladly trade your GS for this ES.
Thanks, but no thanks. No more modern front-wheel drive stuff for me. This "never change the fluids" theme and 'new tranny costs over 50% of the value of a 6 year old car' is a bit over the top. Someday, we will take cars to the junkyard when the odometer hits 30k miles. Then, one can avoid all that pesky routine maintenance.
Thanks for the ideas. Old mini is cool. I scout old minis and BMW 2002s on eBay. Great play car. I don't do much off-roading, so a Jeep might not work. The Grand Cherokee is getting a new diesel in the next year or so. DIYable? Probably not. I'm still liking a 90s model BMW.
The fellow at the transmission shop said he recently had fun with an Audi with CVT transmission. The car's owner decided to have a $5500 junkyard tranny installed. Half a year later, the same Audi with new owner revisit the shop. "I want to get rid of this car!" $9000 for a new transmission from Audi? I don't blame him.