Hello!

It's been a year now that I sold my -91 LS and I'm shopping for a 4WD and an RX is one alternative.
I have noticed that quite often there seem to be problems with automatic transmissions.
Is 4 speed or the later 5 speed 'more desired' transmission in terms of longevity or do they both seem to have problems?

 

I am not sure of 4 speed vs 5 speed, but know that the first generation transmission (4 speed, mine is) has high failure rate. My 2000 transmission failed at about 90K miles, and was replaced with a re-manufactured, same generation but with new, second generation critical parts inside when they rebuilt it.

According to this trans shop owner, he has seen much much less second gen trans failures. He's seen quite a few first gen failures.

 

Thanks for your reply. I'm going to see a 2004 tomorrow - needs to see if there are any notes about transmission fluid and filter changes and how the trans feels in general. 90k miles seems quite little.