Sounds about right for the inflated price a dealership would ask for.
Find an independent transmission shop.

 

Yeah, I let the sticker shock get to me. The new price still ain't fun (gonna have to sell my truck to afford it), but $2200 all-in is a whole lot better than the dealer price. That's with a 3/36 warranty, too.

 

So... with a hopeful smile... a widely trusted local mechanic has informed me that the problem was a VVT solenoid, which kicked the car into limp-home mode, reducing power from the engine and shutting off features like traction control. He rebuilds trannies like this one a lot, and he can't find anything wrong with it.
So, fingers crossed, we're looking at a $300 bill rather than a $2200 one.
...and I have a coupon. :)

 

Just joined this club.

 

Well that's good to hear.

But just curious here. One of the most popular threads on this site is one that covers the camshaft position actuator solenoids. The thread is pretty long and covers everything from causes and symptoms to fixes.
Have you not seen or read this thread before ?

 

Based on what the dealer had told me, I wouldn't have been thinking in that general area, so no. I'll probably go read it now, however, after the fact.

*edit* Geez... guess I'd better spend more time reading stickies. My symptoms showed up in the first page or two. Hell, I coulda fixed that easy!
Ya got me, George.

 

2007 LT

One more day and I will be at 100K (89 miles away)
-Purchased two sets of tires
-Front Pads 3 times and rotors once (havnt touched rear)
-2 sets of front shocks, 1 set of rear
-Most of the front end has been done. Wheel bearings, control arms, shocks, links, dont remember the rest ($1700 bill at the Stealer)
-Top half of engine was replaced two months before the 5 year warranty so that was FREE and it was done when I was 40,000 miles ago

Pro's
- I have never been in a car with Air Conditioning as good as my HHR
- 7 1/2 years on Factory battery. I AM SHOCKED!!!!

Con's
-No matter what i do it seems the front end is never 100%

 

now 276000

 

Spacer, I feel your pain, although mine went at 403k and the decision too go ahead with the replacement even with the money required has turned out to be a good decision. Transmission now has over 150k with engine being at 565k..I know it's crazy!
Everyone responsible for putting this engine together at the factory was paying attention to what they were doing? Luck of the draw? I have not idea, all I know is, it still runs reasonably well and doesn't seem to be getting tired, like two foreign models I took over 500k.
Do the tranny and drive on. I'd say there's more life in her.

 

Besides normal wear/bulbs, tires, etc - Sway bar bushings(needs again), End links, Trans rebuilt @ 128K due to final drive bearing, wheel hub, flex pipe, lower control arm(needed ball joint). Just did both lower control arms and front struts.