2009 Chevrolet HHR LS (2.2 engine)
Check engine light came on 11/19/24. Code P0974 and P0700. Repair/parts recommended Transmission Shift Solenoid A or 1

Took to a transmission shop 11/26/24. The mechanic looked at it for just over an hour (30 minutes was driving it), came back and said something about second gear, that it's not coming out of or won't go into second. They said they could replace the shift solenoid, that it'd cost $900. But emphasized that might not fix the issue. They said they have to take the whole transmission out just to change the shift solenoid and it could be throwing a false code. That I would have to leave it for a few days (which means calling off work and classes). And that they don't want to see me throwing away money in case it doesn't fix the issue. Then steered towards saying to replace the transmission. I had already got a price from another shop for replacing the transmission, $5300 and told them as much. This mechanic said 2800 without even looking up any pricing, so probably higher than what he shot out. Told me to decide between the shift solenoid or replacing the transmission. I paid the testing fee and left, said I don't have any time right now to be out a car and would have to call back

It's "symptoms" have been occasional I think it'd be considered hard shifting (I can hear/resistance when moving the gear shift from park to reverse, reverse to drive). And twice the car has "shuttered" when at low variable speeds (traffic, behind slow speed teetering cars, where you have to keep getting back up to speed. It drive just fine/normal at 45 mph or above at mostly continuous speeds.

It has 154,000 miles on it, I've had it for just over 5 years and put about 72K of those miles on it. 2 owners before me that took good care of it (my grandparents)
Other current issues: back brakes need changed (I have the drums, shoes, springs, etc, and my uncle was gonna slap them on but said to return the parts if I'm getting rid of my car). We think the turn signal switch is going out, I have to hold it up or down for the turn signal to stay on. TPSM light is on but that just means checking the tire air by hand

Everyone has been saying, if I'm told to replace the transmission to just replace the car. Do you agree?

Should I risk having the repair done? Replacing the shift solenoid I mean. (financially not affordable unless it fixed the issue because that's a grand less to put towards replacing the car. Mostly concerned about the woman tax of going to a mechanic and not knowing enough about cars, if they're just trying to convince me to do a more costly repair)

Biggest question: how much longer could I safely drive it like this? (absolutely no means to finance so my budget for replacing the car is 5000 before taxes and fees)

 

If you can replace the shift solenoids yourself, like building a treehouse in your yard , it’s not that hard

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/driv...olenoid-61313/

The TPMS sensors can be changed next tire replacement.

A used transmission is an economical way to go but, I suggest you replace the solenoids before you install it.

 

$900 is way too much for the repair; shop around. P0974 does mean the 1-2 shift solenoid is bad.
The signal stalk is cheap and easy to replace. Can you use a screw driver? No magic involved.
All cars need brake jobs. Normal maintenance.
You probably need lower control arms too. Normal maintenance.

Good mechanics don't care about the sex of a client.

 

I’m confident females can turn wrenches just as well as males. I taught auto classes to classes of 30 students all female all learned more then just replace a flat tire or check the oil. One of my best friends 50 years ago, a 19 year old girl, came over to my house and replaced the cylinder head gasket in her 59 MGA with no help from me. I was busy replacing brake lines in my 1962 Triumph TR3A.

 

Bad personal history of being mistreated or overcharged by mechanics and my family always says it's because I'm a girl. I'm not at all saying girls can't be taught. Honestly wish auto class was an elective option at my high school. I've gone to a mechanic and been told XYZ needs doing when only X needs done. I've price shopped for a repair before and when I called back the best priced place it was all of a sudden 300 more. My dad called, took my car in, charged original quote. My dad drove 500 miles to look at my car one time because it made no sense what I was being told before, and he was right, I was being lied to. I've talked to a mechanic and was told one thing, my dad took my car in, told differently.

 

I had a brake job done with a 100% guarantee, tokk it in for a failure the shop gave an estimate of $1000, I showed the guarantee and suddenly the estimate turned into a $35 part for free. I am not a girl, if they think they can get away with it they try. That is why most states have a consumer protection agency.