How durable are the automatic trannies?

[grampi]

I will soon be looking to replace my '99 Corolla with either a late model 8th gen Corolla, or an early 9th gen with an automatic tranny. In the price range I'll be looking the car will more than likely have 100K miles or more. My main concern is the tranny. In general, an automatic transmission can be the weakest link in a vehicle's drive train however, I don't know anything about how well, or poorly the autos hold up in the Corollas. Also, are the 4 speed units the same in both the 8th gen and the 9th gen?

[ilovecorollale]

It depends on how well you take care of it (maintenance) and how you drive it, normally or abused. The 8th and 9th tranny should be interchangeable but maybe difference in the axle splice and motor mount and few sensors.

[Zembonez]

The 4 speed AT is not really known as a weak link. I'd probably give it a fresh fluid refill. We have members here with more miles that are still going strong.

[grampi]

Originally Posted by ilovecorollale

It depends on how well you take care of it (maintenance) and how you drive it, normally or abused. The 8th and 9th tranny should be interchangeable but maybe difference in the axle splice and motor mount and few sensors.

That's just it, when buying used, you have no idea how a person's taken care of the car, unless you're lucky enough to find a seller who has kept all the maintenance reciepts. I guess a better question would be, if I were to buy a late 8th gen or early 9th gen with 100K miles and the tranny fluid has never been changed, is that just a tranny failure waiting to happen?

[hardtopte72]

No it is no GM with a 75-100K mile transmission.

Case in point my brother in law has a 2002 build 2003 Corolla LE.

Over 160K miles on it now and it has only ever seen one drain and fill by me at 110K.

All I did to that car was replace plugs, brakes, tires, coolant, oil, belt, and ORIGINAL A/C filter at 110K.

I would say you are good to go. If a trans is going to fail it is going to fail. No real way to judge before you buy unless you look at severely burnt fluid on inspection.

The U240E is known to darken fluid as early as 25K anyway.

Worst case scenario a trans is only about 400-500 from a junkyard and is fairly easy to replace.

[Zembonez]

Originally Posted by hardtopte72

No it is no GM with a 75-100K mile transmission.

Pretty idiotic and untrue statement. GM transmissions of late are good for 200K just like any other automatic.

[Bennie]

Tranny shouldn't be an issue. I've got 313K on a 3 speed and 265K on a 4 speed. The get fluid changes and that's all they need. I do have a backup 3 speed I paid $50 for. What a waste, I'm pretty sure I'll never need it.

[grampi]

Originally Posted by Zembonez

Pretty idiotic and untrue statement. GM transmissions of late are good for 200K just like any other automatic.

You obviously haven't heard about many of Chrysler's or Honda's trannies....