Transmission slipping at 80,000 miles

[animalfries2]

Bought an 06 Corolla S at 70,000 .... owner must have abused it cause its slipping at 80,000.

Being quoted at $1500 for rebuild ... $4000 for replacement.

What would you guys do if you were me? (besides not buy Toyota)

[Sm0keydaBear]

Maybe try a transmission flush. I'm actually looking to do it for my Corolla CE 07, but not because the tranny is slipping. Over time, it can accumulate many metallic pieces and if not flushed, may damage the tranny. The car may have already reached that point, though.

[animalfries2]

yeah, i've done the flush. Found metal in the fluid. Its at the point of either a rebuild or a replace.

[aspen007]

If you plan to keep the car for a while, I would replace rather than rebuild the transmission. I'll had first hand bad experience and have heard tons of stories about poorly rebuilt transmissions. While I'm sure there are some great transmission repair shops out there, I just haven't crossed paths with them.

However, I would replace the transmission with a used one rather than new. You should be able to get a tranny with 50K or less miles on it for $500 or less at a local salvage yard. Most will give you a 90 day warranty. If you can't find one local, there's a bunch of them offered on Ebay for $300-400. However, you'll incur a $150-200 shipping charge unless you can pick it up.

You should be able to find an independent mechanic who will install the tranny for $500-$750. Just realized the guy's not going to give you any warranty on the tranny.

So you are looking at about $1000-1500 to have a used tranny put into your Corolla.

The reason I would go the used rather than rebuilt route is that I have more confidence in the quality of a used factory built Toyota tranny than a rebuilt one. Most Corolla trannys are usually good for 150-200k miles. Some even longer. My 2003 has about 175K and the tranny is working fine.

I realize there's a risk in buying a used tranny. However, I've had good luck with low mileage used parts. Much better than rebuilt.

[dorman68]

Originally Posted by aspen007

If you plan to keep the car for a while, I would replace rather than rebuild the transmission. I'll had first hand bad experience and have heard tons of stories about poorly rebuilt transmissions. While I'm sure there are some great transmission repair shops out there, I just haven't crossed paths with them.

However, I would replace the transmission with a used one rather than new. You should be able to get a tranny with 50K or less miles on it for $500 or less at a local salvage yard. Most will give you a 90 day warranty. If you can't find one local, there's a bunch of them offered on Ebay for $300-400. However, you'll incur a $150-200 shipping charge unless you can pick it up.

You should be able to find an independent mechanic who will install the tranny for $500-$750. Just realized the guy's not going to give you any warranty on the tranny.

So you are looking at about $1000-1500 to have a used tranny put into your Corolla.

The reason I would go the used rather than rebuilt route is that I have more confidence in the quality of a used factory built Toyota tranny than a rebuilt one. Most Corolla trannys are usually good for 150-200k miles. Some even longer. My 2003 has about 175K and the tranny is working fine.

I realize there's a risk in buying a used tranny. However, I've had good luck with low mileage used parts. Much better than rebuilt.

I would have to agree with aspen007 110%. Go for a low mileage used one as rebuilds I have seen go to hell in a handbasket real quickly. These auto trannys are not known for issues and can easily last up to 200,000 miles with regular maintenance. Sorry to hear about your troubles.

[mikered30]

Try a flush first and add a bottle of lubegard red when you refill.