My friend priced out a few "upgrades" for my Corolla

[adamjackson]

So, I had a friend call around and price out some parts + installation since, well it might make everyone think less of me but I don't know crap about working on cars.

So, I uploaded the PDF if you have any thoughts on these prices and installation fees that I should contest or perhaps just thoughts on what he recommended. Everyone here is an expert so I'm putting here before I write the guy a check for $6,000.

PDF Link

Sorry, I didn't wanna post 6 pages here so I just uploaded the PDF. I hope that pleases the mods.

..I'm an idiot about this stuff so please be nice

[TLeong13]

They shouldnt charge you to install the upper strut brace cuz hes gonna be removing the plate where it goes anyways (double labor charge there)..$321 is pretty high for the K&N...labor is kinda high there its a pretty straight forward install...fore tires take a look at Firestone Firehawk wide oval indy 500...i <3333333 mines

[emptyminded42]

If you want to save some $, source the parts yourself and have them install it for you. They might charge you more for labor to make up some of the $ from parts but I'd ask them for labor quote for it all if you bring in all the parts yourself.

Like, the rims you can get for $860 w/ shipping from scionpartspeople (these TRD wheels fit both Scions and 'Rollas)

It's worth a shot to try to get parts yourself. You might be able to save $500 or so. But make sure you get a labor quote before you buy all the stuff.

[Dragon-88]

Yeah K&N labor is high.. All it is, is removing 3 screws and the OEM box and installing the new SRI.. Takes no more than 30mins. Do this one yourself.

I would leave the electronic and suspension to the pro, but suspension install is pretty easy, especially since its with coilovers so you dont need to compress springs or anything... Also does the coilover install include alignment?? You will need that especially if your going with new footwork.

[FlawedLegacy]

I found the following to be insane... esp as you easily can do the following totaling $0:

Coilover instillation
RSB install
FSB install
Intake install

I can see coilover install if you dont wanna spend a day adjusting and installing, but intake install is a joke price. I did mine within 15min with a screwdriver and socket set.

[thestone11]

If you don't know crap about working on car...this is a good chance to learn. IMO, if you don't like/don't know working on cars, don't even look into mods at all. Part of the fun of modification is to learn about your car inside out, understanding how mods benefit your driving experiences and knowing how to take stuff and put stuff back together.

For a newbie, the K&N short ram intake and front strut brace are easy job. Do it yourself, save the labour cost, perhaps you can use those money for another upgrade.

[diablo2184]

i agree. installing some of your own stuff makes it more fun. sometimes it may be frustrating, but in the end you did it yourself. AND you save some money lol

your stereo setup is quite similar to what i may get. i love that headunit, but i dont know if i can justify spending $1000 for one in a corolla.

[ilikebass7]

agreed with all. do the installs yourself and you will enjoy your car more! its pretty hard to screw up on most of them. Also shop around and youll find better prices. i Love my Continental Contact Extreme DWS tires and got them for 125 a piece

[StevenTranSSK]

Holy crap nearly 500$ to install the coilovers. You can buy then for 800$ instead of 1k, and have a local shop install it for 200-300$, or even do it with some friends. But dayumm 1500$ for megans and installation is insane.

[TFCommanderBob]

Why are the rear speakers 6x8 not 6x9? Do they have mounting brackets to fit 6x9 holes? But even so, part of the point is more cone area (just 1 factor) will give you lower frequency response.

You will probably love that alpine head unit. I use an older version Pioneer in my fiance's car, the AVIC F700BT. Your's seems awful expensive for best buy pricing. The model is INA-W900BT. A quick google shopping brings up a bunch of stores which are $150-200 cheaper. Even if you bought it ebay from an unauthorized dealer for $800 and had to pay for repairs, you'd probably end up on top lol.

IMO I don't like the full black rims without at least a polished lip. Too bland. I would also consider doing some of the work yourself. I like the high of being able to say I did my mod myself, however small or big. Perhaps that isn't huge for you, but many of us posters are hobbyists, so we like to know exactly what was done to make our car work the way it does. It is kind-of disappointing to do all the mods without getting your hands dirty, but you said you make a ton of money so by all means I think you are entitled to if you want!

Intake and bar installs are just stupid ridiculous prices.

Whats the cost for audio install?? It isn't listed, I bet it is insane.

[adamjackson]

I'd say everyone here contributed hella-great advice.

• I'll buy everything myself online to save money
• I'll attempt to install most on my own (at least struts, air intake, speakers)
• I'll contest or shop around on the coil installations
• Frankly, I really like the TRD wheels in black. Wanting to stay mostly Toyota parts even if they do cost more.

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by TFCommanderBob

Why are the rear speakers 6x8 not 6x9? Do they have mounting brackets to fit 6x9 holes? But even so, part of the point is more cone area (just 1 factor) will give you lower frequency response.

Whats the cost for audio install?? It isn't listed, I bet it is insane.

I may do different speakers since they're not gonna fit. maybe my friend didn't know.

Best buy is $70 for installation prices and I thin $99 for the stereo itself.

Originally Posted by thestone11

If you don't know crap about working on car...this is a good chance to learn. IMO, if you don't like/don't know working on cars, don't even look into mods at all. Part of the fun of modification is to learn about your car inside out, understanding how mods benefit your driving experiences and knowing how to take stuff and put stuff back together.

For a newbie, the K&N short ram intake and front strut brace are easy job. Do it yourself, save the labour cost, perhaps you can use those money for another upgrade.

I agree with you pretty much completely but I don't even own a hammer or tools so I just think it's gonna cost a lot to get started and take me a ton of time when i could just pay for it. I'm certainly not spoiled jsut have no clue what I'm doing.

I'm a computer geek.

[TFCommanderBob]

Heh, a socket set and a set of screwdrivers, and maybe a pliers/wrench set for good measure are all that's required for a large portion of that work. If you intend to own a house, you'll need some anyway.

If you do the headunit/speaker install you may need a cordless drill to drill out the rivets on the front speakers, and a crimper/butt splices/electrical tape to do the wiring. It takes time, but to me the feeling of having done it yourself is well worth it. Plus then you can find instructions online to wire it so that it thinks the parking break is on 24/7 Always hated oem units that don't let you/passenger mess with the gps when in motion.

Are you doing two rim sets, one for summer one for winter? Are you having them transfer the TPMS stems to the new rims or buying a second set?

[adamjackson]

Originally Posted by TFCommanderBob

Heh, a socket set and a set of screwdrivers, and maybe a pliers/wrench set for good measure are all that's required for a large portion of that work. If you intend to own a house, you'll need some anyway.

If you do the headunit/speaker install you may need a cordless drill to drill out the rivets on the front speakers, and a crimper/butt splices/electrical tape to do the wiring. It takes time, but to me the feeling of having done it yourself is well worth it. Plus then you can find instructions online to wire it so that it thinks the parking break is on 24/7 Always hated oem units that don't let you/passenger mess with the gps when in motion.

Are you doing two rim sets, one for summer one for winter? Are you having them transfer the TPMS stems to the new rims or buying a second set?

yeah, I understand you. It's the first car I care about makign mods to so it's time to buy the right equipment.

Yeah, up here in NH we have 100+ inches of snow every year so I'm going to buy the TRDs + summer tires and put winter tires on the stock wheels that came with the car for now unless I get the itch to change them but I really think it's easier to just have two sets.

[TrdGeoMatic]

Let me know if I can help am hour and a half away and can do most of the install for cheap.

[ChancreScolex]

If we ever get around to organizing a meet up this way and you could make it up here, Id be glad to help you install some of that stuff. Almost all of my mods I have done myself. Strut/sway bars, audio, etc.