[amals]

Hello, all--
Overnight sideswipe left me with hanging mirror and short one wheel cover. Mine is Japan-made (for instances where parts are different). A few questions:


1. Found Kool Vue replacement on Car Parts.com. Seems ok. Yea, nay, or other ideas?
2. What size wheel covers? The tires are R15's, but the wheel rim measures 16" outside-to-outside. The wheel covers measure 16" o.d., but more like 15" inside where they push-fit in. Are they 15" or 16" wheel covers if I order online?
3. Favorite online car parts outlets for Toyotas (I'm sure this question has never been asked before...).


TIA

 

[stvotw]

Hello, all--
Overnight sideswipe left me with hanging mirror and short one wheel cover. Mine is Japan-made (for instances where parts are different). A few questions:


1. Found Kool Vue replacement on Car Parts.com. Seems ok. Yea, nay, or other ideas?
2. What size wheel covers? The tires are R15's, but the wheel rim measures 16" outside-to-outside. The wheel covers measure 16" o.d., but more like 15" inside where they push-fit in. Are they 15" or 16" wheel covers if I order online?
3. Favorite online car parts outlets for Toyotas (I'm sure this question has never been asked before...).


TIA

!5" Tires/Rims will use a 15" wheel cover. I've used this place before for wheel covers, http://www.ineedahubcap.com/

As always try searching the web yourself. Deals are always popping up.

 

[taco'rolla]

1. Found Kool Vue replacement on Car Parts.com. Seems ok. Yea, nay, or other ideas?

Think I purchased from that mfg - distributor once on ebay.
If I remember correctly the housing fit fine and was acceptable.
But the mirror's image reflection was distorted and so I returned those.
I haven't really found a replacement mirror that meets the mirror reflection
quality of the factory glass.

Think I ended up buying an aftermarket mirror housing or salvaged unit...
but replaced the actual mirror glass with a factory piece.
Was more coin... but worth that cost IMO.

Did you look into something at a salvage yard first ?
There's a crap ton of these wrecked Corolla just waiting for resurrection.

2. What size wheel covers? The tires are R15's, but the wheel rim measures 16" outside-to-outside. The wheel covers measure 16" o.d., but more like 15" inside where they push-fit in. Are they 15" or 16" wheel covers if I order online?

If the tire is marked 15" it is likely the wheel is 15" too.
But most oem wheels have some sort of stamping on the inner rim
ie: 15 X 6 JJ (have you looked ?)

I put cheapo walmart 15" wheel covers on my factory oem 15" steel wheels
and they fit just fine.
And if they didn't... are easily returned.

3. Favorite online car parts outlets for Toyotas (I'm sure this question has never been asked before...).

dependent on what I'm looking to purchase...
I usually look first for the lowest price.... ebay, walmart, etc.

If it's hardware componentry... I only purchase factory original parts.
ebay offers lower pricing for factory components/hardware.
I will rarely purchase from my local dealership because their pricing
is usually the highest anywhere.

OEM standards do not generally meet the factory quality standards.
or at least that's generally been my experience.

Other distributors/stores usually have purdy much the same junk...
but charge the consumer more coin for the same thing.

Oh and I spray plastic dip on my wheel covers...
'cause they are easily stolen or fall off anyways.
why bother to spend any more then necessary !?

Don't like black... pick another color
or simply peel off the previous color and change that
as your mood swings

 

[amals]

Thanks, taco'rolla. Good info. Have done a little junk yard searching, but don't want to spend too much time on the phone or running around. Might do a little more before just buying online or retail (NOT dealer, of course!).

 

[taco'rolla]

I would think you could purchase a used one on ebay
as many salvage businesses list their parts there.

Ocassionally you need request the particular item you wish to obtain...
as their parts listings may be generic.
So send them a communication before you commit to buy.

Shouldn't be too difficult to find one...
It's the most widely sold car in the US, probably the world.
So the salvage yards should have plenty on hand.
People wreck them by the thousands... daily. Lol

But not always will the color be what you want.
What color or colors are you looking for ?

The mirror cover plate(s) can be ordered separately and comes prepainted (code).
tho' they're damn pricey if ya purchase them thru a dealership.

If I know what color(s) and options (heat, remote, pass or driver, etc.)
I can assist you in looking for a replacement
and will post up that link if I find one that might suffice for you.

Expect a good, used color match mirror will cost near abouts $ 100.
Probably nearer to $ 300. for new mirror at a dealership.

here's a couple as examples:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rh-Passenge...ash=item3607bd1293:g:i08AAOSwdzVXvPTW&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lh-Driver-S...ash=item5b29ad683b:g:mYoAAOSwHoFXvPTp&vxp=mtr

My Corolla is Japanese assembled as well...
tho' some componentry/hardware is different...
the mirrors fit the same as long as the model/year (generation) is the same.

 

[amals]

My mirrors are just base model black. The car is silver, but the mirrors are black. They are electric and heated. I've got other damage to the car as well, and have just moved to liability only insurance; didn't seem worthwhile to fix the sideswipe damage and not the hail, and rear bumper that was hit before. None of it is too bad (it does not look like a rolling wreck), but I am not inclined to put too much into it because it has happened twice and won't surprise me if it happens again (city living). I, too, thought the parts would be easy to find in a local junkyard; I'll probably do a little more searching. I'm a little leery of buying used online; would rather buy used in person, or new (probably aftermarket) online. Thanks for your input.

 

[SuperchargedMR2]

Hello, all--
Overnight sideswipe left me with hanging mirror and short one wheel cover. Mine is Japan-made (for instances where parts are different). A few questions:


1. Found Kool Vue replacement on Car Parts.com. Seems ok. Yea, nay, or other ideas?
2. What size wheel covers? The tires are R15's, but the wheel rim measures 16" outside-to-outside. The wheel covers measure 16" o.d., but more like 15" inside where they push-fit in. Are they 15" or 16" wheel covers if I order online?
3. Favorite online car parts outlets for Toyotas (I'm sure this question has never been asked before...).


TIA

Why not just get a nicer looking set of alloy wheels? Get rid of the hideous looking steel wheels with hub caps.

:nopics:

 

[amals]

stvotw: Just checked that link, and there was a little click-on at my wheel cover picture/description that explained exactly what I needed to know about sizing. Thank you.