Took car in for recall fix and dealer found $1900 worth of problems..

[tweakmonkey]

Where was it leaking? Usually it's worth fixing is my point - not that it's a better idea to scrap and replace the car. And I'm not talking about the environment. Just that if it's leaking, and someone tells you "You ought to fix this leak" there's nothing wrong with that. I think that's good sound advice. If they say, "It might not get worse and you can just deal with it" okay that's fine advice too, but you can't fault someone for pointing out a car is leaking oil IMO.

 

[Amol S.]

So took the 2004 Toyota in as it had a recall for front passenger air bag inflator, and they found so many problems they are asking for $1900..

In 2014 they ran out of part. Fast forward to present.. Two weeks ago they finally notified me that they have the part. I scheduled an appointment and took my 2004 Corolla in for the free fix. The car only has 67k miles since it is a backup, and we don't drive it too much until the last seven months when I have to commute 30 miles daily to work with it.

When the rep told me the part was replaced, I was ready to go, but she stopped me and said it needs some TLC...

1. Injectors need cleaning. Also Fuel induction service. She said one of the intake vault became sticky and needs cleaning. $220 for cleaning all of them.

2. Front brake pads need replacing. Only 3mm left. My wheels are locked and I didn't given them the key, how can they tell if there was only 3mm without taking the wheel off? $390.

3. Flush brake - all system $175.

4. Flush transmission (auto) $275. She said the fluid were jet black.

5. Timing cover reseal $870. She said there is a leak.. I never hear any weird sound and everything has been fine. There was a leak with the power steering, but it was leaking at the connecting point of the reservoir and the hose. It was fixed with new hose clamps but the area was not really cleaned. I wonder if they have mistaken the stains from the power steering fluid. where should I look for if there is any leak?

The car has been taken care of and is pretty low mileage wise for its age. Oil change every 8k miles, and tire rotation every 6 months. Was the dealer trying to make the quota and dump these on me?

I think that you should get a new car because, first of all Toyotas are known to have problems and break down easily, second the car is 11 years old almost, and the older it gets the more pricey and the number of problems with the car will increase.

I strongly suggest that you either buy a Honda Accord, Acura ILX, or a Acura TLX. I suggest a Acura TLX since I have one and it runs very good and never had a problem with it from the start!

 

[Yuriman]

Where was it leaking? Usually it's worth fixing is my point - not that it's a better idea to scrap and replace the car. And I'm not talking about the environment. Just that if it's leaking, and someone tells you "You ought to fix this leak" there's nothing wrong with that. I think that's good sound advice. If they say, "It might not get worse and you can just deal with it" okay that's fine advice too, but you can't fault someone for pointing out a car is leaking oil IMO.

It was a leak under the timing cover, probably around the oil pump, though it was possible it was one of the seals around the crank. The dealership noted it when I was taking advantage of one of their super discounted oil changes.

The leak was slow enough and the car old enough (22 years) that fixing it (at the dealer ) would probably have cost around what the car was worth. I still got another hundred thousand miles out of it, adding only a quart of oil between changes, and some of that may have been it burning oil.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I have a local Toyota dealer that I don't trust at all. My wife went for an oil change and somehow had to spend $250 extra on some sort of air filter repair from "mouse related damage". I wasn't there. If I were I would have told them to show me.

 

[CurrentlyPissed]

I have a local Toyota dealer that I don't trust at all. My wife went for an oil change and somehow had to spend $250 extra on some sort of air filter repair from "mouse related damage". I wasn't there. If I were I would have told them to show me.

Actually fairly common. They love to dig into cabin air filters and leave insulation dog food and much more. I've had it bad enough before where I pulled a cabin out and it had a dead baby mouse in it. Not saying hers was legit or not.

But it certainly happens often. At least once or twice a week in the winter depending where you are located. We have a lot of farm land out here.

 

[jlee]

Actually fairly common. They love to dig into cabin air filters and leave insulation dog food and much more. I've had it bad enough before where I pulled a cabin out and it had a dead baby mouse in it. Not saying hers was legit or not.

But it certainly happens often. At least once or twice a week in the winter depending where you are located. We have a lot of farm land out here.

I replaced a blower motor in my MR2 after it got filled up with rodent nest material and feathers (was parked in a barn for the winter). I wouldn't be surprised either.

 

[Midwayman]

I have a local Toyota dealer that I don't trust at all. My wife went for an oil change and somehow had to spend $250 extra on some sort of air filter repair from "mouse related damage". I wasn't there. If I were I would have told them to show me.

Happened to my parents too. Engine is warm, and they loved to carry dog food into the intake.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Rule of thumb, never EVER send your woman or family member to a stealership.

Come on fellas......

 

[CurrentlyPissed]

Rule of thumb, never EVER send your woman or family member to a stealership.

Come on fellas......

Guys spend more than females. There was a study done on this actually. That it is actually safer for a female to go then a male. The male wants to think he knows and agrees to more where as the female hesistates and doesn't want to make a solo decision.

 

[mvbighead]

I think that you should get a new car because, first of all Toyotas are known to have problems and break down easily, second the car is 11 years old almost, and the older it gets the more pricey and the number of problems with the car will increase.

I strongly suggest that you either buy a Honda Accord, Acura ILX, or a Acura TLX. I suggest a Acura TLX since I have one and it runs very good and never had a problem with it from the start!

Is this a joke?

Suffice it to say, an old co-worker who I still run into frequently still drives the same car that he's had for the past 10 or so years... a 1990s Toyota Camry. Thing is bullet proof, and reasonably economical.

As for the older it gets the more expensive the repairs? Bullshit. So long as the make/model is common, replacement parts are generally easy to find. A Toyota Corolla??? They're about as common as the come. Looking at RockAuto, about everything on there appears to be normal/economical in terms of pricing.

 

[MongGrel]

Guys spend more than females. There was a study done on this actually. That it is actually safer for a female to go then a male. The male wants to think he knows and agrees to more where as the female hesistates and doesn't want to make a solo decision.

Your a bit amusing

 

[CurrentlyPissed]

Your a bit amusing

You're, first off.

It's the truth, I deal with it every day. Guys are easier to get a closed sale on than females on average. This is common knowledge. In fact, there are multiple times I have the female contact her male counter part if she's iffy on the sale. Because if she's iffy, it's because of him. Very rarely do I hear "I need to talk with the wife on how to service our car". The male does not often admit his lack of knowledge on a vehicle.

A very common line I use with females are "Hey, I'd rather you call him now. Then him call me later.". Can't say I have ever said the reverse for a guy.

https://dealer-communications.com/g...ore-time-and-money-car-shopping-than-women-2/

http://www.autoalliance.org/index.cfm?objectid=64C645D0-6B1F-11E2-BB6A000C296BA163

 

[mvbighead]

You're, first off.

It's the truth, I deal with it every day. Guys are easier to get a closed sale on than females on average. This is common knowledge. In fact, there are multiple times I have the female contact her male counter part if she's iffy on the sale. Because if she's iffy, it's because of him. Very rarely do I hear "I need to talk with the wife on how to service our car". The male does not often admit his lack of knowledge on a vehicle.

A very common line I use with females are "Hey, I'd rather you call him now. Then him call me later.". Can't say I have ever said the reverse for a guy.

https://dealer-communications.com/g...ore-time-and-money-car-shopping-than-women-2/

http://www.autoalliance.org/index.cfm?objectid=64C645D0-6B1F-11E2-BB6A000C296BA163

Honestly, I can see this for the majority of guys. Most are NOT technically inclined. Now, the group of guys on this sub forum are certainly not the majority, it's probably the day to day office worker types that are the majority here.

 

[pauldun170]

Is this a joke?

exhibit A. - http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2428741

Suffice it to say, an old co-worker who I still run into frequently still drives the same car that he's had for the past 10 or so years... a 1990s Toyota Camry. Thing is bullet proof, and reasonably economical.

As for the older it gets the more expensive the repairs? Bullshit. So long as the make/model is common, replacement parts are generally easy to find. A Toyota Corolla??? They're about as common as the come. Looking at RockAuto, about everything on there appears to be normal/economical in terms of pricing.

With the exception of Toyotas with the 2.4 produced between 2002 and 2006 I'd recommend a Toyota Camry or Corolla to any "non car person" who is the type of person who hold onto cars for a long time.
Very solid cars