Mechanics HELP!

[StevieD]

My daughter and her husband owns a 2008 Toyota Sienna. She still owes $15,000 on it. They are expecting a second child in a few months.

The Transmission and differential blew. Along with a few other repairs Toyota suggests they want a little over $10,000 to fix it.

Question, do I let Toyota do the repairs or does it seem high? The cost of the Transmission and the Dif is about $8,000.

Does it make sense to fix it seeing where they owe $15,000 on it?

They can't afford it and I will be paying but don't know what to do?

 

[bleedingpurple]

My daughter and her husband owns a 2008 Toyota Sienna. She still owes $15,000 on it. They are expecting a second child in a few months. The Transmission and differential blew. Along with a few other repairs Toyota suggests they want a little over $10,000 to fix it. Question, do I let Toyota do the repairs or does it seem high? The cost of the Transmission and the Dif is about $8,000. Does it make sense to fix it seeing where they owe $15,000 on it? They can't afford it and I will be paying but don't know what to do?

wow, my buddy says that is extremely high. I would shop around and find a non dealership mechanic. 15,000 on a 2008? I guess toyotas hold their value but if it is 10 grand, I would maybe think about something else.

How many miles on it?

 

[StevieD]

wow, my buddy says that is extremely high. I would shop around and find a non dealership mechanic. 15,000 on a 2008? I guess toyotas hold their value but if it is 10 grand, I would maybe think about something else.

How many miles on it?

129,000.

 

[Snafu]

The Transmission and differential blew.

both ? first i'd ask toyota to be little more exact what is broken (or are parts just worn out)
and then ask second opinion else where.

:0008

 

[Construct Carl]

if you spend over two thousand dollars you are crazy to repair it and i would get them to trade it in.
you could also fix it as best you can for 2k and then sell it and cut your losses.
thyes a saying - transmission and differential blew fix it and itll nickel and dime you to.

 

[StevieD]

They are saying that both the transmission and the diff are blown. Car will not move. It starts ok but will not move forward or reverse.

The other 3 grand are things like 2 rear tires, Steering column or something.

I am hearing that I should not let Toyota Fix it.

 

[bleedingpurple]

They are saying that both the transmission and the diff are blown. Car will not move. It starts ok but will not move forward or reverse. The other 3 grand are things like 2 rear tires, Steering column or something. I am hearing that I should not let Toyota Fix it.

no do not let Toyota do it. they are going to charge top dollar. I would explore construct Carl's advice. call around

 

[MadJack]

Go here, Stevie:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/274-2nd-generation-2004-2010/

Look around for other Toyota owners forums too. I belong to a Cadillac forum and they are very helpful and will give you the best advice to save you a shitpile of money.

 

[Construct Carl]

Go here, Stevie:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/274-2nd-generation-2004-2010/

Look around for other Toyota owners forums too. I belong to a Cadillac forum and they are very helpful and will give you the best advice to save you a shitpile of money.

whoopdeeshit.

 

[MadJack]

whoopdeeshit.

Yeah, it's an '04 :lol:

 

[Shleprock]

Go to a salvage yard for parts. If you know a mechanic or shop tell them you will get parts if they do the work. They won't give you a warranty but you will save a lot of money.

 

[Sportsaholic]

Yeah, it's an '04 :lol:

How does the association feel about that......:0003

 

[yyz]

You can buy a decent used car for ten grand.

 

[MadJack]

How does the association feel about that......:0003

They said the same thing Carl did. :0003

 

[McKenzie]

No way I'd let Toyota fix it. Take it to a good repair man, not a dealer!

 

[layinwood]

Holy crap. Someone is really trying to bend your family over. I would be pissed.

Two routes- complete rebuild. Guessing you could find someone to do it for sub 2k. Or you could get trans and differential. I see trans for that vehicle for 1500. Differentials shouldn't be much at all. I don't know your market well but you should be able to find someone that would do take old out and put new in for 750ish.

 

[gardenweasel]

Holy crap. Someone is really trying to bend your family over. I would be pissed.

Two routes- complete rebuild. Guessing you could find someone to do it for sub 2k. Or you could get trans and differential. I see trans for that vehicle for 1500. Differentials shouldn't be much at all. I don't know your market well but you should be able to find someone that would do take old out and put new in for 750ish.

I have a recall pending on a car(airbag) and I`m putting it off.....don`t trust these dealerships any farther than I can throw a buick...you know they`ll come back and try to hit you up for some other repair...

 

[STEEL CITY SELECTIONS]

not sure i understand??i don't think toyota made any sienna that are all wheel drive?
should be front wheel drive only.


that being the case, transmission and differential are the same thing?.its called a transaxle assembly.
the differential is part of the transmission.

a basic transaxle rebuild job with a 1 to 2 yr. warranty should be in the 2000 to 3000 range from any reputable trans. shop?..i own a repair shop in pittsburgh and farm out trans work all the time. most trans rebuilds are in that price range here in pittsburgh??or call around and check for a used transmission with decent miles on it, i really don't see many toyota trans. go bad ?.a junk yard may have the trans and also install for you..which I'm sure would be your cheaper option.

find out what they are talking about exactly?..it is very common for the differential part of the transaxle to go bad and lock-up like they described. but this is still one unit, the transaxle. seems like they are describing the transaxle as 2 separate things to make the price seem more reasonable, but all that it is, is that the transmission needs replaced/rebuilt.

if it is all wheel drive,which i doubt, then yes it has a rear differential?.if that is the case, then i would take it for another opinion, very very unlikely that both are bad.

 

[StevieD]

The car is a 4 wheel drive. Thanks to you guys I called around and everyone is telling the same thing that you guys are. Toyota is way out of line.

I am going to get it towed out of Toyota's yard and bring to a local guy someone recomended to me.

Another stupid question. The car is my daughters and I never drive it. She came over the house and said it was making noise. I took it out for a ride and saw it was on empty. I filled it with gas. Brought it home and parked it on a steep incline.

I saw online that the engine and VSC and Tracking off lights come on because fuel gets into one of the sensors. I was not a mile from my house, when I heard a bang and the car stopped. The car starts up fine but when shifting nothing happens. Is it possible that the gas and parking on the steep incline had something to do with it? Now the warning klights come on.

 

[Snafu]

.

don't just say "toyota said balh blah blah and these parts needs to be fixed"
ask your new repair guy to do his own diagnosis. i mean if car doesn't move after
it starts fine it could be gear change(/clutch if not automatic) mechanism
or electric failure that prevents "drive", just as you say

(if it didn't have previous gearbox/drive related problems)


:0008