Decisions!

[Buckman]

Our 1996 Corolla requires a replacement rear box on the exhaust at a cost of nearly £400 for the box plus labour. It is mainly used as a runabout to go into town. The car now sells for more than what we paid for it s/h in 2012 as similar models selling for neatly £1000. It is very reliable and we have spent very little on it except for a rear box several years ago, battery and tyres. OH has suggested selling it and buying another car, but then you never know what you will get buying second hand. I think I would rather pay to have the rear box replaced.

 

[JTQ]

OH has suggested selling it and buying another car

Basically, it's been made for you!

 

[cooky1]

If the Corolla has been reliable I would keep it and just get the rear box replaced - but £400 seems a bit expensive, wonder if it's the age of the car and lack of spares?

 

[otherclive]

I would have the box changed. As you say buying another runabout is a risk even if you shell out a few thousand pounds. Then when you do decide to sell the Corolla its classic status will be well established and buyers will be fighting to buy it. 😂

 

[Buckman]

If the Corolla has been reliable I would keep it and just get the rear box replaced - but £400 seems a bit expensive, wonder if it's the age of the car and lack of spares?

Yep you hit the nail on the head. It also needs rear shock absorbers and apparently they are nearly £200 each however we can live with that as it is not a MOT fail. The car has done 122500 miles of which we have done about 30000 over the past 12 years.

 

[Steve1962]

Keep it👍

 

[Dustydog]

Keep it! Why buy someone else’s rubbish?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Without knowing how much you're prepared to pay for a new- (second hand) car its difficult to rationalise the variables, but if you were only going to try to exchange the value of the corolla, then its better the devil you know.

 

[GaryB]

I know Toyotas aren’t as well supported by the aftermarket parts supply as other models but as the others said, if it’s dependable, keep it. It’s basic spec will help with it’s reliability!

 

[Beardy]

You haven't given the full spec so it's possible £400 is the right price, but it only took a couple of minutes to find this. Add an hours labour to fit it and you should be looking at £150.

Quality Rear Exhaust Silencer Back Box for Toyota Corolla 4AFE 1.6 (1996-1997) | eBay

Engine Code: 4AFE. Body Type: Saloon. TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS. We aim to respond back to queries as quick as possible and this is normally within 24-48 hours. If you do require your parts extra urgently then you can collect from our Northampton depot.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Beardy]

A few more minutes and I found this.

Shock Absorber for TOYOTA:COROLLA,COROLLA VIII,COROLLA Sedan,COROLLA Estate | eBay

Shock Absorber System Shock Absorber Mounting Type COROLLA (_E11_), COROLLA Sedan (_E11_), COROLLA VIII (_E11_). COROLLA Estate (_E11_). COROLLA Compact (_E11_). COROLLA Liftback (_E11_). 1.6l, 81kw, 110hp, Petrol Engine.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Buckman]

A few more minutes and I found this.

Shock Absorber for TOYOTA:COROLLA,COROLLA VIII,COROLLA Sedan,COROLLA Estate | eBay

Shock Absorber System Shock Absorber Mounting Type COROLLA (_E11_), COROLLA Sedan (_E11_), COROLLA VIII (_E11_). COROLLA Estate (_E11_). COROLLA Compact (_E11_). COROLLA Liftback (_E11_). 1.6l, 81kw, 110hp, Petrol Engine.

www.ebay.co.uk

Big difference so maybe I misunderstood and it was £200 for both sides. Can it be a DIY job as maybe grandson could fit them for us?

 

[Beachball]

I would keep it seeing it reliable

 

[Dustydog]

Big difference so maybe I misunderstood and it was £200 for both sides. Can it be a DIY job as maybe grandson could fit them for us?

With the right tools and knowledge it is a diy job. Beware using spring compressor is not something for a first timer without proper instruction. Why not get a few local quotes for Labour or try a mobile mechanic?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Ask your grandson if he thinks he's able and competent to do it. With some vehicles changing dampers is relatively straightforward, but I don't know the Corolla. And as Dusty says you may need special tools.

 

[otherclive]

My Forester had both rear dampers ( coil over units) replaced for a Labour charge of £65 at a nearby garage. I supplied the units.

 

[Buckman]

Thanks I will find someone to fit them shocks. In the meantime I dug out the original quote which was for just under £400 for two shocks plus labour. Online I can buy two Monroe shocks for under £90 so not sure why National wanted to charge about £400! I think Monroe are a reputable brand?

 

[otherclive]

Thanks I will find someone to fit them shocks. In the meantime I dug out the original quote which was for just under £400 for two shocks plus labour. Online I can buy two Monroe shocks for under £90 so not sure why National wanted to charge about £400! I think Monroe are a reputable brand?

Monroe are a well established brand so for the Corolla would be fine.

about monroe®

Monroe® is one of the global automotive industry's best known and most trusted brands, delivering innovative original equipment and replacement ride control solutions worldwide.

www.monroe.com

 

[Buckman]

Had the exhaust done this morning and in addition to the rear box it also required a new gasket further forward towards the engine. Super quiet now and seems to have more oomph?

Local garage has quoted about £100 for fitting the two shock absorbers. About 2 years ago I was advised that only one actually needs replacing, but thought I might as well have both done as A roads around us are very bumpy.

 

[otherclive]

How much in total did the exhaust cost?

When my Subaru broke a rear spring on its OSR coil over unit one option was just to replace that unit. But after 50000 miles the other coil over would have been subject to wear and tear. So I had both replaced and the ride height came up 12mm. I don’t think I’d ever have just a single unit changed.

 

[Buckman]

How much in total did the exhaust cost?

When my Subaru broke a rear spring on its OSR coil over unit one option was just to replace that unit. But after 50000 miles the other coil over would have been subject to wear and tear. So I had both replaced and the ride height came up 12mm. I don’t think I’d ever have just a single unit changed.

Apparently they are still the original shocks at 123000 miles?

 

[otherclive]

Apparently they are still the original shocks at 123000 miles?

That’s Toyota fir you.

 

[Beardy]

Big difference so maybe I misunderstood and it was £200 for both sides. Can it be a DIY job as maybe grandson could fit them for us?

It varies from car to car. Changing the front coils on a Mondeo with a friend took us around 6 hours. When the rears needed doing my local garage quoted £100 each (around £40 labour if I remember correctly), I didn't think twice about giving them the job.

 

[Buckman]

It varies from car to car. Changing the front coils on a Mondeo with a friend took us around 6 hours. When the rears needed doing my local garage quoted £100 each (around £40 labour if I remember correctly), I didn't think twice about giving them the job.

I watched a Youtube on changing rear shocks on the Corolla and it was fairly straight forward. The local garage have quoted between £100 - £120 to change them if I supply the parts.

 

[TonyH1]

Was it a main dealer quoting £400? A quick google seems to think it should be about a third of that price