Hello, I'm new to the forum. Hi to everybody :)
I just got my wife's college car back from her sister when she got a new car, so we could have something to scoot around in while my car's in the shop. It's a '91 Corolla DX wagon- AE95 I believe. Well, after putting about $900 into a new exhaust system, front brakes, CV axle, hubcaps, inspection, and labor, the transmission locked up on me in traffic yesterday and seems to be shot. I was wondering what I can do. Obviously the car is worth about $1200 at best (aside from sentimental value, of course), so I would be looking to repair or replace the transmission for no more than $300 to $500 total and then keep for a while until I can sell it to recoupe my money or until I can afford a new car. It has about 167k mi. on it and I believe it has been maintained OK. The oil was almost 2 quarts low when I got it from my Sister-in-Law, although she said it had a recent oil change. I added two quarts and changed the leaking exhaust manifold and exhaust system, and it hasn't seemed to leak since. The car is automatic and 2wd and I believe has the 3spd tranny hooked up to the 4AFE engine. Would it be possible to swap in a new tranny myself? I have done a timing belt and brakes on my other car myself. Is it somethine that is fairly straight forward with just the right tools? Should I go with a Junk Yard tranny for $100 or look for something better on eBay or a local parts yard like LKQ? LKQ wants $525 for a tranny from a '96 with 114k mi on it and $600 for a tranny from a '92 with 74k mi. on it. That includes a 6mo. warranty on parts. I talked to a few shops and they want about $1400 to $1500 to rebuild or replace, or about $400 to $500 in labor to install one that I provide. I also talked to by budy who can install one in his backyard for about $200. So, what do you all think is the best way to go here?
I am also considering swapping in a 4 spd auto from the LE or later model Corollas. What years would fit? Would a manual tranny swap be advisable? Any feedback would be welcome. Thanks alot!
-Mark Fitch
Alachua, FL (Near Gainesville)