How are you,

We have a 2001 RX300 with about 220,000 miles on it. In the past year we have not needed the car, so it has been sitting in the driveway. About 6 months ago we took it for a drive to a local mechanic to look at. Rode fine there and back but he said the timing belt needs to be replaced with would be about 1400 to repair along, with something else that i forgot what it was needed to be done. We have had issues on and off with the knock sensor and the computer does sometimes goes into saftey mode after a certain amount miles or use,we turn it off, wait 10 min and then works fine. (someone suggested this issue could be dealt with by using better gas. The transmission has been changed by the dealer at about 120K miles, it is a bit iffy for long distance driving, but for local driving its was fine before we stopped using it. IS this worth the cost of the repair. I feel like donating it for $100 tax credit is such a joke. Thoughts?

 

I would just sell it as is. Someone will either gamble on the timing belt or will be able to DIY or have it done for cheap. It's still worth $3k or so as is. IMO

 

I agree with Carguy07, try selling it.

To add a data point, my cousin just sold his 99' RX300 with 199k miles on it that blew it's transmission for $1000. And, he's in NJ so same market as you and I. Your car can at least move under it's own power so I wouldn't sell for less than that.

 

The car still runs, so it's perfectly fine. No problems with smog, so sell it.

 

$1400 for a timing belt is outrageous. The dealer charges about $650, and independent about 1/2 that. Get a new mechanic, change the timing belt, and keep the car!

 

$325 for a timing belt at an independent seems ridiculously cheap. And will Toyota service really only charge $650?

 

Just be aware that there is a difference between 90k service and just timing_belt_change.

When customer asks for timing belt change, the shop usually gives labor and material for timing belt change only. Once start adding water-pump, tensioner, rollers the amount keeps building up. The you add other 90k service items and dealer recommended service the dealer price can easily hit $1200.

Always ask the charges to be itemized otherwise it will be apples to oranges comparison.

Salim

 

Yep, that's the going rate for the timing belt, pulleys and tensioner. You start adding water pumps and it goes up, of course.