My 2003 Toyota costs so much in servicing this year?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Frankie FF
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Frankie FF

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Hi there, I owned my echo since 2005 when it was about 20000kms

I service the car on every 10k kms with toyotas and the 20ks,30ks services costs about $200AU or less which is quite resonable.

However it just getting more expensive since the 40ks (about $350AU or more each time). When the car was about 60000ks, I service the car in another garage and changed the auto transmittion oil for $480AU total.

Now after about 6 months time, I took the car back to toyota for 70ks service. They change the front brake pads, the altenator belt for $570 all together. and they said the auto transmittion fluid is dirty again!!

I called up the previous garage who did the oil change and they said they dont have flushing facilities so the new oil may mix with old oil. But i was told the oil can last for 2 years.... I was so pissed since the oil costs $200+..

That means this year I spent nearly $1000 AU to just servicing my little echo. Is that normal and what should I do about this !?
 
I have a 2005 Corolla manual which I've owned since new. A friend of mine has an automatic corolla which is a year older. I service mine myself, and she services hers at the Toyota dealer. From this I can compare costs, as I only pay for genuine parts, whilst she pays dealer costs. For a straight oil change, I pay exactly $50 (AU) for genuine filter and oil. The dealer cost is $150+. The real interesting comparison was the 40K service. My friend was quoted just under $500, and I serviced mine for genuine parts cost of around $130. The point here is that they make a lot of profit out of servicing. Since your car is out of warranty, I'd investigate some of the larger non dealer automotive service centre. Changing oil is not rocket science, and a non factory automotive service centre should be able to do it cheaper. Also, my mum has a 1992 Corolla auto with 100K on the clock, and I cannot remember the last time it was changed The oil is not discolored , and the auto shifts beautifully. The point here is that you need to ring around to non Toyota auto service centres and get some quotes. For standard stuff like changing oil and replacing pads, it should be cheaper.
 
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