Any options other than replacing engine for $11k?

Tacoma started running roughly the other day, and then refused to start... Had it towed to dealer and they're saying there's a ton of metal in the oil and that the engine needs replacement.

They quoted me ~10k to replace the block, about ~11k to replace the motor with a used one.

Do I have other options here? The vehicle won't move on its own, so it's kinda stuck there or I have to pay for a tow.

I've never dealt with any kind of major repair like this on a newer vehicle... I still owe 12k on the thing.

Just hoping for some advice on what to do here.

 

Did they show you the proof? You can always get a second opinion.How many miles does your truck have (just out of curiosity) Also if there is undoubtedly metal shavings and your out of options they can buy the truck from you

 

Options are:
-Find a reputable shop to replace the engine at a fraction of the cost. If you go used, have them replace the timing cover gasket and coolant cross over pipe while the engine is out.
-Have the dealer replace the engine.
-Sell it to a salvage yard for a few grand and pay off the note.
-Look in the local forums for someone who knows how to swap the engine for a couple grand and a few cases of beer.
-You can either put a used high mile engine in and sell it/trade it in or put a new/low mile engine in it and keep it.

A good low mile engine (~25k miles) goes for about $7k and a high mile engine goes for about $5k. Labor is about $3-5k depending on a shop or dealer.

 

78k, and I changed it at least twice a year. Always full synthetic.

 

damn man, sorry this happened.

 

I wouldn't trust the dealer! Find a local shop and get it towed there.

 

Find a totaled. Preferably a rear end hit. Use what you need. Part out the rest.

 

Extended warranty remorse. Its a gamble but once in awhile the owner wins out.

 

Lug the engine? Like flooring it at 1500 RPMs in the wrong gear trying to go uphill? That kind of lugging?

 

I see.

Below 3k or so RPMs I never give it more than ~25% of throttle. The lower the RPMs the less throttle input I give, that’s how I learned to drive when I was a teenager.

 

if you still owe 12k and its 2017 that means you bought it used? Yeah who knows how the previous owner maintained your truck , rip

 

does that apply to both a/t and m/t?

 

These 3.5's in the Tacomas aren't as reliable as folks think they are. Too many 50, 70, 80k mile failures just to be a coincidence.

Sorry to see you in that position OP.

 

I would go with a good (7k) replacement.
-Find a reputable shop to replace the engine at a fraction of the cost. If you go used, have them replace the timing cover gasket and coolant cross over pipe maybe water pump while the engine is out. Also get the entire engine. Lower and upper.

 

at this point i have my fingers crossed

 

I'd sell the thing even if you get stuck owing 3-4k after the deal and find another vehicle. No point in dumping half of what you owe into a vehicle to get it running again.

 

Sigh, your engine didn't fail because of "lugging", which sounds like somethinga 15yo would come up with. Until someone tears it apart, it's anybody's guess. Don't let people victim shame you, just ignore their posts. Post #2 or #3 is about it for options. Do spend the dough to get a second opinion from a good 3rd party shop.

 

The only comment to this is that Toyota already programmed in throttle limits by RPM. The computer does this already.

That of course leads to the question of if they did ENOUGH, but I would have to say that if took the effort to program them in they I would imagine they would have know what should and should not be allowed.

 

Some good suggestions here. Ask your friends, family and coworkers to recommend a good shop to do the work. Ask them as well if they know of a good mechanic who would do this on the side. My nephew works for a stealership but has a shop set up on the side for projects like this. I'm sure others are doing the same. Unless your vehicle is still under warranty never take it back to the dealership.