Gen 1 Overhaul ( Sort of )

[SirMacDaddy]

So I am now on the fence about what to do and I thought that this would be the best place to come to get advice about this topic....
I have a 2001 Toyota Solara V6 SE 5spd with 135k miles on it. It has proven to be very dependable and fun, but now its time to some major work to it, at least in my opinion...
The car needs its timing belt and water pump replaced ( i have kept putting this off and now the belt is starting to slip and the noise is pissing me off). It also needs the clutch replaced pronto, new tires, new rotors and alignment. I would love to get the suspension replaced, but i would just want to keep it at the stock height and make it a little stiffer...
Knowing this, does anyone have any suggestions on what parts i should get for the clutch and the suspensions as well as how much this will all cost me? I know its going to be different at each place i go, but i just want to get a good ball park figure on how much i would be spending. i have already got the tires out of the way and i am looking at about 700 for that.

Thanks for your time
Omar

[Ruski]

you might need a little more then 700 for suspension, timing belt and clutch. Timing belt and water pump, drive belts alone will cost your around 700

[unbalancedwood]

Parts price:

$40 - Timing belt
$40 - Serpentine belts
$90 - Water pump
$370 - Tokico struts
$300 - Tires
$100 - Alignment
$130 - Clutch

+ LABOR

You say you already got tires...for $700???!!

PS, www.magauto.com has some good prices on true OEM stuff if you have no other connections...

Also what is your previous background on doing work on cars? Would you be able to tackle any of this yourself?

[unbalancedwood]

Like RUSKI said, most people get estimates for timing belt, water pump @ around $500-700

[SirMacDaddy]

Thats what i was thinking. The 700 i said above was in regards to tires. I am looking at a couple of different sets and out the door is about 700.

As for doing the work myself... thats a no go. I read the instructions on timing belt and i just dont have the tools to do it all

[unbalancedwood]

eeek, You can get very nice tires for half that price.

Depending on if you have 15s $60-75
or 16" tires $70-80

A few companies are having rebates for a set of 4

www.tires.com (free shipping, most states = no tax)
Then take your tires to Walmart TLE and have them installed & wheel balance & rotate for life for under $50

Whats your location?

[TadS]

I am not sure where these "nice" tires at the above prices are listed . Anyway, right now Goodyear and Michelin are running national rebates, and most places will price match. Personally, I like the Primacys. With alignment, lifetime R & B, and road hzd, 600-700 is probably a good ballpark.

[SirMacDaddy]

Im located in gainesville florida unbalancedwood...
Do the Tokico Struts keep the car at the stock level?

[Ruski]

springs keep the car at stock levels. If you going to replace your suspension your going to need new springs since yours can be sagging and all ready worn out

[unbalancedwood]

Tads - well you could spend 100-150$ on each tire but if he's wanting to get other work done to his car, this is one way to cut costs.

MacDaddy - Cool Beans, I lived in Orange Park/Jacksonville FL for awhile, wish I was closer I could help you out on most of your install list. You can keep your springs, as they are almost 10 years old, they might have like RUSKI said developed a 'sag' to them, but will be suitable to ride on and just replace your shocks (which is where you will feel the greatest improvement). Most people just end up lowering their cars with Tein or Eibach springs when they do the suspension, especially when they are paying someone to do it, usually they don't charge you extra for this because the springs, mounts and struts already have to be disassembled.

As for your clutch, have you tried changing out your fluids with maybe some high performance fluids or additives?

[SirMacDaddy]

unbalancedwood that would be a great help if you could help me out with some of the repairs... are you still near jax?
Also, i think it needs to be replaced. I cant step on it without over-revving

[unbalancedwood]

Hey MacDaddy,

I'm no longer in Florida, in Charleston SC. But I don't have first hand experience with replacing a timing belt nor water pump for the Solara. I could probably replace it, but things always go quicker once you've done it before, I dont feel that confident doing it on someone elses car for the first time.

Other things like suspension, braking items, etc Ive done numerous times on a Solara. I believe theres a few people down in FL but seems like the forum has kinda died down a bit. Do you know anyone who works on cars that could give you a hand?

But if your timing belt is making a lot of noise I would take care of that asap...

[02slera]

i was thinking that the timing belt has "teeth" almost like gears and if it slipped at all your timing would be off. i very well could be wrong though. my belt only makes noise in the early morning when i run defrost i can hear it slip when the compressor engages.