Hi Guys -

Haven't posted on here in a few years but definitely seeking any advice to my current problem.

I drive a 2002 WRX Wagon with ~158k miles on it. Last week, I pulled out of my drive way, put it into first, and as I accelerated I heard something snap immediately and my engine powered off.

I took it to Garage 1 Auto in San Jose today and just got the bad news: my timing belt snapped, and it bent a valve along the way. They have quoted me all-in at $3370. I'm no gear head, but that doesn't sound too unreasonable. They also gave me the alternative to buy my car off me $3000 cash.

What do you guys think I should do? I've had this car since 2007 and honestly thought I'd drive her til she died. Like I said it's a 2002 wrx wagon, ~158k miles, BC Racing Coilovers, SPT catback, Rotas, and sound system. Other than that it's essentially stock.

Should I take the $3k? Try another shop? Bite the bullet and get it repaired? Any advice is greatly appreciated and this is pretty time sensitive seeing as I don't have another car.

Thanks in advance.

 

We've done those jobs at ~2500 all in.

 

If I was you I'd find another EJ20 motor and toss that in. You should be able to find one for less than $1500.

 

Yes get a quote from another Subaru enthusiast shop. Don't take the $3k. Garage one does good work, but they are expensive.

Yea...that's a lot of miles for the original timing belt.

 

Time to go 2.5 liter with cnc'ed heads and a big turbo .....running E85

 

That seems a LOT too much, call Mert over at RBMS, I am willing to bet it can be done for less.

 

Garage one is very big on using Subaru dealership parts for the timing components. That all by itself accounts for about a $400 difference in price verses using gates. The head gasket is a big job, I'm guessing they want to replace all of the valves. Frankly I do a full head rebuild at 150,000 miles no questions asked. That means valves, valve springs et cetera. So I could see the $3000 price point

 

Thanks for all the inputs everyone! I'll definitely get a few more quotes from some other shops. Definitely not going to take their $3000 offer though...

 

If you're just going to stay stock you can get a long an EJ20 long block for under $2k. Install it. Be out the door for less than you're quote and have a brand new motor.

As for selling it. How much is your car worth running? Call it $7000. The quote for the motor work is $3500. That leaves you with $3500. I wouldn't take less than $3500.

They'll fix it for a few hundred bucks and flip it for a quick $3000 profit. Pretty common actually and not a bad deal for either party if you don't have $2500-3500 on hand.


Side note. Their numbers are pretty on par. They're not trying to jack you around.

 

https://www.i-club.com/forums/norcal...gblock-255573/

^ You can give good ol' Concillian a pm if he still have his motor. Just get a used longblock with good cylinder leak down test numbers if you plan to stay with the stock snail or it gets expensive.

Regards,

Ron

 

100% have to disagree on that one dude, then again I would never use Garage 1 after my one and only time walking in there to get a quote, and they acted like they were too good for me or my time. Lost any chance at getting one thin dime out of me.

 

What alternative shops do you guys recommend in the south bay?

 

My recommendation for closest to you won't be in the south bay. That's RBMS in hayward.

 

Close enough. And for this kind of repair Mert would be my recommendation as well. Or GST. Still very much in that 100mile tow window for AAA Plus folks.

 

He's a good dude. Thumbs up to the seller of that block.