The Reliable Japanese - My Toyota Corolla

krazyking · 7th February 2010, 15:54

Hey Guys,

So it's about time I did a review on my 2006 Toyota Corolla. I've been travelling to Mumbai every summer since I was born. But in the last 3 years we've been traveling more frequently, we just love Mumbai! BUT, we can't stand the heat of Mumbai and hate using the local transport. Which led us to purchase a car, the Toyota Corolla!

Since we're used to Automatic cars in Hong Kong, we decided that an Automatic would be a smart choice for the Mumbai traffic as well.

So far the car has done about 50,000 kms. And it has been great and smooth. Though lately, the car has been giving trouble. The engine makes weird noises when I floor the car, the steering is VERY tough (it used to be much smoother earlier) and at high speeds the steering wheel shakes. I'm not sure if this makes a major difference, but around a year ago my dad met with an accident with the car. He went head-on with another car, the damage wasn't too bad from what he said. He said only the front bumper had gone or something. Is it due to that, that these problems are occuring? What should be done?

Since my mom is in India I have told her to give the car for servicing before I arrive (which is next Saturday). Any suggestions as to which Toyota service centre I should leave the car at? I want excellent servicing at the value-for-money, I don't want to get ripped off as I did last time. The last time I gave the car for a simple service, I had to pay RS.40,000. I'm not sure if thats normal for these cars or something.

As I am not in India right now I am unable to attach any photos, but I will do so next week when I'm back.

Thanks for reading and I hope to receive some useful advice!

krazyking · 9th February 2010, 10:16

120 views, but not one reply?! My write-up couldn't have been that bad! I need advice on which Toyota Service centre I should send the car to in Mumbai, any suggestions??

ImmortalZ · 9th February 2010, 14:14

INR 40K is too much for a Corolla. Hell, it's too much for a C Class. Looks like you got ripped off royally. Post a scan of the bill when you can. The problems you mention indicate that your dad damaged more than a bumper. You'll need to get the service center to do a full checkup.

Your power steering pump might be damaged or dying. I don't know if the Corolla was hydraulically assisted in it's earlier generations, so the pump might be a motor. The rack and associated parts need to be checked as well.

krazyking · 9th February 2010, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImmortalZ

INR 40K is too much for a Corolla. Hell, it's too much for a C Class. Looks like you got ripped off royally. Post a scan of the bill when you can. The problems you mention indicate that your dad damaged more than a bumper. You'll need to get the service center to do a full checkup.

Your power steering pump might be damaged or dying. I don't know if the Corolla was hydraulically assisted in it's earlier generations, so the pump might be a motor. The rack and associated parts need to be checked as well.

Sure I'll try and get a hold of the bill when I'm back in B-Town.

Yah I think quite a few parts need to be replaced. But I'm not sure which service centre to go to. Any advice fellow Mumbai BHPians?

shantyrocks · 10th February 2010, 00:51

where in mumbai are you located?
There is millenium Toyota in Thane which is really good.

KSM-Vtec · 10th February 2010, 00:57

get in touch with nitrox from the forum. he will help you out.

krazyking · 10th February 2010, 06:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSM-Vtec

get in touch with nitrox from the forum. he will help you out.

Which Nitrox? There are a couple on this forum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shantyrocks

where in mumbai are you located?
There is millenium Toyota in Thane which is really good.

I reside in Santacruz, Mumbai. Closeness doesn't necessarily matter, but I'm definetely not willing to travel to Thane if there is something realtively good nearby. If you could suggest something more closeby? Thanks!

KSM-Vtec · 9th March 2010, 11:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazyking

Which Nitrox? There are a couple on this forum.

his id is ..... nitroxx

jkdas · 9th March 2010, 12:04

40k for a service for a petrol sedan from Toyota which just sees the highway?

Check alignment etc. Maybe the tyre/suspension also took the hit.

Ramsagar · 9th March 2010, 15:16

40K? Should be major damage. Wasn't the Insurance claimed?
Pls post some pics if available.

mobike008 · 9th March 2010, 15:23

40K for one service for a life of 50K kms. Its bizzare. They seemed to have ripped you off.

For my 50K kms nearing car ( Viva CRDi) till date have spent only Rs.18,000 + something.

I may spend maybe Rs.5K for its 50K service

danlalan · 9th March 2010, 15:30

I doubt if you should go to Toyota in the first place. All service centers will rip you off. Straight off replacement and Labour bills will be through the roof.

If any other Corolla users here can help you to get it done from a local garage it would be better & cheaper.

Theres a garage in Santacruz that i give my cars too. Its called Pai Automobiles. You can contact him. Pai 9324115501. And Ksm- Vtec can give you the number of another person who also does a good job with suspensions.
Oberoi.

vinaydas · 9th March 2010, 15:40

40k seems wierd.
I have given my Camry 07 for service many a times(currently nearing 50,000 kms) and have never paid more than 12000 bucks( highest and lowest at 6000 bucks) for a service.

krazyking · 14th May 2010, 16:01

Okay guys, sorry for the late reply, have been quite busy after I came back from India.

So I gave the car to Shinrai Toyota for servicing. The bill was 4k. The car came back feeling great, I don't know what magic they did to it! However, this magic only lasted for a while... After about a week, the steering wheel started acting stiff and making squeaking sounds when I steered

. I usually like to drive my car aggressively, as do most, could that be a reason?

I'll be heading back up again in a couple of weeks. Any suggestions as to what I should do? I'd love to avoid it, but I can't stand the noises and stiff steer!

Thanks!

jkdas · 14th May 2010, 16:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazyking

Okay guys, sorry for the late reply, have been quite busy after I came back from India.

So I gave the car to Shinrai Toyota for servicing. The bill was 4k. The car came back feeling great, I don't know what magic they did to it! However, this magic only lasted for a while... After about a week, the steering wheel started acting stiff and making squeaking sounds when I steered

. I usually like to drive my car aggressively, as do most, could that be a reason?

I'll be heading back up again in a couple of weeks. Any suggestions as to what I should do? I'd love to avoid it, but I can't stand the noises and stiff steer!

Thanks!

Guess it was a typo afterall!

Aggressive driving just for few hours (unless you are off roading) should cause this ( unless your power steering is faulty).

Check if there is oil leak ( if its hydraulic) ; take it back to the service center.

7th February 2010, 15:54	#1
krazyking BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mumbai/Hong Kong Posts: 329 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	The Reliable Japanese - My Toyota Corolla Hey Guys, So it's about time I did a review on my 2006 Toyota Corolla. I've been travelling to Mumbai every summer since I was born. But in the last 3 years we've been traveling more frequently, we just love Mumbai! BUT, we can't stand the heat of Mumbai and hate using the local transport. Which led us to purchase a car, the Toyota Corolla! Since we're used to Automatic cars in Hong Kong, we decided that an Automatic would be a smart choice for the Mumbai traffic as well. So far the car has done about 50,000 kms. And it has been great and smooth. Though lately, the car has been giving trouble. The engine makes weird noises when I floor the car, the steering is VERY tough (it used to be much smoother earlier) and at high speeds the steering wheel shakes. I'm not sure if this makes a major difference, but around a year ago my dad met with an accident with the car. He went head-on with another car, the damage wasn't too bad from what he said. He said only the front bumper had gone or something. Is it due to that, that these problems are occuring? What should be done? Since my mom is in India I have told her to give the car for servicing before I arrive (which is next Saturday). Any suggestions as to which Toyota service centre I should leave the car at? I want excellent servicing at the value-for-money, I don't want to get ripped off as I did last time. The last time I gave the car for a simple service, I had to pay RS.40,000. I'm not sure if thats normal for these cars or something. As I am not in India right now I am unable to attach any photos, but I will do so next week when I'm back. Thanks for reading and I hope to receive some useful advice!
	() Thanks

9th February 2010, 10:16	#2
krazyking BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mumbai/Hong Kong Posts: 329 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	120 views, but not one reply?! My write-up couldn't have been that bad! I need advice on which Toyota Service centre I should send the car to in Mumbai, any suggestions??
	() Thanks

9th February 2010, 14:14	#3
ImmortalZ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 2,179 Thanked: 488 Times View My Garage	INR 40K is too much for a Corolla. Hell, it's too much for a C Class. Looks like you got ripped off royally. Post a scan of the bill when you can. The problems you mention indicate that your dad damaged more than a bumper. You'll need to get the service center to do a full checkup. Your power steering pump might be damaged or dying. I don't know if the Corolla was hydraulically assisted in it's earlier generations, so the pump might be a motor. The rack and associated parts need to be checked as well.
	() Thanks

10th February 2010, 00:51	#5
shantyrocks BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: thane Posts: 741 Thanked: 5 Times	where in mumbai are you located? There is millenium Toyota in Thane which is really good.
	() Thanks

10th February 2010, 00:57	#6
KSM-Vtec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MH-02-India-Bombay-Bandra Posts: 1,562 Thanked: 446 Times View My Garage	get in touch with nitrox from the forum. he will help you out.
	() Thanks

9th March 2010, 12:04	#9
jkdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Thiruvananthapu Posts: 9,687 Thanked: 1,492 Times View My Garage	40k for a service for a petrol sedan from Toyota which just sees the highway? Check alignment etc. Maybe the tyre/suspension also took the hit.
	() Thanks

9th March 2010, 15:16	#10
Ramsagar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: BLR_Nellore(AP) Posts: 1,396 Thanked: 252 Times View My Garage	40K? Should be major damage. Wasn't the Insurance claimed? Pls post some pics if available.
	() Thanks

9th March 2010, 15:23	#11
mobike008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 11,695 Thanked: 14,800 Times View My Garage	40K for one service for a life of 50K kms. Its bizzare. They seemed to have ripped you off. For my 50K kms nearing car ( Viva CRDi) till date have spent only Rs.18,000 + something. I may spend maybe Rs.5K for its 50K service
	() Thanks

9th March 2010, 15:30	#12
danlalan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: mumbai,JUHU Posts: 1,636 Thanked: 263 Times View My Garage	I doubt if you should go to Toyota in the first place. All service centers will rip you off. Straight off replacement and Labour bills will be through the roof. If any other Corolla users here can help you to get it done from a local garage it would be better & cheaper. Theres a garage in Santacruz that i give my cars too. Its called Pai Automobiles. You can contact him. Pai 9324115501. And Ksm- Vtec can give you the number of another person who also does a good job with suspensions. Oberoi.
	() Thanks

9th March 2010, 15:40	#13
vinaydas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,399 Thanked: 148 Times	40k seems wierd. I have given my Camry 07 for service many a times(currently nearing 50,000 kms) and have never paid more than 12000 bucks( highest and lowest at 6000 bucks) for a service.
	() Thanks

14th May 2010, 16:01	#14
krazyking BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Mumbai/Hong Kong Posts: 329 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	Okay guys, sorry for the late reply, have been quite busy after I came back from India. So I gave the car to Shinrai Toyota for servicing. The bill was 4k. The car came back feeling great, I don't know what magic they did to it! However, this magic only lasted for a while... After about a week, the steering wheel started acting stiff and making squeaking sounds when I steered . I usually like to drive my car aggressively, as do most, could that be a reason? I'll be heading back up again in a couple of weeks. Any suggestions as to what I should do? I'd love to avoid it, but I can't stand the noises and stiff steer! Thanks!
	() Thanks