[Hunter98TA]

Originally Posted by Shiny

I was hoping someone could explain why it would cost so much. To me, it's a gasket replacement.

Apparently, it's either very complicated or it always involves replacing the head and maybe more. Probably a little of both.

As to the 194K dictating the ending, I feel bad for him. It's been running great, is in great shape, and has been a good car for him. Sux to lose a good vehicle because of a gasket. The decision isn't hard once the cost of repair is considered but when that repair cost feels like nonsense, it's hard to accept.

For me it's a painful reminder of today's disposable world and reinforces the appeal of anything repairable with hand tools.

If you want my half drunken answer, Toyota designed/engineered these cars to be throw aways and never thought people would keep them this long so they said "F-It, who cares what it takes to replace it, just make it fit cheaply", said the Chief Engineer and or CFO.