I have a 2008 Toyota Corolla type s manual transmission currently with about 162k miles. The transmission was making some strange noises one morning while in different gears. It was like a whistling sound until I got into 5th gear. On my way back from work as I was reaching my home the gearbox felt really strange and at some point it felt like the whole thing twisted and the shifter got stuck in a gear. My mechanic took a look at it and suggested best course of action was to replace the transmission and clutch.
I was looking around a bit and not really sure how to make a decision. I found one from autozone for 2400 with 1 year warranty and a 1000 rebate but I'm not sure what their rebate means:
https://www.autozone.com/drivetrain/manual-transmission/toyota/corolla/2008
Then I see some on ebay for about 800 with 90 day warranty:
I don't really know how to pick one and looking for any suggestions or insight. I would like to keep my total expenditure on this under 3k if possible including the clutch and labor.
I'd stick around for some answers from the forum before you do anything. I would first check the transmission fluid to make sure it has enough fluid....may not be the issue but something to check. I had a car that did that in 3rd gear, it was something going out in that particular gear. If the shifter got stuck in a gear, try double clutching it (depress the clutch, move out of gear (if possible) release the clutch, depress clutch again, and try to put in gear. If that works your clutch may be on its way out.
But seriously hang around and wait for answers from folks more knowledgeable than me. I hope you don't have to replace it!
The rebate is to take away the old one. So when they go to deliver the trans they will take away your old one to find what's broken and refurbish it for the next customer. When they get it then you get the "core refund" back. So you pay full price first then they have to take your old one away. That's what it means. Shouldn't your mechanic be able to get one for you? What's their estimate? Ebay is a little sketchy, probably have better luck on ebay motors tbh. No warranty though. I'd go with whatever your mechanic recommend and if I was doing the job myself I'd go to the autozone one. As I feel the extra money is worth it for a warrenty.
