Is replacing the transmission on a 1988 Toyota Corolla fx hatchback worth it? And can I replace transmission with a 1990 corolla?

I'm interested in buying a 1988 Toyota Corolla hatchback fx for $500 and it needs transmission replaced. Is this worth it and about how much would this cost? Can I take transmission from a 1990 corolla and replace it? There's also the option of fixing the head gasket on a 1990 corolla which i could buy for $250. Which is the better deal?

My car has 186000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. As long as the engines in the two Toyota’s are identical in size and configuration, the compatibility of the two transmissions should work, however there are some risks with swapping out a transmission on an older vehicle like your 88 Corolla. The correct way to complete this service is also installing new drive axles and supporting hardware within the driveline. However, the head gasket repair is often a trap, as the reason most head gaskets fail is due to an overheating issue, which typically damaged the cylinder head itself, internal components like pistons, connecting rods and more. If finding a newer car is not in the cards as the moment, the best investment would be the transmission swap.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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Toyota. Unless you get the godly high-performance GR version, the Toyota Corolla will no longer come with a manual transmission as of the 2023 model year. Now, the only transmissions available with the Toyota compact are of the continuously-variable variety.
transmission replacement costs at least $3,500 for your car`s make and model. No one wants to hear their mechanic say their Corolla`s transmission is bad and needs to be replaced.
Such problems aren`t hard to spot. 2022 Toyota Corolla transmission problems can show up as shifting delays, grinding or jumping during acceleration, the car shaking on the road, or whistling noises and a burning smell coming from under the hood.
Most 2023 Toyota Corolla Hatchback models are powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
The Corolla uses a 169-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder that sends power to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
Toyota Corolla: CVT changing gears.
These factors include if it is automatic or manual, the age of the transmission and its parts, the extent of damage, and the type of vehicle. A transmission rebuild cost averages $3,000. In comparison, a transmission replacement cost averages $6,500. Finally, a transmission repair will cost approximately $800.
A brand-new transmission costs anything from $1,000 to $7,000+. Therefore, if the current worth of your vehicle ranges from $8,000 to $10,000, replacing the transmission will be worth it. But if your vehicle is under or within the transmission range, it won`t make much sense to replace its transmission.
Quick Answer: Avoid 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, and 2014 Toyota Corollas. Throughout the lifespan of the Toyota Corolla, one of the most commonly reported problems is excessive oil usage in the engine. This was more common in the 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2009 model years, though it did appear in other years such as 2014 …
The 2007 model is on the top of the list for Toyota Camry years to avoid, simply because it has the most problems. One of the most significant complaints, according to RepairPal, is issues with the automatic transmission.
The 2021 Corolla Hatchback is offered in three trim levels, SE Nightshade Edition, SE, and XSE. Pricing starts at $21,560 for the SE with the six-speed manual, while the CVT-equipped version starts at $22,660, including the destination charge.
A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) does not use gears like a typical transmission. Rather, it uses 2 pulleys attached by a belt. It`s a bit like a snowmobile transmission: One pulley connects to the engine, the other pulley to the transmission. The belt moves the power between them.
The 2021 Corolla Hatchback is offered in three trim levels, SE Nightshade Edition, SE, and XSE. Pricing starts at $21,560 for the SE with the six-speed manual, while the CVT-equipped version starts at $22,660, including the destination charge.
comes standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), but a six-speed manual transmission is optional on the SE trim level and the SE Apex Edition. There are a whopping 9 trim levels for the 2023 Corolla: LE: Starting MSRP of $22,100.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Is replacing the transmission on a 1988 Toyota Corolla fx hatchback worth it? And can I replace transmission with a 1990 corolla?
ANSWER : Hi there. As long as the engines in the two Toyota’s are identical in size and configuration, the compatibility of the two transmissions should work, however there are some risks with swapping out a transmission on an older vehicle like your 88 Corolla. The correct way to complete this service is also installing new drive axles and supporting hardware within the driveline. However, the head gasket repair is often a trap, as the reason most head gaskets fail is due to an overheating issue, which typically damaged the cylinder head itself, internal components like pistons, connecting rods and more. If finding a newer car is not in the cards as the moment, the best investment would be the transmission swap.

2013 Ford Focus Transmission Issue. Is it worth keeping the car?
ANSWER : Hi There,
This is a known issue in this generation Ford Focus and some Fiestas with the "Power Shift" transmission and there have been numerous recalls and lawsuits. Although, it is would be difficult to determine how much longer your transmission will last given the fact that you have many new parts, I would not recommend junking the car as it may still provide some valuable life left for you. I would recommend taking it to the dealer to see if these parts may be covered under the recall.

Replacing transmission on ’95 Toyota Corolla with Celica transmission
ANSWER : You shouldn’t just be swapping those things because it’s a different engine, different size, and different gear ratio in them. Just live with whatever it does because you really shouldn’t be doing these types of swap. I know guys who can actually rebuild them and change the gear ratio but they charge thousands of dollars and you are not going to want to do that on an old car like that.

Car has CVT transmission, can’t afford to replace, can I just replace the entire motor with a used one with different trans?
ANSWER : Hello. If you wanted to replace the motor and transmission, you would have other problems like the wire harnesses and ECM modules among other problems to do the swap correctly. You may be better off replacing the transmission with a remanufactured one. A job like this would be expensive either way, so you may also want to consider whether you want to invest more money in this car or whether you should start looking at other options.

I’m looking to buy a 1986 Ford Bronco II for $500. The transmission’s shot, is it worth it?
ANSWER : Before I would make the purchase of the vehicle I would recommend first locating a replacement transmission for the vehicle. Then you will know how much the part will cost and then just need to get pricing on replacement clutch assembly and the labor to do all the work. You may find it very hard to locate a replacement manual transmission and even harder to find repair parts for the insides of the transmission. You are talking about a vehicle that is 30 years old.

Are parts for a Toyota Raum 1997 the same as a Toyota Corolla?
ANSWER : Hello, thanks for writing in. The Toyota Raum is a different vehicle platform then the Corolla, and therefore mostly use different components. The Raum comes equipped with a 1.5 liter 1NZ engine, which was found in one trim of Japanese spec Corollas, and as such may use a few of the same engine parts, however it is unlikely that the parts you listed will be the same. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Which year Toyota Corollas are easy conversions for a 2016 Toyota corolla
ANSWER : Yes. This is very possible, but it is not the same process as turning a Yukon into a Denali. A Yukon is already a Denali, just with a few different options and badging. What you are proposing is much more complicated. Yes, they are both Corolla’s, but they are still very different cars. A project like this will take many man hours, a ton of problem solving, creativity, money and perseverance. A 2016 will retain almost none of the parts from an older Corolla, so everything will be custom fit. Most everything on the Danali conversion will be direct bolt in.

You can buy newer designed components from wrecking yards if you want to update it. Wrecking yards frequently have newer wrecked vehicles that the insurance company has totaled. Use the motor and trans from one and put it into your older Corolla. Pull all the computer and wiring harnesses as well and install them into the older Corolla. It is possible, but unlikely that any of this will bolt in directly like the Denali, but that is normal for a project such as this.

It is absolutely possible, but many people underestimate the amount of time, effort and money it will take to accomplish such a project. Usually this sort of thing will take years to complete. You are engineering and designing a complex machine. This is no small feat. So if you take on the project, be prepared to persevere.

Good luck.

There is automatic transmission fluid in a manual transmission. Is it okay to leave or do I need manual transmission fluid?
ANSWER : This would depend on what the manufacturer recommends. Many manual transmissions do take automatic transmission fluid. If your transmission has ATF in it, it is very likely that it is supposed to have that in there. If not, it is likely that the transmission would not function properly with the wrong fluid. Many manual transmissions will also take engine oil as a lubricant. The best way to know for sure is to check your owner’s manual or call your local General Motors dealership to inquire.