Replacing alternator at 128K. When do you consider buying a new car? - Toyota Yaris Forums

Sissy · 01-03-2026, 01:14 AM

Maintenance update. 128K. Awful grinding sound from the "engine" area. I got nervous driving home. Towed it to Toyota the next morning. Was New Year's Eve.

Sales rep had me frantic offering me a Corolla for $249/month payment. What did the sales rep know that I didn't about my car????!!!!

Turns out it it's the alternator. I asked, check the starter too, please. Maintenance rep came back with additional cost to change the drive belt. Isn't that included?

Anyway, around $1,400 for an oil change, rotate tires, new drive belt, new alternator (I'll check, but I doubt it's a rebuild.)

Apparently, these parts are not as readily available. The sales rep kept bringing that up. Is that a concern? It is taking 4 days to get the work done. But it was New Year's Eve and I'll get the car back on Jan. 3.

I was hoping to drive it into the ground. (It's getting 36mpg and gas is $2.40/gal.) Opinions? With the alternator/belt done, where do people stand on keeping a car or getting a new vehicle?

WeeYari · 01-03-2026, 12:15 PM

Keep it. 300,000 miles easy, especially since you don't live in the rust belt. Alternator at 128k is an anomaly and you definitely paid for an OEM replacement. No, a new serpentine belt is not included in price for alternator replacement.

Sissy · 01-04-2026, 11:41 PM

Thank you @WeeYari, I'm going to do my best to drive it at least another six years. I got out of the dealer's service shop for $ 1,257:
Brand New OEM alternator
Belt
Oil change and filter
Rotate tires (they have 30K on them and are looking good and my previous set only lasted 38K)
Charged me $99 for the diagnosis.

Technician told me it looked like it was in great shape for 128K.

Since it was the alternator/belt, I let Toyota fix it since it was already there, in the shop and I wasn't about to drive it around town getting opinions.

Thanks very much!

01-03-2026, 01:14 AM	#1
Sissy Drives: 2015 three door, polar white Join Date: Jun 2025 Location: Florida, United States Posts: 6	Replacing alternator at 128K. When do you consider buying a new car? Maintenance update. 128K. Awful grinding sound from the "engine" area. I got nervous driving home. Towed it to Toyota the next morning. Was New Year's Eve. Sales rep had me frantic offering me a Corolla for $249/month payment. What did the sales rep know that I didn't about my car????!!!! Turns out it it's the alternator. I asked, check the starter too, please. Maintenance rep came back with additional cost to change the drive belt. Isn't that included? Anyway, around $1,400 for an oil change, rotate tires, new drive belt, new alternator (I'll check, but I doubt it's a rebuild.) Apparently, these parts are not as readily available. The sales rep kept bringing that up. Is that a concern? It is taking 4 days to get the work done. But it was New Year's Eve and I'll get the car back on Jan. 3. I was hoping to drive it into the ground. (It's getting 36mpg and gas is $2.40/gal.) Opinions? With the alternator/belt done, where do people stand on keeping a car or getting a new vehicle?

01-03-2026, 12:15 PM	#2
WeeYari View User's Garage Drives: 06 5dr LE (deceased), 13 Soul Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Georgetown, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,814	Keep it. 300,000 miles easy, especially since you don't live in the rust belt. Alternator at 128k is an anomaly and you definitely paid for an OEM replacement. No, a new serpentine belt is not included in price for alternator replacement. __________________

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01-04-2026, 11:41 PM	#3
Sissy Drives: 2015 three door, polar white Join Date: Jun 2025 Location: Florida, United States Posts: 6	Thank you @WeeYari, I'm going to do my best to drive it at least another six years. I got out of the dealer's service shop for $ 1,257: Brand New OEM alternator Belt Oil change and filter Rotate tires (they have 30K on them and are looking good and my previous set only lasted 38K) Charged me $99 for the diagnosis. Technician told me it looked like it was in great shape for 128K. Since it was the alternator/belt, I let Toyota fix it since it was already there, in the shop and I wasn't about to drive it around town getting opinions. Thanks very much!