MR2 MK3 Gearbox Repair or Replace?

[DashingDave]

2001 Toyota MR2 MK3 Roadster - U.K. 5 Speed Manual

Gearbox suddenly stopped working, making horrendous noise. Jams up, stuck in gear. Also necessary to physically force stick to keep car in gear and prevent it from jumping back to neutral.

Been diagnosed with "catastrophic gearbox failure" by several mechanics, having had details described to them, including one who tried to drive the car.

Seemingly two main options:
- Remove old gearbox and replace (~£200/$270) with choice of second-hand gearbox (~60,000 miles, ~£300/$400) Total = ~£500/$660 (1month/3month warranty)
- Remove and completely recondition existing gearbox, or replace with reconditioned gearbox and re-install = ~ £1000 ($1320) (inc. 1 Year warranty)

So basically, the second option being double the cost of the first.

Do I take a chance with a used gearbox and get it fitted for £500/$660 all-in, or my existing one completely overhauled or replaced with another reconditioned gearbox, guaranteed for a year, spending £1000/$1320 to fix a 15 year-old car?

Any suggestions most welcome.

Cheers,
David.

[JasonFriday13]

Jams up, stuck in gear.

Possibly a broken fork on one of the gears. One of my old gearboxes broke a fork on 4th and it would stay in gear. After getting it out of 4th I never selected it again, I went straight from 3rd to 5th and vice versa.

Also necessary to physically force stick to keep car in gear and prevent it from jumping back to neutral.

Sounds like the ball and spring for the selector fork has broken, which is why it won't stay in gear.

These are just guesses based on the info provided.

[DashingDave]

Thanks for the info, pal.

In light of this would you therefore recommend a repair of my existing gearbox or simply getting a 2nd hand one installed?

[JasonFriday13]

I don't know, I'm a DIY mechanic so I would source a used gearbox and swap it out myself (cheaper this way).

I would probably go for the first option you listed, 60,000 miles isn't really that high. Most of the gearboxes over here in NZ are higher than that, and are harder to source.