2000 Camry LE V6 needs new struts

[Retired Guy]

And they're expensivo! I foolishly? replaced them a few years ago with (yes, laugh) MONROE strut kits I had purchased online (buy three, get one free) which I thought was a good idea at the time. I did retain the original struts, tho'.

So.. what are my choices now? Here's a list, I'd appreciate comments, and like everyone,
I need to keep the costs down.

1. Refurb / install the original struts; that means disassembly, perhaps some misc parts.

2. Call my local auto wreckers for recently totaled Toyotas (lowest cost? guess would be
$100 per?) and have my friendly local non-dealer guy do the work.

3. Bite the bullet and trade it in (120,000mi); it's a bit rough, Chicago's not a forgiving city,
but it IS an LE with sun/moonroof, cruise, leather, multi-way driver's seat (has a rip)
for a low-mileage Sienna. Or maybe a Honda?

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[hmmm, a thought. cheaper to go waaay out of town, perhaps into Wisconsin or Indiana
for repairs & parts? and more honest, less greedy auto professionals?]

[trckn4life]

Why not get quotes from a few shops you like that are honest or decent? Getting rid of the car over that seems silly to me unless you are having quite a few other issues that may add up quickly. You can get many more miles out of that car. My wife's 06 corolla is almost at 180,000 and has been a great reliable car with minimal maintenance items.

[supton]

I threw a set of Monroe quick struts at my '99 Camry. I'm content. Although I think changing from some cheapo Mastercraft Strategies to some General RT43's made a bigger difference in ride quality--both helped, but perhaps my old struts were ok. I did the quickstruts myself, although I do think it needed an alignment afterwards.

At least for my '99 it seems "common" for the rear springs to sag. So I kinda/sorta needed new springs, hence the quickstruts. Plus they are much easier than compressing springs!

I'd check around. Quick struts are easy for a shop to install.