Based on your comparison, if the budget within Myvi 1.5 range, the Vios and Altis probably second hand with the Altis even older '03?. I would go for Vios or Altis anytime over milo tin Myvi. Altis & Vios are technically proven most reliable though handling wise, none of them are good. Torque and power all go to Toyota.

If you wanted to go for the old Altis, you can still keep driving it as its reliability is good enough to last for few years more before require overhauling. Overhauling the Altis engine totally would cost around RM4000 for inline4 engine if done at Toyota SC. Do outside, will end up getting conned instead. Terbalik when comes to overhaul.

Based on the many cases, those who overhauled outside end up paying more cash & more follow up repair due to lack of technical guide. N-brand Sentra 1.6 with blown overheating engine, overhaul at SC cost RM4k whereas those who sent else where end up paying RM6k. RM6k is enough to overhaul 2.0L V6 engine in SC. FYI, X-Trail 2.5L with similar case blown engine, overhaul cost around RM4.5k. Remember 1 con case involving V6 engine, end up paying over RM10k!!!

Japanese & Korean made, the engine overhauling cost for inline4 16 valve engine is in the region of RM4k be it 1.6, 2.0, 2.4L or 2.5L. Never touch RM5k so far unless there is price hike or that Japanese brand involved lots of fully imported spare parts. Number of cylinders is main factor in determine the price of overhauling, not the engine size.

Outside workshop, you'll end up easily conned on the markup spare part price, labour & no guarantee that they really but the new part for you (ori, OEM or imitation?).

SC, whatever they charge, they have the guide and the fixed price to follow. Since more parts are involved, better do it at proper SC and make sure that SC is a big one with more technical knowhow around. Smaller SC or ciplak SC with irresponsible technician could also cause headache.

This post has been edited by jayraptor: Jul 25 2013, 12:02 AM

You'll have to check the facility, the technician whether there are many foreman around to find out before you do overhaul there. Must take effort to find out, walk in to counter ask lots of questions and get them to tell you the resources & time they have.