Need to change the starter motor?
 

There's a loud spinning noise which I believe is the benedix. Does this need to be replaced? Possibly DIY?

noisy start... probably starter. I DIY. Do a search, i did a couple things the books don't talk about. Like get to the bolts thru the cabin access panel... used long extensions.

I bought a rebuild for about $200 from Parts America. I think a $70 core charge. Some guys recommend a new starter, but I figure the factory died at 60K, why should I trust them a second time.

Not too bad at 200 bucks, how long did it take you? Is this a labor intensive job?

You'll have three hours plus. Nothing is easy to access. You have to diconnect the air intake to the throttle body to tip the throttle body up. The starter is under the throttle body. My air intake didn't want to move.

It is definitely a DIY, but it ain't easy. I used towels to protect the paint while was I was leaning over the car. It is a knuckel buster projects.

I had AutoZone test it once it was out... Klunk, then spinnn

Good luck

Not necessarily; these starters have a bendix drive that is prone to hanging up due to lack of lubrication. Quite often (if this has not been allowed to go on too long and bugger the drive), pulling the starter, cleaning and lubricating (white lithium grease does the trick) the bendix makes it all happy again……………