If you have a 07 or 08 with automatic(Both base and Type-S I assume, because this book covers both models in many different occasions),
you can replace your starter faster than you can change oil and filter!
A/T bolts can be accessed from the front of the car, not from the side like M/T.



Also the starter itself can be manipulated out toward the top with couple things removed - which are a lot easier than getting battery tray out.
1. Transmission dipstick removed AND PLUGGED TO PREVENT DEBRIS GETTING IN.
2. Purple plastic clip holding the wires undone.
3. "S" shaped, spinny, coolant hose bracket removed so the hoses can flex a bit out of position.

Some pics for DIY - I'm not responsible for anything if you try this and mess up something.

Remove battery negative cable.
Remove battery.
Locate the starter and clean the area around the opening. I don't think it matters a lot but I got some dirt fallen in when I was pulling the starter and that's when I realized ohhhh.....


Once battery is out of the way, remove this clip. I lifted the thin tab toward right(in the picture), out of the notch. Clip A in service manual.




How I used a flathead to pry the clip out the rusted steel mounting bracket out toward the driver side of the car. I had one hand holding the locking tab up while prying.




And pull this out. I used vise grip but it came out so easy I think it was designed to be removed without tools. Clip C in service manual.




Remove the platic piece holding the coolant hoses. You can see the impression made by the holder and dirt.




Remove this 12mm nut. Now you can push the coolant hose to the side when it gets in the way. It will release the cable that is held by the turquoise clip. This is the part B in service manual




Time for the two starter bolts. One on the top doesn't look too bad but bottom one's rusted for some reason.




Closeup of the lower starter bolt




Here you see the purple clip to be removed and transmission dipstick blocking the way. So these 2 gotta go before your starter can come out right out the top.




I got some dirt in so clean the area before you undo those 2 bolts holding the starter. There is a gasket I believe can be reused since it's metal and why do they even have a "starter gasket" wtf ..



Bye now


I'm not sure if 04-06 autos also have this kind of starte but dipstick pipe might be a little different so I can't confirm.

N.B. No need to remove battery tray.

 

04-06 is a different starter.

 

I'm not sure how the above constitutes a quicker job than changing the oil.

 

 

Ah thanks for that.

... I let it drain for 30 minutes.. so that might be why.
It may seem long but if I had to do it again I'd be done in under 30 minutes from popping the hood to closing it. Just couple plastic clips and some bolts...

 

Ahhh, I cheat, I don't drain my oil at all, I vacuum it out from above. While the oil is evacuating via the dipstick, I swap out the filter. Total oil change time, about fifteen minutes.