While it would be cool to make the car resistant to bullets, I'm referring to making the car as reliable as possible. My plan is to inspect every system and replace old and worn parts that could break soon, and try to approach "like new" reliability.
First some history. I bought this car for $1000 a couple weeks ago. The two main problems are the power steering pressure hose is leaking and there is a misfire/hesitation at load.
I was able to piece some of the history together from service receipts in the glove box.
The original business cards from the dealer in Madison, Wisconsin.
The spec/features sheet from the used car dealer in Oaklawn, Illinois (Oaklawn Toyota). Notable features: Factory security system/keyless entry (I don't have a key fob yet), tinted windows, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, tilt wheel, center arm rest, rear spoiler.
The car. 1997 Corolla DX, 7A-FE, 4-speed automatic.
It looks like the second owner kept a lot of service receipts. She owned it from around 2002/2003 with 48k miles. The last receipt from this owner was from late 2013 at 162k miles with the same last name, so I assume it was still the same owner. The service receipts are all from the Phoenix area, but there was a registration receipt showing it was registered to the same owner in Illinois in 2010 and the receipts showed Illinois plates. Maybe she lived in both places.
It currently has 180k miles. The previous owner says he owned it for one year. I'm not sure if he bought it from the 2002-2013 owner, but there are no other receipts between 2013-2015.
The service records show the brakes were changed a couple times, and had new tires twice. The current tires are 6 years old. The timing belt, cam/crank seals, V-belts were changed by a Toyota dealer in 2/2008 with 111k miles. The front and right motor mounts were replaced in 11/2008 with 127k miles at a Pep Boys. Based on the cost of the parts, they must be an aftermarket brand. There is currently a vibration at highway speeds.
The last owner had the brakes changed in 7/2016. New ceramic pads and rotors. New drum shoes and resurfaced drums. Brake system bled.
First some history. I bought this car for $1000 a couple weeks ago. The two main problems are the power steering pressure hose is leaking and there is a misfire/hesitation at load.
I was able to piece some of the history together from service receipts in the glove box.
The original business cards from the dealer in Madison, Wisconsin.
The spec/features sheet from the used car dealer in Oaklawn, Illinois (Oaklawn Toyota). Notable features: Factory security system/keyless entry (I don't have a key fob yet), tinted windows, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, tilt wheel, center arm rest, rear spoiler.
The car. 1997 Corolla DX, 7A-FE, 4-speed automatic.
It looks like the second owner kept a lot of service receipts. She owned it from around 2002/2003 with 48k miles. The last receipt from this owner was from late 2013 at 162k miles with the same last name, so I assume it was still the same owner. The service receipts are all from the Phoenix area, but there was a registration receipt showing it was registered to the same owner in Illinois in 2010 and the receipts showed Illinois plates. Maybe she lived in both places.
It currently has 180k miles. The previous owner says he owned it for one year. I'm not sure if he bought it from the 2002-2013 owner, but there are no other receipts between 2013-2015.
The service records show the brakes were changed a couple times, and had new tires twice. The current tires are 6 years old. The timing belt, cam/crank seals, V-belts were changed by a Toyota dealer in 2/2008 with 111k miles. The front and right motor mounts were replaced in 11/2008 with 127k miles at a Pep Boys. Based on the cost of the parts, they must be an aftermarket brand. There is currently a vibration at highway speeds.
The last owner had the brakes changed in 7/2016. New ceramic pads and rotors. New drum shoes and resurfaced drums. Brake system bled.