K well im 17 buying my own first car. 1995 Toyota corolla with 120,000 miles. Decent shape, no dents or scratches. 2000 bucks.
2 problems with it.
- Rear driver window does not go down when i press the button. (All power car)
- Light bulb in the roof of car does not turn on. i think changing the bulb will fix it.
I dont know much about car so im very glad i found this website. My question is, how much will it cost to fix the window, what problems should i expect from this car with this many miles and this old. and how to fix them.
the guy selling it to me says that it comes with full security system.
it does not come with a wireless key thingy where i can unlock my car before i get there and such, how much does it cost to get one?
how much does it cost to make it ipod ready? ir comes with a sound system and no casset player. its got 2 amplifiers.
what should i change in the engine to keep it up tp date and running smoothly?
how often should i change the timing belt and how much does it cost to fix it?
what wires should i change in the car, what stuff in general should i change?
what to look for?
sorry for all the questions, but this is how i learn and how i can eventually help others. its not the most fancy car but im very exited and thankful for this car.
K well im 17 buying my own first car. 1995 Toyota corolla with 120,000 miles. Decent shape, no dents or scratches. 2000 bucks.
2 problems with it.
- Rear driver window does not go down when i press the button. (All power car)
- Light bulb in the roof of car does not turn on. i think changing the bulb will fix it.
I dont know much about car so im very glad i found this website. My question is, how much will it cost to fix the window, what problems should i expect from this car with this many miles and this old. and how to fix them.
the guy selling it to me says that it comes with full security system.
it does not come with a wireless key thingy where i can unlock my car before i get there and such, how much does it cost to get one?
how much does it cost to make it ipod ready? ir comes with a sound system and no casset player. its got 2 amplifiers.
what should i change in the engine to keep it up tp date and running smoothly?
how often should i change the timing belt and how much does it cost to fix it?
what wires should i change in the car, what stuff in general should i change?
what to look for?
sorry for all the questions, but this is how i learn and how i can eventually help others. its not the most fancy car but im very exited and thankful for this car.
thanks guys!
ill update the more i find out about it
- Check of the switch on the rear window is attached/connected
- If its not that most likely the window motor... Get a window motor from the junk yard or ebay.
- Most likey the bulb, easy fix
- Depends on what alarm it has, ask the guy if its aftermarket or toyota.
-if its aftermarket take it to a car audio/security installation shop and ask them
- if its toyota, go to the dealership and find out what remote it is buy it from them or ebay
- depends on the headunit/deck it has installed, and if it has an auxiliary input
-Timing belt is supposed to be every 100,000 i think, most likey won't be an issue if it was changed previously. It cost around $500.
-Change/Inspect oil, spark plugs, spark plug wires and air filter.
Gauge lights not turning on - likely the rheostat/dimmer. If you can spray some contact cleaner in it try that, if not just got one from a junk yard or if you think you can just bypass it, do that.
The interior light bulb may be the switch... mine only comes on when the door opens for some reason, even with the switch in the On position, but try the bulb first.
Cheapest decent head unit you'll get is probably going to be around $100. I really like my JVC. What do you mean by it having two amps? I don't think the owner would install two (!) amps and not put in a new head unit. I would also suggest new speakers in the rear; expect to spend around $150 for those. I have Kenwood Excelons and really, really like them.
Also, to add to the list of items to keep the car running well, make sure your plug wires aren't corroded or you'll have issues getting the car to run when it is wet. I would also change the distributor cap and rotor if the plug wires are in poor condition, as if the wires haven't been taken care of then they never changed the cap or rotor either.
Remotes will run you $100 new from the stealership. Unless the stereo has an auxiliary input or USB port, you're out of luck as far as iPod connectivity goes. Be sure to have regular oil changes, the timing belt should be done every 60,000 miles, so if everything was done as it should have been you should be due. Concerning the lights, do any of the other lights come on inside the car (center console or shifter)? Check your fuses, if they're ok, it's probably a blown dimmer switch which are pretty cheap from a junkyard (as well as power window motors ).
and i just read this off a website on google, some guy in another forum talked about how the previous owner was so bad he hadnt change the factory installed plugs.
whats are those plugs? what do they do, and should i change them? are they expensive?
You should know when to change the timing belt by the mileage interval. I think 60,000 is conservative. You can expect it will be needed unless it's been changed but if you've never done any work on a car before you should NOT start with a timing belt as it's involved (valve cover has to come off among other parts). To check one though, it shouldn't have any cracks, missing teeth, or other damage to it. On the plus side, on these engines, if it breaks it won't trash your engine like most others but it will need put back in time and that will likely cost you extra.
Also, the spark plugs provide a spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder. And what about these two amps you mentioned? Do you know when the oil and transmission fluid was last changed or when the coolant was last flushed?
the amps are for the sound quality and stuff, the last owner us to have two be 15"s subs on the trunk, he kept them but let me with the amplifiers. and gold94 can you show me a picture of the stereo deck and give me more details bout it
Also ask if the valve clearance (lash) has been checked adjusted, if not it will need to be. I think you need valve shims to do the job and other special tools. Also, Air Bags should be checked, (after first 10 years of use). It should be done every 2 years
Also ask if the valve clearance (lash) has been checked adjusted, if not it will need to be. I think you need valve shims to do the job and other special tools. Also, Air Bags should be checked, (after first 10 years of use). It should be done every 2 years
I would only do this if the car was running abnormally... that said, if the TS decides to do a timing belt it wouldn't hurt to check it as the valve cover has to come off but it's pretty low on the list of standard maintenance things. IE only something dealt with unless your car is running poorly or has failed emissions after having the catalytic converter replaced.
my advice for the TS would be to see if the owner has any maintenance service records from his dealer or a mechanic. IF he doesn't have these or reasonable proof (receipts for parts) he's kept upkeep on it I would talk him down on the price big time. My advice is when you go, bring a socket wrench w/ extension, and a set of metric sockets. Have him pull out a spark plug. This will give you an idea on just how well the car has been maintained based on the condition. This chart will tell you what to look for: http://www.aa1car.com/library/reading_spark_plugs.jpg
Also check out the coolant. If it looks really black/rusty with no oil in it, it hasn't been changed in an eternity, but keep in mind it will likely look red/orange as that is what Toyota used to put in these cars. If you smell oil in it, walk away. Also check the condition of the A/T fluid. It should look red as well, not black. Finally remove the oil cap and examine it and try to look down into the valve cover. Make sure the oil doesn't look like coffee creamer. Also make note of the oil condition. If it's really creamy or milky looking, or there is oil in the coolant walk away. Also check the air filter out, making sure it's not dirty.
If these things have been kept in check chances are the owner has kept the car in good shape. It also wouldn't hurt to check the tires out and make sure they have plenty of tread. When you drive it, listen for any squeaks and squeals in the brakes. After you go a mile or so, those should go away. If they are still there, the brakes are worn and will need replaced.
Now then... in talking him down... IF he has service records, and everything looks relatively maintained, I would talk him down a little due to the interior lights not working. Also find any dings and dent to talk him down, or flaws in the interior. I would pay about $1750 for it if that is the case.
Now if the majority of the things I listed to check are in poor shape (Air filter, coolant, A/T fluid, plugs, plug wires and/or brakes/tires) and he lacks service, talk him down big time. Mention what you will need if that is the case (IE if the plugs/ignition parts of worn, if it needs tires) and depending how much needs done, I would talk him down to $1500 or less.
I can't say for sure having not gone over the car, but I would suggest taking a friend or family member who knows a lot about cars with you to help in assessing the condition of things and helping you decide what is a fair price. It would also not be a bad idea if you can't do that to try and talk him into driving it by a mechanic together while on a test drive and have them check it out.
the amps are for the sound quality and stuff, the last owner us to have two be 15"s subs on the trunk, he kept them but let me with the amplifiers. and gold94 can you show me a picture of the stereo deck and give me more details bout it
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Getting 95 Corolla for my first car!
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