Maintenance suggestions - 2001 Prizm - car going to son

[kandrtech]

My son is currently at Tech School in the Air Force. In about 2-1/2 months, he'll be buying this car and taking it to his first duty station (in Colorado).

I want to fully prepare his Prizm - hoping to make it as reliable and trouble-free as possible.

The car is a 2001 Prizm, with the three-speed automatic. We have owned the car since it had about 65,000 miles on it. It now has close to 95,000.

When I bought the car (about three years ago), I replaced the coolant and the transmission fluid/filter. Oil changes made often. Original coolant hoses. Valve clearances not ever checked. Original shocks.

I'm interested in what items should be replaced - even if they are not "bad" right now. My goal is that he wouldn't have any repairs (beyond normal maintenance) for a couple of years.

Based on mileage and age, I would think to include:
- coolant hoses
- shocks/struts
- check valve clearances (hopefully just that - check to confirm no shims need replacing)

I'd also consider other items, such as water pump, etc - if this forum has experience with certain parts needing replacement around the 100k mark.

Thanks in advance.

[pdq]

The most important things on your car are the tires and brakes. Make sure those are good first.

I wouldn't touch the hoses unless they are cracked or deteriorated.

My rear OEM shocks and springs were shot after 10 years and the back was sagging as a result. If you can't stick a finger between your rear tire and the fender, yours are probably shot as well. I swapped the whole shock assembly for ones bought online for < $80 each, and I didn't need to compress the springs.

On this generation, the biggest problem is oil burning/leakage. You might want to replace the valve cover gasket and timing chain tensioner, as those are the most likely culprits for oil leakage. I'd also change the PCV valve if you haven't done it recently. If your car has VVTI, you might want to clean the Oil Control Valve. All these are < $60 total.

And if the car is burning any oil, make sure your son checks the oil every time he fills up the gas tank, and top off accordingly.

EDIT: all four stabilizer bar end links probably should be replaced as well if you have never replaced them, and if you hear any clunks when going over bumps.