'99 worth it?

[j4wiggs]

Hi all,

I am looking for a Corolla as a first car for my 16 year old daughter. We had a '94 wagon that we gave the older daughter and then we replaced with a '94 Prizm after she hit a deer. Both good cars. I am communicating with a woman who has a '99 (I think DX) with an automatic for 2,800. The pics look good for what that is worth. It has cruise, new brakes and struts & a clean carfax. It has not had the timing belt replaced. The bad is 228k miles. It is a 3 hour drive away so I am debating headed down there with with a pocket full of cash. What do you guys think? Any opinions?

Thanks - John

[fishexpo101]

I'd get more details before you decide to drive down there.

8th generation Corollas (1998-2002 model years) - body and size-wise are very similar to the 7th generation Corolla. Biggest change is the engine - from the 4AFE/7AFE to the 1ZZ-FE.

Excessive oil consumption has been a hot topic for this generation, as well as EVAP related issues (very easy to overfill the gas tank). So I'd ask about CEL history on the car - any oil consumption issues, who and how the car was maintained.

Trim levels (region specific) are likely CE (classic or base), VE (value package), and LE (limited, loaded). Don't read in too much into the trim levels, as you could get a CE or VE loaded with options similar to the LE - minus some features like the 60/40 split folding rear seats and other interior options.

I'd verify if it has a 3-speed or 4-speed automatic - with the 4-speed being preferable from a fuel economy sake. Ask about service history, Carfax should show if the car has changed many hands quickly (usually a good sign of a potential lemon).

This engine also uses a chain instead of a belt - no specified replacement interval for most driving conditions.

Assuming the car saw regular maintenance - 228K miles is really nothing. Lots of mega-mileage 8th and 9th gen Corollas out there. As long a the owner stayed on-top of the maintenance, should be a non-issue. But that high mileage will help with negotiating a better price. $2800 for that year and mileage is a little on the steep side, unless the body and interior is mint. I've seen prices fluctuate wildly for this gen Corolla - given the year and mileage - from a low of $1500 to as high as $8000!

If the car is sound, body and interior solid, runs good, don't smoke on startup, no signs of leaks, oil consumption, excessive wear and teat - if you can get it for $2000-$2500 - probably a good deal.

[j4wiggs]

Thanks,

I decided it wasn't worth driving that far to look at a car with that many miles.

Good information, I didn't know about the timing chain instead of belt. I saw the results of broken belt on a buddy's Honda and never want to see that again.

[zythr]

Originally Posted by fishexpo101

I'd get more details before you decide to drive down there.

8th generation Corollas (1998-2002 model years) - body and size-wise are very similar to the 7th generation Corolla. Biggest change is the engine - from the 4AFE/7AFE to the 1ZZ-FE.

Excessive oil consumption has been a hot topic for this generation, as well as EVAP related issues (very easy to overfill the gas tank). So I'd ask about CEL history on the car - any oil consumption issues, who and how the car was maintained.

Trim levels (region specific) are likely CE (classic or base), VE (value package), and LE (limited, loaded). Don't read in too much into the trim levels, as you could get a CE or VE loaded with options similar to the LE - minus some features like the 60/40 split folding rear seats and other interior options.

I'd verify if it has a 3-speed or 4-speed automatic - with the 4-speed being preferable from a fuel economy sake. Ask about service history, Carfax should show if the car has changed many hands quickly (usually a good sign of a potential lemon).

This engine also uses a chain instead of a belt - no specified replacement interval for most driving conditions.

Assuming the car saw regular maintenance - 228K miles is really nothing. Lots of mega-mileage 8th and 9th gen Corollas out there. As long a the owner stayed on-top of the maintenance, should be a non-issue. But that high mileage will help with negotiating a better price. $2800 for that year and mileage is a little on the steep side, unless the body and interior is mint. I've seen prices fluctuate wildly for this gen Corolla - given the year and mileage - from a low of $1500 to as high as $8000!

If the car is sound, body and interior solid, runs good, don't smoke on startup, no signs of leaks, oil consumption, excessive wear and teat - if you can get it for $2000-$2500 - probably a good deal.

Sorry, but 228K miles is still a lot of miles.