My '03 Corolla w/235k Miles - Is it time to sell/trade???

[Capnmikey1]

Love my Corolla! Have put 120K on it myself and maintained it to a high standard. It has no current issues. Other than the high mileage.

I am on the road a lot. Often far from home and help. With 235K miles I worry that the car will die on me in some remote location.

Should I sell/trade this car now (for a Corolla with less mileage) while it still has some value???

If I continue driving it:
a) What types of issues (tranny etc) should I expect at this mileage???
b) How many miles should I expect to get before it dies on me???

Thanks in advance for any and all ideas, thoughts, opinons etc!!!

[PhatRoyale]

If you kept up with maintenance well enough for it to last this long, I don't see why it won't run trouble free for another few years.

Just keep doing what you have been doing all along. Mileage is nothing but a number.

[silver04rollas]

Keep the car. It will be of much better value to continue driving it.

[SuperchargedMR2]

Keep the car. I had over 400k miles on my 82 Tercel & I would take that car anywhere I went. It never failed me except for a fan belt breaking on me, but I always carried a spare so no big deal. The only thing that stopped that car was when it was stolen & totaled.

[FinalGear]

Capnmikey1
If the car is paid-off.. +1, and gas price is not going get any cheaper

[aspen007]

Capnmikey,

I also have an '03 Corolla with 180K. I intend to keep my car for as long as possible since my finances are limited, my driving is almost all local, and I do virtually all my own repairs. A major breakdown on the road will be a pain, but not a horrendous one since I will likely be within 25 miles of home.

However, in your case, you say you do a fair amount of out of town driving. A breakdown on the road is a major deal for you. That has to be taken into consideration.

I have no ideas about your finances, but if you can afford it, I recommend you trade your Corolla in for a newer model. Especially if you don't intend to do any future major repairs yourself.

With 235K, you are already beyond the average life expectancy of your Corolla. Your are guaranteed to experience both expected and unexpected repairs/maintenance on your Corolla in the near future.

Scheduled/preventative maintenance and the expected repairs such as brakes and suspension replacement can be done pre-emptively at a time of your convience. This preventative mantainance will reduce the likelihood of a breakdown. But you can't reduce the probability to zero.

The two major areas of concern I would have are the engine and transmission. If you have problems with these on the road, you normally don't get advance warning and can't limp home. Also the cost to have major work done on the engine/ transmission is several thousands of dollars. Plus you have the downtime for the repair.

Assuming your car is running well, right now your car is probably worth $4-5K depending on its physical condition. If you have an engine, a/c or transmission problem, the value will drop almost dollar for dollar for the expected cost of the repair.

If you do decide to keep your car, I highly recommend several service items that will reduce the likelihood of your car having a major breakdown on the road. They focus on the overheating of the engine and transmission. In my experience, too much heat is the number one killer of engines and transmissions.

1. Replace your water pump and hoses if it has over 100K on it.
2. Replace your coolant every two years.
3. Change the transmission fluid (if its an automatic) every 25K.

Good luck

[Bob Shiftright]

Difficult question -- 10 year old Toyotas have about as many problems per 100 cars as 4 year old GM products have per 100 cars.

Depending how far away from Austin you need to drive, you might consider the "AAA plus" road service with long-distance towing.

There are other considerations. Does your '03 have (optional) ABS and (optional) side airbags?

[NMGeorge]

Keep the car and start a stash of cash for later - to buy another car when you really need it!

[devinsdad]

I would imagine that your car is paid off and you really don't wanna buy a new one? As long as you keep your PM up to date and keep on top of any maintenance issues that arrise, the car may go another 235K with no issue. You car won't fetch very much as a trade in due to the mileage and it'll be hard selling it. I hope I can post the same in a few years but I've only got 100K on mine. These little cars go forever.