doees it pay to fix this cololla

[captkirk]

I have a toyota 1988 toyota LE with 103,000 miles and I use it as a 2nd car to drive locally. It needs a lot of work,including a oil, pump timming belt, ect but the engine is basically good. To keep this car and driveable it will cost $1,500. DOES IT PAY TO FIX THIS CAR. I basically maintained this car since I bouth it new except for the last few years so where can I get a used car for 1,500. How long does a corolla last millage wise

I am ask this question because I have a new job and now and I must now drive to work 124 miles a week using my primary car a 2000 honda accord special edition with 23,000 miles)

[REN69]

I have a 2000 Accord SE also, and the mileage is not that great compared to the smaller motor on the Civic or a Corolla for that matter. I would keep the car and fix it just for the fuel economy, I'm not sure where you're getting a quote for $1500 for oil pump and timing belt (I think you mean water pump btw) but that shouldn't cost you that much, check with a different mechanic.

Corollas usually last for a long time, I've seen some of them with up to 500,000km (around 300,000mi or so) with proper maintenance they can go on forever.

[captkirk]

The $1500 is not just oil pump and timiming belt. It also is includes 2 engine mounts, front struts & strut plates, new belts, new water pump, new hoses, transmission tune up, new hoses, new oil pan, and engine tune up, fix blower motor and wheel alignment front engine seals and adjusting head clearance.

[REN69]

Wow! if you can do some of the work yourself then fix it.. otherwise that's quite a bit of work AND money, you can probably do a few things at a time instead of all at once.

[captkirk]

The problem the car was becomming undrivable and unsafe.

[REN69]

Then junk it.. but don't expect to find much of a car for $1500

[ghost_ryder35]

its worth it to fix it yourself. if you have to pay a mechanic to fix it, it is not worth it. I'd buy it if you were closer

[cwayne]

Keep the car, buy a repair manual and try to fix it yourself. Think of it as a hobby/guinea pig. You'll learn a lot by tearing it apart. If you get bored, you can always junk it, sell it to the junk yard and probably get about $200 - $400 for it.

I bouth it new except for the last few years so where can I get a used car for 1,500.

For $1,500 chances are you'll get a used car with the same or even more problems than what your corolla has.

Have you considered just replacing the engine? Sometimes that's cheaper than having half a dozen repair jobs. You can get surplus engines for as little as $600 with core exchange.

Your car is still probably worth around $5,000 and you can always donate it to charity and get a tax deduction for up to the full bluebook value of the car.

[05_Echo]

If you put the $1500 into your Corolla you will know what you have, if you buy another car for $1500 you will get ??? It might be a good car or it might need $2000 to keep it on the road.

I would fix your Corolla and enjoy it for a few more years and after putting out $2500 for a tranny in my 06 Corolla, $1500 sounds cheap...

[Strum]

This thread is old and you probably already made your decision, but I will insert my "IMHO"

If the body is in decent shape and the engine is strong, I would spring for the $1500. If you went out and bought a car for $1500, chances are you would be putting some kind of money in for repair in 6 to 12 months.

I purchased a 96 for $1400 to $1500 (don't recall exactly) and it has some rust and needs the a/c repaired (haven't identified exact problem). I also have a 97 that I purchased for $2K, no rust, good engine. At the moment I'm trying to figure out why it won't start.

I agree with everyone here suggesting do as much of the work yourself (it's a second car, you aren't dependent on it). I also think the estimate is high, but I could be wrong.

As for 124 miles a week to get to work, I'd kill for that low of a distance. I drive 80+ round trip per day (the "+" is if I go to lunch, but gas prices have curtailed that.

This is sort of my thoughts in general when faced with this type of decision, so it could imply to a number of people.

Oh, and once it's done, you know exactly when it was done and don't have to worry about the age of repairs that you might if you decide to buy another car instead. Of course this whole view would change if you were to stumble on the deal of a life-time.