98 Corolla, wiring/electrical problem

[airswoosh1]

I'm looking to purchase a 98 Corolla that was listed on craigslist, but the seller described it with this problem:

it's got some sort of electric/wiring problem that so far has caused the radio and the instrument panel (speedometer, gas gauge, etc) to stop working. And also, I guess it messes with the "central computer" or what not, so sometimes the gears don't shift properly (it's an automatic) so the ride can be rough.

Any idea what this sounds like and how easy/difficult of a fix it might be. I was thinking it might just be a fuse or something, but that seems just too easy. So anyone got any ideas?

[Mugen]

Don't get it! It's an auto.

[airswoosh1]

Yeah, yeah, I know. But it's not for me, it's for my wife. She currently drives a Paseo, but she wants something four door. And although she used to drive a standard as a daily driver, she is TERRIBLE at it.

[airswoosh1]

I should go to sleep now, I am hopeful that someone will have an idea what this is by morning.

[Flashmn]

Walk away.

[airswoosh1]

Originally Posted by Flashmn

Walk away.

Why? Sounds that hopeless?

[retiredat44]

it all comes down to price... how much? Does it have the stock radio? was an alarm added? somone maybe have added soemthing to the wrong wiring...

again, comes down to price..

how many miles on it,, if it has lots of miles, it will just be a car needed all lparts replaced. Too much work, and too much money....


back to how much?

[Flashmn]

it might be a very expensive repair... as it certainly isnt a fuse problem. fuses dont just "start working" when a fuse goes, it goes.

[airswoosh1]

Well, I contacted the seller. It still has the stock radio and it has no alarm.

About the price, I'll give you a quote from her ad, she states:

I'm asking $2200, but I'll take what I can get, so make me an offer.

So I'm not exactly sure how low she'll go on the price.

[retiredat44]

Is this the same one?
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/car/373765780.html

[airswoosh1]

Originally Posted by retiredat44

Is this the same one?
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/car/373765780.html

Yeah, exactly.

[airswoosh1]

The car was re-listed again on craigslist, with this added piece of info:

I was retarded and drove my car for a couple weeks thinking the oil had been changed when in fact it hadn't been, so while ignoring the weird sound coming from my engine that was getting increasingly worse, I think I might have done some semi serious damage to the engine. I'm no car expert, but it doesn't sound too good (but not too bad either).

But she dropped her asking price to $1400 obo.

[Bingo]

Electrical problems.
Computer problems.
Transmition problems

and now

Engine problems.

What a deal !! I can take you to some of the junk yards around here and show you cars that have less problems and for less money.

Walk away.

Are those extra two doors that important ?

Bingo

[stubborn1]

There are plenty of these cars on the market, so don't buy a POS unless it's a steal and you can commit time to it. If the person didn't care enough to fix the issues and admitted they didn't do regular maintenance from the 2nd listing, who knows what else you will find.

I wouldn't put my wife in anything like that.

[toyomoho]

Not hopeless, just expensive. And there could be more problems waiting for you with this car.

The electrical problems might be OK if you can troubleshoot the car yourself. Otherwise, a shop bill could add up fast. If the engine bearings or other internal parts are bad, this will become a costly repair. You will need to find a good used engine or a rebuild, plus labor to install if not DIY. Then there is the issue of possible trans problems which can be more money. There is also the unknown factor, as in what else could be wrong.

Look around for the same year/model of car in decent condition. Then ask yourself if you can fix this car for less then the other car is selling for. If you can do all the work yourself, maybe its OK if the price is real cheap. If you will need a shop to do the work then find something else.