I am going to take a look at a 95 Corolla today. 126K miles, auto, asking $2800. This is from a guy who buys damage cars, does the body work, and resells. The damage was minor, and the repair looks OK. I haven't heard it run yet, but under the hood the engine looks like it needs a regular tune up. I don't think this guy does engine work.
If everything is OK, I still think he needs to come down a few hundred. This car will be for my daughter who has about 2 years of college left, so I would like this car to be good for 3 or 4 years. I really don't car how well the body repair holds up. This car purchase is strictly for function, not looks.
Can anyone tell me of any major mechanical issues to look for? Assuming the auto transmission has never had an overhaul, can I expect it to last another 30k - 40k miles? I am comfortable with all of the typical maintenance - brakes, tune ups, filters, timing belt, etc. I just don't want to have any major surprises.
I have a 95. The only thing I ever replaced that wasn't part of a standard tune-up was the starter. These are great cars. If it has been properly maintained (which is hard to determine with used cars) it should last you way more than 40k more miles.
By the way is it a DX (7A-FE 1.8L) or a base (4A-FE 1.6L) model? The 4A-FE transmission is only 3 speeds, while the 7A-FE tranny is 4-spd. For highway use the 4A-FE transmission sucks, so I would strongly reccomend a Corolla DX over the base model. Or LE, as LE is the same engine/tranny as DX.
I can tell you right now that $2800 is way too much for that car. It would be ok for a DX in excellent condition, but it sounds like this car has been in an accident and was salvaged. Can you describe the damage any better?
Anyway, take the car for a tune-up with that guy, and then test drive it around. See how it works, cause you can't know the condition of the car if its in need of service.
I think that if everything runs well at that point, about $2200 would be good. Maybe $2400. Remember, this car is salvaged. Also use Kelley Blue Book to price it with the options it has.
I talked with the guy a little while ago. He is firm on the price, and said that he has so many people interested that the price may go up a little if 2 buyers show up at once. Maybe he was joking about the last part, not sure.
The thing is, there are very few Corollas to be had around here. I'm in an area of 350K people, and have been looking everywhere. The few I've seen on dealer's lots are pricey and/or rough - probably come from the local auto auction. With so few Corollas, especially of this vintage and price range, this guy may very well get his asking price.
He said he replaced the hood, a head lamp assembly, and repaired a dent in the rear quarter. The whole car has been repainted.
If it has been repainted check it THOROUGHLY. He will surely hide short cuts, some damages that he intentionally wants to hide, and he will salestalk you if you've mentioned that you're specifically looking for that car.
I would pass if I were you, and get something else--perhaps something newer or slightly older as far as 1991 maybe. All this simply because the car you're looking at has been involved in an accident and you don't know what has been done to it.
Ask him what happened on the accident. Ask for a receipt of parts used, etc. if he can show it. If not I'd walk away.
This is for your daughter, I wouldn't give mine (if I had one) a car that's been in an accident and from somebody I can't trust. As a last suggestion ask a mechanic you trust 100% to check the car in and out.
I would be very cautious too. Seems like you feel desperate to have a corolla. The rebuilders always claim that the damage is "minor". Also when they show you the accident site, make sure you check the rest of the car. Sometimes they will show you the right rear which had a minor accident but the one that salvaged the car is front drives side!! When you buy a car like this you don't have any maintenance records, especially concerning are the timing belt and the tranny oil changes. Since this is going to be for your daughter that worries me even more-let her walk for now and you keep looking. Maybe you have to widen your search to other cars, I know Toyotas have a good reputation but if you don't pay attention you will end up with a junker.
Just me 2 cents.
True, simply because everything else seems like it is plagued with troubles. I have a GM vehicle that got the very typical V6 intake manifold gasket leak - $700 to fix. If you don't catch the leak in time, the coolant can get into the engine and ruin it.
My 98 Accord EX had the automatic go bad with 70K miles. Forunately, the dealer got Honda to put in a rebuilt tranny for free, including labor. 98 - 03 Accords have a bad transmission design.
The daughter that needs another car just had her Nissan Sentra automatic die. The car is junk and not worthy of anther transmission. My other daughter has a 95 Taurus that will likely have the automatic go bad - Taurus automatics frequently go out.
Then there is my son's 90 Corolla that I bought 5 years ago from a neighbor for $1400. It had 155K miles, but had regular dealer maintenance. It now has 190K with virtually no trouble (except for a bad MAP sensor currently).
I have a lead on a 2000 Civic LX, 62K miles, asking $8K. It's more than I had planned to spend, but I need some reliability. I just returned from visiting over a dozen car lots, only one Corolla LE. Looks like it might have been repainted, concerns me. Otherwise nice car. I'm going to call the dealer Monday. Car shopping is frustrating!
I got my 95 DX Rolla with power everything and a sunroof and 127k mi for $1000usd, its got a few dents and a hand full of to-the-metal scratches on both sides and a leaky valve cover gasket. The gaskets have a tendency to go bad if the car sits for a long while or regular oil changes are neglected.
The kbb value on my loaded LE 95 Camry was $2800 in mint condition so the same for any rolla sounds a bit high.
__________________ 06 NB tC - OG Team HAMSTER - SUPERCHARGED
I don't question the fact that Toyotas and Hondas are more reliable. But the problem is that when you are buying a used car the way it was maintained is probably more relevant than the make of the car. The same Taurus, if taken care of would last longer than a neglected/abused Corolla. Your Honda is a good example. Most get 200-300 K miles out of accords.
I have noticed that I have to look at more than 30 cars each time I want to buy a used car. Money is tight and thats how I have to save. Otherwise you walk in a dealship and choose your options and color--> then you have to make the monthly payments and full coverage insurance.
Try ebay for a change. 1st follow the going price for the cars that you are interested in. You can rank cars based on the distance from you, so you might want to invest the time and effort to go and test drive them. Though some people do, I will never buy a car without driving it, even if you told me it is a brand new toyota with 0 miles I have to drive it to see if I can put up with it for another 100K miles.
I have noticed that I have to look at more than 30 cars each time I want to buy a used car. Money is tight and thats how I have to save. Otherwise you walk in a dealship and choose your options and color--> then you have to make the monthly payments and full coverage insurance.
Try ebay for a change. 1st follow the going price for the cars that you are interested in. You can rank cars based on the distance from you, so you might want to invest the time and effort to go and test drive them. Though some people do, I will never buy a car without driving it, even if you told me it is a brand new toyota with 0 miles I have to drive it to see if I can put up with it for another 100K miles.
I agree. I just had a 4 day weekend and spent most of it going through countless car lots and calling private owners looking for Toyota/Honda, as well as few domestics that I would be willing to consider. Bottom line is that there is a lot of crap out there at any price.
I tried Ebay, nothing within a day's drive though. I also looked at Auto trader within a 100 mile radius. Maybe this is just a bad time of year to be looking.
I have a 93 rolla that I bought used with 113,000 miles for $2000. The car now has 174,000 miles and is still running strong (knock on wood).
Yes Toyotas are great cars but like the others said please be very careful especially when dealing with people who salvage wreckers. They are notorious for cutting corners in order to ensure that they get the most profit they can for their vehicle
Best of Luck in the shady shady world of car shopping.
__________________
07 I4 LE (fully unloaded except for free mats and cargo net!)
Personal add ons: alarm w/remote start, XLE Grill, Lip Spoiler, OEM Sport Pedals
93 SlowRolla (Speed Isn't Everything...ah who am I kidding?)
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