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Buying an older Toyota Corolla

27 messages,  Last post on Mar 19, 2009 at 6:45 AM

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#8 of 27 used 2004 corolla le by tunisjs Nov 10, 2007 (9:48 am)
hi, returning from an overseas assignment in korea, i bought it used at hertz car sales in portland or in sep 05 with about 24k miles on it. i drove it indirectly across the country, ending up in toronto and have had it since. (its really too bad that hertz discontinued most of its retail used car sales stores. buying used from a nationally known rental agency meant that all service was properly done and a lemon would have been wholesaled away.)   the car has been essentially bulletproof, now with 57k miles. before buying i watched the edmunds forums on corollas and expected as much. ive done all required maintenance, using synthetic oil, and replaced the awful oem goodyear tires in jan 06 with walmart captive brand vivas, which are great tires.   its a totally reliable, easy to care for appliance. it lost a bit of steam out west going up mountains, and the cruise control hunts and pecks on hills, but those are known issues. it unfortunately lacks side air bags and abs, so im replacing it with a cpo 2006 mb c280, which is about the same size and has the same tight turning radius. the mb is a driving machine, not an owner's appliance as is the corolla. different cars, different reasons for being.   if you can find a corolla that has had regular maintenance performed is still within warranty by several thousand miles to take care of any major issues, its a fine transporter.   good luck!
#9 of 27 i own one by pengwin Nov 12, 2007 (6:35 pm)
hi, bought one new, did all the scheduled maintenance, at about 65k miles dealership said i had tranny problems, 5k bucks for a new one. decided not to do it. Now its at 140k miles still doing fine. Main problems with mine were the tranny issue, my brakes squeak all the time. changed the whole brake, squeaks in the wet, in the dry, all the time. The hinge on the upper storage compartment in the center stack broke. stupid toyota made plastic hinges with .0000001 inch diameters so that if u accidentally touch it it falls off. The paint job is horrible, bugs are indented into my bumper and litle rocks have scratched the hood to the point that i can see the steel. If you're looking for a car that'll keep running, the corolla hands down is your best bet.   oh yeah, i have an 03 LE corolla
#11 of 27 Post moved by pat HOST Mar 29, 2008 (6:36 pm)
Here's the link: dkeanie, "Toyota Corolla Maintenance and Repair" #3083, 29 Mar 2008 10:29 am.
#12 of 27 Buying an Older Corolla by pat HOST Oct 26, 2008 (4:58 am)
#14 of 27 Buying used car from friend that drives crazy! by cocopuffs809 Apr 07, 2008 (9:19 pm)
Hey Edmunds community,   I have a question. I am a poor college student that needs to buy a car next year because i'm living off campus. Well, my friend, thats a senior is leaving and she is going to sell me her Honda Accord 96, Toyota Camry, or Toyota Corolla (i forget which one it is...I will call her tomorrow and find out)...but basically, she is selling it to me CHEAP. At least from my research and what I think. She is selling it for $3000 (maybe I can get her to go lower). But the only problem is from what I have seen and from what every one says is that she is a crazy driver. She speeds 90s-100s when she can, etc. I assumes that she does regular maintenences on her car because she is very responsible and also, she told me she spent $600 on the car recently. My only concern is her driving habits and the longterm effects it has on the car.   Oh btw, the its a 96' model Camry/Accord/Corolla ( dont remember) and it has around 106,000 miles on it. Which is good too.   Ultimately, should I buy this car because it is a bargain? Or should I pass on this deal? Replies to this message: kiawah (Apr 08, 2008 4:14 am) cocopuffs809 (Apr 08, 2008 10:11 pm) pat (Apr 09, 2008 1:40 pm)
#15 of 27 Re: Buying used car from friend that drives crazy! [cocopuffs809] by kiawah Apr 08, 2008 (4:14 am)
Replying to: cocopuffs809 (Apr 07, 2008 9:19 pm) A major repair that has to happen prior to 100K, is replacement of the internal engine timing belt and water pump. It's a cogged fiber belt which wears out, which keeps the crankshaft and camshafts in proper timing. If that wears out and breaks, your engine dies immediately and you have to have it towed somewher to get repaired. You want to make sure this is done in maintenance mode while you can plan it, as opposed to unexpectantly on the road somewhere. Depending where you have it done, that typically would be about 500-750.   Find out exactly what maintenance was done for 600, but I would assume (with any used car), that you may have to put 1500 into it to cover one of any number of repairs.......brake pads and rotors, struts if leaking, CV Joint halfshafts, transmission fluid change, etc. I'd have someone check it out before you buy. Replies to this message: cocopuffs809 (Apr 08, 2008 10:11 pm) pat (Apr 09, 2008 1:40 pm)
#16 of 27 re by cocopuffs809 Apr 08, 2008 (10:11 pm)
Replying to: kiawah (Apr 08, 2008 4:14 am) We'll its a Toyota Corolla with 106K miles on it. She told me she is very good on checkups and maintainence. Always oil changes on time and does every maintainence necessary according to the Jiffy-lube checklist. So I think I'm buying the car. Thanks. And shes going to do a final tune up before she sells me the car. So I hope it'll be a good deal. Thanks Replies to this message: pat (Apr 09, 2008 1:40 pm)
#17 of 27 Re: re [cocopuffs809] by pat HOST Apr 09, 2008 (1:40 pm)
Replying to: cocopuffs809 (Apr 08, 2008 10:11 pm) I strongly suggest you look up the recommended services for the car on our Maintenance Schedules, Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins and confirm with the seller - preferably by receipts - that they have all been taken care of. Better safe than sorry, and all that, you know!   She may have done every service she thinks was necessary, but she may not have known of some, you just never know. You at least want to be certain the major items are taken care of, just as kiawah suggests. Otherwise this could turn into a very expensive proposition.   Let us know what happens.

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