My partner's parents are offering a 2002 Corolla 198k miles for $1500. No check engine light, needs new shocks, no exhaust leak (drove the car around 10 minutes in city), the oil dipstick shows more oil on one side and less on the other, otherwise a smooth 10 minute ride. They drive the car for small errands but it has gone 57 miles one way without any issues.
Hi all:
I decided I will not buy the Corolla. Family needs $1500 sooner versus pay in installments so I will let it go. I truly appreciate learning from everyone and have invested in a metal ramp and will get EPAuto 69 tool set with drain pan to start off. I didn't find any fumes with the Corolla nor did the mechanics. I'm pretty sure I am able to do better with smell because now I can see white smoke and smell maple syrup in the front of my Civic. Thank you all again!
For $1500 sure, provides it passes a pre-purchase inspection. And doesn’t need anything more than just shocks.
the oil dipstick shows more oil on one side and less on the other
Is the oil level within the high/low marks on the stick?
I JUST REMEMBERED..
CHECK THOROUGHLY FOR FUMES!
but I will follow up with wheel alignment.
When driving on the highway, if you let go of the steering wheel, does the car immediately pull to one side?
Are the tyres wearing evenly?
Any vibrations/shaking at highway speeds in the steering wheel, when not braking?
I’d get a second opinion from another mechanic seeing that the guy seems to be talking about a timing belt in a timing chain engine. Which engine nomenclature does this vehicle have?
I just gotta figure out what to do with my Civic with the exhaust leak.
As was already said, for $1500, if it checks out okay, buy it.
They tend to burn a little oil, my 98 went through a quart about every 2k miles, no biggie. You might want to just ask when it will need the oil changed again, and try to deduce how much oil it has gone through without letting them know you are doing that.
The nice thing is, they sold about 4 trillion of those, so aftermarket parts are abundant, including plenty of KYB suspension parts.
Check the date on your tires. You can look it up online to see the 4 digit code, like 3119, which would mean week 31 of 2019. Anything older than 6 years is getting dangerous.
By the way, every Toyota I have had leaked some oil, but not a significant amount. Several were the rear main seal, but it was so little you couldn't tell it easily on the dipstick.That one cost so much to fix, I would just clean it off every now and then. I have also had some with the same 1.8 engine that the valve cover needed changing, and it would leak a little. That job is not too hard. It also doesn't cost too much to have a good shop do it, like I think they charge around $100, not sure though as I do them myself.
Keep an eye on the oil level to make sure it isn't losing much. That engine is likely to be burning at least some oil though.
Is the oil level within the high/low marks on the stick?
On one side it trails but on the other I think it's at the low end. I figured I would replace the oil anyways. Oh, and they offered $1500 versus $2500! I just gotta figure out what to do with my Civic with the exhaust leak.
I just gotta figure out what to do with my Civic with the exhaust leak.
🥲 I just wish Scotty was near CA to help.
Stop trying to throw more money into that pit!
Stop trying to throw more money into that pit!
I'm trying not to let my emotional attachment get to me! 🥲
As was already said, for $1500, if it checks out okay, buy it.
I'll take it to my mechanic and see what will need to be done! Registration is late so I wanna get the car checked before registering. Thanks for this! I feel confident my cheap car journey will be over soon.
For $1500 sure, provides it passes a pre-purchase inspection. And doesn’t need anything more than just shocks.
Wheel alignment $130
Oil pan (has a dent but holding everything) $345 labor, part is $86.45
Oil change $68 (free with pan)
Tail lights $35.65
Oil leak under oil pan (need to clean)
Spark plugs $118.83
Drive belt $93.66
Rear brakes (resurfacing and sanding shoes) $115
Total: $611.18
Mechanic recommended: brakes, drive belt, tail lights, alignment ($377.35)
Shocks are good, suspension are work but not enough to be recommended. Transmission was serviced recently and engine sounds healthy. Timing belt was not seen. (Timing belt to inspect is $345)
Thoughts?
He's not a mechanic that you'd want servicing your car if he doesn't know 02 corolla have timing chains..
Cost $345 to inspect a timing belt that it doesn't have? Spark plugs take like 15 minutes to do and probably cost $20 for good densos. Rear brakes, is something wrong? Never heard of sanding shoes. Why change the oil pan if it is not leaking? Are the wheels out of alignment?
That's a good deal given it is ok'd by a qualified mechanic. 1500 for the corolla in that model year, yes. If it was a camry, no because they amongst many other camry model years had a oil burning problem
That's a good deal given it is ok'd by a qualified mechanic.
I see. I wasn't sure and usually I try to get input from others. Thanks for this! I was fearful so I went ahead with a cleaning to make sure they can find the oil leak. The shop is Japanese Automotive Tech Service on Sherman Way in North Hollywood. They should be pretty good according to other users.
Cost $345 to inspect a timing belt that it doesn't have? Spark plugs take like 15 minutes to do and probably cost $20 for good densos. Rear brakes, is something wrong? Never heard of sanding shoes. Why change the oil pan if it is not leaking? Are the wheels out of alignment?
I didn't ask about what wheels weren't aligned but I can ask now. I don't have any tools or knowledge of a good tool set especially pull bar and am scared of breaking things but I know I can learn. Rear brakes are filled with dust and left side is 8mm and other side is 6mm. The oil pan has a dent but there's an oil leak somewhere, but I agree about not changing if it isn't leaking. Oil is dark and could use a change. I only asked them to clean and find the leak to get a better idea of long term costs at this time, but I will follow up with wheel alignment.
I would suggest getting a decent socket set, like maybe husky or Kobalt, that won't cost too much, but is pretty good. For the price of the spark plug change, you could buy the plugs and a good tool set. Start with something pretty simple like an oil change. Scotty has tons of videos that can help, and a million more on youtube, and these forums. Some very simple things that you can't much go wrong is things like changing your engine air filter, cleaning the maf sensor, throttle body, and idle air control. The more you do, the more confidence you will have to do more. You would be surprised at how many things you can do on that car, that will make it run better, and last longer, that isn't hard to do. I know because I have been in the same position, 15 years ago with a 98 corolla, and people trying to rip me off because I didn't know anything about cars. Now I do most everything myself.
When driving on the highway, if you let go of the steering wheel, does the car immediately pull to one side?
Are the tyres wearing evenly?
Any vibrations/shaking at highway speeds in the steering wheel, when not braking?
I’d get a second opinion from another mechanic seeing that the guy seems to be talking about a timing belt in a timing chain engine. Which engine nomenclature does this vehicle have?
When driving on small streets even, it pulls right. Front wheels.
Tyres are wearing fairly even. Some cracks but can drive.
Vibrations at idle.
1ZZ-FE. Told him about timing chain.
They cleaned underneath and they said they couldn't find where the oil was leaking from but that if driven and it leaks, to alert them.
Change the shocks first (and any other worn out suspension parts), then get an alignment. Don’t drive at high speeds with cracked tyres. If the vibrations are substantial, you may be looking at new engine and/or transmission mounts. I think you need to find another mechanic for a second opinion.