Is my Toyota Corolla 1991 worth fixing?

Question

I just got my car last September 2012, my dad bought it from Craigslist. The reason I took it is because I don't want to have any car payment since I've lack of work hours and I am also a ft student.

My little car has 155,986 miles. I don't drive much, I got the car from my dad with 152K. When I got it, the car was shaking, no ac. So they fixed the engine mounts cost me 200 bucks. My mechanic told me that my car definitely has leaks. Here's the recent diagnosis:

1. AC has small leaks
2. Rear brakes at 15% left needs drums and wheel cylinders at the same time
3. Needs right rear strut leaks fluid
4. Some oil leak but acceptable
5. Needs new tires
6.Front brake at 50%. front rotors has vibration
7. Now my car sounds like a motorcycle, coming from the engine.

Is my car worth fixing? It's hard to know because I wasn't the original owner. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Yes it could, with some help from Dad, be worth fixing. Forget the ac and the struts. You don't NEED ac and the rear strut thing is no problem if you are not hearing a bang on bumps. Even then, you just slow down a bit.



1. Bad brakes put people in hospitals, so fix them. Get three written estimates on front and rear brakes and go with cheapest. Expect $700 for that.



2. If the tires still don't show the top of Lincoln's head (ask somebody) just keep using them until they do. If they are gone, go see a tire shop and use your charm, being a poor student and all, to convince them they really need to sell you a set of good used tires. Expect $200 to $240 for the used set.



3. Noise goes with old cars. Just ask mechanic that does brakes if the noise is coming from a leaking exhaust header. If yes, that needs fixing. The Carbon Monoxide is a bad thing to breathe.



So maybe we are looking at $1,000. Good rule of thumb says divide repair and replacement cost by 10 cents and ask yourself if you can get, or want, that many more miles. $1,000 / 10 cents = 10,000 miles. If yes, do it. btw Tell Dad you want an AAA card for a gift right now. With a cell phone call, AAA will send someone to any place, any time and any day to start your car, change a tire, put on gas, unlock a car, tow you in and a bunch of other stuff - all free.

Answer 2

Toyota Corolla 1991 Model

Answer 3

wheel cylinders don't need replacing if no leaks.

brakes & drums replace

tires - shop for good second hand

repair exhaust maybe only minor

front brakes & rotors

live without a/c

strut in due time.

it looks like you will have to look after a few important issues but not all at the same time. brakes should be priority, exhaust & tires. have your Dad or friend help out & don't worry about learning a thing or two.

Answer 4

YES KEEP THE 1991 TOYOTA COROLLA ITS A VERY GOOD YEAR AND CAR/MODEL. YES SUSPENSION SHAKE BUT JUST REPLACE STRUT BUSHINGS AND SEE IF STRUTS NEED REPLACE THEN GET NEW TIRES.



SELLING THIS CAR IS A MISTAKE. MY 1991 TOYOTA COROLLA HAS 341K MILES AND STILL RUNS STRONG.

THE 4AGE 4CYL ENGINE IN IT IS AMAZING AND IN MY OPINION THE PERFECTED 4AGE IS IN WHAT YOU HAVE.



THE 4AFE IN NEWER COROLLAS MAX RPM IS 6300 AND CANNOT HANDLE AS MUCH STRESS.



THE 4AGE TOP RPM IS 7500 AND OPERATE AT ALOT HIGHER RPM ALL DAY LONG! I PERSONALLY TESTED THIS THOERY.



MY 5TH GEAR WENT OUT AND I DRIVE IN 4TH GEAR AT SPEEDS OF 75-80 MPH FOR HOURS AT A TIME.



THE 4AGE IN YOU'RE COROLLA WAS MADE TOO GOOD! DON'T LOSE IT

WHEN YOU GOT SOMETHING GOOD DON'T REPLACE IT.

Answer 5

you will have these problems with any used car and more, so yes. thats the going rate to operate an older vehicle.

its actually a very easy list and most of the work could be done by a very determined person with a maintenance manual and a reasonable tool kit, other than tires that is.

Answer 6

Stop spending money on it. For the 2 grand you're going to spend just on the problems you know about, you could get a better vehicle.