by "Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
Published 04/03/2017 at 21:26
by "Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
Published 04/03/2017 at 21:26
No Tags
STARS: 1
I’m at a place I believe we’ve all been with my car. I’ve had my 2003 Corolla S which I got for free for 3 months and I’ve dropped 1500$ into repairs.
Do I continue to fix her up or do I buy new? I use my car to commute but as of June 1st I would not need it to commute . In the past 3 months I’ve owned it I have put on about 10,000 miles.
If I repair it, I’d like to continue keeping it as my winter beater and purchase a summer only car. My other option is to replace it full time daily work horse. Regardless, after I relocate closer to work the vehicle would be used to get around town after work, weekend adventurer (hiking/cycling/skiing), and lastly road trips regularly.
Here’s my current list of repairs needed ALL PRICES ARE CANADIAN (subtract 30-40% for USD) :
URGENT
1) New radiator and timing belt (ATF spraying onto belt) = $500
+ Possible 3rd oil leak
SOON
2) O2 Sensors = $400
3) Muffler bracket + Weld = $100
4) Loose underbody shields = $50
5) Oil Change + Filter (Synthetic) = $97
NEAR FUTURE
5) Rust repairs = $1500
Money Savers: I don’t pay the insurance - it’s paid by someone else.
So Oppo, what should I do?
"My citroen won't start" (lucasboechat)
04/03/2017 at 21:32, STARS: 2
You should buy a early 1990's Jaguar XJR
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/03/2017 at 21:34, STARS: 0
I would end up in a worse predicament haha.
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
04/03/2017 at 21:36, STARS: 1
Why does an oil change cost so much?!
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/03/2017 at 21:37, STARS: 0
All prices are tax in, my mechanic charges me 89$ (maybe it’s less 79) for an oil/filter change including the new filter and Eneos oil.
"MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig" (MR2_FTW)
04/03/2017 at 21:39, STARS: 1
Honestly, try and get into a used newer Corolla with the 2ZR-FE 1.8 instead of the crappy 1ZZ-FE 1.8.
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
04/03/2017 at 21:40, STARS: 4
If you don’t mind spending a little money, pick up some jackstands and a decent jack and try doing a little wrenching yourself - oil changes are about the easiest thing you can do to a car on your own, so all you’d spend there is the cost of the oil and filter and takes very little time.
As for the loose splashguards, you could look into those while changing the oil - $50 seems ludicrous to tighten a few bolts (or even use zipties! I put a damaged splashguard back up under mom’s Accent using a ziptie and, as long as it’s not near something hot, they last forever!)
Even the radiator wouldn’t be too hard....remove lower cooling pipe, drain coolant out, remove old radiator, bolt in new radiator, replace lower cooling pipe, fill and bleed system of air, and done! :)
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
04/03/2017 at 21:45, STARS: 4
I have the same engine as you and I change my own oil for maybe $30. Castrol 5w-30 and a wiiiiiiix filter.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/03/2017 at 21:45, STARS: 0
Honestly, it’s something I considered but decided against a few months ago. I’m not the handiest with a car (I can build a house but have never been able to wrench). Additionally, living in condo’s I typically dont have a location to work on my car.
Throw in the fact the car is rusted and locked (the exhaust shattered on my mechanic and he had to remake parts of it) I feel it’s likely a bad car to work on.
50$ sounds crazy but I need a whole new couple panels (they broke completely unfortunately).
Is a radiator that easy? even with the other hoses like the ATF fluid?
Thanks!!
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/03/2017 at 21:46, STARS: 0
My concern with buying another used car is dealing with more repairs and lack of reliability. I do have a decent new car budget but I’m frugal lol.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/03/2017 at 21:47, STARS: 0
oh wow, that’s cheap, I’ll look into it.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
04/03/2017 at 21:53, STARS: 3
Your mechanic is expensive, start doing repairs yourself and use this as a learning experience.
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
04/03/2017 at 21:54, STARS: 3
Well you can differently do the oil change yourself. Just make sure to run the engine for a little bit before you fill up all the way, to get a more accurate reading.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/03/2017 at 21:56, STARS: 1
I wish this was an easy option but a few issues:
> I’m a horrible wrench, I’m a good carpenter but I’ve never successfully wrenched on a car. Every attempt aside from changing a tire has led to a tow.
> I live in condo’s so there’s no space to wrench
> Car is very rusted (Canadian winters for 15 years)
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/03/2017 at 21:57, STARS: 0
I’ll look into it!
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
04/03/2017 at 22:02, STARS: 0
You can’t wrench in the parking lot? That’s like crap can maintenance 101. Also this stuff called PB Blaster is pretty great for rusty bolts. Who cares if you fuck it up none of the repairs mentioned would have fatal consequences if botched. And things like rattling heat shields, who cares about that.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/03/2017 at 22:04, STARS: 1
Condos dont even let you change tires in the parking lot (under ground). I tried storing tires at my last one in part of my spot (large spot, small car) and someone reported me....
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
04/03/2017 at 22:04, STARS: 1
Everyone should buy an early 90's xjr.
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
04/03/2017 at 22:06, STARS: 0
Not sure about the radiator with the ATF - I’ve only ever had stick-shift cars, so not 100% sure how the plumbing works with those!
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
04/03/2017 at 22:06, STARS: 0
Most definitely should move into the country and rent a shack from a crazy cat lady then.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/03/2017 at 22:08, STARS: 0
Hahaha, I wish that was an option. I tried to talk to the GF about it but financially and based on commute time, it’s just not financially viable.
"MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig" (MR2_FTW)
04/03/2017 at 22:10, STARS: 0
Also - 1ZZ’s are chain driven, no timing belt. But the o-ring on the chain tensioner is known to leak oil often.
"My X-type is too a real Jaguar" (TomSlick)
04/03/2017 at 22:13, STARS: 0
No this is great advice. That’s what you should do.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/03/2017 at 22:22, STARS: 0
Both were repaired 2 months ago along along with another leak on the main seal :/ 650$.
The accessories belt is close to snapping though.
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
04/03/2017 at 22:31, STARS: 1
Why would an oil change and filter cost $97? That’s, like 3x too much. You can get a gallon of Rotella T6 for around $25. My brother has owned a 2003 Carolla since 2004 and still doesn’t have $1,500 into it.
"LeftOfTheDial" (leftofthedial)
04/03/2017 at 22:35, STARS: 0
This is a super easy car to work on work easy repairs. This will be an easy car to work in FOR SOMEONE ELSE!
I’m advocating keeping it and finding one of those guys who does easy jobs for extra cash on the weekends out of his garage. The prices you quoted seemed really high. This car is the go-to in the third world for a reason. Do some searching for the right guy and you have a dependable and debt free ride.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
04/03/2017 at 22:54, STARS: 1
The lower 4-6" of the radiator is a transmission oil cooler.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
04/03/2017 at 23:24, STARS: 0
Very easy car to change your oil on. I actually made a “tutorial” on here at some point.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
04/03/2017 at 23:32, STARS: 1
You lost me at rust repair. Is it developing structural rust? If so, drop it like it’s hot. If it’s cosmetic, I’d just live with it.
"V8Demon - Prefers Autos for drag racing. Fite me!" (v8demon)
04/04/2017 at 00:03, STARS: 0
$400 for O2 sensors????
They’re an easy fix. Do that, the oil change, and I dare say tackle the radiator on your own. Maybe enlist the help of some automotively inclined friends...
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
04/04/2017 at 00:58, STARS: 0
Dats cold
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/04/2017 at 07:05, STARS: 0
Rear quarter rust is bubbling and now coming into the rear door frame structure. Not sure if that’s considered structural but yup.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/04/2017 at 07:06, STARS: 0
They’re about 125/150$ for OEM sensors up here. I realized I should have noted all prices are Canadian so cut 30-40% on every price for USD
Are they that easy? If I remember the front O2 is a messy job to get to, especially with big hands.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
04/04/2017 at 07:24, STARS: 0
Personally, I’d get rid of it then. More rust will be coming. The door frame, and I assume you mean the opening in the shell of the car that the door closes into, is part of the car’s crash structure. It sounds like it’s still safe, but in my opinion it’s best to get rid of a car before it gets unsafe.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/04/2017 at 07:28, STARS: 0
Exactly, that’s the spot. I agree, I already feel unsafe in the car. It’s amazing how far crash safety has come in the past few years alone.
"MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig" (MR2_FTW)
04/04/2017 at 08:03, STARS: 0
The only good thing about the 1ZZ is that it gave birth to the 2ZZ. If it were a well made boring engine, that would be fine, but it isn’t even that. Leaks oil like crazy, poorly designed rings lead to chronic oil consumption, etc.
"MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig" (MR2_FTW)
04/04/2017 at 08:04, STARS: 1
The accessory belt is pretty easy to replace. Big wrench on the tensioner and you’re over halfway there.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
04/04/2017 at 08:45, STARS: 0
If you already feel unsafe, then get rid of it. You said you can afford a new car. Life’s too short.
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/04/2017 at 11:00, STARS: 0
ee.Well put. I’m now talking to the GF about ordering a V9. She hates wagons so we’ll s
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
04/04/2017 at 11:03, STARS: 0
It’s your car, right? You’re paying for it?
"Moves-Like-Senna" (moves-like-senna)
04/04/2017 at 11:11, STARS: 0
For payments yes, but for insurance/gas she’ll be paying half as well as offsetting the payments a bit by taking more on rent.