My car's milege is approaching 200,000 miles?

Question

My car's milege is currently 195,000 miles and it is 1993 Corolla, 4 cylinder. Recently, I spent about $400 to fix mechanical problems. Despite being almost 14 yr old car, it seems to move fine except some low noises.
The mechanic who fixed my car told me my car is fine enough to drive up to 300,000 miles. I don't plan to drive that much but my current financial situation is not good enough to afford another car.
How much longer do you think I can drive my car? When do you suggest changing into a new car?

Answer 1

Why worry about something that has not even happened? Just go with the flow until you can afford better.

Answer 2

At 14 years and 200K the cash value of the car is very limited and most dealers wouldn't want it as a trade-in. If it runs OK and you aren't having any SMOG or safety issues (I don't know if either is inspected in your state) why not keep it until it dies. Just keep an eye on all the fluids, change oil (you may want to go to high mileage blends, what ever they are) and pay attention to how it drives and handles. I don't know your mechanic but I have seen some of these engines go 300K plus. So I say go for it, just start socking a few dollars a month away so that when it does die you can get something else without it causing too much financial distress. Even a few hundred dollars can soften the blow of a down payment.

It's just my opinion but that is the best anyone can do. We never know what tomorrow holds.

Good Luck and happy motoring.

Answer 3

Well a couple hundred dollars a year is better than a few hundred dollars a month.....you already know it's quirks....just don't ignore any minor mechanical problems and keep regular maintinance on it's been known toyotas are know n to last to 400k.
I had a 69 maverick that finally died when it reached the 350k mark.
As for the new car....wait until you end up having to replace an engine or transmission. If the repairs are going to cost 2 1/2 times what the car is worth...you may want to consider a new car.

Answer 4

You can drive it for as long as you want.

I would suggest changing to a new car when the cost of repairs looks like it's beginning to outweigh the cost of a new car or the value of the car you have.

With a car like that, say if the transmission failed and you needed a new one and it was going to be $1200 to fix. If that car is barely worth $1200 then it would make no sense to fix it for $1200.

I would drive it until you see some indication that the engine or transmission are getting close to the end of their life. If the transmission (auto) is shifting roughly or slowly and/or the engine sounds like it's about to give up the ghost, then sell the thing before it no longer runs, while you can still get some money for it.

Answer 5

you can drive a car and continue to repair it almost indefinitely, and it will still be cheaper than buying a new car. This assumes there is no rust damage, or bent frame from an accident, and the interior of the car doesn't embarrass you too much. Think about the $400 you just spent. How many car payments on a new car would that cover? Certainly, no more than two. And I'm guessing that you'll be able to drive way more than two months before you have another repair. Cllick on the link below to get "Click and Clack's" (from NPR's Car Talk) opinion on this.

Answer 6

Your mechanic mentioned that your car is in good shape. I drive a 92 Civic myself, and it also is at about 200k miles. My thinking: I'd run the car with proper maintenance until 300k miles or until such time that the roof leaks or the engine blows up or the car is cut in half - whichever comes first.

In the meantime, I'll save the "new car" expenses and wait until I can pay a good chunk of downpayment on the new car that is going to be my next reliable ride. Unless there are external pressures that compel you to buy sooner, don't "marry" a new car before you can afford it. Get your credit in best shape before you commit to another depreciating asset. I think you are doing the right thing so far.

Answer 7

Change when you want to. 200 K is nothing for a Japanese car- the technology and tolerances there are excellent. If your mechanic doesn't see anything wrong- drive it!

I've known people with Toyota's/Nissan's that put half a million miles on them, with minimal maint. costs (just oil changes, basics).

Keep running decent oil in it, keep on top of your other routine stuff, it should be fine. And then when you get tired of it, you can still sell it to a young driver as a reliable starter car that has low insurance premiums!

Answer 8

i own a repair shop,and i just sold an older corolla that had 326 thousand miles on it,,i sold it as a good work car,,and the guy was thrilled with it,,you should be able to go a lot more on that one,,there good cars,and they do last real good also,,yours has proven that ,,id just keep driving it,,i don't think its going to give any major problems just yet with it,,if you continue to take care of it,,it should last till you can get in shape for a newer one,,good luck,hope this help,s.,,merry x-,as.

Answer 9

lots OF THEM DO. nEARLY ALL europeqan CARS HAVE MILLION MILE CLUBS. ANd cars like VOLVO and VW/AUDI PORSCHE and BMW and BENZ will require NO engine swapping or major engine work to get there. JAPANESE cars often get over 300,000 miles, and same with FORD engines in most cars and trucks. GM engines do not do as well unless they are on a SMALL list of engines tested and proven to last. IT depends upon the IDEATION of the carmaker and the type of gaskets and materials used in engine block and heads. and how well the fuel injection system meters. TOYOTA and HONDA easily lope along to 300,000 miles. I have personally owned and worked on several dozen cars with more than 250,000 miles and NO sign of engine wear or deterioration. GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

drive it like it has 200,000 miles and it should last another 100,000 or so. good luck!