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1985 Toyota Corolla Purchase Advice
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ktrent
New User
Jun 10, 2012, 1:11 PM
Post #1 of 3
(2219 views)
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1985 Toyota Corolla Purchase Advice
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I am looking to buy a 1985 Toyota Corolla on craigslist. It has only 91,000 miles and the owner claims to have put a lot of work into it, including: new brakes, rotors, and calipers; 4 motor mounts; inner and outer tie rods; BOTH axles; timing belt; new headlights; brand new exhaust system; new alternator; AC work; and a tune up. The mileage seems good and all the work saves me from having to do all that to it if I bought it. They are asking $1,200. But one thing has me hesitating. The owner apparently also had the oil changed and the engine "flushed". I can't figure out why someone would need to flush an engine if they had regular oil changes. I have also heard good and mostly bad about engine flushes.
Considering all of this, especially the engine flush, is this car even worth looking at? Not considering the age of the vehicle. I realize that its an '85 and parts may be harder to find. I would rather have an older car with lower miles, than a newer car with high miles, and considering my budget is less than $1,500, finding something newer with low miles for that price is next to impossible. Just considering whats been done to it and the engine flush, is it worth it?
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jun 10, 2012, 6:49 PM
Post #2 of 3
(2154 views)
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Re: 1985 Toyota Corolla Purchase Advice
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We can't see this car in person so I would call a reputable shop in the area and take the car to them. They'll probably charge an hour of labor or so. Tell them what you told us and have the techs look it over. They can also tell you if all this work has actually been done. It doesn't matter to them one bit if you buy the car so they have no bias to either side. If the owner has an objection to this being done by a third party of pros walk away and know you have averted a catastrophe.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 11, 2012, 4:53 AM
Post #3 of 3
(2132 views)
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Re: 1985 Toyota Corolla Purchase Advice
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Do as Nick suggests:
Flush products: If really needed it's too late IMO. Some if marginal sludge and all is basically well just changing oil way too often for a while will clean it up slowly vs risking throwing chunks of fudge all at once. Hence will not advise to use it and haven't.
Story: Bought a neat car I wanted desperately with known sludge as found by me. Owner was an azzhole but I wasn't buying him - just the car
Dang, changed the oil like a mad man and it did clean up very nicely and lasted ages long after I sold sold it after restoration and don't know if still out there or not,
T
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