-September 2024 Special Lease Deals-
2024 Chevy Blazer EV lease from Bayway Auto Group Click here
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee lease from Mark Dodge Click here
2025 Ram 1500 Factory Order Discounts from Mark Dodge Click here
2024 Chevy Blazer EV lease from Bayway Auto Group Click here
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee lease from Mark Dodge Click here
2025 Ram 1500 Factory Order Discounts from Mark Dodge Click here
How long can I drive my Toyota?
Jennifer - you should first get someone else to recheck the compression, because if the first mechanic didn't do all the right things, such as remove all the spark plugs and hold down the accelerator pedal when doing the test, he can make a mistake in his measurements.
If the compression is correct and the engine is worn out, then you should find that it is very cheap to replace your engine with a reconditioned one - it should only cost you about $1200 - $1300 or so, and that is a lot cheaper than buying a new car.
However if you do have to replace the engine, I think you should reconsider your driving habits or your car maintenance, because to me a car with only 110,000 miles on it should still be in excellent condition if it was well maintained. Do you change the oil EVERY 6 months? Or are you wearing it out by pulling a heavy load with that Tercel -- like a trailer or caravan -- all the time?
If the compression is correct and the engine is worn out, then you should find that it is very cheap to replace your engine with a reconditioned one - it should only cost you about $1200 - $1300 or so, and that is a lot cheaper than buying a new car.
However if you do have to replace the engine, I think you should reconsider your driving habits or your car maintenance, because to me a car with only 110,000 miles on it should still be in excellent condition if it was well maintained. Do you change the oil EVERY 6 months? Or are you wearing it out by pulling a heavy load with that Tercel -- like a trailer or caravan -- all the time?
Tagged:
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
your pistons may have holes in them, in which case they'll have to be replaced.
More likely, your rings, which are metal seals between the piston and the cylinder wall, are worn out. In either case, you'll basically be looking at rebuilding the engine. If you take it to your mechanic to do this, he will take the engine out of the car, take it to a machine shop, have them do the work, and then put it back in the car. You then get stuck with both the mechanic's bill and the machine shop bill. Find a good automotive machine shop, and have them do the work and you will be paying a lot less to have it done.
Toyotas are the most reliable cars on the road, so I agree with Acorn that you should have gotten a lot more life out of your car. What gives here, Jennifer?
Compression isn't that low.... Can you find out what is correct for your motor?
You could cheat a little and run slightly thicker oil. Also have someone follow you and tell you if they see any smoke. Is the smoke there when you are throttle on or off?
Start saving for a new one, anyway.....
After 7 years and 110,000 miles, frankly, I feel that you got your money's worth from this car, after all you did not pay much for a Tercel.
I feel what you currently are experiencing is just the beginning. Things which are likely to fail from this point on are:
wheel bearings, cvjoints, rack & pinion steering,
alternator, starter, water pump, radiator, heater core, control arm bushings, ball joints, transmission, fuel injection, control module(computer), control sensors, air conditioning, to name most.
dhanley, you're right, I'm probably being to hard on Jennifer. Sorry jen.
The key to any car's long life is (1) careful break-in period for the first 1000 miles, (2) regular and detailed preventive maintainance. (3) a good driving style.
With all these things, getting 200,000 miles on a Toyota shouldn't be a tough goal to achieve. One of my family friend, has 87 Camry with 186,000 miles on it, and it still runs like a charm (he just can't stop saying good things about it). He is so impressed that he bought a 2000 Toyota Sienna, and convinced his mother to get a 2000 Corolla.
Good luck you all.
Figure out what's wrong (if anything) with your engine, then fix it if you can afford it. I'm at 216,500 on my 1984 Tercel, and although it looks like the Wrath of God, it still gets 30+ m.p.g. and for seven months out of the year is comfortable to drive (no a.c. since 1989 at least, and the driver's window doesn't roll down any more). I just took delivery of a brand-new car on Friday, but I'm keeping the Tercel as a fall-back.
Parts I've replaced in 10 years:
- idler pulley
- water pump
- alternator (probably because of my Alpine amp)
- rear wheel bearing
- radiator (got a new lifetime metal unit for 100 bucks. Now I'll have to go another 300K miles to use it up!)
- heater fan
- tie rod ends
- misc brakes and tires
- rear shocks
- exhaust and muffler (twice)
- fuel pump went out, because I let the car sit idle for too long, and the tank got rusty, thus clogging the check valve
Total 10-year maintenence cost, excluding the regular 3500 mile oil and lube: about 3500 bucks.
The part I really hate is that the timing chain set and labor will cost more than the car could sell for. But, after 10 years, I'm ready for a change of style. Funny how I feel unfaithful, in saying that.
DAMN cheap.
looks like the Wrath of God, it still gets 30+
m.p.g. and for seven months out of the year is
comfortable to drive (no a.c. since 1989 at least,
and the driver's window doesn't roll down any
more). I just took delivery of a brand-new car on
Friday, but I'm keeping the Tercel as a fall-back.
<<
What brand did you buy? Toyota?
Curious
Raj
Thanks,
your new host, Bruce
otoh, if you're not the type of person who checks the oil every few fillups, you could be in trouble, but who doesn't do that?
Try to put newspaper under your car to look for leaks. If there is one, point it out to the dealership. I'm sure with a '00 model you are still under the warranty mileage.
Here's what I would do: drain a little more oil so the car's oil level drops under what is normaly acceptable, then ask for repairs.
I would get it in writing for Toyota or the dealer or whoever said that the oil consumption isn't a problem. So if it ever becomes a problem, you can take it to court.
CK
"my father has a toyota pickup 1984 that has 675000
miles on it, he's changed the oil every 3500 miles
since it was born and the worst thing that happened
was a distributor cap cracked when he was washing
it..."
If you don't want to get your hands dirty, find a corner garage that specialize in Toyotas. Go for those that hired ex-toyota technicians. They usually will do the same maintanance package for 30 to 40 percentage less than what the dealers will charge you.
When the engine does fail, and, to quote from your post "when it wouldn't go one more inch in any gear", then perhaps you can can reevaluate if it's worth spending money on your Tercel.
Of course, if you are obsessively attached to your old car, then by all means, treat it to a new engine/paint job/stereo-with-CD... You'll feel good and be much happier!!!
only have 19K miles and they are worn out. Toyota
says that this is typical on the Camry V6s. Since Toyota puts two different tires on the
Camry V6, General HP400 which gets 20k miles and
the Dunlop SP4000 which gets 40K miles, shouldn't Toyota put the Dunlop tires on my car at 1/2 the
cost?
It has 65,000 miles. It is in good condition.
She purchased it as a program car and hasn't had any trouble with it.
However, if I purchase it how many miles can I really expect out of it since it already has 65,000? I would like at least 200,000 miles without any major repairs.
Advice would be appreciated.
With my experience repairing Toyota's & currently owning a 90 2 wheel drive PU,w/148,000 miles, I consider the Toyota line to be one of the better built autos on the road.
I would be willing to speculate that the above mentioned Celica should take your for a ride to either side of 150,000 total miles. But there is no guarantee. The life of a vehicle is directly related to the stress it experiences. Hard braking, acceleration, & cornering, as well as poor maintenance schedules will dramaticly shorten the life of any auto. I have 3 customers w/over 300,000 miles on their Toyota's,(1 PU & 2 Camry's). All three, not only drive moderately, but stay on top of any needed maintenance.
Good luck w/your decision.
Kristina/co host Our Turn
based on the way you talked about your Tercel,
you seem like a sweetheart. You probably took
good care of your car and in return it took care
of you. Maybe god was watching how you cared for
it and the car is connected to god somehow.
I understand why you didn't have the heart to
trade it in. You did the right thing.
How old are you? Are you married?
I think somebody suggested that you would be
happier if you replace the engine since you're
so attached to your Tercel. That might be a
good idea. What ever you decide on, good luck ok?
Take care
Actually, what it appears Kristine9 is saying is that she has been told elsewhere that it will cost $1200 to replace the engine in the Tercel. The only advice she's gotten here is not to put that kind of money into it. There may be more advice to be had around here, but that is all that has been offered so far.
How old she is, whether she is married, and whether "god" is involved with her car is not relevant to her question, or to this discussion.
Let's keep to the question of how long can a Toyota be driven, okay?
Pat
Community Leader/Maintenance & Repair Conference
Toyota had been reliable, the engine blow in the Corolla the main reason is I ignored the warning light on the oil. 92 Camry, the major reason my mechanic said is the freeway problem. The Camry had been driven on the 710 (Long Beach Freeway in S. Calif.) it is so bad. The freeway had too many holes and too many problems. Camry usually has very good transmission.
David
I have had 3 Nissans (1 79 280zx, 1 82 280zxT, and 1 Sentra)
have a GMC Jimmy now and none of them suffered from oil leaks.
So never beleive for a minute that an oil leak is acceptable...
By the way All of them had over 100,000 miles on them when I bought them.
p.s. Bought a 00 Protege ES 5-Speed. I'm in love again.
Mark.
I don't believe you have a separate drain plug for the differential. Check your owners manual, but there is probably only one drain plug for the whole transaxle. OTOH, if it is an automatic transmission, maybe it uses ATF in the tranny and gear oil in the differential. In either case, they will be under the vehicle, between the front wheels somewhere...
Bruce
Transmission Traumas?
There are lots of knowledgeable folks hanging out there....
Your host, Bruce
Check a local auto parts store for the Hanes manual for your model of Camry and it should indicate the location. The Toyota dealer recommended changing the differential fluid every time the transmission fluid is changed. Since the Camry has a drain plug for the transmission fluid, I change it once a year as it just costs me about $6 for the fluid. The transmission fluid filter in the Camry does not need to be replaced. It is just a metal mesh. I checked this with Toyota. I hope this helps?
300000+ (totaled via insurance comp) and it was
still kicking.....(I drove it until the salvage
people picked it up)...
I can't believe that my Camry drove for approximately half the life I expected ... and we use synthetic oil and transmission fluid ... it's not like we treat the car badly.
I had contacted Toyota about the repairs ... and stated that my car has only gone half of it's assumed lifespan ... I requested Toyota pay for the labor, and I pay for the parts ... Toyota's response, "You're out of warranty." I told the supervisor that it's hard for me to believe a company like Toyota wouldn't stand behind it's product.
As I still owe 2 years of payments on the car, I had no choice but to repair it ... but I can assure you that Toyota is no longer a future option for me with this kind of "no customer service."
Very disappointed,
MT