I’m looking at a 10-year old Corolla to give to my kid for his practice driving. A neighbor just wants to get the car off his hands. You know, before the big leagues. I hate to give my son a brand-new car to drive and bump around Texas. Any “ins” and “outs” on this model?

Jay

Houston, TX

Whoa! Jay, Jay, Jay. A 10-year old car, eh? A wise choice for the wallet, but you gotta ask yourself, “Are you really serious?” But hey, since you want the ins and outs, we’ll give you some. I won’t blame you if you do decide to go with this car. It’ll be cheap experience as a learner’s car in Houston.

I think these will be more of general tips. The Corolla back in ’98 had a reliable 16-valve engine on it. If your neighbor properly maintained the car, it should not give you a lot of headaches. One good thing I can point out, though, even if this car is already “aged,” accessories won’t be difficult to find and I think parts are still easy to come by. After all, it is a Toyota. There are critical points you should look for, though. If you see it parked at your neighbor’s car port, do check if the car still “stands” right. Signs of suspension abuse or faults can also be spotted that way. If it leans to a side too much, could be a coil spring or a shock problem. Look under the car, too, check for oil leaks. I am sure your neighbor will allow you to test drive it, do so. After starting, check out if the car is not blowing white smoke already, that’s engine wear (oil and water leak). And also check if the safety gear still work. Good thing with buying used cars off private individuals, I am sure you can get it dirt cheap. What are neighbors for, anyway?

If you get the cash in the future, you can try certified pre-owned cars in dealers in Texas.

Tags: Toyota Dealer