Nice Corolla with so-so body...

[JeffKeryk]

I am looking for something for my grandnieces. Used cars are apparently still made outta gold; then you gotta pay the Toyota Tax.
A 2005 Corolla LE, 150K and great mechanical condition was parked around the corner. Probably $3000. My body paint man said about $2500 based on these pics... The passenger side doors are the problem even though they work fine. Aftermarket bumper covers are cheap enough.

 

[Malo83]

Keep looking.

 

[FatOrangeCat]

I have to say that would be a wonderful gift for your grand-nieces! The price is very fair, at least compared to the rolling garbage that is for sale around here. Some body work and paint and good to go!

 

[mrsilv04]

Wow.

They apparently missed bashing in the passenger side rear corner... or it has been and the damage just wasn't pictured.

Why do I have this quote from a movie going through my head.... I want you to go out there and hit the pace car... so you'll be perfect... ...?

 

[Luftmasse]

I think The Critic wants to sell his Corolla.

 

[dishdude]

There's no way that's worth fixing, buy it cheap and drive it that way. There's no way that's a $3k car.

 

[CKN]

When I see a vehicle in that condition you have to really ask yourself-if the rest of it (motor) was taken care of. I know which way I would bet............

 

[CKN]

I have to say that would be a wonderful gift for your grand-nieces! The price is very fair, at least compared to the rolling garbage that is for sale around here. Some body work and paint and good to go!

I guess "garbage" is left open to interpretation.

 

[atikovi]

A new teen driver is probably going to wreck it or at least get some good size dents within 6 months anyway. This way you won't be so down about it when they do.

 

[eljefino]

The drivers headlight looks less sun faded than the passengers (from the photos anyway). Makes me wonder if it got bopped and replaced.

I wouldn't put money into the body, just drive it as is.

 

[Hermann]

Looks like the car has already been through young drivers. It's perfect.

 

[JeffKeryk]

A new teen driver is probably going to wreck it or at least get some good size dents within 6 months anyway. This way you won't be so down about it when they do.

Spot on.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I think The Critic wants to sell his Corolla.

I have @The Critic on speed dial. He helps me a lot...
I even offered a straight across trade for a clean little Model 3...

 

[addyguy]

You’ve got to consider…how much has the straightness of the unibody suffered with all that bashing? Yeah it’s panel dents, but that is a LOT of hits. It may never track straight and eat tires like no tommorow.

 

[JeffKeryk]

You’ve got to consider…how much has the straightness of the unibody suffered with all that bashing? Yeah it’s panel dents, but that is a LOT of hits. It may never track straight and eat tires like no tommorow.

I drove it and checked it over. It has newer, cheapo rubber. A decent set of rubber and this thing would be fine. You wouldn't believe the engine bay. Freakin' spotless.

The asking price is $3,500. It will easily get close to that around here, I hate to say...

 

[andrew_j]

how much is one without all the body damage ?

 

[AZjeff]

"Here grandnieces, I bought you this rolling pile of junk because you're just going to wreck it anyway." Really? Consider the author of this thread.

I helped my son buy an old S10 that looked like it rode the guardrail on one side because it had and I knew he was going to be hard on it and needed something to work on. He loved it. Helped daughter buy an older but very presentable Saturn L200 because I knew she'd take care of it. 10 years later she still had it and it still looked good.

@JeffKeryk , if you know a car's history it might be worth spending the money on bodywork. That car hasn't seen much love in it's 150k life.

 

[fantastic]

What would $5,500-$6000 buy you in another car? Surely, you can find something in good shape for that kind of money. If you do buy it for $3k let the kiddo's fix it up.

 

[dishdude]

"Here grandnieces, I bought you this rolling pile of junk because you're just going to wreck it anyway." Really? Consider the author of this thread.

I helped my son buy an old S10 that looked like it rode the guardrail on one side because it had and I knew he was going to be hard on it and needed something to work on. He loved it. Helped daughter buy an older but very presentable Saturn L200 because I knew she'd take care of it. 10 years later she still had it and it still looked good.

@JeffKeryk , if you know a car's history it might be worth spending the money on bodywork. That car hasn't seen much love in it's 150k life.

Every panel is damaged, it's not getting fixed for $3k.

 

[JeffKeryk]

how much is one without all the body damage ?

Maybe $6K if I am real lucky. Mileage is generally pretty high on a nearly 20 year old Corolla.
Finding a decent one is tough, but you are right; this one needs too much unless I can get it dirt cheap.

Probably moving on.