Even Toyotas Break, Eventually

[vakkotaur]

The '98 Corolla I bought in November of 1997 is now, of course, about eight years old and has over 100,000 miles on the odometer. In that first 100,000 miles I had the usual expenses: gasoline, oil changes, wipers, tires, brake work. All things that are routine or expected wear. In that time I also never even needed a jump start, though I had used the jumper cables several times to help others get their cars going. Besides the wipers, tires, brake pads/rotors, and filters everything solid was original.

A month or two ago I had the first failure. The driver's door electric lock mechanism no longer locked and unlocked reliably. Using the key or the manual lock stem worked fine, however. I wound up getting the electric lock mechanism replaced as in these last several years I've gotten very used to the power locks. So used to them that I found I wasn't locking the car even though I'd been trying to make a point of using the manual controls.

A couple weeks ago I started having some trouble starting the car. After suspecting and eliminating the clutch interlock switch and the battery, it was determined to be a starter/solenoid issue. It got to the point I didn't quite trust the car to start and since jmaynard was traveling early last week, I made arrangements to get rides to and from work. Earlier, I'd made arrangements with a mechanic I trust. This guy had kept my '87 Excel running for under estimate and had originally been recommended to me by someone who owned an older Jaguar which actually ran.

Friday afternoon I got my car back. Work included not only the needed replacement starter assembly, but a new timing chain and associated parts, new water pump, new radiator hoses, new serpentine belt, new spark plugs and ignition wires, replacement of coolant, replacement of transmission oil, and an oil change since it was about due. It wasn't cheap (even the mechanic asked if I really wanted to do all this) but now it's done and by someone I trust. I'm happy that he did it and not someone I had to find in a hurry in the middle of nowhere after a breakdown. Also, I couldn't buy a used car as good as what I've got for what I spent. And I know the maintenance history of the car I have.

I expect to be driving this car a few more years yet. It felt so good to get it back, working reliably once again. While it's possible to get by, for a few days, imposing and relying on others and their schedules, it just doesn't feel right.

Comments

[khirmoonclaw.livejournal.com]

Glad everything worked out for ya.. Yotas have been known for there long lasting cars and for the mileage you have that seems about right changing the plugs and wires along with your timing and the others..

When I had my cavalier they had it down to the almost excite mileage that certain parts would go out around XX number of miles..

Im currently in my first Toyota Ive ever owned and I hope it last me a long long time! ^_^

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Follow the recommended maintenance schedule and your vehicle should last a good long time. That's about all I've done. Maybe I got a bit carried away with the current work, but it's reassuring that those things (besides the one troublesome item) have been taken care of before they became a problem.

[khirmoonclaw.livejournal.com]

First Thing I did in mine was change the oil to synthetic.. I ran Synthetic in my cavalier and It ran alot smoother and I got tons of life out.. sure its more epensive but worth it to get your car going strong!