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Hello,
I have a 2002 Toyota Camry Solara with 170K miles on it that's been sitting for 5 years. We added air in the tires and jump started it but it kept dying. It looks like it needs all new tires, a new battery, new air filter, windshield wipers, an oil change, and a general check up. My brother can help me install the battery to get it to a mechanic but I don't know how to do the rest and would rather pay someone to fix it for me. Does anybody have a rough idea of how much it might cost?
I'm debating on whether I should fix it up or buy a new used car. I may only need a car for a year or so, so this is why I'm not sure if the car would be worth it for me to fix it up only to leave it again. I figure if I buy another car in better condition and only use it for a year, I could probably resell it for about a thousand dollars less than when I bought it. Does that sound like a better option? Worse case is if I realize I need a car for longer, I have a reliable car and won't have to worry about it dying on me. I really only need the car for the occasional grocery store trip or going out on the weekends or a random event. I work from home so don't need to commute.
Without compression, the car either won't drive or will have a lot of problems doing so. A compression tester will help you there. If you test compression by starting the engine, you'll need to ensure that there is oil in the engine and that all ignition related items are addressed (fuel, air, spark). If the engine doesn't have compression, you might want to stop there. An engine rebuild is costly.
Make sure the car has oil (check and add as needed) then try to turn on the engine.
Also check if the car's structure intact. This is the area that can be the most costly. Cars that sit - especially cars that sit outside - rust.
If you only need to put new battery to get it to the shop then buy it. Bring the car to the shop and let it check there. Then you will know what's wrong, what needs to be done and how much it will cost.
See if you can get mobile mechanic that would come to you. He will tell you what to fix for a start and if it's worth it.
Hello,
I have a 2002 Toyota Camry Solara with 170K miles on it that's been sitting for 5 years. We added air in the tires and jump started it but it kept dying. It looks like it needs all new tires, a new battery, new air filter, windshield wipers, an oil change, and a general check up. My brother can help me install the battery to get it to a mechanic but I don't know how to do the rest and would rather pay someone to fix it for me. Does anybody have a rough idea of how much it might cost?
I'm debating on whether I should fix it up or buy a new used car. I may only need a car for a year or so, so this is why I'm not sure if the car would be worth it for me to fix it up only to leave it again. I figure if I buy another car in better condition and only use it for a year, I could probably resell it for about a thousand dollars less than when I bought it. Does that sound like a better option? Worse case is if I realize I need a car for longer, I have a reliable car and won't have to worry about it dying on me. I really only need the car for the occasional grocery store trip or going out on the weekends or a random event. I work from home so don't need to commute.
Any thoughts?
Why was the car left sitting initially?
Take it to a mechanic. Get it running and drive it for a year. The air filter, tires, windshield wipers are all things you can do yourself it’s really easy. The general check up can be a two edged sword as a mechanic can start wanting to replace things that are still ok. So be careful what you have them check. When you’re done with the car you’ll still be able to sell it for more than you got into it as its basically a two door Camry and usually a very reliable car.
Have the mechanic throw fuel injector cleaner in it and fill it up and take it for a long long drive once you get tires and filters on it.
Imo buying a used car can be more of a problem as you have no idea what you’re buying. You most likely will not find the same type of vehicle for less than fixing this one so you’ll have higher acquisition costs. Unless this car was giving you problems before it was parked I would fix this rather than get a different used car.
You're looking to minimize your costs.
Take it to a mechanic. Get it running and drive it for a year. The air filter, tires, windshield wipers are all things you can do yourself it’s really easy. The general check up can be a two edged sword as a mechanic can start wanting to replace things that are still ok. So be careful what you have them check. When you’re done with the car you’ll still be able to sell it for more than you got into it as its basically a two door Camry and usually a very reliable car.
Have the mechanic throw fuel injector cleaner in it and fill it up and take it for a long long drive once you get tires and filters on it.
Imo buying a used car can be more of a problem as you have no idea what you’re buying. You most likely will not find the same type of vehicle for less than fixing this one so you’ll have higher acquisition costs. Unless this car was giving you problems before it was parked I would fix this rather than get a different used car.
You're looking to minimize your costs.
I agree with Electrician4you - assuming this Camry was working fine when it was parked, it's probably still in pretty good shape. All the items you mentioned are pretty minor things, no matter who does them - you or a mechanic. Most expensive part will be new tires, but even that's roughly $500 with mid-grade tires. And if you get this car back on the road for about $1K, and it's basically fine (just older), you can either use it yourself for the next year as proposed, or sell it as a working Camry in good shape to help finance an upgrade. A 17yo Camry that's up on blocks and "rumored to be running 5 years ago" is worth somewhere near $0, but the same car that's demonstrably running okay and has passed inspection will be worth something like $3K $4K - that price is easy to check out online also.
The fact it wont stay running could simply be bad fuel, or a whole list of other problems. I would tend to think you could find something else in running condition for what you could end up spending on this one.
I'd say get it to a mechanic for an estimate.
Let's say the cost of repairs to get it back on the road is $2000. Could you find a truly reliable car for $2000 or would you be worrying about it just as much as you would worry about this one?
If the car is not rusted out from sitting I would say try to keep it going especially if you will only be needing it for another year or so.
Why was the car sitting for 5 years.? If you cant do the work needed i'd think about a used Toyota Corolla that is running.
Absolutely.
A car sitting for 5 years will have all sorts of moisture and rust problems. Good Luck !
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