1999 Toyota Corolla Levin - Repair or Scrap ?

LGillawarna87 on 20/01/2016 - 17:55
Last edited 21/01/2016 - 09:36 by 1 other user

Hey guys, I really some help.

I went to my friends beach house on the weekend. The beach house is 180kms away. I was almost there and the car completely died on me and white smoke started emitting out the front of the car. I called NRMA roadside assist and they said that the radiator was cracked (evident) and there was perhaps a blown head gasket also.

The next day I had it towed to the local NRMA approved Repco mechanic. He said that the car required a new engine and radiator and would cost $2200 to fix. He said another option was scrapping it but I would not get any money for this.

It will cost around $800 to tow it back to Sydney.

I am now back in Sydney but my car is still 180 kms away at the mechanics. The car is a 1999 Toyota Corolla Levin. I've had the car for 10 years and I'm hesitant to pour $2200 into the car that is so old.

It's a hard situation because the car is far away and cannot be driven around to get quotes and comparisons. He could be lying to me about the severity of the damage though, but he seems like a good guy to me…

I'm leaning towards just scrapping the car.

I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks guys.

Automotive

Comments

  • mskeggs on 20/01/2016 - 18:16
    +2

    What a hassle.
    I agree it doesn't sound like it is worth repairing.
    The car would have some value in its condition, but you aren't in a position to sell it for parts etc.
    I suppose you could rent a car trailer, and borrow a vehicle to tow it home, but that would have costs and take you a day too.
    24 hour auction on ebay with buyer to pay immediately via paypal and collect ASAP? The risk is if the buyer stuffs around the Repco guy he has your number to hassle you.

    It might be time to send it to the scrap yard.

    • Gillawarna87 on 20/01/2016 - 18:52
      +1

      Thanks ms.
      I'm leaning towards a scrap…

      • altomic on 21/01/2016 - 00:21
        +1

        yep, give the car to the mechanic and just walk away.

        • mattyman on 21/01/2016 - 11:24

          Speak to a scrap yard yourself and get it towed there. You should be able to get something for it.

          Take the number plates to get a refund on your remaining rego.

  • jzdhgkd on 20/01/2016 - 18:16

    I'm surprised you would get absolutely nothing for scrapping the car. Must be the "fee" the mechanic takes for doing it?

    Maybe you can advertise it on gumtree as a part out/not working and see if anyone local to the area might want to take it off your hands for a couple of hundred or so. Better than getting absolutely nothing!

    • Gillawarna87 on 20/01/2016 - 18:53

      I called up two places and got a quote for $35 and another for $75 for the entire car. I have no doubt the mechanic will make some cash off it but at least I don't have to worry about it…

  • rambutann on 20/01/2016 - 18:17
    +2

    He's definitely not lying to you, and that's a fairly good price of repair given the circumstances.

    I would probably scrap it if I were you.

  • oscargamer on 20/01/2016 - 18:23

    let him have it for the tow fee

    move on

  • pao2x on 20/01/2016 - 18:24
    +1

    Scrap it. Take your rego money back and maybe a few hundred bucks for scrap. You still would not be that much worse off

  • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2016 - 18:25
    -5

    A 16 year old Corolla? The government would have paid you to scrap that crap in the UK. Dump it, buy a Bentley.

    • Marcsie on 20/01/2016 - 21:28
      +1

      I rather push a Corolla than driving a Bentley :)

      • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2016 - 22:40
        -1

        What does that even mean?

  • RockyRaccoon on 20/01/2016 - 18:32
    +1

    Proibably correct in the price you have been given, however rather than a NEW engine, you could probably get one from a wrecker.

    If that doesnt suit, then advertsie the car on eBay/gumtree, if it's in reasonable condition other than the motor/radiator. You may get a few hundred.

    Also remember you can cash in rego/CTP if there is some value there.

    Where were you stranded?

    Some Ozbargainers may know mechanics in that area who could advise on cost of secondhand engine rather than a fully reconditioned one the repco guys are probably quoting you.

    • sparkles on 20/01/2016 - 22:35

      I replaced a motor from the wrecker once, it cost over $2k and that was years ago. It's all the labour that kills it. The only good thing is that you replace your 150,000km motor with a 40,000km one which extends the life of the car considerably. Motor goes great, but the rest pretty much falls apart around you LOL.

  • Gillawarna87 on 20/01/2016 - 18:46

    Thanks for the responses guys. Legends! I love this community so much! :)
    I will need to call the mechanic before the week ends. He kindly said he would store the car for me (no fee) until I decided what to do with it.

  • marka on 20/01/2016 - 18:49

    Without knowing much about the condition car itself, carsales.com.au sells a 1999 Toyota Corolla Levin (Manual) with ~94000km at about ~$4500.

    I find it hard to justify 48% of the value of the car for repair. Unless you need a car for work and you're strapped for cash i'd say give it a miss. The $2200 is better in your pocket for a new car.

    • Gillawarna87 on 20/01/2016 - 18:51

      My car is an auto with 200,000kms on it

      • marka on 20/01/2016 - 18:53

        Brings the price to closer $5000. Unfortunately at that price it still does not make it reasonable.

    • spackbace on 20/01/2016 - 19:08

      Yep but Gumtree is about $3,200 (the only 1999 auto Corolla Levin in the country apparently!)

      So +1 to scrapping it

  • Gillawarna87 on 20/01/2016 - 19:22

    Thanks everyone. Love yas!

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