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Long story short, I was trying to accelerate hard in my 1999 Corolla, and I downshifted into 2nd at about 70 mph (didn’t realize how fast I was going). I watched as the tach instantly zipped up to 8k (redline is 6k), thought “oh shit”and kicked in the clutch again, but it was too late. The engine stalled. No bang or anything, just stalled. So, still going about 65 mph, I tried to restart the car using the key, nothing. Put it in 5th, released the clutch, nothing. I managed to coast safely to the side of the road in neutral, and I popped the hood. It smelled heavily of clutch– later I realized this was due to my attempts to restart using 5th. I tried starting with the key, and the starter sounded like it really was trying, but couldn’t spin the engine. I put the car in 5th and tried just pushing it, and it reached a point where the engine just wouldn’t spin anymore, going either direction. So, does it sound like the engine is seized, or something else? There’s no hole in the block, so I didn’t throw a rod or anything, but it’s certainly possible there’s internal damage. What do you guys think?
Also, the shop I had it towed to is closed over the weekend, so I’m considering going there today and removing the oil pan just to see if there’s any metal chunks in it. Should I even bother?
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[quote=”LeoTheLion89″ post=59744]EDIT: DO NOT BUY A CAR FROM A PRIVATE OR “BY OWNER” SELLER. THERE IS A REASON THEY ARE SELLING IT AND MOST LIKELY IT IS DUE TO SOME PROBLEM(S) WITH THE CAR THAT IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO FIX OR THEY DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX SAID PROBLEM(S).[/quote]
With $1000, I don’t really have much choice. The cheapest I’ve seen from the shadiest-looking Craigslist dealer is about twice that, plus of course processing fees and such. I figure I’ll just do my due diligence inspecting it, assisted by Eric’s “how to buy a used car” series.
Did you check dealerships that resell salvage title Vehicles? I have on in a neighboring town in which i can get both a 1996 Buick Regal and a 90s Silverado for $995 a piece (not that i will tho)
[quote=”ToyotaKarl” post=59747]As far as selling your Corolla, I may be interested. Where are you located?
Karl![/quote]
I’m in the Northern Virginia area. Besides the engine, the car is in relatively good condition cosmetically. For the most part the paint still shines, the seats aren’t ripped, dashboard isn’t cracked or faded, etc. It will need some new rear struts and a driver’s interior door handle (common problem with these cars it seems, as all the junkyard cars I looked at had their handles removed). Oh and the panel around the stereo is a different color than the rest of the dash (tan in a gray dash). Clutch replaced about 25k ago, though it may have experienced some wear when I tried to restart the seized engine in 5th. Starter has been remanufactured, brakes are solid, front struts are relatively new, windshield is about 4 years old, as are the tyres (a set of Michelins rated at 80k miles iirc) with plenty of tread left (probably 30k on them). What do you think it’s worth?
[quote=”RogueTeddy” post=59754]My advice …. Go by a 2.4L Camry or a 1.8L under 150,000kms your pretty set with that just try and make sure theyve had the three major services 40k,80k and 120k for the corolla and the 45k 90k and 120k on the Camry …especially the 80k service on the corolla that’s a major service with intake fuel filter. You get one of those two your set may not be the fastest or prettiest cars on the planet but they are damn reliable[/quote]
Which years are you referring to? I’m looking at 92+ and don’t see a 2.4L or a 1.8L. There’s a 2.2L 4cyl and a 3.0 v6 and getting either of those in good condition with less than 150k for $1k isn’t going to happen.
[quote=”LeoTheLion89″ post=59769]Did you check dealerships that resell salvage title Vehicles? I have on in a neighboring town in which i can get both a 1996 Buick Regal and a 90s Silverado for $995 a piece (not that i will tho)[/quote]
As wary as I am of buying from a private seller, I’m EXTREMELY wary of buying a salvage title. Yes, it could have been something basic that was replaced, or it could have been in a major collision and will never run right again.
[quote=”lifeinhd” post=59775][quote=”LeoTheLion89″ post=59769]Did you check dealerships that resell salvage title Vehicles? I have on in a neighboring town in which i can get both a 1996 Buick Regal and a 90s Silverado for $995 a piece (not that i will tho)[/quote]
As wary as I am of buying from a private seller, I’m EXTREMELY wary of buying a salvage title. Yes, it could have been something basic that was replaced, or it could have been in a major collision and will never run right again.[/quote]
long as the Airbags didnt deploy damage cant be too bad
Was meant to say 1.8L corolla but the 2.2L 5SFEs are brilliant as well just check the rear of the rocker cover for leaks and at the corner of the block/sump for any oil leaks if you do find them with those leaks I can make a video to help you fix them
Im going to reply to several comments here.
the only good time to have a saturn is while parking in a mall parking lot. no door dings. They are over weight under powered and uncomfortable for anyone over 5’9. (the wipers on the stupid thing didnt even clear the windshield high enough for me to see out of it, had to do a wiper arm swap with a venture) They should have all came DOHC with the 2 series coming with a turbo.
Ecotec 2.2 are great engines. good power to torque ratio (as long as you stay away from the auto trans) that ran in many of the later cavaliers and successors. i thought about swapping one into the saturn before i decided i just didnt like the car that well.
Just because Daewoo was/is owned by GM, doesnt mean parts are interchangeable. Saturn was a GM brand built in the US, and even a Chevrolet Dealership couldnt deal with its computer systems until close to the brand’s death. My friend’s GTO shares NOTHING with Chevrolet Buick or Cadillac of the same year span, and that includes wheel lug bolt pattern.
volvos arent bad, as for resale, if you cant dump it donate it as a tax right off. Around here Camrys seem to hold their value a long way. my mom’s 03 is still booking out at almost 10k.
Be wary of salvage titled vehicles. In my state they dont tell you why it was a salvage, being the east coast you might wind up with a flood destroyed car from last winter’s storm in the north east. some states wont let you register them, some insurance companies wont insure them. If you find one you are seriously looking at, check under the carpet in the passenger cabin, under the trunk mats, and pull a few connectors off in the engine, see if theres any water damage. you can also ask a reputable dealer to run the vin and see about when it was declared a total loss if not why. Dont trust CarFax, they have a habit of missing things.
On an older car a simple scratch in the paint can total out a car and make it a salvage title. but then it may have hit a brick wall or been stuffed into the back of a truck and haphazardly been rebuilt.
[quote=”Lord Ihcalam” post=59787]Be wary of salvage titled vehicles. In my state they dont tell you why it was a salvage, being the east coast you might wind up with a flood destroyed car from last winter’s storm in the north east. some states wont let you register them, some insurance companies wont insure them. If you find one you are seriously looking at, check under the carpet in the passenger cabin, under the trunk mats, and pull a few connectors off in the engine, see if theres any water damage. you can also ask a reputable dealer to run the vin and see about when it was declared a total loss if not why. Dont trust CarFax, they have a habit of missing things.
On an older car a simple scratch in the paint can total out a car and make it a salvage title. but then it may have hit a brick wall or been stuffed into the back of a truck and haphazardly been rebuilt.[/quote]
u never tell the insurance company that it is a salvage duh
[quote=”Lord Ihcalam” post=59782]Just because Daewoo was/is owned by GM, doesnt mean parts are interchangeable. [/quote]
if u look under the hood of a 04-08 Aveo or Aveo5 and loon under the hood of a 98-02 Daewoo Lanos you will see that everythin under the hood (minus the power steering tank location and lack of badging on the engine) that the aveo is completely identical. You can even take a Mp3 CD Stereo found in a 04-08 aveo and pput it into a Lanos and vice versa its the same wiring harness. You compare the speakers of a Aveo sedan to the speakers in a Lanos sedan you will notice the size is the same including the plugs on the speakers’ wiring harness. The wheel base and lug pattern on the Aveo matches the Lanos only thing different is the brake calipers.
its called a vin for a reason, duh. INS companies have a strange tendancy to ask for it. if you arent going to provide accurate information, why bother commenting other than to boost your post count.
oooh your stereo and wheels match up. well the stereo from my truck slid right into my saturn, and the wheels have the same bolt pattern as a honda. doesnt mean they are interchangeable.
Well, I think the search is over. Today I saw three more cars: a 1991 Lexus LS 400 with mold in the back seat and a hole in the exhaust; a 1999 Buick Lesabre that ripped its own serpentine belt to shreds during the test drive; and a beautiful 1992 Volvo 940 GL with just shy of 160k. Drove like a dream, tracked perfectly straight, interior was mint, exterior was almost as good, engine was smooth. transmission shifted great. She was asking $1350, I haggled to $1000. I’ll be picking it up Friday (and due to some stories I’ve heard about owners messing with their own cars, I will be doing another inspection at that time). I’m also going to bring a scan tool– anyone know if Volvos had OBD in 1992?
There are really three problem areas: 1) it will need front brakes immediately. Frankly I’m surprised it’s not already metal-on-metal. Brakes may also need a bleed (but the fluid looks good). 2) two new tyres will be in order shortly after, as the two fronts are starting to get dry rotted. And 3) A/C doesn’t work, but compressor kicks on. Fortunately I don’t really use A/C unless I’m suffering a heat stroke, but I’ll try adding freon and see what happens.
Also, the power sunroof doesn’t open (but doesn’t leak either), and the rear seats don’t fold down (they were never designed to, but I did use that feature in the Corolla somewhat often). Nuisances, but not the end of the world either.
Overall, I’m very happy about the deal. It’s leaps and bounds above anything else I’ve seen, and probably the best I’ll do for $1k.
EDIT: Aargh, it’s always something. So apparently when my friend checked the dash lights, several did not come on, including the CEL. Also, the left side of the speedometer did not illuminate with the headlights on. Sabotage, or…? I’ll def. be trying to pull codes Friday to find out. Apparently older Volvos actually have a really cool on-board trouble code thing, where I connect a jumper and an LED blinks codes, no scan tool required.
It would really piss me off if it were sabotaged, as it’s a fantastic car otherwise. Just hoping a couple things have burned out, as it is 21 years old and they did use real light bulbs back then (iirc). But if there’s codes, I’m prepared to walk away.
congrats on the new ride. 1992 cars were OBD-1 as in count the service engine blinks type. can you swipe the tires from your corolla? is 92 an R12 refrigerant system? if so you are in for a spendy charge.
[quote=”Lord Ihcalam” post=59805]
oooh your stereo and wheels match up. well the stereo from my truck slid right into my saturn, and the wheels have the same bolt pattern as a honda. doesnt mean they are interchangeable.[/quote]If you can put Honda Rims on a saturn and vice versa then its interchangable. Saturn SL rims will fix on my Lanos too. If i can get some nice Honda Rims for my Lanos i will just cant find any I like.
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