I have a 1998 Corrolla that gets a tad bumpy at high speeds but runs fairly smoothly. Has 214000 km in it and I am hoping to push it from Saint John to British Columbia to live there.? I was planning on getting it looked at first but does anyone have any times where they made far journs in old cars?
Feeling a bit "bumpy" at high speeds could just be a tire balancing issue. I would think you'll make it fine at 214,000 kms. Make sure to keep some tools, a spare part or two and some fluids in the car just in case. I haven't made a journey that far in a car. But I somewhat recently bought a Jeep with 330k on it, and only a week in to owning it took it on a ~500km round trip while driving it pretty hard (average speed was about 130 km/h). That was 6 months ago and I'm still driving it with little to no repairs, so I can't imagine the corolla would have a problem. It's gonna be a long-ass drive though, Canada's wide.
depends on how well maintained the car is. do you spend the money on upkeep, or are you more inclined to let shit slide?
Preventive maintenance is the only defense you really have, and even that is no guarantee. Toyota makes one of the best cars on the road. For a long trip in an older car, new tires are a good great idea. Fresh oil/filter, and try to have any oil leaks repaired before you leave. A sound cooling system is a must. A flat tire is an inconvenience, a faulty cooling system will junk the car in just a few minutes. You will not be ok nursing it with a jug of water. That might buy you some time around town, but not on a long trip. Break downs never happen when it's convenient. I recommend roadside assistance club membership, like AAA.
Check to see if your car is leaking anything first, oil, coolant, atf, whatever. If it's a bad leak fix it asap. Carry extra oil, atf, coolant, a spare tire. Maybe change your oil/filter as well as your transmission fluid/filter. Try to look inside your radiator and see if it's real bad corroded, if it is do a coolant flush.
Option "7" Sell it ...it's fucked and only a matter of time before it costs you bigtime....working on the logic, that if it's old and worn, it will be very painful during your move, to replace, so if you are buying a place add a chunk more of cash to your mortgage and buy a cheap replacement at your destination
i drove from Houston to Los Angeles in a $600 '90 Chevy Corsica. my alternator failed around El Paso, had it replaced at a Pep Boys for like 90 dollars, kept a small gas can and jump cables at all times. double check your spare and associated tools, if your battery dies or you run dry, hold your cables or gas can in the air standing at the back of your car; someone will stop.
It all depends on how much you value your life. The car has issues. If your not a mechanic then stay clear of that ride. If you take the chance , you make dam sure it's sound because their are others out there. Why not sell it rent a uhaul and problems solved. I drove a motorhome from Michigan to Colorado, by the time i hit Colorado, the motorhome Jason it'slast leg. We rented the motorhome. I had to work on it so i could make it to my brothers. Changed plugs, cap wires, filters and rebuilt the care. I turned the motorhome back full of shit and never paid him the rest of the money, we took extra days. Just be sure to have it fully serviced, ball joints,struts,tires, brakes, everything. That just scars me. Your going alone?
Check you coolant hoses. If they are cracked or damp you need to change them before they blow. My car is ''bumpy'' when the tires are low on air. Describe this bumpy condition. Does your steering wheel shake? Do you feel it more in the rear? It might be a easy fix.
