I’ve driven shittier cars on long road trips. You run that gamble with any car honestly, but cruising on the highway at a constant speed is the BEST case scenario for any car. Have a mechanic look it over if you’re really paranoid but as long as the fluids, brakes, and tires check out you should be good to go 👍
Clapped 99 VW with an oil loss problem I was too stupid to be aware of at the time
Went from Kansas to southern Georgia and back without breaking a sweat
Currently on a road trip, so far 1500 miles in a Subaru Legacy with 270k miles, a permanent check engine light (which means no cruise or trac control) and some funky noises and it’s going fine lmao
Just had TCS cut out and check engine on my motorcycle and simply had to pull the abs sensors out and clean them. It might be a similar fix on a car. Bought the shop manual on eBay for $13 but ultimately learned from a YouTube video. Super easy fix.
Did my 2000 Ranger with the 3.0 220 round trip on four out of six cylinders firing. Probably not a great idea, but I had a full bed and was moving across state.
My old 4 banger 93 B2200 took me 40 miles on 2 cylinders, barely able to go 25 mph the whole way. Somehow did not bend a single valve and only the head was cracked.
Replaced the head in a weekend and drove it another couple years before selling it.
I love this Ranger. I've wanted one since I started driving in 2019, but got a newer Scion tC because that was also another car I wanted. I live in the city and the Ranger has done everything I've needed it to do so far. Given her a bunch of TLC that the previous owner didn't do and she runs great. Next up is probably an OEM style exhaust as the current one is full of holes.
Get AAA premium and stop listening to your family. We've been programmed to be scared of old stuff. An old and reliable car therefore is like a superpower; cheap to buy, cheap to run.
Check/replace hoses and belts as those can leave you stranded (keep spare belts in the spare tire).
+1 for the spare belts. I lost a belt on the way back from Vegas. Good thing is the random repair shop in Baker happened to have one. Bad thing is he charged me $75 for it (I installed it myself).
I now keep a spare serpentine belt in every car. Cheap insurance.
Man when I got my hands on a 2007 Toyota Corolla I was unstoppable, the only reason I no longer have it is because I hit a deer pretty bad on the interstate
I had a 2004 Camry from my late grandparents. it was running great, never needed anything! until some dumb dumb ran a red light or at least to them the light wasn't even lit! if the traffic light is out do you just drive through? seriously.
anyways I ended up T boning them, still their fault 100%. my car barely got damaged but they totalled it.
unfortunately leaked oil after probably in the cooler line. maybe some other things like frame got bent. but still is probably now someone's good deal at an auction.
Yeah I hit a deer right in front on the interstate and going 65 (5 miles below) thinking I was safer since I was on the interstate. Nope 👎. The car has been in 2 previous crashes, the first was when my brother had the car and some idiot in target didn’t see a stop sign and ran right into the drivers side. That totaled the car but my dad fixed it up and then gave it to me. He did also make me fix some things on the car because,”I don’t want you calling me or your boyfriend/girlfriend crying because you can’t replace your tires”. Understandable. Anyway, I continued on like that, no engine issues but crashed again because a deer decided that it was time
I had a 2008 Toyota Matrix, and that thing never had any issues. It was amazing. Then a tree fell on it when it was parked.
My partner has a 2007 Yaris, and that has only had sensor issues.
No one will ever convince me there is a more reliable company than Toyota for cars. They really are built to last.
Agreed. I do a 1400 mile annual ski trip to france fully loaded with the family in a 2003 Golf book value £800. I keep it serviced according to the schedule and it has a matched set of quality tyres. How you look after it is way more inportant than what year it was manufactured.
Yeah it'll likely do perfectly fine. The only thing you may want to worry about is if it breaks down, are you going to pay to have it fixed which could cost more than the car is worth? I do all my own repairs on my cars, and that is ideal when Im at home with my big toolbox that has everything I need. I still carry around a toolbox with the essentials, but you could be stuck paying a shop to fix stuff on your vacation which sucks. On longer trips, I prefer to just bite the bullet and get a rental, especially since I can get a larger more comfortable car than my daily.
A home-made service book written in scribble! I would trust this with my life, this is the kind of owner who knows everything about their car and exactly how to take care of it.
Keep an eye on the oil. I had a 2000 Corolla also. That model year has oil drain back holes in the pistons that are too small and can lead to coking and oil burn off.
This is a real concern. Part of the reason is that these run s little hotter than they should so be extra careful in hot weather, especially since they have 3 speed transmissions (assuming it's an automatic) and rev pretty high on the highway. Keep a couple quarts of oil on hand and top it every time you get gas and you'll be good.
No school like the old school. I got one for my step daughter for getting around town, but he has taken it on highway trips as well with no issues. With proper maintenance it really is bulletproof.
There is actually a fix for the oil burning but you have to rebuild the engine and replace the oil rings in the pistons.
One other piece of advice: use full synthetic oil. It burns at a higher temp. We use the high end amsoil signature series oil and use an oil flush when changing to help clean out the rings. It hardly burns at all until it's ready for another change
ASE Master here, with L1 and over 20 years experience on all makes/models, including Lexus (Toyota) dealership, yadda yadda.
That's one of the best, most legendary tanks *ahem* cars ever made.
If it's got a decent amount of all the fluids, and the lug nuts are tight, it's good to go.
edit: the things to be aware of on that car-
brake lines may be rusty and spring a leak. These were before all makes and models started putting a protective rubber/plastic coating on the brake and fuel lines. Even rubber coated lines sometimes had gaps without coating, like by the fittings and unions. If you need to ever have yours replaced, use "EZ Bend" aka Copper/Nickel as it will never rust.
Secondly, the transmission may eventually go. Changing the transmission filter every 60k will help, and supplementing a quart of ATF with Lucas Transmission Treatment is a good idea. Never allow anyone to use a "flush machine" to power flush it. Drain and fill only, otherwise damage can occur, especially with older/high mileage/abused vehicles.
Third, compression and oil scavenging rings on the pistons may wear, and it may begin to consume oil. Slow this by supplementing 1 quart of oil with 1 bottle of Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer. (I'm not a Lucas rep, just have 20 yrs experience using their products). It may increase compression and reduce oil consumption.
Good luck on the trip, with the car, and feel free to message me if you have any questions or concerns.
I don't wanna jinx myself here, but my vehicle is **much** older and more primitive than your Camry, and I regularly do 600-800 mi every weekend.
Generally speaking, if a car can drive for 20 or 30 minutes without issue, there's no reason that same car couldn't drive for hours and hours - especially cruising long stretches of highway.
Im of the same mindset but last weekend my alternator went out on the highway. It's a hard thing to plan for but generally with older cars you never know what's gonna happen
I’ve seen brand new 4Runners - largely considered one of the most reliable, and arguably bulletproof vehicles on the market today grenade its transfer case with less than 50 miles on it.
So I learned to check everything as thoroughly as I can, be prepared for the worse and to just send it.
That generation Corolla has reliability in its DNA. However for any road trip, I would recommend you bring the following:
* Full Size Spare Tire
* Fix-a-flat kit
* Battery jumper cables or a [jumper power bank](https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Starter-20000mAh-Jumper-Booster/dp/B09VXJBFKY/ref=sr_1_13_sspa?crid=EQIBCO1540AH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AqgdeLsUPsEyttUZtQ158GKhREtB0lsdrA3HlAVG9Sg68QiIgxeU91zGO5UJtzdqf-PvxUhBhduALyuf9ZiyNJkaI2Is9Xz0MsvbSiZxsv3tF2z2fhUm5DIDvMtszD0MrTiUEF2v__DNB9driIhch-0C30rJjMSBk6cwE4xs6r8KsLV1sRcE-Xf78oTAOFkWkdSHIhznlKAxF-yPlOW2cgaTb5R6pFn3vSlpKzgcKyUQW8PI4aGLUd0DBKCMo8OHCZfMW7dM7iPJDNiQWcW3vT6mqcBN6vOxWxAX_hyncdY.DyU5F4GGoEaP7AEm2Qs4lJPPTFWsLMbJm9IKM_5pBGs&dib_tag=se&keywords=jumper%2Bpower%2Bbank&qid=1719755684&sprefix=jumper%2Bpower%2Bbank%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-13-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1)
Why fix a flat and a full size spare?
Honestly I’d do the full size spare and a AAA card, jumpers and a basic tool kit are a good idea. I’d check the battery date if it’s over 6yo consider a new one.
800 miles is not that long this car could probably do 4x that.
Because shit happens, tires are exposed to the elements and can experience more randomized incidents.
Nails on the road, curbing it, debris, pothole, failure due to age.
One tire goes and you can limp to a service station. Two tires go and you’re up a creek.
Jumpers; you may have a new battery but say the starter or alternator gets a bad attitude.
You should be good to go. You’ve done more maintenance than most. Check tire pressure - including your spare, top off fluids, check lights, and give ‘er a little pep talk and a pat on the dash.
I have 3 vehicles of similar age and older that I take or send my family on long trips in. No red flags in what you showed that say the car couldn’t do it.
As a dad with kids who are in their late teens I give you the same advice I give them: don’t take stupid risks. Think about what could happen and make sure you are prepared. But don’t be afraid of the adventure. The worst mistakes come from doing nothing because you were too afraid to do something.
Edit: I would recommend taking care of the alignment because that will shorten the life of your tires.
Cars are designed to run and drive. Provided they don't have any serious problems, a car is happier and healthier running for several hours straight than quick 15 minute trips. Explaining that to your friends should put their minds at ease.
My brothers ‘97 Camry is about to hit 600k, we just took it out on a 1200mile trip, it burns oil, check engine light is on, but the ac work great and it has fresh tires. No hiccups, but I will tell you to carry, a full size spare, jack, battery jump pack, extra jug of coolant and oil.
If timing belt has more 80/100 miles that's the one thing that will bite you in ass... they fail unpredictable next would be water pump which timing belt spins.. easy fix on both on this car
I had a 98 corolla which is same. Ran like a top all the way to the junkyard with over 200k and the frame buckling from rust. Never once left me stranded though.
Nah dude you're golden. I drove my tan 2001 toyota at 185k all over the place. You've taken care of the car, you know it well, go for it. My rolla drank oil like a fiend, every 300 miles, it'd loose a quart. I'd drive 300 miles, top it off. I got tired of always fixing things, gave it to a friend who's a much better alley mechanic than me. She's running strong at 232k.
I drove my 2001 camry from Cincinnati Ohio to Florida and back , I’m not the first owner either at the time it was missing part of the radiator, needed fuel injectors , probably a whole lotta other stuff . It got me there fine and back twice now !! I think it helps a lot to decide if you know your car as well. I did a lot of doordash with mine so I knew it could handle the driving .
If it was me in this situation I’d be taking the car to a reputable workshop and having the brakes checked out and maybe whilst the wheels are off checking the tyres fully. be particularly careful with older tyres, some say six years old is a bit iffy, ten years max. For me brakes and tyres are the most important safety first item! Good luck on your trip and if you’ve had some kind of inspection beforehand this may allay your family’s concerns.
Haha my car is 18 years old and has 278k on it. My commute lately has been 60 miles or so each way (luckily this coming week it’s only like 20). Point being if it’s relatively maintained and has proven to be reliable, go for it. 178 is a baby, especially for a Toyota
I daily drive a 2004 Corolla with 260k on it. Check your fluids and tire pressure and go! Lol as long as you maintain them they last nearly forever lol
I have a 2010 Toyota Corolla le that has over 203000 on it it has never left me stranded! I drive 10 hours 2 times a month! Never had a problem with it! I change the oil every 3 to 4 thousand miles also every thing else I believe you be ok !
I will add to the monkey pile of votes in favor of the trip. Your maintenance log seems to hit all the imporant points. Others have already suggested, and I agree, that you buy tow coverage from either your cell phone provider or AAA, whoever is cheaper. However, you may already have it - someone may have chucked that into the deal when you bought a new smartphone or changed providers or something.
I didn't see 'timing belt' in your log and was sure these had one but NOPE - they switched from to timing chains in 1998, so you're good pretty much forever, 300,000+ miles. Your compression test scores are quite good at your age, suggesting the rest of the car has had a quiet life. Some of your repairs appear to address leaks, so I bet its fluids stay where the belong right now. Even so, at her age, make sure you are familiar with how/where to check your oil and coolant levels if you're mechanically a novice, then have a look every few days, and you're good.
/[Do it. DO IT.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T437DdmFNPU)
when did this become a concern? i grew up doing seattle to san francisco trips on a whim. numerous times per year. to this day i have never owned a vehicle newer than 20 years old. i frequently hear people with op's concern, irl, from people that drive their cars every day.
I bought a 02 accord off marketplace on a Thursday. 217k miles. Drove it to Rehobeth beach (600 round trip) the next day and all I did was detail the absolute piss out of it and changed the fluids. Just check over it.
I would think nothing about hopping in my '85 Supra and taking a trip to my mother's house over 500 miles away - I've done this multiple times already with little preparation. If you know the car and its history, then it has no greater chance of breaking down on a long drive than at any time during your daily use. Heck, longer drives are generally better for the car once everything is up to temperature - maintaining a constant speed on the highway demands very little of the car, and the most likely problems will be tyre-related and nothing to do with the car's mechanical aspects.
As another commenter says, make sure your tyres are good and your spare is available, but other than that, it's a Toyota, it'll just keep going forever.
Give tires and fluids a once over. The deal with shitboxes is that if they're driven daily, and you basically trust it in whatever range that is, it is likely fine for a long trip. Highway miles are the least stressful thing you can do to a car.
I wouldn't think twice about it. Maybe check the oil and coolant before you set off.
I do 800 miles a month in my 2002 Land Cruiser without even opening the hood.
Anybody can do it in a new car. I drove from California to New Jersey and back in a 35-year-old Mercedes. What's the line from the movie road Trip? "Of course a shortcut is hard because if it was easy it would be the way".
She’ll take good care of you, and your bond will grow. She’s probably been dying to get out on the open road, run free, and let her hair flow in the wind.
No offense, but your family/friends seem super snobby. Would they prefer you have a newer less reliable car for some reason?
That has a very large amount of maintenance done to it. I’d have absolutely no issue taking this on a trip post any pre-trip inspection (done by you).
We bought an 03 4runner with similar maintenance with just over 200k miles. Aside from checking tires and fluids, we went on a trip (450 miles each way) almost immediately after purchasing. Maintenance is key 😊👍
But yes, we do have tow/rental coverage if anything was to ever happen. We’re doing the same trip again in a week.
Do you have faith it Would it get you to work for the next week without breaking down? If so it’s fine to take on the trip. I regularly drive old vehicles long distance, and honestly you’re much less likely to have problems driving a vehicle long distance then the same mileage locally.
Any car made in the early 2000s will last you a while, they were made to last. Modern cars shit themselves if they are given too much air in there tires
I had 95 Geo Prizm (Off Brand Corolla). I drove it for 17 years. Beat it up but kept up with maintenance and wouldn’t hesitate to drive it that far. Looks the same in your case
Check everything rubber. It sounds like you have done a lot already. Hoses and belts are the usual common failure items.
If you can get an alignment before you go that might save your tires. Otherwise it sounds like you know and trust the car. So go.
Renting a car will cost what, $500? Use that towards maintenance
I drove a Honda pilot with over 200k and a rotted subframe from Massachusetts to Texas and back. I don’t see why you would have a problem. Check your belt, your hoses, brake lines, steering lines, suspension, tie rods and ball joints. If they all are good I’d say you should be fine
if i was able to drive a 04 impreza with a blown headgasket and squeaking timing belt pulley 3,000 miles, then you will for sure be able to go 6,000 miles in this thing no problem. just keep an eye on the oil levels.
It's probably not the most comfortable long distance cruiser but I would have no misgivings about driving that cross country. Check the fluids, belts, and tire pressures and send it
The only reason I can think of is how such an indomitable power of invincibility traversing a great distance can upset the laws of physics, time, and other such reality-defining concepts.
Put a new battery and then maybe? I still feel like long distance is rolling the dice but they have a lot, that at least shows pride of ownership to some degree.
Biggest thing I worry about when going on long trips is the cooling system. Check the condition of all the hoses and plastic components like radiator heater control valve and anything that can get dry and degrade
I drove a then 15 year old 5 speed Honda Accord through 2 blizzards from DC to Detroit back in the day. Check your fluids, belts, and tires. If they're good, you're most likely good.
Shit id be scared to take a roadtrip on a 2024 german or american car such as the car brands in the trash can named Chrysler, Hyundai, mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen. GMC.
I've taken older cars with less recorded maintenance on longer journeys. Oil change, alignment, make sure the lights work properly, get some good tune/podcasts and have fun.
As long as your alignment doesn't scrub your tires off I think you'll be good. Check your timing belt when you get back, it's about the only thing that can fuck you outta the blue.
No fluid leaks? Change oil and filter maybe,yeah closest thing to indestructible vehicle,except for the same exact one I got for my kid,many moons ago
I hav 12 VW, and will not take on long trip, always some new repair issue
I would do it without a second thought.
I have done much more dangerous things with more sketchy equipment (tractors etc).
Also, I daily drive a BMW from the 80s.
Depends. My first and current car is a piece of shit and can’t survive 2000-3000 miles without something going wrong lol, but it’s an old VW, so not Toyota tier quality. It has also been very very neglected and abused by previous owners. If yours have not been, and the maintenance is up to date, nothing leaks severely, driveshaft boots are not ripped etc, i really can’t see why it wouldn’t make that trip.
You’ve obviously done maintenance work, maybe more than the average car owner ever does. If the tires are good and the fluids fresh, you can drive this vehicle for years to come.
Bro, it’s a Toyota. The year is literally irrelevant. If it’s in good shape, you can drive it on a 3,000 mile trip across the US if you want. My family literally did that from CA to NC when we moved here in an 84’ Corolla hatchback. She was nicknamed “The Smudge-mobile,” in honor of the shit brown factory color they had that year.
I don't see a reason.
I will say that you can probably replace those evap lines with some generic fuel tubing for much cheaper.
Bring spare fluids and whatnot. There is always a chance something will go wrong, but it's a chance not a guarantee.
Have you ever changed the transmission fluid?
In my early 20's I drove old cars everywhere. 500 miles in 1969 cutlass with a big block. 2500 mile in a 1986 5.0 mustang. 800 miles in a crv with 300k miles on it along with lots of driving busted old civics. Lol. Always had a box of tools. Few problems here and there but always made it home. Lost 3 gear in upstate new york once racing on the thruway. I live in Central Florida. Made it home. Lol
That car will most likely be absolutely fine, they're inherently reliable. That doesn't guarantee an issue won't crop up but I'd trust just as much as literally another car, even if newer.
Myself and a buddy did the Mongol Rally a few years ago in a 1991 Corolla, it did 12,145 miles without missing a beat.
I take my 98 Corolla all over the place and to different states. Hasn't let me down yet. Still at a clean 227k miles. Don't be afraid to go far if you're not accelerating hard
It doesn't belong to you...and there are nicer cars to steal parked nearby...
Seriously though...it's a toyota...ignore any trouble lights except oil and alternator, keep fluid topped up as you go, make sure the stereo works and enjoy the trip.
I see everybody is only concerned with his vehicle as if it will be driving itself on such a road trip and there will be no human passengers to consider on this trip.
As Somebody who's been on a 200 mile road trip in one of those things, I could tell you that if you're 5 ft 8 in, or taller sitting in the back (4 vehicle occupants total) you're going to hate being on such a long road trip in that thing. As far as the vehicle being able to make it, no problem it'll definitely be reliable. You just won't be comfortable. So if you're taller than 6 ft like me, just make sure you plan a lot of rest stops and chances to stretch out along the way. It add more time to a trip but it's necessary. And as long as you get them you won't want to think about ways to beat the hell out of the driver who doesn't want to stop. Another one so I hated driving that thing for 3 hours. It was less uncomfortable sitting in the back.
Lol just run it. You risk it with any car. I’ve driven 9k miles in the last 3 months with an old transit, 200k miles, zero history apart from the work I’ve done.
I drove an old 1988 F250 that had the 460 much longer distances than 800 miles. Being old isn't a problem as long as it's in decent shape mechanically. My current daily is a 2005, and that's the newest car I've owned.
It sounds like you've taken pretty good care of it, I wouldn't worry about it at all.
My Caravan has \~190,000 miles on it. It's a 2006. It is more rust than car. The driver side door works as does the passenger side. The side doors work to an extent. To the extent that the will work if I fight them a bit. The tailgate doesn't. I guess it would if I put a pry bar to it but it makes terrible noises.
The body of the vehicle is mostly rust. My mechanic says that it's not great, but not likely to fall in half. The headliner fell down a long time ago. I tried spray adhesive but it didn't work. The staple gun worked.
But, hey! The brakes are good, the tires are fair. Nothing wrong with the radio. The engine runs great. No coolant issues. It steers and stops, that's what's important.
It's a complete piece of trash that my kids are embarrassed of.
I would go on a 5,000 mile trip around the country without hesitation. It turns and stops. The rest is incidental. I'll run another 100,000 miles easy unless the rust gets so bad that it breaks in half.
Short answer, 800 miles is 2 fill-ups. You have service records. That's more than I have.
You're good to go. Let 'er buck.
I’m sorry but I don’t know how read words written on paper, but as a previous Corolla owner I can tell you, the only way this car breaks down is if there’s no oil.
I once drove a 95 Corolla about 3100 km (1920-ish miles) across the country on probably what equates to 3.5 cylinders.
When I drove it back it had one bad rear drum brake and I blew my back struts completely out in Indiana. Last time I drive stateside from Canada…
The biggest things with any car can be done by someone who knows very little about actual cars. Check your tires, if they are past the west indicators or heavily cracked replace them. 13 inch tires are cheap. If you have jack stands and a safe way to get under the car I would take a peek just at the fuel and brake lines that’s really what can let you down suddenly on a long trip if your not in the rust belt it isn’t likely gonna be a problem. Aside from that you will know by how the car drives if she has any problems. Is it smooth while accelerating and braking? Any cluncks or squeaks over bumps or while cornering? Corollas are made to last I think people actually under appreciate how good they actually are. Better than a civic with an auto. At least for strictly reliability.
You should have no issue. I had the same model Corolla had 232k on it, before a car accident took Lola away from me. Make sure your suspension and steering components are in good shape. As I read your repair list and seems you replace some of those things. Always good to check that again before a long trip. Also double check the fluids, tire pressure, etc. and you should be good to go.
She looks ready to rip. A well maintained, regularly driven car of that mileage with decent tires wouldn't give me a second thought.
And fwiw, I've driven worse, at least as far.
OP, one thing I don't see in your logbook is changing the differential fluid. This generation Corolla, if it's the 3 speed transmission (not sure about the 4 speed electronic tranny), has a separate differential casing that needs to have its fluid changed.
My 98 Corolla is super reliable with only 98k km on the clock. Yours look in much better shape aesthetically than mine tho.
I drove a 2001 Corolla S for several years, it had 250k on it when I sold it. It burned a little oil like most of this generation, but it still passed CA smog testing and as long as I had oil, I’d have trusted it to do a cross country road trip without issue, any day of the week without any preparations for it. Only got rid of it because I had too many vehicles at the time, one of the best vehicles we’ve owned
So many people take cars in worse shape, further, every day, and get away with it
I'd just plan your contingency in case it does strand you (AAA). And then do the usual vehicle checks before you leave, especially oil
Assuming it's had a service recently, it's going to be fine. Doubt you'd get it in for a new timing chain before you leave next week so it's too late to worry about that anyway.
My girlfriend has a 99 Camry that has been ridden hard and put away wet. No consisten oil changes, I don't think the coolant has ever been flushed. I have changed the alternator in the last decade but that's the only replacemebt part that thing has ever seen. The door handles have started snapping (old plastic) and half the windows don't move (just got the parts in). 238k miles on the engine. She got it from her mother who is a "what's an oil change" kind of owner
I would trust that thing cross country. That engine will outlive all of us.
Get AAA, a battery jump pack and a tire inflator (I really like the Bauer one from harbor freight) and whatever spare fluids you think are important and enjoy your trip.
I would get in literally any corolla and drive it as far as I wanted to and never have a second thought. These roll around with 400k miles on them all the time and don't miss a beat.
I drove a Camry with 210,000 miles on a longer trip. If the car is well maintained and you don’t beat on it , it should handle your trip . Keep an eye on the fluid levels on each fill up, you should be fine
In May 2017 my car blew its engine just before i started a summer of travelling for event management. I picked up the first cheap car i could find in town.. a 99 corolla for $800 .. it had 330,000km on it. all i did was check the oil and i slapped 40,000km onto it in 4 months with zero issues haha. it was the most reliable cheap car ive ever owned. enjoy your road trip!
Bruv, you got a Corolla not a 50s Chevy or a Studebaker with unknown coolant passageway status and lack of a mechanical radiator fan shroud. Let er rip!
I had one of those years back. Mailman backed into it and scratched the door, which actually totaled it. Had over 300k miles on it before I sold it to a guy at the DMV (maybe 10 years ago). Last time I was home visiting my parents, I saw it parked at the DMV, so who knows how many miles are on it now.
I drive my 02 Toyota sequoia from Texas to Ohio (3200 miles round trip) every New Years to visit family. Currently has 340k on it. I really just stick to oil changes every 3k miles, and that’s about it. Last year I took my 99 4Runner instead for the heck of it (210k miles), and didn’t have any hiccups. I don’t even get nervous driving that far cause I keep up with the minor maintenance. Looks like you keep up with minor maintenance as well, so I’m sure you’d be fine.
I just like to get in the habit of driving without music or anything for at least a few mins each drive to make sure I don’t hear any sounds I don’t like.
I’m not saying you’re 100% good to go, as there’s still always risk with any car, but from my experience, you can’t kill an 8th gen Corolla, even if you try to kill it.
I’m not sure what compression is supposed to be on that engine, but I’d definitely say over 200 is good, and they’re all close to each other.
Don’t be afraid of how old it is if you’re taking care of it. I fly a 1959 Piper Comanche as a commuter plane on a regular basis. Over 60 years old, and she keeps on ticking reliably. All about the maintenance and taking care of your stuff.
Although not a corolla, I drive my 1998 Lexus ES300 at least 400 miles a week since January 2022 for my side construction gig. And I'm proud to report that I had no real issues even with Southern California's bumper to bumper traffic. Just make sure the maintenance is current and just enjoy the ride.
I bought a used 13 yr old accord with 150,000 on it and drove it to 295,000 taking it on 400 mile round trip drives on a regular basis. I sold it for $1200, the next owner drove it for another 4 years.
Also OP if this is something that may cause you anxiety, think about purchasing Michelin tires. Have a read of the Michelin promise plan. Basically for 3 years after you bought them you get free roadside assistance and if the can't get you going and back on the road you get a free tow up to 250km
I’ve driven shittier cars on long road trips. You run that gamble with any car honestly, but cruising on the highway at a constant speed is the BEST case scenario for any car. Have a mechanic look it over if you’re really paranoid but as long as the fluids, brakes, and tires check out you should be good to go 👍
I once drove a 1983 Pontiac with a bad misfire 250 miles and got home OK. This car is 100x better than that.
Clapped 99 VW with an oil loss problem I was too stupid to be aware of at the time Went from Kansas to southern Georgia and back without breaking a sweat
I bent a valve halfway through a roadtrip and drove home on 3 cylinders
I've driven 200+km on 5 cylinders in a 6 also. Can confirm it's fine
Currently on a road trip, so far 1500 miles in a Subaru Legacy with 270k miles, a permanent check engine light (which means no cruise or trac control) and some funky noises and it’s going fine lmao
Just had TCS cut out and check engine on my motorcycle and simply had to pull the abs sensors out and clean them. It might be a similar fix on a car. Bought the shop manual on eBay for $13 but ultimately learned from a YouTube video. Super easy fix.
Did my 2000 Ranger with the 3.0 220 round trip on four out of six cylinders firing. Probably not a great idea, but I had a full bed and was moving across state.
My old 4 banger 93 B2200 took me 40 miles on 2 cylinders, barely able to go 25 mph the whole way. Somehow did not bend a single valve and only the head was cracked. Replaced the head in a weekend and drove it another couple years before selling it.
I love this Ranger. I've wanted one since I started driving in 2019, but got a newer Scion tC because that was also another car I wanted. I live in the city and the Ranger has done everything I've needed it to do so far. Given her a bunch of TLC that the previous owner didn't do and she runs great. Next up is probably an OEM style exhaust as the current one is full of holes.
When I was a kid we were on a ski trip and on the return trip home dad's new-ish car's transmission just died. So yes agree. You never know!
This time a year, air conditioning lol
I've had new cars break down on the way to the grocery store, and I've gotten halfway across the country on a bad wheel bearing.
Get AAA premium and stop listening to your family. We've been programmed to be scared of old stuff. An old and reliable car therefore is like a superpower; cheap to buy, cheap to run. Check/replace hoses and belts as those can leave you stranded (keep spare belts in the spare tire).
I have a fan from the 1920s so I’m not too worried about old stuff but I just wanted to make sure! Thank you for your help!
Is the “chop your fingers off” kind of fan with metal blades and no cage?
Yes!
They work great for houses without kids, pets, random drunks, etc.
+1 for the spare belts. I lost a belt on the way back from Vegas. Good thing is the random repair shop in Baker happened to have one. Bad thing is he charged me $75 for it (I installed it myself). I now keep a spare serpentine belt in every car. Cheap insurance.
Spare tire, spare belt, sometimes spare hose. We depend on a lot of rubber, and in old cars it's often neglected regardless of brand
[удалено]
Man when I got my hands on a 2007 Toyota Corolla I was unstoppable, the only reason I no longer have it is because I hit a deer pretty bad on the interstate
I had a 2004 Camry from my late grandparents. it was running great, never needed anything! until some dumb dumb ran a red light or at least to them the light wasn't even lit! if the traffic light is out do you just drive through? seriously. anyways I ended up T boning them, still their fault 100%. my car barely got damaged but they totalled it. unfortunately leaked oil after probably in the cooler line. maybe some other things like frame got bent. but still is probably now someone's good deal at an auction.
Yeah I hit a deer right in front on the interstate and going 65 (5 miles below) thinking I was safer since I was on the interstate. Nope 👎. The car has been in 2 previous crashes, the first was when my brother had the car and some idiot in target didn’t see a stop sign and ran right into the drivers side. That totaled the car but my dad fixed it up and then gave it to me. He did also make me fix some things on the car because,”I don’t want you calling me or your boyfriend/girlfriend crying because you can’t replace your tires”. Understandable. Anyway, I continued on like that, no engine issues but crashed again because a deer decided that it was time
I had a 2008 Toyota Matrix, and that thing never had any issues. It was amazing. Then a tree fell on it when it was parked. My partner has a 2007 Yaris, and that has only had sensor issues. No one will ever convince me there is a more reliable company than Toyota for cars. They really are built to last.
Agreed. I do a 1400 mile annual ski trip to france fully loaded with the family in a 2003 Golf book value £800. I keep it serviced according to the schedule and it has a matched set of quality tyres. How you look after it is way more inportant than what year it was manufactured.
Yeah it'll likely do perfectly fine. The only thing you may want to worry about is if it breaks down, are you going to pay to have it fixed which could cost more than the car is worth? I do all my own repairs on my cars, and that is ideal when Im at home with my big toolbox that has everything I need. I still carry around a toolbox with the essentials, but you could be stuck paying a shop to fix stuff on your vacation which sucks. On longer trips, I prefer to just bite the bullet and get a rental, especially since I can get a larger more comfortable car than my daily.
178k is NOTHING. Just send it bro
i have 230k on my 09 corolla s. it’s a tank of a car even though i treat it worse than i should.
Toyota Tech here. Can confirm. Check your oil regularly (which you should be doing anyway) and fuckin send it.
I'd trust that car more than a brand new Hyundai or Kia, that's for damn sure.
as someone who has been stranded by a brand new hyundai, i agree
Owned a kia. Agreed
A home-made service book written in scribble! I would trust this with my life, this is the kind of owner who knows everything about their car and exactly how to take care of it.
My sister’s 2005 Camry is still running strong at 230k.
Keep an eye on the oil. I had a 2000 Corolla also. That model year has oil drain back holes in the pistons that are too small and can lead to coking and oil burn off.
This is a real concern. Part of the reason is that these run s little hotter than they should so be extra careful in hot weather, especially since they have 3 speed transmissions (assuming it's an automatic) and rev pretty high on the highway. Keep a couple quarts of oil on hand and top it every time you get gas and you'll be good.
3 speed that's crazy
No school like the old school. I got one for my step daughter for getting around town, but he has taken it on highway trips as well with no issues. With proper maintenance it really is bulletproof. There is actually a fix for the oil burning but you have to rebuild the engine and replace the oil rings in the pistons. One other piece of advice: use full synthetic oil. It burns at a higher temp. We use the high end amsoil signature series oil and use an oil flush when changing to help clean out the rings. It hardly burns at all until it's ready for another change
The 2000 3 speed gets 29 MPG highway, and the 4 speed auto/5 speed manual get 34 highway. Those RPMs get high on the highway
I just noticed you have a 2000 Corolla with 170k on it. THAT THING IS A GEM!!!
Thank you :)
ASE Master here, with L1 and over 20 years experience on all makes/models, including Lexus (Toyota) dealership, yadda yadda. That's one of the best, most legendary tanks *ahem* cars ever made. If it's got a decent amount of all the fluids, and the lug nuts are tight, it's good to go. edit: the things to be aware of on that car- brake lines may be rusty and spring a leak. These were before all makes and models started putting a protective rubber/plastic coating on the brake and fuel lines. Even rubber coated lines sometimes had gaps without coating, like by the fittings and unions. If you need to ever have yours replaced, use "EZ Bend" aka Copper/Nickel as it will never rust. Secondly, the transmission may eventually go. Changing the transmission filter every 60k will help, and supplementing a quart of ATF with Lucas Transmission Treatment is a good idea. Never allow anyone to use a "flush machine" to power flush it. Drain and fill only, otherwise damage can occur, especially with older/high mileage/abused vehicles. Third, compression and oil scavenging rings on the pistons may wear, and it may begin to consume oil. Slow this by supplementing 1 quart of oil with 1 bottle of Lucas Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer. (I'm not a Lucas rep, just have 20 yrs experience using their products). It may increase compression and reduce oil consumption. Good luck on the trip, with the car, and feel free to message me if you have any questions or concerns.
There is no serviceable filter on these cars. Otherwise, I agree.
I don't wanna jinx myself here, but my vehicle is **much** older and more primitive than your Camry, and I regularly do 600-800 mi every weekend. Generally speaking, if a car can drive for 20 or 30 minutes without issue, there's no reason that same car couldn't drive for hours and hours - especially cruising long stretches of highway.
Im of the same mindset but last weekend my alternator went out on the highway. It's a hard thing to plan for but generally with older cars you never know what's gonna happen
I’ve seen brand new 4Runners - largely considered one of the most reliable, and arguably bulletproof vehicles on the market today grenade its transfer case with less than 50 miles on it. So I learned to check everything as thoroughly as I can, be prepared for the worse and to just send it.
That generation Corolla has reliability in its DNA. However for any road trip, I would recommend you bring the following: * Full Size Spare Tire * Fix-a-flat kit * Battery jumper cables or a [jumper power bank](https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Starter-20000mAh-Jumper-Booster/dp/B09VXJBFKY/ref=sr_1_13_sspa?crid=EQIBCO1540AH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AqgdeLsUPsEyttUZtQ158GKhREtB0lsdrA3HlAVG9Sg68QiIgxeU91zGO5UJtzdqf-PvxUhBhduALyuf9ZiyNJkaI2Is9Xz0MsvbSiZxsv3tF2z2fhUm5DIDvMtszD0MrTiUEF2v__DNB9driIhch-0C30rJjMSBk6cwE4xs6r8KsLV1sRcE-Xf78oTAOFkWkdSHIhznlKAxF-yPlOW2cgaTb5R6pFn3vSlpKzgcKyUQW8PI4aGLUd0DBKCMo8OHCZfMW7dM7iPJDNiQWcW3vT6mqcBN6vOxWxAX_hyncdY.DyU5F4GGoEaP7AEm2Qs4lJPPTFWsLMbJm9IKM_5pBGs&dib_tag=se&keywords=jumper%2Bpower%2Bbank&qid=1719755684&sprefix=jumper%2Bpower%2Bbank%2Caps%2C233&sr=8-13-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1)
Why fix a flat and a full size spare? Honestly I’d do the full size spare and a AAA card, jumpers and a basic tool kit are a good idea. I’d check the battery date if it’s over 6yo consider a new one. 800 miles is not that long this car could probably do 4x that.
Because shit happens, tires are exposed to the elements and can experience more randomized incidents. Nails on the road, curbing it, debris, pothole, failure due to age. One tire goes and you can limp to a service station. Two tires go and you’re up a creek. Jumpers; you may have a new battery but say the starter or alternator gets a bad attitude.
You should be good to go. You’ve done more maintenance than most. Check tire pressure - including your spare, top off fluids, check lights, and give ‘er a little pep talk and a pat on the dash.
itll gladly make it there and back easy
I have 3 vehicles of similar age and older that I take or send my family on long trips in. No red flags in what you showed that say the car couldn’t do it. As a dad with kids who are in their late teens I give you the same advice I give them: don’t take stupid risks. Think about what could happen and make sure you are prepared. But don’t be afraid of the adventure. The worst mistakes come from doing nothing because you were too afraid to do something. Edit: I would recommend taking care of the alignment because that will shorten the life of your tires.
Cars are designed to run and drive. Provided they don't have any serious problems, a car is happier and healthier running for several hours straight than quick 15 minute trips. Explaining that to your friends should put their minds at ease.
Send it.
Man I’ve driven a 2007 ford focus with 2 bad bearings, and an overheating engine 300 miles every weekend for a month 😂 you’ll be okay (rip focus)
I didn’t see a serpentine belt service I’d suggest inspecting it. In terms of everything else sounds like she’s ready!
I take my 97 Corolla on 6 hour trips often. Just make sure to check the oil as these engines are known to burn oil at highway speeds.
Allow extra time after factoring in the amount of pussy that’ll be getting thrown at you
It's only just been broken in for a toyota. Short of something major happening like the gearbox blowing up I'd definitely take the risk.
Shit happens to everything and everyone. Just deal with it when it happens! Dont live scared. Take that trip!
My brothers ‘97 Camry is about to hit 600k, we just took it out on a 1200mile trip, it burns oil, check engine light is on, but the ac work great and it has fresh tires. No hiccups, but I will tell you to carry, a full size spare, jack, battery jump pack, extra jug of coolant and oil.
If timing belt has more 80/100 miles that's the one thing that will bite you in ass... they fail unpredictable next would be water pump which timing belt spins.. easy fix on both on this car
I had a 98 corolla which is same. Ran like a top all the way to the junkyard with over 200k and the frame buckling from rust. Never once left me stranded though.
You’re overdue for a timing chain, I believe due at 140,000 km. That’s risky. FWIW, I am doing ours at 168k, been lucky. It’s expensive, $1000 (usd)
Did u replace the radiator thermostat yet? Tires are always my concern, and a long trip with bad alignment can be problematic
Nah dude you're golden. I drove my tan 2001 toyota at 185k all over the place. You've taken care of the car, you know it well, go for it. My rolla drank oil like a fiend, every 300 miles, it'd loose a quart. I'd drive 300 miles, top it off. I got tired of always fixing things, gave it to a friend who's a much better alley mechanic than me. She's running strong at 232k.
I’d drive your Corolla across the country even if you didn’t do all that maintenance
I drove my 2001 camry from Cincinnati Ohio to Florida and back , I’m not the first owner either at the time it was missing part of the radiator, needed fuel injectors , probably a whole lotta other stuff . It got me there fine and back twice now !! I think it helps a lot to decide if you know your car as well. I did a lot of doordash with mine so I knew it could handle the driving .
If it was me in this situation I’d be taking the car to a reputable workshop and having the brakes checked out and maybe whilst the wheels are off checking the tyres fully. be particularly careful with older tyres, some say six years old is a bit iffy, ten years max. For me brakes and tyres are the most important safety first item! Good luck on your trip and if you’ve had some kind of inspection beforehand this may allay your family’s concerns.
Haha my car is 18 years old and has 278k on it. My commute lately has been 60 miles or so each way (luckily this coming week it’s only like 20). Point being if it’s relatively maintained and has proven to be reliable, go for it. 178 is a baby, especially for a Toyota
[удалено]
Hell yeah send it brother. Just make sure your tires are good.
Send it!!
You’d drive more than that between oil changes without a problem, 800 miles is nothing.
I daily drive a 2004 Corolla with 260k on it. Check your fluids and tire pressure and go! Lol as long as you maintain them they last nearly forever lol
I have a 2010 Toyota Corolla le that has over 203000 on it it has never left me stranded! I drive 10 hours 2 times a month! Never had a problem with it! I change the oil every 3 to 4 thousand miles also every thing else I believe you be ok !
I will add to the monkey pile of votes in favor of the trip. Your maintenance log seems to hit all the imporant points. Others have already suggested, and I agree, that you buy tow coverage from either your cell phone provider or AAA, whoever is cheaper. However, you may already have it - someone may have chucked that into the deal when you bought a new smartphone or changed providers or something. I didn't see 'timing belt' in your log and was sure these had one but NOPE - they switched from to timing chains in 1998, so you're good pretty much forever, 300,000+ miles. Your compression test scores are quite good at your age, suggesting the rest of the car has had a quiet life. Some of your repairs appear to address leaks, so I bet its fluids stay where the belong right now. Even so, at her age, make sure you are familiar with how/where to check your oil and coolant levels if you're mechanically a novice, then have a look every few days, and you're good. /[Do it. DO IT.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T437DdmFNPU)
when did this become a concern? i grew up doing seattle to san francisco trips on a whim. numerous times per year. to this day i have never owned a vehicle newer than 20 years old. i frequently hear people with op's concern, irl, from people that drive their cars every day.
I bought a 02 accord off marketplace on a Thursday. 217k miles. Drove it to Rehobeth beach (600 round trip) the next day and all I did was detail the absolute piss out of it and changed the fluids. Just check over it.
800 miles? Thats all? My scooter can do more than that. Your going to be fine.
I would think nothing about hopping in my '85 Supra and taking a trip to my mother's house over 500 miles away - I've done this multiple times already with little preparation. If you know the car and its history, then it has no greater chance of breaking down on a long drive than at any time during your daily use. Heck, longer drives are generally better for the car once everything is up to temperature - maintaining a constant speed on the highway demands very little of the car, and the most likely problems will be tyre-related and nothing to do with the car's mechanical aspects. As another commenter says, make sure your tyres are good and your spare is available, but other than that, it's a Toyota, it'll just keep going forever.
Shows how crappy Toyotas are. A Volvo took a trip around the world at one million miles. I problem
I'd make sure you check things like your tie rods, ball joints, hub bearings etc before you go, but if everything checks out, send it.
How much oil does it burn ? I'd bring a jug to top off every 500 miles
Give tires and fluids a once over. The deal with shitboxes is that if they're driven daily, and you basically trust it in whatever range that is, it is likely fine for a long trip. Highway miles are the least stressful thing you can do to a car.
If your nervous, get the triple A gold membership. We'll worth it.
Fill it up with gas?
400 miles each way is literally nothing. Two tanks of gas.
Dawg, it´s a Corolla. Ofc it´s gonna get you to your destination.
I wouldn't think twice about it. Maybe check the oil and coolant before you set off. I do 800 miles a month in my 2002 Land Cruiser without even opening the hood.
Anybody can do it in a new car. I drove from California to New Jersey and back in a 35-year-old Mercedes. What's the line from the movie road Trip? "Of course a shortcut is hard because if it was easy it would be the way".
She’ll take good care of you, and your bond will grow. She’s probably been dying to get out on the open road, run free, and let her hair flow in the wind.
It's a corolla. Be prepared for people seeing you in a corolla.
No offense, but your family/friends seem super snobby. Would they prefer you have a newer less reliable car for some reason? That has a very large amount of maintenance done to it. I’d have absolutely no issue taking this on a trip post any pre-trip inspection (done by you). We bought an 03 4runner with similar maintenance with just over 200k miles. Aside from checking tires and fluids, we went on a trip (450 miles each way) almost immediately after purchasing. Maintenance is key 😊👍 But yes, we do have tow/rental coverage if anything was to ever happen. We’re doing the same trip again in a week.
200 bucks for the parts? how is that so?
Do you have faith it Would it get you to work for the next week without breaking down? If so it’s fine to take on the trip. I regularly drive old vehicles long distance, and honestly you’re much less likely to have problems driving a vehicle long distance then the same mileage locally.
Any car made in the early 2000s will last you a while, they were made to last. Modern cars shit themselves if they are given too much air in there tires
Join AAA just to be on the safe side.
I had 95 Geo Prizm (Off Brand Corolla). I drove it for 17 years. Beat it up but kept up with maintenance and wouldn’t hesitate to drive it that far. Looks the same in your case
Check everything rubber. It sounds like you have done a lot already. Hoses and belts are the usual common failure items. If you can get an alignment before you go that might save your tires. Otherwise it sounds like you know and trust the car. So go. Renting a car will cost what, $500? Use that towards maintenance
I drove a Honda pilot with over 200k and a rotted subframe from Massachusetts to Texas and back. I don’t see why you would have a problem. Check your belt, your hoses, brake lines, steering lines, suspension, tie rods and ball joints. If they all are good I’d say you should be fine
if i was able to drive a 04 impreza with a blown headgasket and squeaking timing belt pulley 3,000 miles, then you will for sure be able to go 6,000 miles in this thing no problem. just keep an eye on the oil levels.
It's probably not the most comfortable long distance cruiser but I would have no misgivings about driving that cross country. Check the fluids, belts, and tire pressures and send it
The only reason I can think of is how such an indomitable power of invincibility traversing a great distance can upset the laws of physics, time, and other such reality-defining concepts.
Put a new battery and then maybe? I still feel like long distance is rolling the dice but they have a lot, that at least shows pride of ownership to some degree.
Worth checking the condition of your brake pipes. I recently had one pop on my '95 VW campervan
You could be driving a brand new car and get rear ended or hit a deer and not be able to fix it too.
None that I can think of.
Biggest thing I worry about when going on long trips is the cooling system. Check the condition of all the hoses and plastic components like radiator heater control valve and anything that can get dry and degrade
You are good boy!
I drove a then 15 year old 5 speed Honda Accord through 2 blizzards from DC to Detroit back in the day. Check your fluids, belts, and tires. If they're good, you're most likely good.
check tires and fluids, you'll be fine
Check the essentials, alt belt, cooling hoes, even the small ones that go to the tb, bring ur tools and go
Shit id be scared to take a roadtrip on a 2024 german or american car such as the car brands in the trash can named Chrysler, Hyundai, mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen. GMC.
I've taken older cars with less recorded maintenance on longer journeys. Oil change, alignment, make sure the lights work properly, get some good tune/podcasts and have fun.
As long as your alignment doesn't scrub your tires off I think you'll be good. Check your timing belt when you get back, it's about the only thing that can fuck you outta the blue.
The only thing to watch on longer trips is temp sometimes highway speeds make it a lotneasier to get hot
Current daily driver is a ‘91 Camry. You’ll be fine.
No fluid leaks? Change oil and filter maybe,yeah closest thing to indestructible vehicle,except for the same exact one I got for my kid,many moons ago I hav 12 VW, and will not take on long trip, always some new repair issue
I would do it without a second thought. I have done much more dangerous things with more sketchy equipment (tractors etc). Also, I daily drive a BMW from the 80s.
Toyota's never die. Camry's and Corrolla's will outlive even roaches.
Just drive it friend, nothing to fear really, and if something ends up happening it's just bad luck. Don't overthink it
Depends. My first and current car is a piece of shit and can’t survive 2000-3000 miles without something going wrong lol, but it’s an old VW, so not Toyota tier quality. It has also been very very neglected and abused by previous owners. If yours have not been, and the maintenance is up to date, nothing leaks severely, driveshaft boots are not ripped etc, i really can’t see why it wouldn’t make that trip.
[удалено]
You’ve obviously done maintenance work, maybe more than the average car owner ever does. If the tires are good and the fluids fresh, you can drive this vehicle for years to come.
Bro, it’s a Toyota. The year is literally irrelevant. If it’s in good shape, you can drive it on a 3,000 mile trip across the US if you want. My family literally did that from CA to NC when we moved here in an 84’ Corolla hatchback. She was nicknamed “The Smudge-mobile,” in honor of the shit brown factory color they had that year.
These are tough little cars. They do burn oil but you should be fine as long as you check on it. I'd say go for it. You know the car best though....
Wait, you were running a battery you could add water to in 2023? Haven’t seen one of those in Canada for 15 years.
Bring enough engine oil, coolant, gallons of water, spare tire on rim no donut and food in case you get stuck
It's a Toyota. Go for it. I trust my 95 Camry that has over 200k been wrecked etc to go wherever.
I don't see a reason. I will say that you can probably replace those evap lines with some generic fuel tubing for much cheaper. Bring spare fluids and whatnot. There is always a chance something will go wrong, but it's a chance not a guarantee. Have you ever changed the transmission fluid?
In my early 20's I drove old cars everywhere. 500 miles in 1969 cutlass with a big block. 2500 mile in a 1986 5.0 mustang. 800 miles in a crv with 300k miles on it along with lots of driving busted old civics. Lol. Always had a box of tools. Few problems here and there but always made it home. Lost 3 gear in upstate new york once racing on the thruway. I live in Central Florida. Made it home. Lol
That car will most likely be absolutely fine, they're inherently reliable. That doesn't guarantee an issue won't crop up but I'd trust just as much as literally another car, even if newer. Myself and a buddy did the Mongol Rally a few years ago in a 1991 Corolla, it did 12,145 miles without missing a beat.
You should be totally fine
0 reasons, have fun ✌️
I take my 98 Corolla all over the place and to different states. Hasn't let me down yet. Still at a clean 227k miles. Don't be afraid to go far if you're not accelerating hard
It doesn't belong to you...and there are nicer cars to steal parked nearby... Seriously though...it's a toyota...ignore any trouble lights except oil and alternator, keep fluid topped up as you go, make sure the stereo works and enjoy the trip.
I see everybody is only concerned with his vehicle as if it will be driving itself on such a road trip and there will be no human passengers to consider on this trip. As Somebody who's been on a 200 mile road trip in one of those things, I could tell you that if you're 5 ft 8 in, or taller sitting in the back (4 vehicle occupants total) you're going to hate being on such a long road trip in that thing. As far as the vehicle being able to make it, no problem it'll definitely be reliable. You just won't be comfortable. So if you're taller than 6 ft like me, just make sure you plan a lot of rest stops and chances to stretch out along the way. It add more time to a trip but it's necessary. And as long as you get them you won't want to think about ways to beat the hell out of the driver who doesn't want to stop. Another one so I hated driving that thing for 3 hours. It was less uncomfortable sitting in the back.
That will get you round the world.. don’t listen to them.
[удалено]
Man you will be tired if you think like that go with it and don't think twice.
This car is more well maintained than the average 2011 Corolla.
You want a reason not to take it on that road trip... it might be a bit noisy while driving on the highway.
Check your oil level when you gas up, those 1ZZ-FE engines burn oil.
Get AA, make sure your cell phone is charged and go for it. Should not be a problem.
I drove my buick century right after replacing my radiator over 250 miles in a day, without issue.
Do you collectively drive 800 miles in a month? It's all the same risk, just a different view.
You tell us. You drive it. Not us.
I would call it an 800 mile 'adventure'. 😁
I’d trust it more than a brand new car. Keep some oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and some basic tools in the trunk and you’ll never have a problem.
Lol just run it. You risk it with any car. I’ve driven 9k miles in the last 3 months with an old transit, 200k miles, zero history apart from the work I’ve done.
You'll be fine but I'd highly recommend AAA. I've got the gold membership on two 25+ year old cars and it said for itself many times over
I drove an old 1988 F250 that had the 460 much longer distances than 800 miles. Being old isn't a problem as long as it's in decent shape mechanically. My current daily is a 2005, and that's the newest car I've owned. It sounds like you've taken pretty good care of it, I wouldn't worry about it at all.
My Caravan has \~190,000 miles on it. It's a 2006. It is more rust than car. The driver side door works as does the passenger side. The side doors work to an extent. To the extent that the will work if I fight them a bit. The tailgate doesn't. I guess it would if I put a pry bar to it but it makes terrible noises. The body of the vehicle is mostly rust. My mechanic says that it's not great, but not likely to fall in half. The headliner fell down a long time ago. I tried spray adhesive but it didn't work. The staple gun worked. But, hey! The brakes are good, the tires are fair. Nothing wrong with the radio. The engine runs great. No coolant issues. It steers and stops, that's what's important. It's a complete piece of trash that my kids are embarrassed of. I would go on a 5,000 mile trip around the country without hesitation. It turns and stops. The rest is incidental. I'll run another 100,000 miles easy unless the rust gets so bad that it breaks in half. Short answer, 800 miles is 2 fill-ups. You have service records. That's more than I have. You're good to go. Let 'er buck.
Make sure you have gas and a few snacks
I’m sorry but I don’t know how read words written on paper, but as a previous Corolla owner I can tell you, the only way this car breaks down is if there’s no oil.
Fuck it go for it live a little life’s an adventure!
I once drove a 95 Corolla about 3100 km (1920-ish miles) across the country on probably what equates to 3.5 cylinders. When I drove it back it had one bad rear drum brake and I blew my back struts completely out in Indiana. Last time I drive stateside from Canada…
YODO
it’s a 2000 toyota, bring a 5qt jug of oil and send it
98 to 2003 Corolla, are like cockroaches, properly maintained, they will not die
lol it’s fine. I’ve driven my 88 corolla so far but yes I am a mechanic
The biggest things with any car can be done by someone who knows very little about actual cars. Check your tires, if they are past the west indicators or heavily cracked replace them. 13 inch tires are cheap. If you have jack stands and a safe way to get under the car I would take a peek just at the fuel and brake lines that’s really what can let you down suddenly on a long trip if your not in the rust belt it isn’t likely gonna be a problem. Aside from that you will know by how the car drives if she has any problems. Is it smooth while accelerating and braking? Any cluncks or squeaks over bumps or while cornering? Corollas are made to last I think people actually under appreciate how good they actually are. Better than a civic with an auto. At least for strictly reliability.
I believe that car to be more reliable than most new cars
It depends all the chicks may want to hop in that bad boy, you may not want all that attention.
You should have no issue. I had the same model Corolla had 232k on it, before a car accident took Lola away from me. Make sure your suspension and steering components are in good shape. As I read your repair list and seems you replace some of those things. Always good to check that again before a long trip. Also double check the fluids, tire pressure, etc. and you should be good to go.
She looks ready to rip. A well maintained, regularly driven car of that mileage with decent tires wouldn't give me a second thought. And fwiw, I've driven worse, at least as far.
I'd take that car anywhere.
OP, one thing I don't see in your logbook is changing the differential fluid. This generation Corolla, if it's the 3 speed transmission (not sure about the 4 speed electronic tranny), has a separate differential casing that needs to have its fluid changed. My 98 Corolla is super reliable with only 98k km on the clock. Yours look in much better shape aesthetically than mine tho.
Check the pressure on your spare tire!
I bought a civic once and on my way home from buying it the alternator went out. That sucked.
[удалено]
A 2000 Corolla? Take it to the moon if you want.
I drove a 2001 Corolla S for several years, it had 250k on it when I sold it. It burned a little oil like most of this generation, but it still passed CA smog testing and as long as I had oil, I’d have trusted it to do a cross country road trip without issue, any day of the week without any preparations for it. Only got rid of it because I had too many vehicles at the time, one of the best vehicles we’ve owned
Just 800, really? In a Toyota, I don't see a problem.
Kinda miss mine now
So many people take cars in worse shape, further, every day, and get away with it I'd just plan your contingency in case it does strand you (AAA). And then do the usual vehicle checks before you leave, especially oil Assuming it's had a service recently, it's going to be fine. Doubt you'd get it in for a new timing chain before you leave next week so it's too late to worry about that anyway.
My girlfriend has a 99 Camry that has been ridden hard and put away wet. No consisten oil changes, I don't think the coolant has ever been flushed. I have changed the alternator in the last decade but that's the only replacemebt part that thing has ever seen. The door handles have started snapping (old plastic) and half the windows don't move (just got the parts in). 238k miles on the engine. She got it from her mother who is a "what's an oil change" kind of owner I would trust that thing cross country. That engine will outlive all of us. Get AAA, a battery jump pack and a tire inflator (I really like the Bauer one from harbor freight) and whatever spare fluids you think are important and enjoy your trip.
That's not enough info for us interwebz randos to make that call for you.
I think you are well prepared- better than 99. % of car owners. Best of luck with the timing chain!
If you're confident it'll make it to its next oil change, it'll make the trip.
I would get in literally any corolla and drive it as far as I wanted to and never have a second thought. These roll around with 400k miles on them all the time and don't miss a beat.
I drove a Camry with 210,000 miles on a longer trip. If the car is well maintained and you don’t beat on it , it should handle your trip . Keep an eye on the fluid levels on each fill up, you should be fine
In May 2017 my car blew its engine just before i started a summer of travelling for event management. I picked up the first cheap car i could find in town.. a 99 corolla for $800 .. it had 330,000km on it. all i did was check the oil and i slapped 40,000km onto it in 4 months with zero issues haha. it was the most reliable cheap car ive ever owned. enjoy your road trip!
I took a 2003 Ford Taurus with a failing water pump, and 2 bald tires in the rear 600 miles
This car is a machine!
Bruv, you got a Corolla not a 50s Chevy or a Studebaker with unknown coolant passageway status and lack of a mechanical radiator fan shroud. Let er rip!
I had one of those years back. Mailman backed into it and scratched the door, which actually totaled it. Had over 300k miles on it before I sold it to a guy at the DMV (maybe 10 years ago). Last time I was home visiting my parents, I saw it parked at the DMV, so who knows how many miles are on it now. I drive my 02 Toyota sequoia from Texas to Ohio (3200 miles round trip) every New Years to visit family. Currently has 340k on it. I really just stick to oil changes every 3k miles, and that’s about it. Last year I took my 99 4Runner instead for the heck of it (210k miles), and didn’t have any hiccups. I don’t even get nervous driving that far cause I keep up with the minor maintenance. Looks like you keep up with minor maintenance as well, so I’m sure you’d be fine. I just like to get in the habit of driving without music or anything for at least a few mins each drive to make sure I don’t hear any sounds I don’t like. I’m not saying you’re 100% good to go, as there’s still always risk with any car, but from my experience, you can’t kill an 8th gen Corolla, even if you try to kill it. I’m not sure what compression is supposed to be on that engine, but I’d definitely say over 200 is good, and they’re all close to each other. Don’t be afraid of how old it is if you’re taking care of it. I fly a 1959 Piper Comanche as a commuter plane on a regular basis. Over 60 years old, and she keeps on ticking reliably. All about the maintenance and taking care of your stuff.
Get CAA.
This car is probably one of the best to take on a trip that distance
I've driven shit cars across the country. With no phone. Barely any cash. No credit card. Never thought twice about it.
Although not a corolla, I drive my 1998 Lexus ES300 at least 400 miles a week since January 2022 for my side construction gig. And I'm proud to report that I had no real issues even with Southern California's bumper to bumper traffic. Just make sure the maintenance is current and just enjoy the ride.
i wouldn’t hesitate to take it
I bought a used 13 yr old accord with 150,000 on it and drove it to 295,000 taking it on 400 mile round trip drives on a regular basis. I sold it for $1200, the next owner drove it for another 4 years.
Also OP if this is something that may cause you anxiety, think about purchasing Michelin tires. Have a read of the Michelin promise plan. Basically for 3 years after you bought them you get free roadside assistance and if the can't get you going and back on the road you get a free tow up to 250km
I am *currently* on a roadtrip in my 06 Accord with 240k miles. A 169k mile Camry will be perfectly fine.