1999 Toyota Corolla LE - CarForum.net - Car Forums, Automotive News and Community

KSIMP88 · 08-23-2009, 11:11 PM

Me and my dad went to look at cars, and found a toyota corolla. It was in great shape, with only 95,000 miles, but had a few things wrong...

1. broken inside door handle on driver door (guy said it will be fixed tomorrow)
2. small hole in driver door weather stripping
3. found notebook sheet bill-of-sale dated today....
4. car was detailed, except for a lot of crap in the trunk, glove box, and center console
5. the guy let us test drive it without him

I didn't care to check if the key was a toyota key or a copy. does anyone have some pics of toyota keys for that model/year?
We will report it tomorrow, and find out if it's stolen. If not, then I'll get it for $3300 or less. (hopefully 2800)

It could very well be that the previous owner got a better car, and is a friend of the current owner. The bill of sale could be temporary for insurance reasons. The guy may have locked his keys in the car.
We brought the car back, and told him we would sleep on it. I asked his name, to which he responded "jose".

My dad is going to find out if the car is stolen tomorrow... I hope not... The guy said the handle will be back on by tomorrow. The weather stripping is minor, and there are other tiny problems... BUT, all in all a good car. What do you guys think? We will have an answer tomorrow.

*Retrospekt* · 08-24-2009, 10:56 AM

Miles?

You can find inside door handles on amazon for 20 bucks, they're easy to replace. The weather stripping can be sealed, but that hole will get larger as you hit winter then back to summer. You're probably going to have to get that replaced or you might leak water in the future. Even if you don't leak water, cold air will get into your car, condensate, and freeze the inside of your windshield.
The bill of sale sounds like the guy bought the car, didn't want it, and he's signing it off to someone else right away. That means he probably never signed the title so the car is not legally his. THIS IS ILLEGAL. The reason I think he didn't sign the title is that if he did...he'd have to pay registration fees, then wait 2 weeks for a new title to come in the mail. If it's not his name on the title (ask for a license) skip out on the deal.

The test drive without him thing isn't a big deal. I've done that before, I just gave the guy my car key as collateral.

Edit: The Toyota key thing isn't a big deal either. I bought my car and only received one key with it, and it was a copy. People lose things.

P.S. Do a VIN check! I've seen a lot of Rebuilt Corolla's that look new afterward, run great mechanically, but have bent frames/rusted frames and are undriveable in the future.

KSIMP88 · 08-24-2009, 11:47 PM

My dad is a cop, I can't release details, but so far it checks out. Turns out it was damaged, but the title is clean. A very good mechanic saved it. I'll know more tomorrow. I edited the OP, it has 95k miles.

*Retrospekt* · 08-24-2009, 11:59 PM

If the damage isn't bad (no frame or severe engine/trans damage) than 3k is worth it.

KSIMP88 · 08-26-2009, 01:26 PM

OK, it turns out the car WASN'T stolen. Just some shady dealer work... Messing with names, and such. They need to learn to do it right, LOL.
I will pick up the car tonight, have it checked by a mechanic tomorrow, and hopefully buy it! The max loan I can get is $3925, which I'm taking, so I can fix the minor things, and put whatever else back on the car later. I'll have pics tomorrow!!!

It's so pretty!

**Mike** · 08-26-2009, 03:09 PM

Sweet dude

AIpha · 08-26-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSIMP88

OK, it turns out the car WASN'T stolen. Just some shady dealer work... Messing with names, and such. They need to learn to do it right, LOL.
I will pick up the car tonight, have it checked by a mechanic tomorrow, and hopefully buy it! The max loan I can get is $3925, which I'm taking, so I can fix the minor things, and put whatever else back on the car later. I'll have pics tomorrow!!!

It's so pretty!

So wait...are you test driving it to a mechanic? Or just picking it up, taking it to a mechanic before you pay for it?

Just curious since I'm going to be getting a car soon.

*Retrospekt* · 08-26-2009, 04:03 PM

Make sure to ask if the timing belt was done, and ask for proof. Timing belts should be serviced at 90k. It's at least a 500 dollar service charge. People sell the car at this mileage a lot because they don't want to pay for it.

Even though the Toyota engines from the time are non-interference (pistons won't hit the heads when the belt snaps) it can still cause damage if you're unlucky. Most of the time though the car will just stall. You'd have to pull to the side and get a tow. You better hope you aren't in heavy traffic when that belt snaps though...

KSIMP88 · 08-30-2009, 01:29 AM

Irrelevant thread. New car in sig.

08-23-2009, 11:11 PM	#1
KSIMP88 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, OR Posts: 2,930 Rep: 39	1999 Toyota Corolla LE Me and my dad went to look at cars, and found a toyota corolla. It was in great shape, with only 95,000 miles, but had a few things wrong... 1. broken inside door handle on driver door (guy said it will be fixed tomorrow) 2. small hole in driver door weather stripping 3. found notebook sheet bill-of-sale dated today.... 4. car was detailed, except for a lot of crap in the trunk, glove box, and center console 5. the guy let us test drive it without him I didn't care to check if the key was a toyota key or a copy. does anyone have some pics of toyota keys for that model/year? We will report it tomorrow, and find out if it's stolen. If not, then I'll get it for $3300 or less. (hopefully 2800) It could very well be that the previous owner got a better car, and is a friend of the current owner. The bill of sale could be temporary for insurance reasons. The guy may have locked his keys in the car. We brought the car back, and told him we would sleep on it. I asked his name, to which he responded "jose". My dad is going to find out if the car is stolen tomorrow... I hope not... The guy said the handle will be back on by tomorrow. The weather stripping is minor, and there are other tiny problems... BUT, all in all a good car. What do you guys think? We will have an answer tomorrow. __________________ 2001 Tahoe LT Autoride w/ third seat +25hp K&N air filter +50hp Custom Radio +15hp Soon to buy: Exhaust +50hp Lowering kit (2") +30hp Last edited by KSIMP88; 08-24-2009 at 11:45 PM.

08-24-2009, 10:56 AM	#2
Retrospekt Retired Staff Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 599 Rep: 67	Miles? You can find inside door handles on amazon for 20 bucks, they're easy to replace. The weather stripping can be sealed, but that hole will get larger as you hit winter then back to summer. You're probably going to have to get that replaced or you might leak water in the future. Even if you don't leak water, cold air will get into your car, condensate, and freeze the inside of your windshield. The bill of sale sounds like the guy bought the car, didn't want it, and he's signing it off to someone else right away. That means he probably never signed the title so the car is not legally his. THIS IS ILLEGAL. The reason I think he didn't sign the title is that if he did...he'd have to pay registration fees, then wait 2 weeks for a new title to come in the mail. If it's not his name on the title (ask for a license) skip out on the deal. The test drive without him thing isn't a big deal. I've done that before, I just gave the guy my car key as collateral. Edit: The Toyota key thing isn't a big deal either. I bought my car and only received one key with it, and it was a copy. People lose things. P.S. Do a VIN check! I've seen a lot of Rebuilt Corolla's that look new afterward, run great mechanically, but have bent frames/rusted frames and are undriveable in the future. Last edited by Retrospekt; 08-24-2009 at 10:59 AM.

08-24-2009, 11:47 PM	#3
KSIMP88 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, OR Posts: 2,930 Rep: 39	My dad is a cop, I can't release details, but so far it checks out. Turns out it was damaged, but the title is clean. A very good mechanic saved it. I'll know more tomorrow. I edited the OP, it has 95k miles. __________________ 2001 Tahoe LT Autoride w/ third seat +25hp K&N air filter +50hp Custom Radio +15hp Soon to buy: Exhaust +50hp Lowering kit (2") +30hp

08-26-2009, 01:26 PM	#5
KSIMP88 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, OR Posts: 2,930 Rep: 39	OK, it turns out the car WASN'T stolen. Just some shady dealer work... Messing with names, and such. They need to learn to do it right, LOL. I will pick up the car tonight, have it checked by a mechanic tomorrow, and hopefully buy it! The max loan I can get is $3925, which I'm taking, so I can fix the minor things, and put whatever else back on the car later. I'll have pics tomorrow!!! It's so pretty! __________________ 2001 Tahoe LT Autoride w/ third seat +25hp K&N air filter +50hp Custom Radio +15hp Soon to buy: Exhaust +50hp Lowering kit (2") +30hp

08-26-2009, 03:09 PM	#6
Mike Community Director Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 7,603 Rep: 153	Sweet dude __________________ "He shouted: 'You've won! Didn't you know?' I didn't, and it's about the nicest thing I've ever been told" -Bruce McLaren, 1968 Belgian Grand Prix Read the rules! \| DO NOT REPLY TO SPAM 2009 Pontiac G8 GT - 6.0L, 6AT - 95k miles \| 1994 Chevy Blazer K5 - 350, 5MT - 140k miles \| 2006 Mazda 3 S sedan - 2.3L, 5MT - 130k miles Wife's Car: 2013 Chevy Volt - 70k miles Bikes: 1979 Yamaha XS 750 \| 1985 Honda Sabre 700

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1999 Toyota Corolla LE

08-24-2009, 11:59 PM	#4
Retrospekt Retired Staff Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 599 Rep: 67	If the damage isn't bad (no frame or severe engine/trans damage) than 3k is worth it.

08-26-2009, 04:03 PM	#8
Retrospekt Retired Staff Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 599 Rep: 67	Make sure to ask if the timing belt was done, and ask for proof. Timing belts should be serviced at 90k. It's at least a 500 dollar service charge. People sell the car at this mileage a lot because they don't want to pay for it. Even though the Toyota engines from the time are non-interference (pistons won't hit the heads when the belt snaps) it can still cause damage if you're unlucky. Most of the time though the car will just stall. You'd have to pull to the side and get a tow. You better hope you aren't in heavy traffic when that belt snaps though...

08-30-2009, 01:29 AM	#9
KSIMP88 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, OR Posts: 2,930 Rep: 39	Irrelevant thread. New car in sig. __________________ 2001 Tahoe LT Autoride w/ third seat +25hp K&N air filter +50hp Custom Radio +15hp Soon to buy: Exhaust +50hp Lowering kit (2") +30hp