Topic: 2007 Corolla CE With 66000 km

[IF0000_]

Hi,

I have a chance to purchase a 2007 Corolla CE, with only about 66000 km, from a private seller; The car was only used for short distance driving for shopping, running errands, etc.. The original owner is selling the car, and it was in no accidents. (Verified the VIN). The price is $8000 /negotiable. The 2007 Corolla was considered a good model.

I had a brief look at the car, and everything seemed fine. A quick drive was fine.

It is hard to find comparables for the car, as none of the 2007 (Or thereabouts) Corollas in my area have only about 66000 km.

I intend to have the car checked at a mechanic (Which is needed for the safety inspection anyways).

My questions are as follows:

(i) Would it be reasonable for a 17 year old, well-maintained car, to have 5 or 6 more years of
relatively low-maintenance driving ahead of it, or is the car, even if well-maintained, likely to
need major repairs soon?

(ii) What would be a reasonable price for a 17 year old Corolla with only about 66000km, and
in good shape?

[JohnnyMac]

The major issues that you should be looking at are rubber bushings, tubes, belts, etc, if they haven't been changed, same with the shocks and struts, they can degrade with age.  The other thing I'd want to be 100% sure about is rust.  If the rust is not an issue, and you understand that some things will pop up like suspension and steering things due to age, I don't see how this couldn't be the type of vehicle that can go a good 200,000+kms.

[Blueprint]

The major issues that you should be looking at are rubber bushings, tubes, belts, etc, if they haven't been changed, same with the shocks and struts, they can degrade with age.  The other thing I'd want to be 100% sure about is rust.  If the rust is not an issue, and you understand that some things will pop up like suspension and steering things due to age, I don't see how this couldn't be the type of vehicle that can go a good 200,000+kms.

Add tires too. Probably old and hard on a little-used car.

[JohnnyMac]

The major issues that you should be looking at are rubber bushings, tubes, belts, etc, if they haven't been changed, same with the shocks and struts, they can degrade with age.  The other thing I'd want to be 100% sure about is rust.  If the rust is not an issue, and you understand that some things will pop up like suspension and steering things due to age, I don't see how this couldn't be the type of vehicle that can go a good 200,000+kms.

Add tires too. Probably old and hard on a little-used car.

One would think that the tires have changed a couple of times, but yeah you never know with some people.

[Blueprint]

The major issues that you should be looking at are rubber bushings, tubes, belts, etc, if they haven't been changed, same with the shocks and struts, they can degrade with age.  The other thing I'd want to be 100% sure about is rust.  If the rust is not an issue, and you understand that some things will pop up like suspension and steering things due to age, I don't see how this couldn't be the type of vehicle that can go a good 200,000+kms.

Add tires too. Probably old and hard on a little-used car.

One would think that the tires have changed a couple of times, but yeah you never know with some people.

A friend (not a car person) was driving an elderly in-law's similar vintage and km Corolla and suffered a blowout on the highway - cracked 11 y.o. tires with plenty of thread.

[Seafoam]

 With this vintage of corolla I'd inspect the rocker panels specifically near the front of the rear wheels. In my area this is  where they show rust first.

[PJungnitsch]

That 1.8 drivetrain is about the most reliable on the planet, so as long as it has gotten some maintenance and wasn't abused/accidented/rusted out things should be fine for a long time

My 2004 Vibe with the same engine was perfectly fine when I sold it at 220,000 in 2022, the only thing was the front struts starting to weep

Other than changing brake pads/serpentine belt/plugs/oil changes all that went into it I remember was an oil pressure sender and the O2 sensors (likes OEM apparently)