1997 Corsa - what to look for?

[Bling]

Anything to look out for?

I have been asked to check out an auto 1997 Toyota Corsa. Is there anything I should be looking out for? Anyone owned one before?

Cheers

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =828933231

[Leon]

Smoke on start if it hasn't been started in an hour or two (valve stem seals)

Make sure the heater works (blocked heater cores through coolant neglect).

Should be tough as old boots though, same engine as the import Starlets.

[Bling]

Sweet thanks for the heads up, will check those.

[RS13]

They're asking about $1k more than its' worth I reckon. I find it interesting that sellers seem to think "low kms" these days means anything below 200km.. from what I've experienced, most Jap cars have done their reliable driving by 150kms/15 years. Then its' CVs, waterpump, crap in the coolant/radiator, rust, oil leaks, perished hoses, all bearings, rattly interiors.. which I'd be checking out first in a car like that.

[Bling]

Yeah I was thinking at was similarly over priced.

I'm trying to find alternate options, but all cars in that price range are pretty much at the same point in their lives. Only looking on behalf as it's for an of town family member. There is a NZ new corolla for the same money, id link it, but not on pc. But it could be another suitable option.

Any other suggestions? CHCH / Queenstown for location.

[RS13]

Well, depends if you can be arsed but I'd look further afield. Common models are far cheaper and more plentiful in the north island, last time I brought a car down from Wellington it only cost me $350 for flight/ferry and petrol for a car that was $2k cheaper than anything comparable down here. Something like this, http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 584858.htm (2002 Toyota Vitz with 100km for $4k) I'd seriously consider over that Corsa, IMO down here thats' a $5k car all day long.

Although I completely understand how frustrating it is looking in the sub-$3K bracket, everything is just utter shit that needs work.

[Al]

Yep North Island having all the population seems to increase the competition and drag the price down. When I bought my RX-8 they were a $15k+ car all day with sub 90k on them at Christchurch dealers. Some dealers still have the same stock they did back in July last year. Mine was $11,800 in Auckland from a dealer. I'm selling my motorcycle at the moment and also realise the flipside. People that won't travel. I figure I can be cheeky and get a bit more because I have no competition locally, if you want cheaper you have to fly to some out of the way North Island town for moonbeams on Air New Zealand.

[RS13]

Yeah same, we're looking at buying a new Caldina to fit something other than just the pram in. They're seriously a couple of grand cheaper in Auckland with a much wider range of spec, totally considering the road trip although never done one all the way from Auckland before! lol.

[Bling]

Thanks guys, yeah much bigger market up there for sure. Noticed that when buying the Blade, but I really just couldn't be bothered going to effort to source one up north haha. This car is for a family member anyway, and i'm not keen on suggesting to look up north as it will just complicate things even further. I've suggested this one looks better http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 348778.htm so hopefully they'll agree and I won't have to check out that Corsa. Which after looking at the photos on something larger than my phone, looks rubbish.

See what they say I guess. The GL looks pretty tidy though.

[duddley]

Needs more optional extras

[RS13]

That Corolla looks pretty tidy, the Toyota service history makes it a pretty good buy IMO. Surprised it hasn't been snapped up, they're still super popular cars.

[Bling]

Totally does need more option extras

Yeah looks like a solid car / deal, just waiting for them to get back to me. I better not hang around too long then with the above in mind.