Man, I have been hanging around Corvette Forum too much lately. The first
thoughts in my mind were "pics of daughter?" lol
It is a Corolla. It is possibly one of the most reliable if not the most
reliable cars built, especially with only 4000 miles on it.
Fluids, belts if old, the timing belt isn't due until 50,000 or some
years.
It might be worth rolling it through your local Toyota dealer if you are
in
good standing to see what they have to say about the timing belt, or just
stop by and ask.
Check the tires. With 4000 miles, I assume they are original, but at 4
years old and so few miles, they could be dry rot from the heat. If she is
doing a lot of highway driving in Texas heat between school and home, you
might want to replace the tires before she goes even if they look good,
because old ones with low miles can come apart when finally strained in
Texas heat.
Battery is probably dead or dying. If it still has the original, replace
it
and be sure. Toyota was putting Delco batteries in their cars and I found
they die almost to the day of the car being 4 years old, which I believe
was
the coverage on the battery, too. In most cases, you could let it go, but
a
young girl alone at college will have it die at the most inopportune time
possible. So if it is close, preempt it.
Change to the insurance. Cars on campus can be targets and while you are
probably saving money at home with only liability, the risk goes up
significantly there and you could lose it all.
I agree with changing the title and insurance to her name if she is 18.
When I got my car, it was all in my name and it was one of the greatest
favors I ever did my parents. I don't think they really knew how much.
Although years later, my brother got them cancelled and out of the company
they had been with for 25 years, although it didn't affect me.
The no-car-at-college-the-first-year is a good one. The kid doesn't think
so, but it does allow them to concentrate on school and not out driving
around. Of course, they might need it for a job or to travel back and
forth, but if not, it is better with none.
Good luck to her.
<observer> wrote in message
news:a68514d504v2u5mauecrfs4biihkcs0dgg@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Just to be upfront, my daughter doesn't have a Corvette but I thought
> since this group has a bunch of car enthusiasts, they might still be
> willing to help another car owner (I hope).
>
> She wants to take her small car (corolla) to college which is about 2
> hours from home (in Austin, Texas). She isn't too car inclined so I
> want to prep the car for the moderate winter there and mild spring.
> Actually the car is in near mint condition (4k miles on a 2004 model
> and garage kept to date). I think the only things I want to do is
> check fluids (maybe change oil, check belts and fluids, check tires,
> change battery). I was thinking of getting her AAA membership in
> case. Her car will be kept outside under a metal covered roof at an
> apartment complex. It is insured presently just for liability (I
> think $500 ded).
>
> Any other ideas or thoughts? thanks all.
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