Is it worth fixing my Corolla

[Olbert]

I have a 2005 Corolla Ascent (base model, no modifications) with 260,000km on the clock. I've had it since km one and it's had an ok life - not much city driving, a lot of country km's. It's had logbook servicing for 200,000km then fairly regular servicing since then. It's had it's gearbox replaced at 215,000km. The front bumper is quite dodge but still works. It's got a few dints and scratches, as well as a cosmetic rust patch underneath the door handle on the drivers door (bloody roo!). It was just registered in Canberra in February.

Aside from the gearbox, it's been quite cheap and very reliable and good on the petrol.

I just got quoted $2000 to fix up the following issues: (I'm not a car person, so forgive me if I don't quite get the terminology right)

• crap windscreen wipers (they are currently pretty bad at wiping) $45
• cracked serpentine bolt in the drive train $195
• front shock absorber is dodge $844 (+wheel alignment $77)
• left inner cv clamp has a slow leak $118
• coolant flush $118
• both rear shocks $580
• its going to need two new rear tyres next 10,000km (cos of uneven ware from the shocks) ~ $200

I've been to this mechanic a couple of times and he hasn't tried to bull$#!t me thus far, so I trust that all this actually needs doing. It's the mechanics opinion that the shock issues are because it's so old and that once I do that and get the other stuff fixed, the car will be good to go. He reckons that because it's a Corolla, it will last pretty much forever and if I spend this money now, nothing else is likely to go wrong for a while.

This seems a lot to spend on my car. It's had a good life so far but I don't want to start throwing good money after bad.

Should I get it fixed?
How much (ballpark figure) is it worth to sell right now?
How much (ballpark figure) is it worth to fix and sell?

Should I attempt to fix some of it by myself by getting parts from Repco?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Hiro]

Windscreen wipers, serpentine belt, coolant flush, front and rear shocks are all things that can be easily accomplished at home by just about anyone with the correct tools/setup and a Gregorys manual, and would save a lot of time and money compared to a workshop. Even if you aren't skilled or don't have the setup, if any of your mates are mechanically inclinded ask if they can help out (and bribe them with beer if necessary) and you should be able to knock a good chunk of that list over for minimal cost (and obviously don't have to worry about paying for labour)

Tyres, wheel alignment and the CV stuff is probably best left to the experts though, and bear in mind that it would be best to leave the wheel alignment to last as half of that list would require a wheel alignment after completion so you don't want to be doubling up.