Should I fix the Prizm?

Should I fix the Prizm?

Ok, many of you probably have read about the problems I have been having with my 2000 prizm for the last month, Here's the highlights, 6 bent valves, cam damage, snapped timing chain, harmonic balancer exploded, 4 bad piston rings (to the point I can move the piston side to side by about 1/16 inch in each direction).

I have found an engine, 25K miles, basically brand new, for $1300. I can have it here in 1 day. Here's the question. Is the car worth fixing it. It looks to me like with a 25K mile motor, I should be able to sell the car easily, as the wife and I want an SUV. So here's the facts on the rest of the car. 2000 Prizm, metallic black, sunroof, alloy wheels. Always maintained very well, radiator flushed and switched to Prestone Complete at 100K. Trans flushed every 30K, 145K on the car now. In the past 2 weeks, its gotten a new AC compressor and belt, all new motor mounts, and new sway bar end links. All struts replaced with KYB GR2 30K miles ago. Headliner is in the process of being replaced too.

What do you guys seriously think I could sell the car for with a 25K mile motor in it? Thanks guys

If you're thinking that you will make money by putting in a new engine, I don't think you will. You may break even. But if you want to keep it, spending about $2k to give you an almost brand new car is worth it

drop in a 4age and have fun lol

If you could swap the engine yourself, do that then sell the car.

That's more or less the plan. I won't be doing it directly myself, but a neighbor who does this stuff as a side job has the car right now. I'd like to drive it just enough to make sure its running good, then put it up for sale. Total, with everything I've had done to it lately plus the engine, I'll have 2500 in the car recently. I should be able to get at least that selling it with the new motor right?

Iff I were you, I would get an engine with a lot more mileage for a lot less if I was not going to be keeping the car. Keep in mind that even if the engine had 25k miles on it, your odometer won't change so the potential buyers may or may not believe you.

Yeah, that engine is way too expensive. Look around at www.car-part.com and see what you can find.

I've called pretty much everywhere in the area, and so far in Michigan I've located a grand total of 2, one has 151K on it and costs $1000 and one has 25K and costs $1300.

There are a couple for $750 on car-part.

I'm going to detroit in the morning to look at a motor from an 02 corolla, its $750. I'll let you know what happens

Well, I found and purchased an engine. Its from an 02 Prizm, and has 37K miles on it. It was still in the car, so i was able to start it and listen to it and it sounds great. It'll come out Tuesday and then get dropped in mine. Also bought the headliner since mine was droopy, the hole for the sunroof was too big in the stock board, so I'm putting a new headliner in

Good news. So are you still going to sell it?

Id keep it if i were you. Reliable economical toyota at a young mileage. Start taking very good care of that motor now and she will treat you well.

oh wow another michigander!!!! Ann Arbor here!! lol

I wouldn't mind keeping it except my wife and I would like to have an SUV for pulling our camper and for road trips it'd be a little nicer, not to mention occasionally 4x4 would be nice. Our other car is a 95 Gran Damn, and thats what I use to pull the camper right now. Its a 4 cylinder and is more or less a pile. I'd love to get rid of that one instead, but I can't get much towards an SUV for the Gran Damn, the Prizm is an easier vehicle to sell off towards an SUV. We'll see though. Either way I probably won't get rid of either one until tax time at least

THE PRIZM LIVES! I just drove it home. Engine sounds good. My only question is it is idling a little too low. How do I adjust the idle up just a hair. Its idling low enough that it causes a bit of vibration, but as soon as you give it the slightest gas, it purrs. Thanks guys

Congrats. I say keep it.