Paint the Car?

I wanted to get the opinion here, and see what you all think. My dad has been asking me, and I do not know what to tell him. My parents have a 2004 Toyota Corolla that has the paint off the roof, and is starting to peel on the hood, and trunk lid. The car has 125,000 miles on it. Dad got a quote for $1600.00 to paint the car. That is a lot of money and could be used as a down payment on another vehicle, but with dad retiring for the 2nd time in 2 weeks, he was hoping to keep this car running for a while. We are leaning towards letting it go, but I wanted to see what you all would do? There is nothing wrong mechanically, and they just put new tires on it!

 

Corolla's are bullet-proof. With service that is a 300,000 mile car. My wife's is a 2009 that we have had since new. At our age, it is the last car she will need or want. Why have another payment, especially if they are on fixed income. If the mileage of 125 on a 2004 is correct, that car will probably last them for many years. Worth the paint job if the rust factor is non-existent. Shop around for a better price and keep the vehicle is my vote.

 

I painted a '91 Camry after a fender bender, it allready had the roof and hood issues.... Bottom line, dad likes the car. If its mechanically sound now regular maintenance will get it another 100k easy. Make dad happy and relieve yourself the hassle of helping him pick the next car, i went through this with my FIL and it wasnt pretty.

 

I see a lot of these Toyota running to 200k miles so that Is why I did not know what to tell him? Thanks for the input!

 

If Dad likes the car and it is mechanically sound and the suspension and such is tight I would paint it. Also 1600.00 sounds in line as they will have to strip the flat surfaces to metal, sure you may find someone to do it cheaper but that's in line for a professional shop. Cheaper is not always better especially in body and refinishing......been in or around the business for over 30 years.

 

If you treat it right 500k isnt out of the question on a toyota, biggest problem is body rot. A good inspection before paint should cure that issue, check the underside when they paint, it might take some undercoater too.

 

I have a 07 Corolla with 177,000 miles and runs great, I hope it lasts me until retirement day 5 more years.

 

Anyone know anything about Maaco Body shop. There the only body shop that gave dad a 5 year warranty on the paint job! The smaller shops here only back the paint job for 1 year. I think he has 3 quotes so far?

 

Don't do it! Maaco SUCKS!

 

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Dont do Maco. Their prep work SUCKS. Without good prep the top coat wont stick right and its money wasted. Go with a reputable shop, it might be 3x the cost but it'll be worth it in the long run.

 

In my area ive seen the Maco shop move 3 times in 6 years. I think that might be their work around...

 

Ok I will advise him to check out some of the other body shops in the area

 

Dude, where are you. im in lancaster. That MD line is huge, and i know some guys.......

 

I'm not a fan of the Maaco's around here.....I can't say what yours is like. It's a nationwide franchise but locally owned I believe. I would use a local shop that does a lot of collision work especially if any are preferred shops for insurance because most of them have to meet criteria and stand behind their work for the insurance companies. They should have signage in the shop to say if they are preferred for certain carriers, maybe choose one that is preferred by several carriers.

 

$1600 would only pay the tax man for a new one...paint the car IMO. Body work is one of those items that you don't necessarily want to take the low bidder. I think Maaco is fine if you go into it knowing that you ain't gettin a $299 paint job from them...(price, $299 price. They have all kinds of add ons. I dont think anybody can actually get outta there for only $299. It may be a $299 value paintjob as far as workmanship though...who knows, I never dealt wit 'em)

 

Agree if rust is not an issue go for the paint job. Don't bother with macco. 125k is nothing for todays cars.

 

I just saw your post, I am about 25 minutes from Hanover PA, and about a hour to York Pa, and 1.5 hrs to Lancaster. My family goes to Lancaster a good bit in the summer to the markets! My mother and aunt go to the Green Dragon, which I am sure your familiar with! That is such a nice farmers market.

 

Was a nice market till the fire, I've always preferred Roots in Manheim

 

Your a bit west of of the shops I know.... unless you can come northeast. sorry