OT- prepping car for daughter at college

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.

<observer> wrote in message
...
> 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.

you could add full coverage insurance.
if you're not worried about insuring the car ?
why worry about anything else about the car ?

my2¢
--
'Key
=====

'Key" > wrote in message
. ..
> <observer> wrote in message
> ...
>> 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.
>
> you could add full coverage insurance.
> if you're not worried about insuring the car ?
> why worry about anything else about the car ?
>
> my2¢
> --
> 'Key
> =====

I agree with key about the full coverage Ins,
I also think AAA is a great thing to have,
just make sure she remembers she has it...

Now on the lighter side of things, You might
get her a set of nice rims and tires to put a
little style into that small family style car...

ZyRiX

ZÿRiX wrote:
> 'Key" > wrote in message
> . ..
>> <observer> wrote in message
>> ...
>>> 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.
>>
>> you could add full coverage insurance.
>> if you're not worried about insuring the car ?
>> why worry about anything else about the car ?
>>
>> my2¢
>> --
>> 'Key
>> =====
>
> I agree with key about the full coverage Ins,
> I also think AAA is a great thing to have,
> just make sure she remembers she has it...
>
> Now on the lighter side of things, You might
> get her a set of nice rims and tires to put a
> little style into that small family style car...
>
> ZyRiX

Texas is a better place to be than
attorney-infested California. But, check that
the liability on that policy will cover up to
your own umbrella limit or a large chunk of your
personal assets. Out of town attorneys can be a
real PITA if she has a fender-bender.

Usually deductibles apply to comprehensive or
collision coverages, not liability so it sounds
like you've got some coverage on the vehicle.
If you switch 1000 deductible on the collision
and comprehensive you can probably raise the
liability limit and save a buck or two.

Remind her to add the AAA number to her cellphone.

--
pj

Sounds great. Check the car out and get AAA. Also inform here in what to
do if in an accident, what to do if broken down at night, if she gets in a
road rage incident, etc.

I did the same for my four kids with no problems.

You have a reliable car. That is a very good point. For two of my kids the
cars weren't that reliable. Oh the joys of the 'repair weekend' when I
would drive the 2 hours to college and repair their cars in the parking
lots.

Vito



"'Key" > wrote in message
. ..
> <observer> wrote in message
> ...
>> 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.
>
> you could add full coverage insurance.
> if you're not worried about insuring the car ?
> why worry about anything else about the car ?
>
> my2"
> --
> 'Key
> =====
>
>
>

Get the car registered in her name as soon as she is 18. You do not need
the liability for her driving.

I also have the insurance and all in my kids' name. All insurance payments
come from the kid and I reimburse the kid. I do not want my name anywhere
if there is a lawsuit.

I live in California, btw.

Had one kid crash when car was still registered to me. You haven't lived
until you are on the dirty end of a lawsuit.

Vito


> wrote in message ...
> ZRiX wrote:
>> 'Key" > wrote in message
>> . ..
>>> <observer> wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> 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.
>>>
>>> you could add full coverage insurance.
>>> if you're not worried about insuring the car ?
>>> why worry about anything else about the car ?
>>>
>>> my2"
>>> --
>>> 'Key
>>> =====
>>
>> I agree with key about the full coverage Ins,
>> I also think AAA is a great thing to have,
>> just make sure she remembers she has it...
>>
>> Now on the lighter side of things, You might
>> get her a set of nice rims and tires to put a
>> little style into that small family style car...
>>
>> ZyRiX
>
> Texas is a better place to be than attorney-infested California. But,
> check that the liability on that policy will cover up to your own umbrella
> limit or a large chunk of your personal assets. Out of town attorneys can
> be a real PITA if she has a fender-bender.
>
> Usually deductibles apply to comprehensive or collision coverages, not
> liability so it sounds like you've got some coverage on the vehicle. If
> you switch 1000 deductible on the collision and comprehensive you can
> probably raise the liability limit and save a buck or two.
>
> Remind her to add the AAA number to her cellphone.
>
> --
> pj
>

On Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:47:58 -0500, observer wrote:

>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.
>
I'm going to assume she already has a cell phone, most have break-down
coverage as part of the plan. Your insurance Company may offer it as
well.

If you use "all" the Services of AAA Membership, then it is worth the
price.

Now based on two-daughters already through University, no car first
year. Two tempting, alluring and distracting.
--
"Before all else, be armed" -- Machiavelli

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
...
> 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.

On Apr 25, 11:47 pm, observer wrote:
>
> Any other ideas or thoughts? thanks all.
>

Leave the new Toyota at home. Get a 1984 Pontiac P.O.S. to replace it
- with at least 100k miles on the clock. Put a shop manual and a good
set of tools in the trunk.

On Mon, 28 Apr 2008 13:34:34 -0700 (PDT), The Reverend Natural Light
> wrote:

>On Apr 25, 11:47 pm, observer wrote:
>>
>> Any other ideas or thoughts? thanks all.
>>
>
>Leave the new Toyota at home. Get a 1984 Pontiac P.O.S. to replace it
>- with at least 100k miles on the clock. Put a shop manual and a good
>set of tools in the trunk.


I love this advice if I had a son <grin>.