Used Cars: 88 toyota corolla, toyota corolla, single mom

Question
I am looking to buy a used car just enough to get me to and from for a few months. I am a single mom really bad credit and cant go to lot to get anything but i did find a old toyota corolla a person is selling for 1300.00.  It has no  major problems and 129,000 miles on it and is a 1988.  so should i take that offer and how many miles can you put on a car like that anyway. thanks

Answer
The corollas as a whole are really good vehicles in regards to low maintenance, and good fuel economy.  Of course a car that old really depends on how well it was taken care of.  If they have owned the car for a while, I would inquire about their maintenance practices.  And I still would have a mechanic check it over. That is good miles for a car that old, and if all checks out well, I would feel confident in telling you the car is worth the $1300.00.  Those cars in general, with good maintenance can go 300k to 400k with minor repairs...if you buy it....MAKE SURE...you replace the timing belt in the near future....that is the most important thing to remember about toyotas.  There is no way to really check a timing belt, so it is best to just replace it as soon as you can, and every 60k miles.  If the timing belt brakes, it could, and probably would ruin the engine.  Hope it works out good for ya!