I don't think it's safe for me to drive my car on the highway...?

So I want to go to Halloween Horror Nights on the 25th after school, and I'd stay at my boyfriend's house up there(I live 2 hours away)
Problem is, my car is a piece of crap. We had to get a new engine, new tires, and all this other work done. And after all that, about 2 weeks ago my car decides to not turn on(and it was running fine just 5 minutes before!)
I had to get a new starter for it!
My mom won't let me take her car, and my friend doesn't know how to get around in Orlando as much as I do, so I'd much rather do the driving.
My car is a 1994 toyota corolla.
I'm just so afriad that it's going to break down in the middle of the highway. I've never driven it faster than 60(I haven't actually been on the highway driving yet, and I'm 17..lame) so I feel like it's just doing to sputter and die when I hit the high speeds.
Am I just being paranoid and should get over it or should I find some other way to go(like having my friend drive her car instead, even though I'd nather not)?
Additional Details
Oh myabe I was a little unclear..It doesn't do anything bad(like rattling) that I know of at high speeds, I'm just afraid that it will.

And my mom just doesn't want me to wreck her car, but I think I'm insured on it.

And when I say "new" engine, I mean used, but it's new to the car. Sorry about that too.

Thanks for the great answers though.

Maybe I'll try to get it out on the highway before the 25th to test it and to get some experience driving ont he highway

Goethe

Unless the new motor is junk itself, and as long as your battery and alternator are strong with new starter, you should be ok. You don't have to gun the car at or over the speed limit on highways. The posted limit is the top speed; 40-45mph is accepted minimum (depending on posted max - I know some highways below D.C have 75mph limits). Stay in right lane (though you'll have to deal more with oncoming/exiting traffic) and you should be all right.
My first car was a 1972 Monte Carlo that shook like Shakira over 70mph. The older U.S. made cars are all like that (sadly, some of the newer ones are still like that!). Enjoy the party (and keep your celphone charged!)

big bill

sounds like your car is a horror night

bungee

are you sure it is the car that is dangerous

fuct_up_k1dd

If you car is cutting out at higher speeds then it could be several reasons, most commonly being a fuel system problem.

If you don't feel comfortable driving the car there, don't. Could you drive your friend's car, yours or his/her insurance may still cover you driving her car (if she/he would allow you to). Maybe check into that.

No, not paranoid.

John Patterson

whoa whoa whoa... calm down. first of all you have a new engine .... new tires? what specifically is the problem? It sounds like it is your charging system. If i were you i would have the battery tested to see if it holds a charge, if it doesnt get a new battery if it does you need to have your alternator checked to see if it creating a charge. You can have these checked at most automotive stores for free. e.g. autozone, riebes, etc... You are better safe than sorry so before you go have those checked...

StephenWeinstein

You drive your friend's car.

sweetiewv

I've had the same problem as you. If your car seems to not being giving you any trouble with driving it around where you live now, than I would just take it and drive a little slower than you normally would. I would think that everything would be fine just be careful.

forktail_devil

sounds definately like a fuel problem. possible causes: dirty fuel filter, fuel pump about to go south. these are in the gas tank, and u have to drop the tank to get to them. it's a fairly big job to do, but after the tank is off, is easy to do.

i'd also get the alternator looked at. without that, the battery wont get charged up. after that goes dead, u walk. auto zone will test it if u take it off the car and bring it in for free. it's very easy to change an alternator out. isnt quite as expensive as a new engine....about 50 bucks at a salvage yard give or take. battery is also probably not holding a charge. they do die out after about 5-10 years.

if u havent been on the interstate yet, is best to have mom with u to show u how its done. alot of things are going on at a rapid pace, and if u snooze there, it could be disasterous. since the car sputters at higher speed, it definately sounds like the fuel pump isnt up to standard anymore.....fuel injector's require a certain amount of pressure to run properly.

if u are not on mom's insurance for her car, she cant let u drive it anyway. can we say 'uninsured driver'? bad idea there.

E. F. Hutton

With all the new stuff the car is probably fairly reliable.
Have a good mechanic, or at least somebody that really understands cars take a look at it.
Take it on the highway, just a short distance, maybe have someone follow you, to see how it does at highway speeds.

thefuzz783

I would recommend that you not go on the Highway given the condition of you car. It might make it, it might not, but the highway is no place to find out. At 65 mph, cars are traveling at 95.5 feet per second! If your car were to stall, that is a very dangerous situation.

Sure, you might be able to drift onto the shoulder, but I can recall several news stories where people have been killed when there car was rear-ended while broke down on the side of the road.

If you really want to go, find a ride, or use someone else's car, no party is worth your life.

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