Buying a 93 Camry

Worn out struts ($1000 dealer installed), timing belt (normal maintenace $200), split CVC joints ($400) and wrong speed rated tires..

I had a new 1992 CAMRY XLE V6 and the car was given to charity at

here is a brief history of service problems:

My driverside power window died at about 90,000 miles but I used it 2x a day for years.

My rack and pinion steering went at about 110,000 miles, still driveable but needed repair.

My engine mounts started to go but were still ok

My radio blew an amplifier, i.e. the right side of the car lost all audio (I often played it loud over the years).

My driver side door handle broke (again, opened daily for 10+ years);

A tie rod on the back of the car (underneath) had a bolt sheared off (no doubt to the numerous potholes in NJ). My son and I fixed it outselves.

But the car was reliable for driving and I used it heavily every day. for the amount of use I gave it, I consider the 1992 model very reliable and I bought the 2004 camry as a direct result.

Hope that helps.

Joe

Also look for leaking power steering rack ($500 rebuilt unit) and leaking rear main seal between engine and trans ($500).

Exhaust system timing belt struts

the usual stuff

JP

Hi, first check if it was in an accident that the frame needed to be 'adjusted'

I would not buy a car if it was through a big accident... mainly because if the body shop just a poor job, it will be very difficult to work on the car (as things will be misalined and hard to get to)

Then ask for any service records.

If service records are not available, then look for what might have been replaced recently

Here is what I have been replacing on my Mom's '92 4 cyl, 100K miles camry

forgot one more thing (in additon to my previous reply) changed both cv joints boot (as the car was shaking when accelerating from around 45mph) it was $300 by a mechanic

I have a '92 with 192,xxx on it.

replaced struts, radiator, oil pan gasket, timing belt, stereo, 3 of the 4 power window regulators. Had the A/C converted to R134 and recharged. The tail light failure sensor went bad too, but that's been about it aside from the usual maintenance.

-JCM900