Shall I buy a Camry ?

Are there specific things to look for ?

This was the list of questions I prepared prior to purchase:

"I'm calling about your car for sale" (If they ask "which one" likely not a true "private party")

Are you the Owner of the car? (deal direct with Owner only) (bought too many cars where a "friend" of the owner sold the car, and later I discover repainted sections) Always a good idea to let a body shop have a quick look at the car - those guys can spot irregularities almost instantly - where for me, I usually don't notice tiny telltale signs until the light is just right)

Why are you selling

Are you the original owner

Does it have a 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder engine

What color is it

Does it have a sunroof (moon roof)

What is the mileage

What kind of condition is the paint

How about the interior

Tell me about the maintenance. Have you replaced:

Timing Belt - when, where (by whom), receipt? Struts A/C oil changes - how do you keep track of mileage for oil changes transmission oil/ filter change

Are service records available? (showing accurate odometer readings)

Smog Certificate, Pink Slip

Has this car ever been in an accident

Private residence required: i.e., always meet only at their home. (sorry I just don't trust the used car dealers, unless you happen to find a car in top condition and don't mind paying the higher price - these guys are pros and they know how to hide defects very well. I prefer to find a car that hasn't been messed about with too much so you can gauge its true condition and ascertain the type of regular care it has received.

Mechanic check:

C.V. Boots struts frame damage oil leaks brakes radiator Air Conditioning (check power window operation) (antenna) (lights)

Overall Camrys are super reliable. With proper care the four cylinder can run a long, long time. Sometimes you find a seller of medest means who really valued their car and kept it in pristine condition - that's a winner. Stack of receipts from day one is always nice, too. I'd been looking online in our area through recycler.com - photos and prices included with descriptions. When I was ready to buy there were

111 cars in my price range. After finding the right color and engine, private party good condition, was down to three to five. After talking to the owners, was down to one. Wound up buying that one from an original owner Grandmother with dealer service records.

Not really what you asked, but my personal favorite would be the 1994

- 1996 Camry, made in Japan, VIN number beginning with "J".

They are tough cars that hold up. Excellant reliability. Expect about 27 miles per gallon average, well that is my average. . Ride is very quiet. Handling is not so great, particularly emergency response. Handling may have been sacrificed for ride comfort. Other than handling I can't complain. I have a 2001 camry.

From the personal experience of owning a '99 since new, I would watch out for chattering or otherwise noisy front suspension when going over small bumps or pavement holes in the 25 to 35mph range.

If you have any backseat riders who are 6 ft tall or more try out the backseat for headroom. You may find they have to lean their heads forward slightly to avoid the slope of the rear window / roof. This is VERY annoying after a few miles and particularly likely to happen if the rear seat rider gets his or her height from a long torso.

While its an exaggeration to say Toyota owners are in a continual state of high arousal when approaching their Camry, then experience a climax as they hit the ignition and the exhaust purrs,...they (the cars) are still prone, like all cars, to the usual abuses. Get one which has been regularly serviced,...even better if by Toyota.

Jason

Whatis this chattering/noise a symptom of?

Dont buy one, because we might be getting one next and dont want you bidding against us!

Overall, the Camrys are outstanding. Most important is the maintenance history, mileage and overall condition. You'll have to evaluate those things onsite yourself or have someone you trust check the car out. You're talking about a vehicle that is between two and five years old. It may have been coddled or it may have been flogged. We have a '93 bought new, and other than maintenance items like tires, brakes, hoses, belts, battery, etc, the total cost of repair parts was $4 for a radio knob.

Hi Daniel,

Many thanks for that comprehensive response, I am much better informed now as a result.. It is much appreciated.

Bruce.

have

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I will bear that in mind ... I promise to only buy outside of your territory... you should be safe given that I line in New Zealand !! Bruce :-)

I'd say they are good cars for the money, FWIW the cheapest used cars I ever bought turned out to be the ones I overpaid for and got from new car dealers! They tend keep the good ones and dump the dogs to the wholesalers. I would buy Toyotas from some other brand dealer, last Toyota I got was from a Cadillac dealer, it has been a good driving trouble free car so far. I figure cost per mile including depreciation, taxes, preventive maintenance, repair, parts replacement, insurance etc. It costs a certain amount to get a mile down the road and it depends how you want to look and feel going down that mile...... One thing comes to mind, my dog likes to ride in the rear seat window space and he has trouble standing up in that space, he is an 7 lb Chihuahua.

Bruce wrote:

I own a 1991 4 cyl Camry(173k miles, 2000 Toyota Tundra110k miles, and a

ever

wholesalers.

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Chihuahua.

seriously

and

I pretty much agreee with Roger as to the benefits of owning a Camry. I might also include an Accord as a top choice as well. Same attributes pretty much apply, maybe a slightly firmer ride, same high dependability, and a slightly better trade-in value if that is important. You prick 'em....whichever is second, ain't a dawg. I don't think anything out there matches either of them in the same price range. Ron

We found the "chattering" in our '99 to be not in the front, but in the rear!. Replaced the strut caps on the rear suspension under warranty and all the noise went away! By the way, we got this tip from this discussion group for which we have been very pleased. Ron