New Gen 2 member w/ a 1991 DX Wagon (HI!)

[jbrams]

Hi everyone, I'm new and wanted to say hi and thanks (I've been lurking a few days to find out whether this wagon was a good buy or whether it had common or expensive problems).

I'm picking up a 1991 Camry DX wagon (4 cyl, auto) tomorrow morning. $2400 and 98,000 miles. But the best part is that I was connected with the current owner by my mechanic, Nancy, at Grandma's Garage here in Berkeley (she's amazing, check the reviews on cartalk.com's mechanic's files). She's worked on the car for years and has all the history (and the history is GREAT!). It has a slight rattle noise from a worn suspension component or bushing, but other than that it's immaculate! Strong engine, great AC, even very clean body (couldn't find any dents or scratches that made it to bare metal). Timing belt done, new brake pads/rotors, plenty of recent work keeping it running like a top.

It's inagural trip will be to Black Rock City for Burning Man.

The plan for the car? Frequent maintenance and no add-ons unless they're basically similar to stock but higher quality (i.e., no body kits or fancy suspension, but if a component fails I'll replace it with OEM unless there's something similar but considered better such as NGK plugs rather than OEM from the dealership).

The only "performance increases" I'm considering are:

(1) replacing the bulbs with something with a little more umph (I've heard you can get the 9007's to fit with a little minor re-wiring, otherwise just put in some Osram or Philips high quality bulbs that are not too expensive).

(2) Oil change (include an additive, either Restore or Marvel Mystery Oil). Is Castrol considered alright for these suckers or should I use a blended synthetic or ________?

(3) Chevron fuel system cleaner (left over half bottle from another vehicle, works fairly well, same stuff Lucas additive has)

(4) Seafoam thru a brake booster line, Deep Creep in the throttle body

(5) Replace air filter

(6) Check to see if tranny fluid needs to be changed (guessing not)

(7) Slightly over-inflate tires (better MPG)

(8) New stereo (low-level MP3 capable Pioneer receiver with ipod jack for like $100)

(9) New wipers (recommendations? Sizes, including the rear wiper?)

(10) Good cleaning of the car (after burning man, got to get the desert off before starting my new job!)

(11) any recommendations on what to do next?

Thanks everyone!
Abe

[monito]

the dealer's spark plugs for the 2nd gen Camry are Denso...ususually. Is NGK better than Denso?

[wiccanferret]

1) Silverstars.

2.) I wouldn't use an additive without a reason. If the car runs good and strong, just keep the oil changed.

3&4.) I always use 1/3 of a can of Seafoam in the brake booster line and then put the rest in the gas tank on less than 1/4 tank of gas. I've never heard of Deep Creep, but I'm assuming it's just to drip clean the TB?

5.) If you plan to keep the car for a while, get a K&N. It's worth it.

6.) No way to tell, really. If you don't know for sure it's been done, I'd just do it. Make sure you get the gasket/filter kit as well.

7.) Yes. Just be careful in the rain as over-inflated tires can mess with the handling a bit, but nothing outrageous. Just pay attention and don't go over the tire's max.

8.) JVC has a nice MP3+HD tuner for under $200.

9.) Anco wipers, the cheapies from Walmart, have always done well for me. I find that no matter how well they work in the beginning you're always changing them out in about a year so you may as well get cheapies.

Stick with Denso plugs. You can get them at Autozone for $1.50 each and they've never done me wrong.

All in all congrats! I think you overpaid a bit, but if the car is a clean as you say it is and doesn't develop problems then you'll still get your money's worth for sure.

[1883atlantics]

Probably willing to pay the price due to the history and mechanic.
Silverstars....debatable. Daniel Stern Lighting has great info on this topic. GE NightHawk are not bad for lumens-output for the price.
I have the K&N. Get it, it's worth it.
Seafoam yes, Deep Creep, dunno?
Get a fluid evacuator and change the AT fluid regularly. That's what I did.
Maybe get some driving or fog lights. The 2nd Gen doesn't have the world's best headlamps.
How old is the battery? Check that before setting off on a long road trip, along with the other pre road trip stuff.
Over inflate the tires? Hmm. just be careful, like W. said. Make sure your spare is in good shape and you have the proper tools to change the tire should the need arise.
Stick with Denso or NGK as far as plugs go. Better safe than sorry and you aren't going to gain anything from "hot rod" plugs.
I second the cheapie wiper recommendation. Make sure the spring inside the arm is oiled (WD-40) or you get terrible chatter (sigh...I struggled so long with this problem!)
The radio is a breeze to install. Two screws, some elbow grease, and four bolts. 10mm and philips head #2 I believe. Don't bother trying to replace the stock front speakers.
Good Luck
Jeff
1990 V6 Sedan Le AT
130k miles

[Kingdom934]

Yep. WD40 does amazing work on wipers springs and the hinge.

For me, I've been using a set of Michelin wiper blades on my Gen1 and they are still in great condition, even after over 1 year in use in the SUN (car is not garaged).

My secrets for this is by using (I suppose all of this affects this) turtle wax on the windshield and some other wax product with along spraying tire spray (I use this red can with I think it says 'No touch' brand spray) on the blade themself which keeps it from crack and wearing out fast. I also think that my heavy once a week wash also keeps the rubber clean along with the glass, so less wear on the blades.

So far it is doing a clean swipe, it does have screes, but it's still Minor.

[1883atlantics]

Yeah I'm on Michelins myself right now too. I had bought them in frustration hoping a "better quality" blade would cure my chattering, when actually I just needed to oil (frequently) my springs. After a lot of use (in a session of rain) they still chatter but I can live with it, as we don't get long rainstorms here very often.
The Michelins don't wipe any better than the Anco's from Wally Mart though. Nor would PIAA or Bosch Excel (which I tried BTW)
Jeff

[jbrams]

Good tips ... driving has been excellent so far but I'm sick today ... longer report later.

Already replacing the stereo ... DEH-1900 is $95 on Crutchfield ($20 coupon, $7 shipping, $9 wiring harness, came out to $91 total shipped with the harness for me). Rad.

[HomeGrown]

Originally Posted by wiccanferret

.... I think you overpaid a bit, but if the car is a clean as you say it is and doesn't develop problems then you'll still get your money's worth for sure.

Actually, $2400 is right in line with KBB private party, "good" condition. The price definately isn't a steal by any means, but gen 2's in really nice condition are somewhat rare.

I took the wagon in for an oil change today, and the service write-up guy was telling me about a lady who came in a few weeks ago with a 91 Camry V6, with only 6000 original miles.

He said the car looked absolutely brand new. Lady inherited it from her father, who bought it, garaged it, and never really drove it. I'd love to see that car.

[jbrams]

6000? Wow. I actually drove my friend's 88 Ford Bronco that had 8,200 miles on it a couple years ago ... felt really weird to drive one that wasn't noisy. Crazy low miles!

Mine has 100,000 as of yesterday. It really does sound and feel great. CD player arrives today =)

How big are the wipers (front and rear)?

[Kingdom934]

Originally Posted by HomeGrown

Actually, $2400 is right in line with KBB private party, "good" condition. The price definately isn't a steal by any means, but gen 2's in really nice condition are somewhat rare.

I took the wagon in for an oil change today, and the service write-up guy was telling me about a lady who came in a few weeks ago with a 91 Camry V6, with only 6000 original miles.

He said the car looked absolutely brand new. Lady inherited it from her father, who bought it, garaged it, and never really drove it. I'd love to see that car.

6K MILES!?

That thing should be BOUGHT and GLASS CAGED.

Man, if it was a fully loaded V6 + LE + Sunroof + Basket weaves + Digit dash...I'm drooling XD

[HomeGrown]

6k miles, and it's in MY town! That car needs to belong to me. Obviously I'm 100% qualified to fully appreciate this fine specimin.

He said the lady had to put new tires on it, and I'm betting there will be other items to show up as well. I imagine it must have took some doing to get that car going. I'm sure she didn't just air up the tires, jump it, and drive it away. Then again, maybe she DID!

jbrams: Congrats on the nice wagon! We need pics! Not sure on the back wiper size. I removed the rear wiper system on the wagon b/c it wasn't working. The oscilating shaft was seized up, and I couldn't break it loose. This was the same exact problem that plagued my wife's '99 Blazer, but I was able to fix that. The fronts are different sizes. 18" on the passenger side and 20" on the driver's side, IIRC. I actually had to get replacements at the Toyota dealer because the typical replacement blades sold here didn't have the right attachment hardware.

[jbrams]

Well, about 11 months and 10,000 trouble-free miles later my Camry wagon has been stolen and is now 12 days missing ... hope of recovery fades.

Thanks for all the help, here's to hoping my next Toyota doesn't depart so quickly or against my will
:ahhhh:

[Kingdom934]

Originally Posted by jbrams

Well, about 11 months and 10,000 trouble-free miles later my Camry wagon has been stolen and is now 12 days missing ... hope of recovery fades.

Thanks for all the help, here's to hoping my next Toyota doesn't depart so quickly or against my will
:ahhhh:

Argh...

These Camry are known to be stolen because...well...of them being so good. I guess somebody was looking for parts and saw a low mile Camry...damnit these thieves.

I'm not sure what to really say. I would hope it would show up without any harm done to it, but I'll be honest, these Camrys are often stolen and strip for parts.

[jbrams]

Originally Posted by Kingdom934

Argh...

These Camry are known to be stolen because...well...of them being so good. I guess somebody was looking for parts and saw a low mile Camry...damnit these thieves.

I'm not sure what to really say. I would hope it would show up without any harm done to it, but I'll be honest, these Camrys are often stolen and strip for parts.

Well, the police seemed to think (and I tend to agree) that it was probably stolen for a joy ride rather than for it's value - the parts sure are worth something, but the radio was probably the most easily removed thing for the most money, other parts who can figure what they're worth relative to the time and skill required to remove them? I'm guessing it's not a good return especially for someone willing to steal a car who is probably not the type who's interested in putting in the time necessary for parting it out. But who knows - maybe my camry wagon lives on as the Franken-wagon parts of other camry's cruising my city. In the mean time, the search for a new toyota continues.

[jbrams]

Car found - totaled but running - buying back from insurance com for $600 worth it? (see this thread and reply there if you have a sec)