1991 All-Trac

[2005 Camry]

I'm looking at a '91 Camry, one owner car with under 100K on it and wondering what problems that I may have with this. It is an automatic, 4 cyl, and literally been driven mostly by an older couple. It may need rear struts. How reliable was the AWD? What about other problems with that model or year? What kind of gas mileage can I expect? Any major problems with the engine, transmission, or transfer case (I'm assuming it must have some sort of transfer box) ? It will be for my girl in college so I won't always be around to tinker on it and at the same time don't want something that will be a major headache and could nickel and dime me to death. This is replacing a ’92 Corolla that was totaled by a drunk driver and I’m hoping for the reliability and service the Corolla was giving her. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[white90dx]

As AWD systems go, it is very reliable. Not much extra maintenance needed (trasfer case fluid, rear differential fluid, check a few bearings and boots).

I also bought a low mileage, always garaged '89 Alltrac about a year ago. It has the normal problems for a 20 year old car - hoses and other rubber parts in the engine bay mostly. If you are giving it to somebody that isn't willing to look under the hood once in a while, it may turn out to be a nickel-and-dime car. There shouldn't be any major problems with it though. The motor, transmission and other expensive parts should be fine. Otherwise, it will have the normal 4-cylinder Camry problems - cracked ignition coil, finicky AFM and a couple other things.

I have a full set of good Alltrac struts for you if you end up buying the car (I recently upgraded). You will probably need to replace the top-hats, but otherwise they are good. Soon, I'll even have an extra AWD automatic transmission. Too bad shipping would be a killer.

-Charlie

PS. edit... make sure the wheels and tires are even on wear and rotated often. You will eat up the AWD system if you don't.

[2005 Camry]

Thanks for that reply. The more I have thought about this today the less enthused I am. This is for a daughter in college and it looks like the gas mileage is typical of AWD or 4 WD vehicles, maybe 22 to 24 or so. That is a lot less than the Corolla she was driving so I may make an offer but that would tighten her gas budget somewhat.

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by 2005 Camry

Thanks for that reply. The more I have thought about this today the less enthused I am. This is for a daughter in college and it looks like the gas mileage is typical of AWD or 4 WD vehicles, maybe 22 to 24 or so. That is a lot less than the Corolla she was driving so I may make an offer but that would tighten her gas budget somewhat.

I've been averaging 25-27mpg in mixed but careful (light footed) driving. Many drivers (and cars) will get lower mileage than that with the AWD auto Camry. Definitely worse than a 2wd Corolla or Camry. At least gas isn't $4.50/gal right now...

Also, there are others on the forum who might really want the car. If you decide against getting it, post of more info on the car.

-Charlie

[kesando]

Originally Posted by white90dx

I've been averaging 25-27mpg in mixed but careful (light footed) driving. Many drivers (and cars) will get lower mileage than that with the AWD auto Camry. Definitely worse than a 2wd Corolla or Camry. At least gas isn't $4.50/gal right now...

Also, there are others on the forum who might really want the car. If you decide against getting it, post of more info on the car.

-Charlie

Some pics wouldn't hurt niether...

[Mike Morris]

Mine has over 300K on it.
Only things to look for is rust in the 1/4 panels,and rear exhaust rott.Sometimes those cheap door handles brake inside. Cheap fix is to upgrade to the ones off an LE(chrome handle). Have tons of handles if you need one. Great car and RELIABLE.

[2005 Camry]

I drove this vehicle one night in a parking lot a couple of weeks or ago and it seemed "ok". I went out on the road today with it and I was amazed what a dog the 4 cyl is. Once it got rolling it was ok but pickup was terrible. It needs a rear strut. I always thought you put them on in pairs but their mechanic says only one is adequate, the one on the right side. I went over to Meineke and they don't stock the struts and called several other parts houses and didn't find any. I tried a dealer on the way home and they can get them with no problem. This came from a little old lady and I can see it fit her just fine.

[Mike Morris]

Tune the car up

[2005 Camry]

Mike, does the 4 cyl auto normally have pretty good pickup? I thought it was just a case of maybe the motor being underpowered. I got the records from toyota and it goes back to about 70, 000miles but I see no spark plugs, tune-up type stuff listed. Belonged to an older couple so I find it hard to believe no one would ever have recommended a tuneup. What is the recommended mileage for spark plug replacement on this vehicle? Thanks

[white90dx]

Originally Posted by 2005 Camry

Mike, does the 4 cyl auto normally have pretty good pickup? I thought it was just a case of maybe the motor being underpowered. I got the records from toyota and it goes back to about 70, 000miles but I see no spark plugs, tune-up type stuff listed. Belonged to an older couple so I find it hard to believe no one would ever have recommended a tuneup. What is the recommended mileage for spark plug replacement on this vehicle? Thanks

30k for spark plugs. You can change over to cheap copper NGKs at about $2 each and go for a 15k interval though... they perform a bit better. Wires, cap and rotor should be replaced every 30-60k also.

The Alltrac Automatic is the slowest Camry ever built. That said, it should still get you up near freeway speeds by the end of a normal onramp without flooring it (I rev mine to about 3.5k-4k often to get on the freeway). It will feel slow compared to a modern car, but it shouldn't feel so slow that it is unsafe.

-Charlie

[2005 Camry]

Another thing that looks like it should be done is the replacement of the brake lines that run down the length of the left underside and probably the fuel lines as well. Is this more of a pain in the neck, lots of time and laying on my back to work on it or is it relative/moderately difficult?

[Mike Morris]

Originally Posted by 2005 Camry

Mike, does the 4 cyl auto normally have pretty good pickup? I thought it was just a case of maybe the motor being underpowered. I got the records from toyota and it goes back to about 70, 000miles but I see no spark plugs, tune-up type stuff listed. Belonged to an older couple so I find it hard to believe no one would ever have recommended a tuneup. What is the recommended mileage for spark plug replacement on this vehicle? Thanks

Like the last post described its not the fastest car in the world but acceleration should be adequate even from a dead stop.
I wonder if a timing belt was replaced and its one tooth off on the distributer(which happened to me).
Tune up the car to be safe(ie plugs,fuel filter,air filter)

[2005 Camry]

I got the some of the records on it and a local Toyota Dealer put a new timing belt and seals on it about 4000 miles ago.

[kesando]

How much slower are the alltracs? My 2wd DX pulls pretty strong when in pwr mode.

[JMSports]

Originally Posted by kesando

How much slower are the alltracs? My 2wd DX pulls pretty strong when in pwr mode.

My 2wd DX pulls pretty strong when i put it in L and then shift to 2.