Goodbye 1989 Camry ... Hello 2003 Camry

[JOET/CAMRY]

The title pretty much says it all. This Monday (09/26/2011) I will be moving on to a 2003 Camry LE with around 40,000 miles on it. My Dad passed away in February of this year and I inherited His car. I was planning on driving My 1989 Camry around until it completely died which never happened. Even though it has 276,000 miles it runs strong and is super reliable. Starts right up regardless of the weather. I have been the 2nd owner of this car since 2003 when it was handed down to me from my Dad. It had 141,000 miles on it at the time. It replaced the 1985 Camry that I owned. I hope I have as good luck with the 2003 Camry as I did with the 1989 Camry but don't think I will by reading the reviews and complaints online. The stripped head bold deal is kinda scary. They just don't make them like they used to. I plan on selling the 1989 Camry for scrap as I can get $325.00 cash for it "as is". I live in Massachusetts and if I sell it via private party sale I don't want to deal with someone asking for a refund a month down the road via the lemon law. Here are a few pics of the car.

[itainthem]

I wouldnt scrap it...You have developed a relationship... You will regret it. These ol 2nd gens are amazin cars. they are addictive...you will regret it. I regretted lettin go of my 89 LE in the 90's... It took me ten years to find the right car... I have a 89 LE again.. a wagon this time.. low miles 123k... no rust.. a one owner garage kept, dealer serviced beauty.. And the 3s-fe just like my old one had.... I love tinkerin with it.... Gettin the most mpg I can..feelin that familiar purr when you turn the key.. Readin the Forum here for the latest tweaks... You wont find that with the 2003... Cars are so impersonal these days... You are correct.. they dont build em like they use to... If you scrap it, you will never know how many miles it was destined to go.. you will wonder... Did I put her down before her time?

[Grego 92]

I don't know about your state, but an advantage to keeping an older car (if you don't already have something) is that it keeps your insurance down. We put the older car as the daily driver with the most miles, and then add the new car with an annual 2-3,000 miles (weekend car). We could make up that $325 in the first year even after paying annual registration fees and bi-annual smog checks.

[JOET/CAMRY]

Well today was the day..
My 1989 Camry was picked up (10-07-2011) on a flatbed truck and taken to Chuckran Auto Parts in Bridgewater, Mass. It really sucked watching them put it on the flatbed truck and haul it away. Kind of depressing. That car served me well for around 8 years. If I were to keep the car it would need some work to keep it roadworthy ...

1. Passenger side half axle (cv joint clicking away on left hand turns)
2. Distributer (leaked oil internally)
3. Rear main seal (was leaking oil pretty bad)
4. Blower motor (had to wack it with a rubber hammer to get it working sometimes. turned real slow)
5. Cold start time switch was bad.
6. Clunking in front end (strut mounts. very possible considering the are the original front struts)
7. Broken exhaust pipe (middle section)
8. Rocker Panel rotted out on drivers side of car.

I suppose other 2nd generation Camry owners can use parts off of it to help keep their Camrys on the road. I am gonna miss my 89 Camry.