what camry should i get

[saoxcore]

im 17 years old turnig 18 soon, and of course i want a nice car.

i can pay 5,300 dollars for a 1995 toyota camry xle. its beauitful...




its a v6, has all the power options (i guess those are obvious) and it has 121,000 miles. he didnt let me physically test drive it (no license yet) but he drove around in it. transmission seemed to shift smoothly and all of that..but i did hear SLIGHT break squeeking..not sure what that could mean...anyone? brand new tires too. oh yeah! and sunroof!!

then theres a 1992 toyota camry my friend would be willing to give me for 3500-4000. has 80 thousand miles on it. its an le, 4 cyl. but its an ugly blue color (in my opinion) looks something like this:



i also dont like the back lights and the plastic in the middle.


i honestly dont know what to get. a part of me feels like i should buy a car with lower mileage for a lower price. cause thats smarter. people tell me 5300 is too much to spend on a car thats like 13 years old. but it is top of the line, and around my area 1995-1996 camrys are always going 4800-6k with mileage ranging from 135-188k!!

should i semi-settle, and get an ugly older, blue camry, or just spend more on a lot nicer looking camry, paying for more luxuries i dont really need nor care TOO much about (i could deal without leather, and i hear 4 cyl. already is a zippy engine...sunroof icould deal without too, but after sitting in that 1995 camry with the sunroof i was awed.). im planning on keeping either car for a long time, so i should really be in love with it, right?

i drove in my friends car, and it was really nice. keep in mind ,the car i drive is like 18 years old, doesnt have heat, top speed is 85mph, and has like 83hp. lol!!

any insight/advice, or hell, even experiences with your own camrys that are the same type/mileage as these would be nice to read.

[CharmCityES]

for sure get the V6 XLE....youll apprecite the extra options and the V6 powah.
that blue one looks like crap compared to that XLE....dont think, just get the XLE.

[saoxcore]

Originally Posted by CorCamrySE

for sure get the V6 XLE....youll apprecite the extra options and the V6 powah.
that blue one looks like crap compared to that XLE....dont think, just get the XLE.

well that blue one isnt the actual car. just showing the model/color. hows the gas mileage compared to the 4cyl? will i have to pay for better gas instead of the regular cheapest gas i put in my car right now?

[bigbird]

if ya really want a camry and dont care about the luxeries to much, either get a 94-96 camry coupe V6 or get a 92-93 SE 5 speed. those are what i would get, especially the coupe.

and yeah ull want to use ate least 89 but people still get away with 87.

[ASG14]

V6, hands down. My 1st Camry was a '92 I4 Camry. Then years later got my current '96 V6. IDENTICAL (color, interior, everything) to the one you posted. I love the car. I'd never go back to the I4.

[eurohazard]

Well this is a teenager. I say get the 92 I4.
-cheaper
-cheaper to insure
-cheaper on gas
-less "luxury" = less chance of something to break
-82k miles on the I4 is nothing compared to 121k on a V6
-if you're anything like me, you won't have the car for a long time anyway (32 years old, owned 33 cars)

But the V6 looks great, and 121k miles isn't too bad, but yes $5,300 is high.

[eyeball96]

Before to decide to buy either car, take them to a mechanic for a pre purchase inspection, its not very expensive, and well worth the money.

I would definitely go with the XLE V6. 121k on a 1MZ (if its had required maintance) isn't bad.... its just gettin broke in!

[ToRn]

get one that best fits you and what you make of it. I have a automatic 92' 4 cyclinder Le with all powered everything and started giving me problems. I just recently baught the lowest of all 92' models 4 cyclinder (duno which model) [Cons]: it has no a/c, no powered windows/locks, it has 206k on the engine and my other has 194k [Pros]: has no powered window/lock problems to give me headaches because it's all hands on manual from opening windows to adjusting my rear view mirrors. [Super Pro]: best part is it's a 5 speed manual, less weight for my audio system setup to be added on, and takes off way faster. Also tranny is not slipping.

[sbushnak]

For what you are paying, get a Gen 4 97-99 Camry.

I found a 97 XLE v6 fully loaded with all options w 130K miles if i remember for $3500.

[bigbird]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

-82k miles on the I4 is nothing compared to 121k on a V6
-if you're anything like me, you won't have the car for a long time anyway (32 years old, owned 33 cars)

But the V6 looks great, and 121k miles isn't too bad, but yes $5,300 is high.

wow 33 at least you have had a variety, but yeah the V6 youve shown us is to much. one in great condition would be less then that.

Originally Posted by sbushnak

For what you are paying, get a Gen 4 97-99 Camry.

I found a 97 XLE v6 fully loaded with all options w 130K miles if i remember for $3500.

thats a good point too, cept they dont look as good as the gen3

[eddie926]

Kelly Blue Book for the V6 XLE is $4285 in "good" condition from a private party. I didn't check Edmunds. I know, I'll probably get flamed for referring to kbb, but it's a starting point. Anyway, that suggests the seller is asking at least $1k too much. If it's in good shape, I'd try to negotiate a better price. People generally leave some negotiating room in their asking price. If it's $5300 firm, then yeah, I'd walk. The price you quoted for the 92 LE isn't a steal either by the way.

As far as I4 LE vs. V6 XLE, I own both. Both '95s. For me, the V6 XLE is like stepping into a Lexus compared to the I4 LE. Don't get me wrong, the LE is a very nice car, but the V6 + leather + alloys, etc., make the XLE feel like a much more expensive car.

The LE will be cheaper to buy, cheaper to fuel, cheaper to maintain, and cheaper to insure. But, it's not going to be DRAMATICALLY cheaper on any one of those items. Are you looking for the most economical ride, or are you willing (and can you afford) to spend a little more for something you're likely to enjoy driving more (especially if you plan to keep it for a long time)?

As Eyeball96 said, 121k miles isn't really anything to worry about on a Camry. Especially if it's been well maintained.

The V6 XLE wins hands down for me too if you can get a better price. But, everyone, and everyone's situation, is different. You gotta do what's right for you.

[dpanda88]

I would try to find a stick shift camry.. it maybe rare but some locations does have it... you will enjoy a stick shift camry very much.

and it's an I4... CE model.. you'll save on gas and have fun driving it.

[ToRn]

clean 95 i red one 2 door model over 2k miles from here where i live, they were firm 5k too firm for me to go down there and buy it; it's avery rare one; it's still there if you live by there go and try to negotiate.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?rdpage=thumb&car_id=238666764&dealer_id=46 223411&car_year=1995&model=CAMRY&num_records=25&sy stime=&make2=&start_year=1992&keywordsfyc=&keyword srep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=2&fuel=&awsp=fa lse&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=fal se&search_lang=&make=TOYOTA&keywords_display=&colo r=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_p rice=1&body_style=COUPE&drive=&default_sort=&max_m ileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=9 7030&advanced=y&end_year=1996&doors=&transmission= &max_price=22222222&cardist=2133

[dpanda88]

Sexy NOW thats the car you should be looking towards! Coupe + stick.. just slap some black rims on it after and you be top notch.

[ToRn]

That's what i said when i saw it. If the price tag was lower and the guy would negotitated with me on it prolly would've been mine now; cost 2-3k to ship here or 500-1k for me to go and drive back here.