Choices, choices on Camrys

[MD1987]

Hi, I'm new here. Well I think you know that lol.

I had a 92 Accord that I had to part with because every single thing except transmission, exhaust system and starter was shot. It was my fault and the previous owner's fault for wrecking the car up to a point it was just not worth it. Now I'm looking to try my hand at another nice looking reliable car: the 3rd gen Camry!

This is my first time owning a Camry so I don't know much about them other than the fact they are solid cars which have a strong reputation. I've been shopping around and often find these cars purchased before I even make the call! But no one seems to be taking the V6 models though, apparently there is some head gasket failure problem on these engines. My question is:

1) Is this a premature failure or a frequent failure on these engines?
2) What mileage does this usually happen at?
3) Despite being a V6, is this engine more economical than let's say, a GM 3.1 V6?
4) Anything else I should know about this motor?

Of course with high gas prices I am trying to frantically search for a 2.2 model since I heard they are indestructable. But is it really okay if I end up with a 1993 car with over 230 000 KM on the odometer? Is that too old for the mileage or just about fine?

I just kind of worry about mileage because my old car had around that (243k) and went to total destruction.

I got a few offers I saw including a 93 V6 LE for 3000$ with 169 000KM, a 93 LE 2.2 for 3000$ with 129k, a 94 LE for 2000$ with 221k. Hmm....

If you got any advice for me or your fuel economy on both engines, anything, go ahead and share it. Thanks a lot!

MD1987
ex-Accord owner

[rty]

The Gen 3 V6 does not have any engine problems that I am aware of. However, the Gen 4 V6s are prone to engine sludge.

Fuel economy isn't great. In the winter I get 19 mpg city with relaxed driving. In the summer it is a little better. In terms of fuel economy I don't think the V6 is any better than a GM 3.1 V6.

These engines are usually very reliable. I bought a V6 with 290,000 km, and it runs like a clock.

If the car has been well cared for, high mileage shouldn't be an issue.

[bigbird]

if anything the V6 is more reliable then the 4cyl, i see more V6 camrys putting around with higher millage then the 4cyls. but thats likely because the 4cyl is prone to sludge build up if the engine isnt taken car of...which many arent.

Originally Posted by MD1987

1) Is this a premature failure or a frequent failure on these engines?
2) What mileage does this usually happen at?
3) Despite being a V6, is this engine more economical than let's say, a GM 3.1 V6?
4) Anything else I should know about this motor?

1. ive never herd of any headgasket problems.

2. i think ive seen many fail usually between the 150-250K mile mark depending on how they are taken care of which is excelent.

3. the gm and toyota engines are in different leagues. the GM V6s from my experiance are not built as well, not nearly as reliable, horrible power for displacement, but very torquey motors. i have no personal experiance with the 3.1 but id bet they suffer the same as the rest of the range of engines. but i dont feel confident in an engine thats bigger and produces less hp and tq then the V6 in the camry.

4. there are 2 V6 motors avalible durring the gen3 model ranges. 92-93 had the 3vzfe and 94-96 had the 1mzfe. its debateable but many say the 3vz is a stronger motor. but it has a little less power.

[ONE_to_HATE]

v6 for 3Gs.

[bigbird]

GM 3.1L V6 (per edmunds.com)

Performance

Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3.1 liters
Base Engine Type: V6 Horsepower: 160 hp
Max Horsepower: 5200 rpm Torque: 185 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4000 rpm Drive Type: FWD
Turning Circle: 36.7 ft.

Fuel Data


Fuel
Fuel Tank Capacity: 16.5 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Automatic: : 19 mpg / 28 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Automatic: 313.5 mi. / 462 mi.


Toyota 3.0 3vzfe V6 (per edmunds.com)

Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3 liters
Base Engine Type: V6 Horsepower: 185 hp
Max Horsepower: 5200 rpm Torque: 195 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4400 rpm Drive Type: FWD
Turning Circle: 36.7 ft.

Fuel Data


Fuel
Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.5 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway)
Manual: 18 mpg / 24 mpg Automatic: : 18 mpg / 24 mpg
Range in Miles: (City/Highway)
Automatic: 333 mi. / 444 mi. Manual: 333 mi. / 444 mi.

*gas millage is actually better then i thought.

[EEngineer]

i'm pretty sure there are still 3rd gen cams that are still under the 150000km mark around. if they are well mained, the V6 is smooth. u'll find I4 to be very underpowered if you've been driving american cars.


as for V6, i'd go with 3VZ...cuz u can put more stress on the engine and it'll just take the beatings fine cuz it's a very very overbuilt steel block engine

as opposed to 1MZ is a cheaper to make lighter aluminum block engine but it's refined enough to produce more power and tend to be very very reliable as well.

plus...there are LOTS of mods u can do to V6 cars than the I4s...

[bigbird]

Originally Posted by EEngineer

as for V6, i'd go with 3VZ... overbuilt steel block engine

iron block

plus...there are LOTS of mods u can do to V6 cars than the I4s...

woooh killer...dont get too excited there. by LOTS he means 1 mod...cheap poorly fitting OBX headers.

[EEngineer]

ohh sorry
yea the block is cast iron

but the crankshafts are forged steel which is AWESOME

V6 got LOTS more mods than I4 that's for sure

Fujita even makes a CAI for V6 lol

The V6s are worth turbocharging or put a TRD supercharger if ur using 1MZ

that's PLENTY of mods

[eddie926]

I own a '95 I4 and a '95 V6. I like driving the V6 much more. The I4 gets a little better mpg, but not that much. One difference to note though, the recommended fuel for the I4 is 87Octane while the recommended fuel for the V6 is 89 Octane. Some folks run the V6 with 87 and have no problems though.

I bought my I4 new and currently have 140000 miles on it with very little problems over its' life. I bought my V6 18 months ago with 56000 original miles on it in pristine condition. So, you CAN find low mileage Camrys out there if you're patient.

When I was searching for my V6 I consulted with my Toyota mechanic friend and he never said anything about them having head gasket failure problems. His comment was that they were good reliable cars that you could easily get 200000+ miles out of. Also, I've been on this forum since 2006 and don't recall ever seeing any posts about head gasket problems.

Good luck with your search.

[MD1987]

Originally Posted by bigbird

if anything the V6 is more reliable then the 4cyl, i see more V6 camrys putting around with higher millage then the 4cyls. but thats likely because the 4cyl is prone to sludge build up if the engine isnt taken car of...which many arent.

Well, how can you immediately tell off the bat the engine is sludged up or on the verge to?

1. ive never herd of any headgasket problems.

2. i think ive seen many fail usually between the 150-250K mile mark depending on how they are taken care of which is excelent.

It was on CanadianDriver.com's Used Cars review of the 1992-1996 Camry (http://www.canadiandriver.com/articl...92-96camry.htm) that mentioned the head gasket problem.

[bigbird]

well the only real good way to tell is to remove one of the valve covers, not hard to do but takes a few minutes and some simple tools. pop that off and if ya see alot of sludge buildup then yeah that engine hasnt been maintained well.

Good clean head:


Sludge:



as for the headgasket. again ive never herd of anything like that on the 3vz or 1mz. they go evntually but thats on all cars and these engines regularly go 150K miles + before needing to be changed. ive owned 3 V6(never a 3vz however) camrys and even on the current one at 180K i havnt run into any headgasket problems.

[MD1987]

I see. Thanks a lot.

I am going to see one in a few hours with 2-owner 221k KM car. It is a 1994 and my first Camry test drive. Owner says the shocks or bushings in the back would need replacing in a few months so we will see... wish me luck!

[blkcamry94]

def go with the v6 i have an i4 now and i am looking to get a v6. i love the car tho.

[MD1987]

I went to look at that 94 LE today. Few things are wrong with it:

- left front door lockhole is messed up and takes some fidgeting to open it, no keyless entry provided
- parking brake is shot
- brakes seem too "grabby"
- steering wheel moves like crazy when the car is driving straight when you drive it with one finger (to test for alignment problems I did that)
- oil change due 969km ago, still driving it as-is and will let new owner do it
- interior is heavily filthy, owner wont clean it if I offered him 2000
- door handles inside are about to break off any second
- fuel gauge and engine temp gages seem to falling inside the dash

He wanted 2000, lowest is 1900$ firm for it. I can't take it because he seems to show some "ah screw it" attitude towards it which tells me this guy might be hiding a problem.

Is it just me or do I find the 2.2 motor underpowered in the city and highway for this land barge?

[eyeball96]

^^^I wouldn't buy it either...keep looking, ur sure to find one in better shape