Gen 3 camry out of life?...

[shajbot]

Almost midnight, had to go out and repark my car and my mom so she can get out tomorrow. I took sometimes cruise around on her car and mine and noticed something. My car is out of its life... . Mine is gen3 V6 with CAI, performance muffler, synthetic oil, ... Hers is a gen 5 camry V6 LE bonestock. Hers feel so throttle-happy, so much torque, brakes well, handle sensitive, suspension basically stiff but very comfortable. Mine is like the opposite, with some performance mods there the car feels it takes so much work to get to speed, feels heavy, handle understeer, body roll a whole lot, suspension quite comfy but it tires me after long drive.

What do I need to do to my car that make it enjoyable again. Or just save up $20k and get a NEW car.

[95WhiteCamry]

you're comparing two cars from two different generations separated by 10 years of engineering...

just let it be. suspension is something you can fix. other things... well, look at it this way: cars wear out.

[shajbot]

What gets me is that its the same engine 1mzfe under teh hood, Toyota does know how to throw little things here and there to make it a whole lot different...

[ASG14]

Um, not sure on year. But if it has Throttle By Wire, it's not better throttle, or shifting. The Gen 5 V6 VVTi is not much faster then the Gen 3 V6, maybe, maybe, it;s 1s faster to 60. The Gen 3 with All Wheel Disc and Performance Pads brakes better then the Gen 5. The Gen 5 handles/feels like a boat UNLESS it is an SE (Ask CorCamSE). Both Eye8Pussies and I get car sick in the back of a Gen 5 LE/XLE thats stock, and not in the back of a Gen 3 thats stock.

[EvoFire]

Your car is probably tired from all these years. Maybe swapping out some for newer parts might be better. I'm also willing to bet, with 10 years on your car, the Gen 5 probably has more chassis stiffness than your car does. I can feel my Gen 3 flex and twist when I head on steep ramps diagonally.

The DBW in the newer Toyotas are really touchy IMO. The first bit of the gas pedal on the Gen 3 is really slow but I like it better cause it makes the car more gradual and much easier to drive when I was on a track cause I can control the throttle better in low throttle situations.

Do a brake fluid flush. It will do wonders for how your brakes feel. I did it and it was great. A very noticeable and well spent $60.
Swap out your struts and put in some eibachs. Slap on a TRD or Whiteline RSB.
Cars get old, panels will get squeaky, My Gen 3 had squeaky sunroof and passenger dash. Put some dynamat on and find ways to secure the dash from squeaking.

Eventually your mom's Gen 5 will get to the point the way your Gen 3is right now.

I think putting something around a grand of mods and replacement parts on your car beats 4 years of car payments.