Gen 3 V6 vs 4I engine

[bigbird]

personally, ive only owned V6 camrys and i have to say id never want to own the 4cyl. the millage isnt all that much less and you get JUST as reliable an engine, plus the piece of mind that if you need to merg in a jam or feel frisky, you have that significantly more power availble. plus with gas where it is, the V6 models are selling for less. in fact ill be selling my 97 V6 in a short while and your only in PA.

[cykaaro]

Originally Posted by ASG14

$1700 for a car that misfires and has a CEL? Thats way too much. I'd rtaher have a good running car that I can rely on then one that is perfect cosmetically.

Whichever way you go, we're here to help though.

I'd have to agree on this as well, plus are you talking taking the I4 to the same mechanic???

[f15Camry]

Well I am no longer buying the 95 Camry that I told you guys, when my dad contacted the person selling the car to test drive it again, they told him that they were no longer selling the car. So I think I will stop the search for a couple of month.

Originally Posted by cykaaro

I'd have to agree on this as well, plus are you talking taking the I4 to the same mechanic???

About the mechanic I don't have a choice or control over that because I go Penn State main campus which is 3hrs away from Philadelphia, and I was home for the weekend when we saw the car, so my dad was going to follow up with them this week, and take the Car to his mechanic to see if CEL was an easy fix.

When ever I buy my car I will avoid to take my car to that mechanic, since I personally don't trust him with the way he worked in my parents cars, in addition to his lack of knowledge about certain cars since he advised me to not to buy my cousin 93 Camry V6 elven though he acknowledge that the car was in good condition.

I think it is going to be better for me to save more money and get a newer used car.

Thank you every one for the advice.. I will keep you guys posted in the future.

[Zviator]

"When u dont know what car to buy, just get a camry"

[ECale3]

The advantage to knowing what you are talking about with cars, is that you can tell a good mechanic from one who's full of shit more often than not.

Good luck with your search, stay away from your dad's mechanic.

[tevolo]

That sucks you didn't get to pick up on that Camry. I've had my 92 V6 (3mv-fe) Camry for 3 years now and I've never had a problem with it...EVER...

My friend is into Toyota 4Runners. He said that the same V6 is in those 4Runners but apparently those 3vz-fe engines in the 4runners always blow headgaskets. I don't know if that's true at all but maybe that's why the mechanic said that stuff. *shrugs*

[f15Camry]

I know, but I might change my mind if my cousin still have the car next time I go back home . Because know that I see that all of you guys have not had problems with the V6 Camry's, it gave me more confidence in buying the car, but lets see what happens. If not I might just wait a few more month and try to get a Gen 4 Camry.

[firetridagger]

just get a new car lol

[cykaaro]

I'd say if you're really still interested in buying your cousins, just give him/her a phone call and work something out.

[Albuynp Ryeno]

Originally Posted by tevolo

That sucks you didn't get to pick up on that Camry. I've had my 92 V6 (3mv-fe) Camry for 3 years now and I've never had a problem with it...EVER...

My friend is into Toyota 4Runners. He said that the same V6 is in those 4Runners but apparently those 3vz-fe engines in the 4runners always blow headgaskets. I don't know if that's true at all but maybe that's why the mechanic said that stuff. *shrugs*

According to wiki the 4runner has the 3vz-(no f) e. Which is apperently a LOT different then the 3vz-fe.

While were talking about bad family mechanics. My dad mechanic was sooo shaddy. Like he'd get your car working but it might get a CEL and get half the mpg it used to.

[DP in AP]

I cannot directly speak for the Gen 3's but I have had a '97 I4 and a '98 V6 and both engines were excellent. When considering buying something this old you are beyond buying the brand and more into buying the previous owner(s).

I worked with the original owner of my '97 who was a stickler for fixing problems and maintaining her car. Unfortunately that car was T-boned by an Audi A6 and thus totaled. Anyway I bought the '97 when it had 86k on it and it ran like new because it was taken care of and of course since it was a Toyota. It still had the moaning rear drum brakes characteristic of Camry's and Sienna's.

My '98 V6 LE was its replacement. I bought it in late 2004 with 52k miles. Nearly 4 years later and at 121k it still runs silky smooth in part because its a Toyota but also because I replace what's broken and have regular maintenance performed. Gen 4 V6's have had sludging problems but with regular oil changes and also maintaining your cooling system the sludging issue can be minimized. From what I have read the sludging problem was caused by the oil return passages being undersized. I change oil every 5k and all I have done to the engine is regular maintenance - timing belt at 70k, flushed transaxle every 30k. The only unscheduled engine repair was EGR valve at 113k. It gets driven everyday in congested work commutes. I try to drive it easy but won't hesitate to punch the throttle when needed on the highway. I have spent far more on brake repairs and struts. All four rotors have been replaced at $80 a pop (parts cost only) and the orignal rear struts at 117k. Hopefully it will last me to 150k and beyond although the body finish is suffering.

[mike7869]

I would have to say V6 FTW.. i had the I4 wagon and blew 3 transmisions and 2 engines, but i also drove it hard. i now have a 99 v6 and i love it, you can deff fell the power increase and the trans is alot alot better. about the gas, i get an av of 24-26 mpg in my v6, around the same i got in the I4 bc the I4 had to work alot harder to get the car moving.. but that is just my opinion

[mike7869]

as long as you take care of the car and not beat the living shit out of it. both engines will last a long time.

[f15Camry]

I am just going to save a little bit more to get a newer used car, since that was what I had in mind before my cousin said he was going to sell his car.

The cars that have in mind are the Subaru OB-Wagon 00-03, my first choice since I will like the extra space to carry my mtbike. Second VW Jetta 99-03, and in case I am not successful finding one of the first two cars getting a Gen 4 Camry will be my third option.

[llcoolpass]

Here are the facts jack

There were a lot of truthful responses so far, but some weren't, so let me get to the point of what you need to know:

1. The 3VZ-FE isn't known for head gasket failure. The 3VZ-E is known for head gasket failures. It is found in the "taco," otherwise known as the Tacoma. The 3VZ-FE is known for being just as sensitive as any other iron block - aluminum alloy head engine to cooling system failure [i.e. your engine overheating or losing it's coolant]. Those who have turbocharged the engine have found they need a better headgasket and/or headbolts to match the high levels of boost that the engine's strength [stemming much from the iron block (as opposed to the 1MZ-FE, for instance, which has Al-allow block)] otherwise allows.

2. The V-6, 3vz-fe is a longer-lasting engine than the Four given the same amount of maintenance and usage/conditions.

3. The ES 300 was not based on the camry; the Camry is rebadged ES, starting with the 1992 models. Furthermore, the other, related Toyotas benefited from this as well. While the interior and other parts were different, the chassis, engine, and transmission are almost always exact replacements, particularly for the 1992 and 1993.

4. The Four will get much better fuel economy, but it's not as fuel efficient. "What am I talking about," you ask... well, that's inappropriate to mention here, but it might boil down to this: do you commute and gas mileage matters? Then go with the Four. If reliability and safety matter more than fuel economy, for with the V-6. If your aim is to tow a lot of weight or carry a lot of weight, the V-6 will [as a trend] give you equal or better fuel economy due to its better fuel efficiency and better torque curve [i.e. engine response]. The V6 is quiter and has less NVH [noise, vibration and harshness].

5. Known things that go bad with the [3MZ-FE] V6 more than usual for other cars is that it tends to have leaks from different oil seals more than other JAP engines.

6. Yes, the parts are expensive. Rarely, do you need them! They are not more just because the V6 was used in Lexus. If anything, it is the availability... the engine being used for only two years in USA.