New hi-mi Gen4 owner: Brakes, Struts, advice...

[dixonL2]

About to get ahold of Mom's '01 V6XLE, it's got some needs... and I need advice! I'm a Mini Cooper S guy, so this'll be the business car (distance driving, office drives). I'm mostly hands-on for maintenance.

Mission statement: Inexpensive, smart, invisible mods, conservative "look", keep 'er on the road forever.

Coupla questions:

Basic: Car's been dealer maintained, dealer oil changes every 2500-3500 mi, all routine stuff done. Comes with OE wheels AND steelies/snows Anything I need to look out for at ~150kmiles? Any known Gen4 watch-outs other than typical high-mileage-car stuff?

Brakes:
- Needs rotors - assuming TireRack's Brembo rotors ($41) or CryoStop ($51) would be fine, opinions? Don't need crossdrilled...
- Needs brake pads, street or performance street. Satisfied Pro Ceramic at $110ish for 4, or Pro Perform (OEM compound) at $70-ish? Others?

Suspension: Want firmer, not punishing, and no (or minimal) lowering. It's got 150kmile OE struts on it now. Sounds like KYB's my best bet, but any other suggestions? (Yes, read the suspension sticky post, it covers mainly Gen3). Any interchange-ability with other cars (Lexus? Gen3?)

and... what's the best bang-for-the-buck modification route? Any good-to-great aftermarket shops/suppliers?

Thanks!

[toyomoho]

For issues with Camry that are getting up in miles do a TN history search for Gen 3 and 4. There have been a good deal of posts on what to look out for. There also have been posts listing discount Toyota dealer parts and after market sellers.

A few places to check out on line are Rockauto and Toyota of Dallas (30% off OEM List).

One issue is to make sure the trans fluid is maintained. Worn out trans fluid is the No 1 cause of trans failure.

Check the power steering fluid. If dirty you can empty the reservoir with a turkey baster and refill. Do this a number of times between drives and the fluid will be clean.

Brembo is a great product, no need for cross drilled on a street car. Hawke makes good pads as are the Toyota OEM pads. Be sure to reinstall any shims and springs used to control brake noise.

[kpszar]

I would get some Monroe Sensa Struts and springs. It is like OEM, but cheaper. It drives like it new again.
I would go Brembo towards brakes, I hear nothing bad about them warping fast.
For pad just get something that is Ceramic, I would go to like NAPA to get those if they have a store near you.

[BlueFusion6851]

I would recommend Eibach lowering springs (1" drop... the 'highest' drop you can get) and Tokico Struts, I can vouch, I've drove and ridden in my friends camry with them, it was firm in the twisties and still soaked up a lot of bumps.


Cheapest mods you will find... getting an exhast made... and getting an intake.

[kpszar]

NGK Spark plug wires ($60)
NGK Plugs ($40)
KNN Air Filter ($60)
TRD Rear Sway Bar ($200)
Ebay Strut Bar ($30)
TRD SuperCharger/Blower (Check for sale threads)
Custom Exhaust 2.5 inch piping (Check Local muffler shop)

Not a lot mods for the Camry