Camry Experts PLease. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

fmfrm250 · 08-27-2010, 09:42 PM

I have never owned a Toyota before so this may seem like a silly question. My sisterinlaw's granda passed away and I can buy her 96 camry with 15,000 miles on it for $ 4,000. Yes 15,000 miles. It is supposed to be in excellent condition except for tires are dried out. What should I look for? I was thinking do tires, belts and hoses and all fluids and call it good for 100k . Or did I miss anything? I really appreciate all of your help.

Chris Crash · 08-27-2010, 09:52 PM

Don't bother. But give me her name and number so I can go pick it up and take it off her hands.

iovaykind · 08-27-2010, 10:06 PM

^ It's not completely beat up so you probably won't like it :P

You're not missing anything.. at that age, and since it wasn't used so much, I'd worry about the hoses becoming brittle after so many winters. Might also wanna check and change spark plugs, intake, throttle body, etc.. after so many years, dust and grime still accumulates.

Chris Crash · 08-27-2010, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iovaykind

^ It's not completely beat up so you probably won't like it :P

Ouch.

Black Sunshine · 08-27-2010, 10:24 PM

Have everything flushed it the fluids weren't still changed regularly. They should be changed even without use.

***LynchburgCSI*** · 08-28-2010, 08:35 AM

I think everything has been covered except for finding a camera!

ricamryman · 08-28-2010, 08:56 AM

Yes, I would change all rubber, belts,hoses, & fluids & filters, & your good to go!!!

bigbird · 08-28-2010, 09:52 AM

like they said, rubber components that were not lubricated are likely gonna be going bad. nice find man.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iovaykind

^ It's not completely beat up so you probably won't like it :P

THEARCHITEK · 08-28-2010, 10:05 AM

wow

wow really!! only 15k? it is all worth it, please dont beat on it so it could last u at least 300k more

ycartf · 08-28-2010, 11:17 AM

I am so excited for you (I mean JEALOUS) lol. That is a true gem. A great generation/design of one of the most reliable cars ever built and with only a pittance of miles on her. Awesome. I'm gonna have to keep my eyes open for something like that!

Tracy

Mike Gerber · 08-28-2010, 11:58 AM

"I was thinking do tires, belts and hoses and all fluids and call it good for 100k . Or did I miss anything? I really appreciate all of your help."

The only thing I would add to your list would be to check the CV joint boots. They are rubber too and could have severe dry rot cracks in them. It would be a shame to ruin OEM CV joints with so few miles on them because the boots were cracked. If they need replacement, I would change just the boots and not replace the whole axle, as is the common practice today.

As far as the ignition system components, if the car runs well right now, especially in damp weather, I would leave them alone for now. If you are having drivability problems, then I would replace the ignition system components.

Mike

73sport · 08-28-2010, 01:18 PM

^^ Ditto

It not the cold that kills it the countless heat cycles. If that car was garaged all that time I'd be tempted to run it to 90,000 on fluid and belt changes.

YOUR ALL GONNA SAY I'M Fool, but I'd do them fluids and run it. You're throwing money away doing all that and quality form fit hoses are $xpensive!

If things are rotted, checked, cracked, swollen, peeling, soft, bubbled, >> yea, replace them. But most of the stuff you buy these days IS a mere fraction the quality of the rubber materials the car was manufactured with! Hint, need a trusted and experience mechanic to look those over. . .

How many of you replaced belts and hoses at 80,000 only to repeat it at 12,000??

I may pay the price as my Gen 3.5s at 226,xxx Miles with all the original hoses, water pump, bearings, seals. . . . Its a die hard and doesn't leak a drop anywhere!

Its had two timing belts and several fluid change outs on all systems. . . Hey, its also been outside all its life where the average temp is 50f - 55f yearly.

OK - Ill turn on my flame retardant screen saver. . .

But honestly, I say this as I've done the replace it for the sake of replacing and ended up doing it every two years afterwards as the cr@p sold these days is JUNK compared to the original materials. . . Thats why I posted. . .

ricamryman · 08-28-2010, 05:00 PM

V6 or 4 banger?

Nervous · 08-28-2010, 07:56 PM

...some people replace O2 sensors each 30Kmiles, "just in case"....

But I agree, change the fluids and go for a ride! Don't fix if it is not broken.

OP, this car is really unique. I guess, it is the only one of the gen3/3.5 with so low mileage! Congrats, and good luck with it.

Black Sunshine · 08-28-2010, 10:15 PM

73Sport,
I agree with you on the belts and hoses. If they look bad you should consider changing them. Use genuine parts so that they may last a while.