1st thread, and just bought 96 Camry

[340 swinger dart]

So I just bought a 96 Camry deluxe 2.2 5 speed. I have a 2010 Ram 1500 4x4 love it, but kinda senseless to keep driving at 13 mpg in town. So I figured I need a 4 cylinder for in town and use the truck more so when needed, maybe 25% or less the time. My first Toyota was a 85 Celica GT-S, great little car, about the only problem was it was hard getting u-joints. was doing nicely til some girl without insurance rear ended it in her Blazer 2. Autocrossed good, didn't have much torque but I was spoiled after driving my 87 Turbo II Shelby Z. So I had to give this Camry alot of little stuff, wipers, tires, plugs, radiator hoses, interior peices. I have a guy doing the left side axle, brake pads, and for good measure the timming belt and water pump. But while doing the spark plugs I did a compression check and was suprised to see from 191 to 195 compression while cranking each for about 10 seconds! Burns no oil I can see out the pipe, pretty tough for 168,000 miles! I stuck in NGK G power plugs, it had Denso PK20TR11, hope I put in a good plug?? I am suprised by the torque, I mean it sure isn't my Hemi, one of my smallblock Dodges, but second to the Tubo Dodges (SRT-4 and Shelby Z) I've had, this 2.2 has decent power, I've had alot of 4 bangers! I plan to drive the wheels off it while I redo my Daytona and build it up. Only real complant is it's not near as stabil in the corners as my Shelby Z but then again it has 225/50/15s, vs. 195/70/14s! Wondering if its just the tires. Oh well, I bought it for reliable good gas mileage!

[bigbird]

nice pickup. the 5 speed is always teh way to go. sounds like its in good condition too. if ya want it to handle a little better id check the suspension components and make sure things like shocks and bushings are in good condition. if they are try to get a TRD or whiteline rear sway bar. they make a big difference on these cars. some wider/performance tires will help that too.

[340 swinger dart]

Thanks. Yeah, the engine appears to be in good shape, along with transmission, and the glass isn't perfect but isn't cracked either. A little bit of damage where the right door and fender come together, some scrapes here and there. But it's not rusty! I was suprised to look up the aerodynamic coeffient .28 and I guess it's slicker in air then my Daytona. The 5 speed is the way I always try to go. Less to break, a lighter car, usually way cheaper, and most of the time better mileage. This one is geared a bit low (numerically high) but thats ok, it alllows for alot of time at lower speeds in 4th or even 5th. I am sure it would get me if I did a long trip at 75 @ 3000, but the lower gear just helps where I am in the hills, less downshifting. I imagine the handling has alot to do with the tires. Funny thing, I went to Wally world for tires (wasn't looking for awesome performance tires, basic transpertation here.) and they said they had 4 of those Douglas X tra trac. They are made by Good Year, in the states. Well, they didn't have 4 so they gave me 4 Good Year Vivas (higher priced) for the Douglas price. Thats great anyway, cause the X tra track tires are decent mud and snow, while the good years are what looks to be very low rolling resistance! Thats ok, cause if it's nasty out, I will just drive the truck! This thing is not burning much gas, I am surprised with it! temptation is there to go to the salvage yard and get aluminum wheels and 60 series or lower tires to play at the autocross!

[340 swinger dart]

Guess I'd like to see what the oil pressure is, right now all I know is no oil light on. I did put about half a quart of that lucas oil in there. Hardest thing to find is the right hand outer window seal, and cause the R/h window motr is bad it is not fully up. it's about 1/4" lacking. Can't find a 2 door in a salage yard for anything