1994 Camry V6 Purchase

[AlphaMale]

Hello All,

I am good friends with a former Canadian ToyotaNation member (Speedemn)!

Anyways, I am on the market for a car, and test-drove a 1994 Camry V6 today. It ran well; very smooth, but I had a few quick questions that I hope some of you more experienced folks can help me with quick!:

1. Anything or any area in particular to check for? I do know these engines had a sludge problem from oil change neglect, am I right?

2. The vehicle has 175 000 km (~109 000 miles). However, it doesn't have that signature Toyota V6 quietness; the engine seems kind of louder on idle and when accelerating; I KNOW for sure this is not normal on this motor. Any ideas? Do front pipes go on these motors? Otherwise, acceleration and everything else was decent, as was the body.

3. Is $7000 as is a fair price given the above description? It's forest green.

Hope to hear from some folks. Thanks!

[Toysrme]

Take a flashlight and look at the back of the motor for rescent oil slicks. That could be a sign of possible valve cover gasket failure(if up high) head gasket failure(in the middle) or rear main seal(on the bottom).


I can't really help you with the idle. The valve lifters can tick if you're low on oil for awhile
You can check the headers/exhaust pipes/o2 sensors and EGR pipe for leaks if you want too.
There may be a loose vacuum hose on the intake somewhere, or maybe a split in the intake's plastic... That would cause some noise.


I just don't know, what does "being loud" sound like?

[Gen3cruiser]

$7000 is a ripoff.

My dad just bought a 95 V6 XLE in the same color, 98K miles, perfect condition for $5000

[amerikim]

A simple oil change could quiet it down, but that would say present owner is ...busy.
For the numbers, it would be a matter of the heart.

[Toysrme]

Gen3cruiser I almost said the same thing, cause you can buy a newer ES 300 for that, but remember he's in the wierd and silly place known as Canadaland.

$5,744.76 USD.
That's still a pretty stiff asking price. An es300 should sell for that much in the same condition. Tell them that and get them to shave another $500-$1250 USD off of it and you're in line with what it's probably worth.


I wouldn't personally pay more than $6000CAD for one of that year in any condition and that is consideirng it has every options an XLE can have in '94.

If it is jsut a basic Camry, he needs to stop with the crack and start thinking more around $4000-$4750CAD.

[Jeeves]

I picked up my '94 Camry XLE V6 for $4,000USD.

$7k is extremely high unless it's in CAD. Even then it's still a bit high.

[Stealth]

Aparently our southwestern Americans are ignorant to what Canadia is.

[Jeeves]

Yep, That's it.

[EKam]

In the province of Ontario it doesn't sound like a ridiculous price.

But for that price I expect it to be half-mint.

For the noise, the flex-pipe is one possibliity, but you should check the whole car (including the exhaust pipe) for any signs of rust.

[TheMajesticking]

I got my '93 xle v6 for $3400 us.

[bowlofturtle]

i got my 96 LE L4 w/ 76k miles for $5000USD and that was cause i really needed a car back then. If i held out i would of gotten a 96 XLE V6 with 50k for $5500 USD

[dallison]

a local dealer has a 95 i4 for $3450, they have had it on the lot for 5000, but i have been bugging them for the past 4 months to sell it to me for 2500 out the door

[dallison]

i need to replace our rotting 89 3sfe

[dallison]

Originally Posted by dallison

a local dealer has a 95 i4 for $3450, they have had it on the lot for 5000, but i have been bugging them for the past 4 months to sell it to me for 2500 out the door

oh yeah it has 144,000 on the clock

[Edmond]

I would also check the power steering fluid. I got mine 4 years ago with 70,000 miles on the car. It has a slow PS fluid leak and has had it ever since. It's only slow enough to need a top off every few weeks.

Check to make sure the heat and AC are working.

Check to see if the rocker arm covers are showing big signs of weepage.