5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
My camry search saga continues. I was looking at an 4 banger 02 camry SE wiith leather and subroof that was in average shape 58500 miles. It was a trade in car at a cheyy dealer. He wanted 12.8 K for it. While I stopped at 11.5 K as the car was not in the best of shapes especially interior and there were no service records.
Anyways, I am looking at a 03 Camry LE now, has all std option + ABS. has 61550.
Asking price is $12500. What do you guys think this is worth. Note I am looking at the private praty market. Not expecting to pay dealer retail price.
I kinda hate the 15" tire size on the LE. Looks too small for the size of the car.
Can I put a 16" tire on the stock 15" steel rim without compromising anything? Will it give me any advantages other than just the looks.
Changing rims and tires to a 16" will be far too expesine so ruled out.
Also, whats a good place to get a spolier for an 03 LE?
16" tires only go on 16" wheels. Period. You would have to change rims.
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'05 Silver Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 TRD Sport - sold 4/5/08
'09 Classic Silver Metallic Corolla S GEN X - sold 3/27/2009
'08 Classic Silver Camry SE V6 GEN 6
If you put on a bigger tire, you will throw off your speedometer. The speedo is calibrated to the wheel/tire size. This is why when you move up in wheels size, you have to compensate by moving down in tire size.
__________________ 2009 Audi TT 2.0T --- THE BEAST! 2002 LE 4Cyl --- Gone, but not forgotten. 06/28/09
Glaring blue HID bulbs are NOT classy, and don't make your car look nice, no matter what that kid in the Civic told you.
Of course there is. The stock tire size is 205/65R15. You can always do something like 205/70R15 or 195/75R15... but increasing the tire size won't do anything for the look, I can promise you this. The fact is, the rim is 15"... and so is the hubcap. And that is what catches people's eyes. Even a 16" rim is too small for the car. Hell, I think my 17" rims are too small.
__________________ 2009 Audi TT 2.0T --- THE BEAST! 2002 LE 4Cyl --- Gone, but not forgotten. 06/28/09
Glaring blue HID bulbs are NOT classy, and don't make your car look nice, no matter what that kid in the Civic told you.
I agree. I think its just a getting used to the fact that the tire looks small compared to tsize of the car. I test drove an 03 Camry LE and infact did some tight cornering etc... the body stiffness is pretty good. THe read drum brakes makes the braking a bit soft...
If I do get an 02/03 LE, I am thinking of adding a front strut tower brace. Not sure if the OEM one from an 02/03 SE will fit, but I saw many after market ones in Ebay. Any opinions on this.
Oh and, the stock audio on the LE sounded carappy. Is upgrading to the JBL audio fairly straight forward if I can get the JBL head unit and better speakers?
Basically, in a nut shell I am trying for a 02/03 SE, and if I end up getting an 02/03 LE I want to mod it close to an SE... by doing most work myself with minimum $
My car is an '02 LE base model. Since getting it, I've spent over $5000 in modifications and as of right now, it looks like I got an SE with light mods. Yes, it stands out because I built projector headlights, I have rims, and its lowered, and I have an extremely rare grill, but that aside, it looks like an SE. For the money, if you're just going for the SE look, you're better off just getting an SE right off the bat.
As far as the front strut brace from the SE, yes it will fit. The cars are basically the same, with minor differences. And none of those differences include critical body changes.
__________________ 2009 Audi TT 2.0T --- THE BEAST! 2002 LE 4Cyl --- Gone, but not forgotten. 06/28/09
Glaring blue HID bulbs are NOT classy, and don't make your car look nice, no matter what that kid in the Civic told you.
IMHO $12.5K is a lot to spend on an 03 LE with over 60,000 miles on it. What would that car have gone for new 3+ years ago? Maybe $17K I'm guessing? Now it's probably more than 1/3 of the way to the junkyard and out of warranty. The 04 Standard (same car without the ABS) went for less than $16K new in its day, as did the 06 (with ABS) just before the redesign. Blue Book on a private party 03 LE in excellent condition with that mileage is around $12K.
How about upgrading from the stock audio to the JBL audio in a 02/03/04 LE?
Is it as simple as pulling out the stock HU and plugging in the JBL head unit and uprgading speakers to better aftermarket ones?
The JBL HU does that need a corresponding amp? so both these will be needed? any special wires that the LE does not have but will be needed for the JBL upgrade??
$19K for a basic 03 LE? Yikes, that must be why I bought an 04 Standard for less than $16K. Same car minus the remote entry and the full sized spare. $12.5K still seems like a lot.
$19K for a basic 03 LE? Yikes, that must be why I bought an 04 Standard for less than $16K. Same car minus the remote entry and the full sized spare. $12.5K still seems like a lot.
I think the cheapest I've seen a Camry down here is $18,500 for a Camry Standard. More like $19000-19500 for an LE..both auto tranny. I know in places like Cali you can get a loss leader LE for $16000 IF you put some effort into it and at that price I definitely would. Anyway.. I'm happy with my LE - it was a good deal. I don't need a power driver's seat, remote keyless entry, and a full size spare but they are nice things to have. I also would hate to have black mirrors on a light color car like mine. If the price was right though - I'd seriously consider a Camry Standard. The new CE models for 2007 are VERY well equipped so next time around I might consider one.
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'05 2AZ-FE @ 47K miles | '95 1MZ-FE @ 92K miles moving forward
How about upgrading from the stock audio to the JBL audio in a 02/03/04 LE?
Is it as simple as pulling out the stock HU and plugging in the JBL head unit and uprgading speakers to better aftermarket ones?
The JBL HU does that need a corresponding amp? so both these will be needed? any special wires/harness that the LE does not have but will be needed for the JBL upgrade??
Hey I have 16" Borbet Rims that I can sell you if you want for $200 plus shipping. They are currently on my LE and they look great. PM me for pictures with these wheels on my car.
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