Trade in 99 Acura 3.2 TL for 03 Camry SE V6

[anomie612]

Hi,

I'm thinking of trading in my 99 Acura 3.2 TL with 75k for a 2003 Camry SE V6 with 66k.

My reason for doing so is that my Acura is costing an arm and a leg to maintain. Everything that breaks in the car seems to cost so much! I have to replace my AC compressor & clutch and the entire job is estimed to cost about $1000. Recently had a brake caliper fail and it cost $500 from the dealer (car got towed, I didn't know where else to take it). Now I have some worn CV joints and those aren't going to be cheap. Bought the car with 19k in 01 and am thinking of getting rid of it. It's just not riding well anymore.

I owed a 97 Camry LE V6 prior to the Acura and regret getting rid of it but I wanted something sportier and fun to drive and the TL answered the call. Now, it's no longer peppy and any time something breaks, the repair bill causes my eyes to water. If I get the Camry, it will be my third. I really like the feel of driving one and the SE model sounds like fun.

There is an 03 SE V6 on a used car lot that is going for $13,9 (dealer is a friend of my brother's) and am thinking of trading in my TL for it. It has 66k and looks great. I haven't taken it for a test drive yet, am mulling over some numbers first.

I have a few questions. Does this vehicle NEED premium gas? My gas guzzling TL uses premium and I'd prefer to get a car that doesn't. Also, is this 'drive by wire' thing really an issue? Have not test driven it yet but will definately look out for it.
Are there any other issues about the 2003 SE V6 model that I should know about?

Thanks in advance.

[gdanaher]

87 octane should be just fine, but then 87 octane should be enough for the TL unless there is a problem with the timing.

[secrecyguy]

Originally Posted by anomie612

Hi,

I'm thinking of trading in my 99 Acura 3.2 TL with 75k for a 2003 Camry SE V6 with 66k.

My reason for doing so is that my Acura is costing an arm and a leg to maintain. Everything that breaks in the car seems to cost so much! I have to replace my AC compressor & clutch and the entire job is estimed to cost about $1000. Recently had a brake caliper fail and it cost $500 from the dealer (car got towed, I didn't know where else to take it). Now I have some worn CV joints and those aren't going to be cheap. Bought the car with 19k in 01 and am thinking of getting rid of it. It's just not riding well anymore.

Gee... you must not take good care of your car if it already have so much problems at 75,000 miles.

Originally Posted by anomie612

I owed a 97 Camry LE V6 prior to the Acura and regret getting rid of it but I wanted something sportier and fun to drive and the TL answered the call. Now, it's no longer peppy and any time something breaks, the repair bill causes my eyes to water. If I get the Camry, it will be my third. I really like the feel of driving one and the SE model sounds like fun.

There is an 03 SE V6 on a used car lot that is going for $13,9 (dealer is a friend of my brother's) and am thinking of trading in my TL for it. It has 66k and looks great. I haven't taken it for a test drive yet, am mulling over some numbers first.

I have a few questions. Does this vehicle NEED premium gas? My gas guzzling TL uses premium and I'd prefer to get a car that doesn't. Also, is this 'drive by wire' thing really an issue? Have not test driven it yet but will definately look out for it.
Are there any other issues about the 2003 SE V6 model that I should know about?

Thanks in advance.

I say get it! Why? For some reason, Toyota don't make too many SE models for the Camry line. That is a 4 door right?

But make sure you test drive it and have an auto mechenic check on it.

[anomie612]

Originally Posted by secrecyguy

Gee... you must not take good care of your car if it already have so much problems at 75,000 miles.

I take a mild offense to that. I do take care of my car. It just so happens that this car has been a headache. I owned two high mileage camry's prior (both at almost 100k) with very minor problems, nothing compared to this headache I own. Which is why I'm thinking of simply going back to Toyota. Damn Honda's ... what can I say, they stink. I've had two wheel bearings replaced and another needing a replacement. Never had that on my 97 Camry with about 99,000 miles.

Originally Posted by secrecyguy

I say get it! Why? For some reason, Toyota don't make too many SE models for the Camry line. That is a 4 door right?

But make sure you test drive it and have an auto mechenic check on it.

I'm having my mechanic check it out if I do indeed get it. I may be test driving it tomorrow or Wednesday. Just wanted some opinions on the SE line.

[bronzemaxell]

Originally Posted by 07CamryRoadster

03 Camry's do not have drive-by-wire thats technology thats only on the Gen 6 Camry's.

my gen5 camry, 2003 camry se 4cyl 5 speed manual has the annoying dirve by wire throttle, it is about 0.5 second delay, very noticable specially stick shift when i depress my clutch then let go gas pedal, the rpm just shoot up for 0.5 second before coming back to idle.

[IPDaily]

Originally Posted by 07CamryRoadster

03 Camry's do not have drive-by-wire thats technology thats only on the Gen 6 Camry's.

they most certainly do.... anyway it's most noticeable when slowing down and speeding back up again (i.e. cornering)... if you press the accelerator gently when accelerating from a stop, you shouldn't even really notice it....

[CharmCityES]

the TL is a great car, but is very pricey to maintain and they had those tranny issues.....
id swap the TL for the camry SE V6.....the power is comprable, as are the options....the camry is just cheaper to gas up and keep on the road.....just my 2 cents...

[anomie612]

Originally Posted by CorCamrySE

the TL is a great car, but is very pricey to maintain and they had those tranny issues.....
id swap the TL for the camry SE V6.....the power is comprable, as are the options....the camry is just cheaper to gas up and keep on the road.....just my 2 cents...

Those are my thoughts exactly and my main reason is that I know in my bones that sooner rather than later I may experience tranny issues and I really don't want to pay 3 or 4 grand for a new tranny. My biggest regret was getting rid of my 97 Camry LE for the TL - while a great car (the TL), I should have just kept my Camry, would have been cheaper to maintain in the long run. I've never had the car issues like I've had with the TL.

[BlackCamSe]

Originally Posted by 07CamryRoadster

03 Camry's do not have drive-by-wire thats technology thats only on the Gen 6 Camry's.

not true.. 02-07 camrys have it.

[-SCWEET1-]

Why would you do that??!

TL > Camry