Looking to buy a used Camry, got questions.

[89molavi]

OK, so my older car is getting ready to retire. We are looking in mid size sedans and having had Camry's and Corolla's in the past we are into the Camry. They '02-'05 seems within budget, but I want to know what to look out for esp as far as problem areas and what maintenance records to look for. I yet have to test drive one. One thing I noticed most of the online ads I see in the engine bay pic they are missing the heat shield for the exhaust manifold, can anybody tell me why they throw this part away. In all the crappy cars I have had in years I have never had that part missing. TIA

[GT-R]

It's not missing, it's just designed that way, some are PZEV's, and some are not, I don't know which one comes with it, it's been covered before in one of these threads.

We have 4 Gen 6 Camrys in the family (same year, '08's), none of them has the shield.

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

GEN5 FTW

You can't go wrong! go for an SE V6 though

[89molavi]

Thanks for the replies. Now I see, but the one with the shield looks better. So is that the one made in Japan? I am in CA and half the ones I see have the shield and half don't.

Also other problem areas? I had heard some steering rack issues, is this common?

[GT-R]

You can check under the hood for the shield before the test drive...

For the Japan built Camrys, usually the VIN# starts with JT###... And there is a little square on the front bumper (for towing or something like that).

Get the Japan built one if you can, it has better built quality.

Steering problem? Not that I know of. I know they have some tranny problems, but that's the V6 models.

Remember this: When you test drive it, just drive a little longer, to different areas (speed bumps, freeways, etc.) don't just stay in smooth roads, so that you can hear the rattles (if it has any), and to feel the power (if it hesitates or not).

[liquidi3ladz]

The PZEV ones don't have a heat shield. Yes get a JP build Camry.

[islandboy57]

Originally Posted by 89molavi

Also other problem areas? I had heard some steering rack issues, is this common?

Yes, there are problems with the steering intermediate shaft. It's a $400+ repair if out of warranty. You'll know it when you test drive the car if it needs to be replaced (sloppy feeling, clicking, slack etc..) - if you search a bit, there's a thread with the affected VIN ranges.

Other than that, I really don't think you could go wrong with a used gen 5 Camry.

[glenn14]

Once you find a Camry that you like and thats in your budget, you can always get a mechanic or family mechanic to give it a look over to make sure that everything with the car checks out. It would be 50 to 100
dollars well spent. Plus as we all know Toyota is always on the Consumers Report best buy list. BTW I have
2009 SE and I don't have the heat sheild either......


Glenn