Later Model, High Mileage Camry, or Earlier Model High Mileage Lexus?

[sapling]

I'm looking at spending $6k-$8k on a midsize car and my main concerns are safety and reliability. I'm looking closely at:

2004-06 Camry, in this price range generally 120k+ mileage
1998-01 Lexus ES300, in this price range generally 100k+


I'm a current owner of a 1997 Toyota Camry and am looking to get something with better safety ratings (Camrys before '04 have done badly in side impact crashes). But I've been very happy with the reliability and would like to go Toyota again.

The luxury of the Lexus is nice, but not really an issue - I would have probably defaulted to the Camry without thinking about an older Lexus except it's pretty difficult to find such high mileage late model cars in my price range, with the optional side airbags and ABS.

The Lexus comes with the side airbags and ABS standard, and most owners seem to have kept all their maintenance records (often unlike the Camry), so I feel a little more confident about getting a documented, well-maintained car. But it's still 5 years older even if the mileage is similar.


It seems counterintuitive to buy a car that's almost as old as the one I own, but like I said I just want something safe and reliable. If I buy a Lexus ES300 with 110k and good maintenance records is it likely to go for another 5-7 years at least?

And which would you say is more important when considering reliability? Mileage or age?

[Camread]

don't buy an old luxury car because of higher maintenance cost, but the ES might be an exception b/c it has the camry engine but a lexus dealer might charge more for repairs.

[sapling]

I have looked into the higher maintenance costs - but it sounds like that would only be an issue at the dealer. Would the work would be much more expensive if I had it done at an independent mechanic? Since the car would no longer be under warranty I wouldn't worry about taking it to the dealership.

[njerald]

Buy almost anything else with much lower mileage...........

[sapling]

Thanks for the reply - can you be a little more specific about your reasoning behind this?

True, I could get a Camry with lower mileage, but the safety ratings are poor until the later years, and I'm not able to afford an '04-'05 low mileage Camry (seem to run $12k+).

I'm really wanting to find something that's safe, reliable, and affordable. If not the 1999 Lexus ES300 or 04 Camry w/ high mileage, what do you suggest?

[njerald]

You don't say what size of car or what is most important. Don't be blinded by this just Toyota/Lexus are good in reliability.

Look at the April 2009 Consumers reports.

They have models to look for, by price range and also a review of all used cars reliability.

In the $6,000-8,000 range, there are 17 different makes and many more models listed from a '02-'03 Honda Civic to an '02 Lincoln Continental in size.

The lowest mileage vehicles among the top rated in this range would probably be '06 Kia Spectra or Optima, '03-06 Hyundai Sonata. '03 Ford Focus, or '04 Mercury Sable among others.

Here is an example in your price range with less than 20,000 miles....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ONLY-...3A1%7C72%3A317

[inthebay85]

OMG njerald that is possibly the most helpful and respectful post I have ever seen from you...I'm impressed!

And I agree, there are many makes and models in the lower price range that are newer, and more efficient (not to say the camry/lexus isnt, you just may get more life and use from another, newer selection)

good luck in your mission!

[sapling]

Thanks njerald! That is very helpful - to give more information, I'm looking for a midsize car (for carrying more passengers/luggage; also we have a small cargo trailer we like to haul around. Its under 1k lbs, but I wouldn't feel comfortable attaching it to a Civic or Sentra with the "NR" tow rating.)

The cars you mention - Hyundai, Kia, Ford, etc I have been staying away from because I have heard they have poor reliability. About a month ago I took a 2005 Ford Taurus with 72k miles on it to a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. They found some issues with the car (needed new struts), but overall they basically told me they really wouldn't recommend buying a used Ford with that mileage because it was right at the point where a lot of things would start to go wrong. He said a higher mileage Toyota/Honda would be a better bet, or an 07 Kia/Hyundai.

The Kia / Hyundai I'm concerned about longterm reliability. Those brands don't really have good longterm ratings (looking at the early 2000 cars, since most of the more recent ones aren't old enough to have developed wear/tear issues yet) - isn't there a good chance in a few years the newer models will start breaking down as well? The reason I have been looking mostly at Toyota is because of excellent reliability ratings and high mileages I've seen on many of those cars (200k+). I would include Hondas but the 99-04 Hondas seem to have severe transmission issues.

[njerald]

I personally would not go on a medium or long vacation trip with a vehicle that has 150,000-200,000 miles on it let alone pull a trailer with it.

Any vehicle with 70,000 miles on it could use new struts for a better ride and handling.

You've heard a few opinions but you have to live with your decision......

[Asteroid]

I would go the Lexus ES over a Camry, as there is surprisingly little between them on the used market (Camry are always in demand, ES are not). Maintenance is a non issue as the Lexus ES IS a Camry, sure a Lexus dealer may charge more but just take it somewhere else. The ES are also vastly better specified compared to the relatively spartan Camry.

Either way I'd try to find something with 100k miles or less.

[Tom 2000]

When my dad bought his new Camry at the local Toyota Dealer, I saw a lady pull up in her ES300 to the Service Department.

So I asked the question if they work on the ES300 and they said yes. Policies might differ from dealer to dealer, but they said most Toyota dealers will work on a ES300 if the parts interchange - timing belt, tune up, etc..

[islandboy57]

I see safety is at the top of your list for your purchase.

Keep in mind that from 1998-2001 the ES came standard with side airbags but they are seat-mounted torso airbags - beginning in 2002 they received the addition of side curtain airbags which are far superior because they protect your head during side impacts. Go with a gen 5 Camry (2002+) that had the optional side curtain/torso airbag package. They only cost $500-600 when the car was new so it shouldn't be too hard to find one equipped with them.

Since your refer to 2004+ Camrys being safer than 2002-2003 Camrys, I assume you're look at the IIHS website. I wouldn't rule out the '02-'03 Camrys right off the bat based on that, because when equipped with side airbags, they are still a VERY safe choice and probably in your price range too.

[JustAnotherAsian]

just to add, some toyota dealerships will gladly service your ES. a 3vz-fe is a 3vz-fe, and in your case, a 1mz-fe is a 1mz-fe. it just depends on how lenient the dealership is.

i took my ES to toyota of glendora (socal) with no problems for routine maintenance. saved a few bucks every time, but in the long run, those few bucks added up.