Just got my first Toyota: 2004 Camry LE. Tips and suggestions.

[Lostcase]

I purchased my first Toyota, a 2004 Camry LE. Got it from a dealer last week and I feel I got a great deal at $7,500(they wanted $8,995). The miles are pretty high at 166k, but considering that I hear Toyota's can least up in the high 250's, I think I am okay. This car was kept in amazing condition. The glove box has receipts for almost every service done to the car. The most expensive one being a radiator change in '07/08 for around $394.

The Carfax doesn't show any major repairs or show a timing belt changed. I think timing belt is good for 100,000 miles. Should I take this now to a mechanic to give me a rough estimate when should it be changed? Take it directly to Toyota and ask them?
















Also, I would like to change the radio on this car.





I was thinking about getting this:

Amazon.com: Scosche Ta1467B Iso Din With Pocket/Double Iso Din Installation Kit For 2002 and Up Toyota Camry: Electronics

Amazon.com: Scosche Ta1467B Iso Din With Pocket/Double Iso Din Installation Kit For 2002 and Up Toyota Camry: Electronics

I want to get a decent stereo that looks almost like the OEM version(no gaps), just updated (usb, HD radio, Satellite radio)

Any ideas?

[Yuko]

Clean Camry you got there. It has the 2AZ-FE engine, which means NO timing belt One less thing to worry about.

We have a 2002 Camry and after 156K miles, it still running strong. There's not much faults in this generation of Camrys.

[Lostcase]

Thanks! Yes, this car is super clean. I am very amazed on how well kept it is. Puts a lot of pressure on me to keep it this way, lol.
Anything else I should be concerned about?

Also on the audio:
At first I was thinking about getting something like this:

But that wouldn't look right.

If I want a replacement head unit that would fit OEM stereo slot, it would have to be double din right?

[11LE]

Clean Camry, especially with that mileage.

[Lostcase]

Thanks 11LE, you guys are making me feel very good about my purchase. My wife was super mad when I told her on the phone it had 166k miles. She's was like, "it better not become a money pitt".

[fatngs]

wow that looks to be in pretty good condition and extremely clean...... cleaner than my 06 with 66k.... but of course mine was roughed up a bit be4 i got it

i have that radio adapter.... it works but the fitment isnt perfect around the edges

[Lostcase]

Originally Posted by fatngs

wow that looks to be in pretty good condition and extremely clean...... cleaner than my 06 with 66k.... but of course mine was roughed up a bit be4 i got it

i have that radio adapter.... it works but the fitment isnt perfect around the edges

Yes, thats what I don't want, if its not going to look perfect, I rather just leave the stereo as is. Hey, fatngs, I see you are from NJ, I just moved from there. Lived in Jersey City since '88.


I'll take more pics tomorrow, its in immaculate condition!!! The previous owner left ALL of his receipts in his glove box (has his name and address mind you). Very organized, has to be an older gentlemen without young kids.

[Donald E. George]

I wished my 2004 looked that good. Too many trucks and too much crap flying around in Nebraska plus the roads are shot and no money to fix them. The Toyota maximum timing chain wear is over 4.5"[elongation] so you probably have a long ways to go. Your radiator overflow tank looks low which means your engine coolant could also be low. Should be up the the upper line with engine cold. You have a winner there.You did good.Regards

[bdy0003]

IMO, 7500 is too fracking much for a car that has 166k. Everybody else is right though, it is very clean and immaculate condition!

The 2AZ-FE has a timing chain instead of a timing belt, which does need to be changed. As for the headunit, its really what you want. Unless you have a lot of HD radio stations, I would opt for bluetooth and ipod connector. You can always get a HD with the ipod and add the bluetooth in later but that extra equipment cost a pretty penny.

[Lostcase]

Originally Posted by Donald E. George

Your radiator overflow tank looks low which means your engine coolant could also be low. Should be up the the upper line with engine cold. You have a winner there.You did good.Regards

Thanks! I'll look into that.

Originally Posted by bdy0003

IMO, 7500 is too fracking much for a car that has 166k. Everybody else is right though, it is very clean and immaculate condition!

The 2AZ-FE has a timing chain instead of a timing belt, which does need to be changed. As for the headunit, its really what you want. Unless you have a lot of HD radio stations, I would opt for bluetooth and ipod connector. You can always get a HD with the ipod and add the bluetooth in later but that extra equipment cost a pretty penny.

I'm originally from Jersey, and I know that I could have easily paid 1.5K less there. However, in this part of South Carolina, people drive far to get deals on Japanese cars. I wasn't willing to do that and needed a car asap. After going to like 15 dealerships (and some horrible CL ad's)I've seen so many different vehicles that I was just like, "screw it, this is a deal". The car I test drove before this one was a Kia Sorento, 2004 with 120k miles. They wanted $8,880, lol.

I definitely want Bluetooth and a USB/iPod connector. But my biggest concern is keeping the stereo to look like the OEM. I may have to invest in a double din unit with a display. Unfortunately I can't afford one of those right now.

[Lostcase]

more pics as promised.

[Lostcase]

Also, gear light doesn't seem to work. I have to put in some of these:
http://www.bulbtown.com/194LL_MINIAT...SE_p/194ll.htm

[bdy0003]

I didn't mean to offend. Considering that, its a pretty good deal on the car since you needed a car right away.

For the headunit, go to crutchfield.com, look at the double DINs with bluetooth. I think most have the USB/ipod capability. The Clarion's CX501 looks pretty OEM except for the blue, unless you want to change your inside lights to blue (or you can get a GPS unit too)... but I suggest you shop around there and then buy elsewhere just cause crutchfield is pretty expensive.

Originally Posted by Lostcase

Thanks! I'll look into that.



I'm originally from Jersey, and I know that I could have easily paid 1.5K less there. However, in this part of South Carolina, people drive far to get deals on Japanese cars. I wasn't willing to do that and needed a car asap. After going to like 15 dealerships (and some horrible CL ad's)I've seen so many different vehicles that I was just like, "screw it, this is a deal". The car I test drove before this one was a Kia Sorento, 2004 with 120k miles. They wanted $8,880, lol.

I definitely want Bluetooth and a USB/iPod connector. But my biggest concern is keeping the stereo to look like the OEM. I may have to invest in a double din unit with a display. Unfortunately I can't afford one of those right now.

[Lostcase]

bdy0003, no offense taken, I really value your input and everyone else's.

Yep, I'm at crutchfield.com and looking up a few models. That's exactly what I am doing, shopping there then eventually buying from Amazon.

Found this on Amazon too:

Amazon

Amazon

I can match the LED colors to the ones my dash display.

[BlackG5]

finally an 04 with as many miles as mine with a motor as clean as mine

not a bad purchase at all my friend, it'll be good to you if you're good to it...