Buying first Toyota! 2007 Camry SE v6 need opinion!

[mrschwabe]

Hi there,

My girlfriend are shopping for a new car and found possibly a killer deal on a 2007 Toyota Camry SE v6 (leather heated seats, bluetooth, JBL audio, etc).

So anyway, the mileage on it is 93,000 miles. Not great, but we also are working on a tight budget.

The car is from the first owner. Who also happens to be a mechanic (albeit marine mechanic).

We did a test drive yesterday. The car was very clean overall, especially under the hood - and shows very little signs of wear and tear. Drives awesome.

So my question is: are there any major maintenance jobs required at this point? Someone told me the timing belt and water pump should be done at about this age.

We haven't bought the car yet (we might today) so I'd like to factor in any major costs up front before we commit.

If the price was right, would you buy it ? Or should we keep looking ? I heard mixed reviews about the 07 Camrys - nice car, but issues with tranny and other things.

Your tips and advice would be much appreciated !

[Punks_Not_Dead5]

You are correct! Timing belt and water pump are due.

I'd watch for the tranny too, see if it had the TSB done on it. That year had some problems with shifting. But Toyota fixed them, but be sure it has been done.

What is the asking price if you don't mind?

[mrschwabe]

Asking price was $15,500 - I negotiated him down to $13,000 (Canadian). He's a little uneasy about letting it go for that, but if I bring the cash today he'll go for it.

What am I looking at for the $ of timing belt and water pump job ?

[kotori]

I think the V6 has timing chain, so it only needs a water pump job

[workerant]

I had the Camry SE V6. Mine might have been a lemon or cause i used the car a lot but still... bad year. I had all the problems and I was told the water pump problem will be next on the list. There is a whole list of recalls and TSB on this model year. Do the search on here in TN and you will find them.

'07 loads with problems '09 got some fix. '10 I think got much better. I advice to stay away from '07 to '09.

[mrschwabe]

Question about the TSBs. Are these all covered by warranty?

For example, when driving his car I definitely noticed this issue (subtle clunking noise coming from rear):
New TSB - Rear Stabilizer Bushing Squeak Noise - '07 Camry

I believe his warranty is now expired. So for any TSBs that need to be done I assume I would have to fit the bill ?

[workerant]

^ correct. TSBs are not mandatory.

[jay2kony]

thats not bad at all i got my IE 4 07 for around 12,000 and i havent had issues at all and soo far im at 75,000 miles
but 13000 for a v6 is flipping nice price..

[Gmaine]

Idk man....... Sounds like a killer deal at 13k..... But I'm goin to just give you one advice any car that I have gotten used always had some kinda issue.....idk man at the end it's not us it's u who's going to be driving it

[ChrisNYC11]

I just bought an 07 SE V6 about a week and a half ago and I absolutely love it. No problems whatsoever but one difference is that mine is certified and covered by warranties up the ying yang. That made me feel safe buying it. If I were you I would take it to a toyota for a diagnostic and tune up because although they are more expensive they know what theyre doing and itll at least make me feel safer buying it privately.

[Mosh603]

I wouldnt consider 90k high miles for a Toyota!

[ChrisNYC11]

^^^ i second that!!

coming from a 96 with 211k miles i would know lol

[Mosh603]

My mother works for Toyota, and when the government did the 'Cash for Clunkers' program, someone brought in a Camry with 328k. No problems at all.

[mmm666]

just make sure the car doesn't overheat.. but anyway. I will buy another camry v6..

my 2006 toyota camry le v6 is now 230,000 miles. no major problem. It is smooth like a cat. I am going for 400,000 miles.

[LucentShadow]

Isn't $13,000 a little steep for a SE with 93,000 miles? I bought my fully loaded V6 XLE a year and a half ago from the original owner, official maintenance log and all with 45,000 miles for $16,000...