Should I, or Shouldn't I?

[VentureForth]

My 2002 Saturn SL was totalled in a wreck last week. My mother in law is offering me a 1997 Camry LE V6 with 97,000 miles for about 1/2 of the settlement. It's gold.

Should I get 'er done? Am I gonna feel like the Grandma who's been driving it?

[pope_face]

Do it, as long as the price isn't too bad. Mine cost... I think somewhere in the range of about $15,000 some five years ago. Mind you, I've got the I4, and that's in CAD, but mine still runs peeeerfectly fine, and it's got roughly the same amount of milage as yours. Besides, if you're thinking that you'll feel like the grandmother driving it, that's a good thing. It just means it's been driven soft. Get the car and throw some mods on. You'll fit in right away.

Philly

[dcarter124]

how much does she wanna sell it for?

[VentureForth]

Originally Posted by dcarter124

how much does she wanna sell it for?

$3K

[touringcamry]

Sounds like a steal. I would go for it. The V6 isn't slow like my I4.

As long as she's done the proper maintenance, you should have years of trouble free driving. If she did not change the oil regularly, it can build sludge inside. But that's any engine, but that's the main reson there was the Toyota sludging thing.

[dcarter124]

Originally Posted by VentureForth

$3K

i'd say go for it. but im a camry man now.
test drive it, let a mechanic take a look (if she's the only owner you might not even need that).

[Cyorke]

I would have to say go for it. If it is V6 and seems to be fairly low mileage. Well average mileage anyway. I paid 3500 for my 94 V6 with 65K miles from the dealership I was working for at the time I bought. You could probably go trade it in on something else and get more than what you pay for it. If it is in good shape I would have to say go for it.

[05Cam-Weasel]

i would do it, that seems like a total steal

[VentureForth]

I also discovered with the VIN search that it's a 24 valve. I guess that means it's a dohc. I'm liking the prospect more every day...

[Cyorke]

all the 1MZ's are 24 valve DOHC. Jsut get it. You will love it

[VentureForth]

OK – so I’m looking at the 1997 Toyota Consumer Reports and looking at the ratings. They only evaluate the IL4 and don’t touch the V6, but what do y’all think of the following issues as it relates to the V6 I’m looking at buying.

Average:
- Engine
- Electrical
- Brakes

Below Average:
- Suspension

Can someone tell me if these are valid concerns? Everything else rates at either Very Good or Excellent. Now, that being said, since that was for the IL4, are there aspects of the V6 that are WORSE than the basic model?

Thanks!

[Cyorke]

most everythign about hte car is the same between the 4 and 6 cylinder

The V6 does get four wheel disc brakes so that will rpobably help witht he braking
I think the say average on the engine because of the sludge issue with them, this also affected the V6.
ELectrical, I am not sure of because Toyota is not really known for having electrical problems

The suspension, well waht can you say it is a Camry not a Supra. They are soft and floaty, i think that is waht they are getting at there. You can fix that with some springs and good struts.


The only thing I ouwld be worried aobut on that car is the sludge issue they had during that time period. As long as it does not show any signs of sludge rightnow it should be jsut fine. If it does show signs of sludge you can probably get it repaired by Toyota under their extended warranty they did on those engines. If the oil has been changed on a regualr basis it should not be an issue though. If you think it may be then pull the front valve cover and see waht it looks like under there or have a mechanic do it for you.

[2000LEV6]

i said do it!! that is steal deal bro, i guarantee after you put just minor mod's you gonna keep it!! plus the good think about it the camry with V6 is a sleeper!! just my opinion.