How much can my car take?

[Novice_cardude]

Okay, my car is a 1996 Camry DX 5spd. I got it used, and it's got 90,452 miles on it. ALl i've done so far is replace the rear struts and strut mounts.

There are some little things i've noticed: Sometimes the clutch makes a little squeak sound when I push it in and let it out. I think it's the slave cylinfer making noise.

The brake pedal sometimes makes noise when I release it, but I think that's because the brake shoes on the rear need lubrication (I "located" these noises by pushing pedals with my head poking out the windows, so they're probably not spot-on accurate).

My question is thus: How much abuse will my car take? I know all cars have breaking points. I'm not going to be regularly beating on it like I would do with a little sports car or something, but as it is now, with my upbringing driving large high-profile vehicles, I cringe when I take a left turn too fast. I can almost visualize the front tires feathering.

Also, right now if I launch okay kinda fast, I hear a little grinding noise from somewhere under the hood (only if I let the RPM drop as i'm taking off. If i keep the RPM about 1,000-1,500 as I start rolling there is no sound). That sound unnerves me and makes me drive gingerly... But i think it's just because the engine is complaining at all the stress...

I dunno, this is all probably really hard to follow.

Bottom line, I want this car to last a long time, but I don't want to drive it like a granny, and i'm not too afraid of replacing things like steering components. I just don't want to run into major engine or transmission troubles any time soon.

So how much abuse can this old girl take?


(wow that was long-winded)

[TBayToyotaBoy]

Heh heh, that wasn't too long-winded.

These cars (especially the four-bangers) will take a lot of beating. The suspension will too, but remember it's a fairly large sedan so the suspension/steering will wear faster than it would on a little Corolla. Change the oil regularly (maybe a little more frequently than the manual recommends), change the tranny fluid regularly, and you'll be fine. Keep listening for those small noises that tell you something's not right, and you'll know your Camry like the back of your hand in no time.

Remember, though: everything depends on how previous owners treated the car. Hopefully they didn't neglect it too badly. Mine was maintained well, and now I'm putting 200km (125miles) on the car every night delivering papers to rural customers. Original clutch, original suspension (well, mostly) and original tranny. The car has over 200,000miles on it now, and it still takes an incredible beating. The other delivery drivers ALL have new vehicles, and mine's the only one that's never in the shop!

[turboyota]

Originally Posted by Novice_cardude

Bottom line, I want this car to last a long time, but I don't want to drive it like a granny, and i'm not too afraid of replacing things like steering components. I just don't want to run into major engine or transmission troubles any time soon.

So how much abuse can this old girl take?

Wife's Auto 1995 5s-fe:

--252,000 miles
--Replaced water pump at 210,000 miles
--Changed oil every 4,500 miles
--New timing belt at 90,000, 160,000, 210,000 (w/water pump)
--Replaced right front cv joint and front left cv joint
--Trans went out at 60,000 miles (but the dealer replaced it for free, new and built "better" as they said; it used to be leased and the leasees were obviously really hard on the tranny.)
--Front main seal is leaking now
--Zero blowby
--Compression within spec across the board, but a little low (not bad though)
--We drive it like a sports car on the back winding roads (like we shouldn't; there's no real point)

She is coming apart very soon for new rings, new front main seal, possibly forged pistons and rods, and a turbo setup.

All in all, all we've ever had to do is replace a water pump and cv joints. The tranny thing was from someone really trashing an automatic. You have a 5speed; so don't worry.

[Novice_cardude]

That's pretty cool. Like I say i'm not gonna be intentionally beating on it. The parts that will most likely take the most wear are on the drivetrain and steering/suspension. What i'm most concerned with now is this is my first 5spd so i'm kinda testing to see what I can get away with, as well as learning to engine match and all that for a smooth-ish ride.

Then again, when I get angry at traffic I end up dropping it down a couple gears and taking it up to 5k rpm to smoke all the soccer moms in their H2s.

From what you guys are saying, as long as I keep up with maintainance this will be a rather robust car.

[turboyota]

Rev-matching is a good trick to get more life out of your cutch. I've driven for miles and miles with out using the clutch in my yota pickup and DSM. Just don't grind gears consistantly. actually rev-match. don' just try to.

running to 5grand+ is not bad. It is the frequency of doing this. This is a reliable "grocery-getter". This car was designed and built by Toyota for those same 'soccer moms' and their market.

I am sorry for saying this, but these cars are "turds" when it comes to acceleration and thrill. I have a 1990 Mitsu Eclipse with about 460 wheel horsepower. so maybe in am disillusioned. It is hard to hop in a 100whp car and think it is a spritzy, enjoyable ride. That being said, I have little to complain about as this car has NEVER let me or my family down. It is a family car. Treat it as such and it will repay you with reliabilty. If you want to rag on her, she will break more stuff sooner. It's Murphy's Law.

I love and truely adore my Camry. And so does my wife. And every one I know is impressed with its reliable track record. I leave my fun for the weekends and in my DSM. Then I feed it a steady diet of horse meat (mustang and camaro primarily ) and prepare to rebuild this car to handle the horsepower increase and "extenuating circumstances".

Your engine and drivetrain should be fine at stock horsepower levels and an aweful beating if you keep up with your maintanance. Revving an old timing belt has nasty consequences. Get a new belt EVERY 60,000 miles for a car that you "get on" frequently. Change your oil like you should. Doesn't matter what brand. Any oil is better than less oil or old oil. 4,500 miles is fine by todays oil standards. Change your plugs. you'll know why if you havn't after 100,000 miles . I did this.

Be happy you bought a car that is reliable and treat it like a reliable car. Reliable car's deserve attention. . . now I sound like i hump the tailpipe !

[Novice_cardude]

Originally Posted by turboyota

Be happy you bought a car that is reliable and treat it like a reliable car. Reliable car's deserve attention. . . now I sound like i hump the tailpipe !

Yeah I know this car isn't for beating on. I'm never going to race it, and I will stay away from mods that force-feed the engine. I'm planning on maybe getting something along the lines of a Celica, Prelude, Eclipse, or a similar little zippy car to have fun in. I want to keep this car reliable, but I don't want to drive it as if I'm afraid to hit a bump the wrong way, or freak out and do a full underhood inspection every time I get the RPMs over 4k

[TBayToyotaBoy]

You can beat on these cars more than you might think. Browse the Camrys on Cardomain.com sometime and you'll see a bunch of guys (and gals) having fun with their "Suzie Soccer-Mom" sedans. Most of them haven't done much modification, either.

As for checking under the hood every time you rev it up past 4000rpm, don't worry. That's the scenario reserved for drivers of Hyundais, Kias, and Fords.

[RedPhoenix]

ill trade ya.... my sedan auto your coupe stick! eh???

lol

your car is no where about to die. little stuff isnt anything. wait til a piston flies through your hood, now were talking.