Advice for Selecting a Used Camry for $12,000 or less

[BobF]

I've been considering the purchase of a used Camry for $12,000 or less.

Given that budget, can anyone provide any recommendations for a particular year and model? So far, I've been looking at 1996 to 2001 models.

Are there particular features that are worth looking for?

Would it be best to avoid cars with over a certain total mileage, say 100,000 miles?

How are the automatic transmissions holding up on the older Camrys?

I have also been wondering if a 5 speed manual transmission might be a better choice for long term reliability. (I don't mind driving with a manual transmission.)

I'll be sure to avoid salvage titles and flood recovery cars. And I have a good mechanic that can check out potential cars.

I'd also be curious about other forum member's used Camry purchase stories, both good and bad.

Thanks for any and all advice.

Bob

[camryfour]

My auto transmission lasted 235k miles. Engine is still purring ( and original), beating those pesky non-vtec civics lol. Manuals are more fun to drive, and you definately can feel the power better. I would go for any year, manual transmission, 4 cyl (unless you are real power hungry go for V6), lowest mileage I could find for $12K. Lower mileage is always better . They all last as long as you don't neglect them.

*EDIT*: Welcome to TN

[eyeball96]

ebay! I've seen alot of camrys that I'd love to bit on for less than 12k...but the wife doesn't share my enthusiasm (s/p)

[Edmo83]

Welcome to TN Bob,

I got an 01 V6 LE for $11K last year with 40K miles, in great great condition, the auto transmission is amazing, and smooth, and lasts long...i only wished i had a 5 speed to save gas on the highway.

would you consider an avalon in the same years, they come with a few more features i believe, and priced similarly.

[BobF]

Thanks for the information. It's nice to read of a Camry automatic transmission lasting so long. What model year do you have?

And I'm glad you mentioned the 4 cyclinder engine option. That's probably a good fit for my neads and the fuel economy should be a bit better.

Bob

Originally Posted by camryfour

My auto transmission lasted 235k miles. Engine is still purring ( and original), beating those pesky non-vtec civics lol. Manuals are more fun to drive, and you definately can feel the power better. I would go for any year, manual transmission, 4 cyl (unless you are real power hungry go for V6), lowest mileage I could find for $12K. Lower mileage is always better . They all last as long as you don't neglect them.

*EDIT*: Welcome to TN

[BobF]

I didn't even think of ebay. Thanks! I'll check that out for local sales.

My wife is actually encouraging me to get a new(er) car. :-)

Bob

Originally Posted by eyeball96

ebay! I've seen alot of camrys that I'd love to bit on for less than 12k...but the wife doesn't share my enthusiasm (s/p)

[BobF]

Thank you for the welcome.

You got a great deal on your 01 Camry. Especially with 40,000 miles. How did you find that?

What boost in MPG does the manual 5 speed provides over the automatic transmission?

And I was actually looking at the Avalons initially. It just seemed that there were few of them available for sale that finding a good used one was a challenge. But I'll take another look at Avalons.

Bob

Originally Posted by Edmo83

Welcome to TN Bob,

I got an 01 V6 LE for $11K last year with 40K miles, in great great condition, the auto transmission is amazing, and smooth, and lasts long...i only wished i had a 5 speed to save gas on the highway.

would you consider an avalon in the same years, they come with a few more features i believe, and priced similarly.

[eyeball96]

Originally Posted by BobF

I didn't even think of ebay. Thanks! I'll check that out for local sales.

My wife is actually encouraging me to get a new(er) car. :-)

Bob

Nice wife you have there Bob!! ..and welcome to TN!

[camryfour]

Originally Posted by BobF

Thanks for the information. It's nice to read of a Camry automatic transmission lasting so long. What model year do you have?

And I'm glad you mentioned the 4 cyclinder engine option. That's probably a good fit for my neads and the fuel economy should be a bit better.

Bob

Read Signature
|
\|/

[BobF]

Ack! I didn't even notice the sig info. Thanks.

Bob

Originally Posted by camryfour

Read Signature
|
\|/

[BobF]

Also, I've been looking at Honda Accords in the same sub $12,000 price range. These typically are 1996 to 2001 models. Can anyone comment on the pros and cons of the Accords relative to the Camrys in these model years? (I figure that a lot of Camry buyers considered the Accords also.)

And I've also considered the Lexus ES300, but I would have to bump my budget up a bit for one of those with lower mileage. Does a used Camry generally provide more bang for the buck than a used ES300?

Bob

[Edmo83]

Originally Posted by BobF

Thank you for the welcome.

You got a great deal on your 01 Camry. Especially with 40,000 miles. How did you find that?

What boost in MPG does the manual 5 speed provides over the automatic transmission?

And I was actually looking at the Avalons initially. It just seemed that there were few of them available for sale that finding a good used one was a challenge. But I'll take another look at Avalons.

Bob

The "boost in mpg is really based on driving style, and where you drive.
If you have a lead foot(like me), doin 90+ on the highways and jackrabbit starts, you can see as low as 16 mpg in combined city/highway. If you keep the revs under 3000, and obey the speed limit, you can see 20+ in combined city/highwa driving. the 5th gear in a stick shift model versus the 4 speed in my auto is really for over drive. so you can save a few rpm while driving highway.

Check you local papers, newsday, post...etc, i found a guy offering it for $12,250, and i told him, $11,000, inspection and a full tank of super, ill take her.
Always be firm when bargaining. show these people whos boss!!

also, i realize way too late, i found an 01' avalon for the same price, more features and only 11K miles!!!, i regret not buying it!!!
whatever toyota you buy, you can be rest assured its a great great car, that will be low maintenance and no worrys. and you'll have a huge online community here for yah if you need advice!

Good luck

[BobF]

Thanks for all the helpful info.


Bob

Originally Posted by Edmo83

The "boost in mpg is really based on driving style, and where you drive.
If you have a lead foot(like me), doin 90+ on the highways and jackrabbit starts, you can see as low as 16 mpg in combined city/highway. If you keep the revs under 3000, and obey the speed limit, you can see 20+ in combined city/highwa driving. the 5th gear in a stick shift model versus the 4 speed in my auto is really for over drive. so you can save a few rpm while driving highway.

Check you local papers, newsday, post...etc, i found a guy offering it for $12,250, and i told him, $11,000, inspection and a full tank of super, ill take her.
Always be firm when bargaining. show these people whos boss!!

also, i realize way too late, i found an 01' avalon for the same price, more features and only 11K miles!!!, i regret not buying it!!!
whatever toyota you buy, you can be rest assured its a great great car, that will be low maintenance and no worrys. and you'll have a huge online community here for yah if you need advice!

Good luck

[BobF]

Here's another question. Do the recent generations of the Camry, say 1998 and newer, have four wheel disc brakes? I'd like to avoid drum brakes, if possible.

Bob

[Edmo83]

The Camrys with Rear Discs are XLEs or LEs with ABS Option(didn't buy my car new, so if anyone else here did, would be of more help than i am). they are fairly common, or atleast fairly common around here, so it was probably a very popular option at the time. I'm pretty sure that the Base model (CE) doesnt have the option for discs at all.

Also, now that the new generation is out, the 5th gen should drop in price slightly.
keep searching, you'll find the right camry sooner or later!! good luck dude!