New here: introduction and a few questions

[sumptimwong]

Hey all, new here. Just wanted to introduce myself, as well as ask a few newb questions.

My sister just purchased a used gen5 camry on saturday. 2003 Phantom Gray Pearl, LE, 4cyl a/t, 64k miles. I'll be popping my head in and out of here every now and then for the purpose of maintenance tips and parts info. Saw the recenty sticky on the gen4 and gen4 helms. Excellent resource, much props to the OP of that one.


Now my questions:

(1) The car came with only the master key and one remote. Is the best way to get a valet key through the dealership? Can they make me one based on the VIN? How much should this cost?

(2) The car also came without a front license plate bracket. Now I imagine that many of you removed yours and had the holes bondo'ed for aesthetic purposes, but my sister is intent on keeping her vechicle 100% CA legal. What is the best place to find this bracket? How much should I expect to pay?

(3) Regarding OE parts, (sort of related to question 2) what website are you guys getting parts from? I know of pretty much all the Honda ones (I own a gen7 Accord and frequent the gen7 forums over at v6p.net), but am clueless when it comes to Toyotas.

(4) Any quirks that I should be aware of with the gen5? We all know the horror stories about the 1mz-fe, and I was wondering if there is anything I should be particularly mindful of, in terms of maintenance.

(5) NEWB question! What motor comes with this 4cyl Camry?


Thanks guys! From what I can tell so far, these forums are excellent. Glad to be a new member of your community =)


Just as a contribution to these forums, here's are a few little DIYs I did with my Accord, but are applicable to any car:
http://www.v6performance.net/forums/...ad.php?t=66394
http://www.v6performance.net/forums/...ad.php?t=63152

[05Cam-Weasel]

welcome to TN

1. shouldn't cost more than 20 and yes go through the dealership and you can use your vin to make the key

4. not really the car overall is great. the sunglass holder becomes squeaky after time but i have 2005 camry and i have had no problems

5. 2AZ-FE

[sumptimwong]

Thanks!

Thought of another question:

(6) What oil and filters are you guys using on your 2az-fe's? Any BITOGers on here? I'm interested in seeing if any of you have done UOAs on your camrys, and what the results were. I'm thinking that I'll probably use Havoline 5w30 on her car, available at W*M in a 5qt jug for 8.32. Love the moly content in that oil =) Also, what filter size does the 2az-fe use? p/n's for ST, wix, M1, or pureone would be great; i can cross reference to figure out the correct ST p/n, which is probably the brand I'll use.

[TRDGen5.5camry]

i it is not $20 to get a new key it will cost you $100 just to make one because there is a chip in side your key

how i know because i work at a dealership and we lost one of the owner keys so we had to replace it with new one

[sumptimwong]

I'm aware of the Engine Immobilizer system, but does it cost $100 for even the valet key? TIA

[05Cam-Weasel]

but if you bought it used at the dealership, then they should give you at least 2 keys even if it is used...i work at toyota dealership in alabama...we give them 2 keys no matter used or new so they should make you one for free or at least our dealerhsip would depends on where you are

[05Cam-Weasel]

i work at toyota and i have never seen someone pay 100 bucks for a valet key sorry....

[sumptimwong]

Bought it from a use car dealer, so no luck there. Thanks for the suggestion, though.

[05Cam-Weasel]

i wonder if walmart could do it?? if so it should be pretty cheap

[Super Kaioken]

A Valet keys opens doors and trunk only right? If you want one to start engine it would cost $100

[sumptimwong]

Originally Posted by 05Cam-Weasel

i wonder if walmart could do it?? if so it should be pretty cheap

Cutting a blank would not allow you to start the vehicle. I believe only Toyota would be able to get you a key with a chip that would disengage the immobilizer. That sucks though, $100?

The valet key is only supposed to be able to open the doors and start the car. Trunk and glove should be off limits with the valet.

[sumptimwong]

Any takers on questions (2), (3) and (6)?

[Super Kaioken]

hmmm never heard of a valet key. But yeah. The keys have a chip in them which makes them expensive to make. $100 and they get the code by your VIN number too.

[Super Kaioken]

Maybe this will answer both 2 and 3. www.Toyotaparts4u.com and www.trdparts4u.com

[sumptimwong]

^ Those seem to only be for accesories, and not parts. Thanks for trying to help, though!