Thinking of buying a Camry

[mujo]

Hello, I know this is only my second post, first one was in the Corolla forum. But I have a question on Camry's as well. I've read the raving reviews, researched as much as I can, but much like the "Camry vs. Jetta" thread starter; I appreciate actual owner's opinions.

Really the only question I have is this: Is it a smart decision to purchase a 1995 Camry, 4 cyl, automatic, 112k miles? I don't know too much about the car, I'm going to test drive it on thursday. He only wants $3800 for it. (I'm really looking for something realiable, and cheap, my Ford Contour finally died)

One of my good friends (who's an engineer), just purchased a 94 Camry v6 with 107k miles, and it runs like new. My only hesitation is the high miles (to me 112k is high. My contour has 145k miles.) My wife and I are a bit weary of high mileage cars.

Thank you for any ideas, opinions.

[Kep]

If the car hasn't been abused you will have a great car. 112k is fine (I had 350k on a 1990). It would be reassuring to know when and how the transmission has been serviced. I think ABS brakes and air bags were just coming out then so make sure that they are in good order. Check the VIN for wrecks and flooding and the like.

There are a lot of gottchas when buying a used car but when the seller is honest about the car you will usually do fine. If you aren't comfortable, pay a mechanic to give it a once over. If they try to hide things you might want to walk away.

Kep

[Toysrme]

for 3800 bucks you could buy a 93-94 es 300 instead of an i4 camry.
idc if there's 5 miles on the car 3800 bucks for a 95 i4 is way overpriced. give him 3000 or buy a v6.



buy a v6 camry atleast.

[Kingdom934]

Really depends on the area I suppose. If Camry of that mileage are rare (or any car) to be that low in an area, they will sell higher. Since we're on a island here, 100K does seem to be a lot of mileage so most cars above 130,000 are sold cheaper then cars under 100,000 mileage. It is rare to find a 10 year old car on this island with more then 200,000 miles.

Your going to have to look at the car I guess. For me though, $3800 seems to only be fair if the car was kept in very good shape inside and out. Compare it to an ES300 of that same year to see how much price difference there is.

[mujo]

forgive my ignorance, whats a ES300?

[toyomoho]

Lexus. The body is the same, has a V6 engine.

Car prices do vary depending on the region. Suggest if interested in this car to find a competent mechanic to do a pre-buy inspection. Make sure the car has had maintenance such as transmission fluid changes, coolant, etc. Also do a TN history seach on Camry problems, inspection, etc. A few members have asked about any problems, issues with this generation.

[95WhiteCamry]

ES300 is the lexus model.

it's basically a luxury camry. it shares most if not all mechanicals of the v6 camry.

[mujo]

I've shopped around, and the price is right for this area. Toyotas are hard to come by around here (central Ohio). In my town right now, there's only two for sale, one has frame damage, and one has leather seats *(ew)

[mujo]

Ok, I test drove the '95 and it needed too much work on the interior.

BUT, I found a 02 LE V6 with 69k miles, and only $8995. I test drove it last night and am really impressed. I've researched the price because I thought it was really low, and it is. According to the CARFAX, it was in an accident in 03, had a bit of frame damage. However, It was not noticable at all during the test drive. I will be looking at it again tomorrow with my Father in law (who knows more abuot cars than I do).

The dealer said something about taking the car to a mechanic who fixes frames, and it was taken care of. I'm not sure whether or not to believe him. Shall I take a leap of faith and snag this deal? Or be weary? The car drove perfect, on the freeway and in town.

Thanks for the information guys.

[marc780]

BUT, I found a 02 LE V6 with 69k miles, and only $8995. I test drove it last night and am really impressed. I've researched the price because I thought it was really low, and it is. According to the CARFAX, it was in an accident in 03, had a bit of frame damage. However, It was not noticable at all during the test drive. I will be looking at it again tomorrow with my Father in law (who knows more abuot cars than I do).

I own a car exact same and even the mileage was similar (66,000) and i paid $15,000 (out the door - which i could probly have negotiated down $500...1000 at most but didnt try to). I bought mine two years ago, in southern california where everything costs way too damn much - so you are absolutely right, this car is a steal at that price! But i would have to ask myself WHY the price is so low? (literally half what i paid after all!)???

here's what i'd do, give them a deposit to hold this car right now, say $25 or some minimal amount, $100, whatever they'll accept. (Either the seller just needs quick cash willing to take a loss, or just doesnt care for some reason, but that price is TOO. LOW. So another reason could be, the owner knows something about the car you dont!) Here's some things i'd think about might be a reason for the low low price:

1. Maybe its a Katrina salvaged car and carfax missed it somehow?

2. Maybe the frame damage causes all the tires to wear out every 500 miles or something like that and no one can fix it for a reasonable price.

3. Also, although its unlikely, sometimes a b ody shop will take two good front and back halves of two different wrecked cars and weld them back together, and try to hide the welding (they really do this in some places!) and maybe this is one of those cars? (And these cars are not the safest ones to drive and it is even illegal to do this in some states.) Who knows? but this car is worth snapping up at that price! But only if there is not something grossly wrong with it that would cost more than say a thousand or two to fix.

I'd have it checked by a body shop for body alignment and frame damage etc. And also maybe have a compression check done or do it yourself, at least on the front 3 cylinders(hopefully no sludging cause that could also be a factor in the low price, if say the owner never changed the oil for 50,000 miles.)

But the car is an incredible deal at this price so its worth a couple days and a few bucks to have it checked. If it seems good, i'd snap it up in a hot minute. (I love my V6! Best car i ever owned and i have owned 10 different cars in all at one time or another .)

[mujo]

I actually just bought it. My father-in-law checked it out and said it looked ok. Weird thing though...I was driving on the interstate, and took an offramp to turn around, and had to stop and wait on traffic. It stalled on me This concerns me. I feel like I just got ripped off

The dealer said he had the frame checked by two mechanics, and apparently its ok. There's a little bit of wind noise at high speeds (over 70 mph) but other than that the handling is superb.

[geoff5093]

Did it just stall out on you when you were stopped, or was it when you started to go again?

And did you get any kind of warranty with the car? Even if you didn't i'm sure they would look at it since you just bought it.

[Kingdom934]

I'm a bit worried about the stalling part.

Had any problems restarting it?

[toyomoho]

Given the car had a problem driving it home, ask the dealer to fix the problem at no cost. Stalling could mean the IAC valve needs cleaning.

Is there any warranty or grace period on returning the car for refund? If not, suggest you not get excited and attempt to resolve any issues as they come up.

If this car had major frame damage or was under water at one time a competent shop will be able to find this out.

Wind noise could be normal.

[mujo]

yes, it struggled restarting for a few seconds.

no warrenty, and it stalled when i stopped.