Buying Advice

[component]

Hello all. I'm looking at picking up a Camry, and was hoping for some pointers. Thinking about something 2002-2006. What years would be the better ones to look at, and anything I should be looking for in a used model?
Thanks.

[MrSo0h0o]

well if you are looking for 2002-2006, it would have to be used lol. it really depends what you are looking for in a car. do u want more luxury or sport? if its luxury, look for the XLE. if its sport look for the SE. if you just want a daily driver, go for the base or LE. also do u need a V6 or can u live with the I4. 2002-2004 is the 5th generation of camry's. not much changed within these years other than an extra engine option in 2004(IIRC). the 2005 and 2006 camry's are the 5.5 generation. this contains an updated from bumper, fog lights, tail lights and headlights, along with optitron gauges and prob some other minor stuff that i am forgetting. hope this helps a bit, but it would def help us to answer your questions if you gave us some more info into what you want in a car

[marc780]

I own a 2001 solara V6 and a 2002 camry V6 so i guess i'll add my two cents. These cars are both great, no weak points that i have seen yet in over 100,000 miles combined.

I have maintained them normally (over maintained is more like it - i am a big believer in changing the oil very often - 2000 to 3000 miles). Neither of these cars has had any problems at all. On my Camry, so far, replaced one battery, and front brake pads once. did the timing belt, water pump and pulleys last year preventatively at about 90,000 and just clicked over 100,000. Im planning on driving it at least another 100,000.

the only noteworthy thing to look for in buying a used camry is you should know about the engine sludging problem. (There are several detailed posts about it here in TN.) I didnt know about the sludging problem until after i bought the cars, (but i havent seen any signs of sludging in either engine). And this is the only concern i would have if i were buying again.

the sludging problem was caused by toyota's recommendation that people go 7000 miles between oil changes, because i guess they thought the oil would stand up to it - and most oils can't. Anyway, the main advice i have for you is that once you find a car you are serious about, above all try to get them to let you pull the valve cover so you can have a look in the valve area for sludging. Unless the owner never changed the oil though chances are it will be clean, and thats what you want to know. But if you find a sludgy blackened mess in there then you'd probably want to pass on the car.

The only service that i would consider unusual on the camrys vs any other kind of car, is that you really need to clean the throttle body area and idle air control valve hole, about every 50,000 miles. But this is an easy chore that takes only a few minutes and a can of throttle body cleaner, and only requires loosening one hose clamp on the air filiter tubing. But the rest of the car is so well made, i dont consider a minor point like this a deal breaker when buying a used car.