1994 camry coupe v6, good buy?

[saskgui]

Hello all. I have never owned a Toyota or any import. I have been a Dodge man by necessity (dictated by pocket book) however it is time to purchase another older used automobile. A friend of mine is a hardcore Toyota man and highly recommends anything Toyota. I am caught in the dilemma of either buying a North American automobile that is around 150k and 7 or 8 years old or a import that is higher k and likely older. I only have around 5k to spend. I was thinking of a focus (like the wagon for room) but peoples opinions are split on it's reliability.

My point is there is an ad in my town for a 1994 Toyota Camry V6 Coupe. It has 201,000k on it. No rust at all and new tires and brakes. One owner vehicle and the owner claims he can get around 45 miles per gallon which i find highly doubtfull. I have not driven it yet, only seen pictures. Any opinions on the value of this car? He is asking $5100 which seems a little high. Also what kind of gas mileage and kilometers can you expect to get on a vehicle like this? Please advise.

[TBayToyotaBoy]

The price he's asking is only too high if the vehicle hasn't been taken care of. If it's been maintained and he has all the records (preferably from the dealership) then it might be worth $5K. Check autotrader.ca and do a search for similar cars--you'll see market prices.

The third generation Camrys are very reliable, and they get decent mileage. You're right, though...45 miles/gallon is wishful thinking. My second-generation V6 Camry (2.5-litre) gets roughly 26mpg in the city and 30-32mpg on the highway--and it's a 5-speed. You're looking at a 3.0-litre...

[Rdizzle]

the 3 liter gets about the same as 5sfe, so mids 20's city, high 20's low 30's highway.

[saskgui]

Appreciate the replies.

[marc780]

ok heres another one. it only has 125000 miles on it, which is not alot unless it was beat on. but the car is too old for what he wants to charge. Offer less, alot less.

Last i checked Canadian Vs US dollars exchange rate was pretty close to 1 to 1. So kelly blue book says this car is worth: $4175 in excellent condition, $3770 in fair condition. $3215 in poor condition but then why would you want it.

(And mind you these values were for Orange county, california)

[ASG14]

$5100 seems like it may be just a LITTLE too high, but, if it is mint, and no issues, it may not be bad. I'd rather overpay just a little and not have worries then underpay and need to spend a lot more to fix it. Well, I;'m assuming the 201k is km, and not miles.

One important thing, is to see when the timing belt was last done. The 1MZ-FE V6 (The one in that car), should have the timing belt and water pump changed every 150k km. If it has not been done, use that as a big bargaining tool to drop the price a good bit.

[Ottawa613]

I have a 94 coupe camry V6, really good car, no problems so far, myn has 190000KM. but for 185 hp my car is really slow. 0-60 in 12 seconds. lol

[ASG14]

Originally Posted by Ottawa613

I have a 94 coupe camry V6, really good car, no problems so far, myn has 190000KM. but for 185 hp my car is really slow. 0-60 in 12 seconds. lol

You have MASSIVE issues. The I4 engine with 135hp I think is faster then that! My Stock '96 V6 (same engine as you) My car can hit 80 in the time yourts takes 60!

[Ottawa613]

Originally Posted by ASG14

You have MASSIVE issues. The I4 engine with 135hp I think is faster then that! My Stock '96 V6 (same engine as you) My car can hit 80 in the time yourts takes 60!

no way, i dono man i mean it drives good. NO PROBLEMS at all just slow lol, i alsmot lost to a 91 hatchback with 95 hp lol * he was shift i was auto*. wut you think the problem could be ?

[ASG14]

Originally Posted by Ottawa613

no way, i dono man i mean it drives good. NO PROBLEMS at all just slow lol, i alsmot lost to a 91 hatchback with 95 hp lol * he was shift i was auto*. wut you think the problem could be ?

Could be many things. Need's tuneup, bad sensors, engine going south, anything.

My car stock:

[PatrixUSA]

ASG14,

Just curious regarding your video – the final shift point in your video happens around 80 MPH and RPMs drop to 4500 – and as you accelerate to 90 MPH your RPMs are at 4800 – RPMs seem high for speed?

Wondering how your AT was optioned when you made video? OD off? PWR on? Didn’t see OD OFF or PWR lights on but still thought I’d ask.

Would the differential ratio difference between your XLE (3.426) and the SE (3.717) account for much of an RPM difference at various speeds? The SE is listed to have a "Numerically higher final drive ratio", is this referring to the differential ratio difference?

Thx.

BTW – didn’t intend to thread jack – but now realize I kinda did, sorry.

[marc780]

My car stock:

Hey asg i like the woodgrain dash wish my car had this. Looks really nice. BTW why does your avatar remind me of my bosses?

[ASG14]

Originally Posted by marc780

Hey asg i like the woodgrain dash wish my car had this. Looks really nice. BTW why does your avatar remind me of my bosses?

I put that Avatar up there when I thought I was going to get the banstick a LONG time ago.

As for the dash, thanks. It was actually a dealer installed item when the car was new by the previous owners. For the wood grain to look good on the Gen 3, you need to get the right darkness for the color of the car. I've seen some on the same car as mine, that are extreamly dark, and hated it.

[ASG14]

Originally Posted by PatrixUSA

ASG14,

Just curious regarding your video – the final shift point in your video happens around 80 MPH and RPMs drop to 4500 – and as you accelerate to 90 MPH your RPMs are at 4800 – RPMs seem high for speed?

Wondering how your AT was optioned when you made video? OD off? PWR on? Didn’t see OD OFF or PWR lights on but still thought I’d ask.

Would the differential ratio difference between your XLE (3.426) and the SE (3.717) account for much of an RPM difference at various speeds? The SE is listed to have a "Numerically higher final drive ratio", is this referring to the differential ratio difference?

Thx.

BTW – didn’t intend to thread jack – but now realize I kinda did, sorry.

Those RPM's are normal for the 1MZ engine. The 5SFE I4 is a lot lower and does not even go near the red. I drive the car so hard, under full throttle, it makes NO difference if I have PWR on or not. ECT on during acceleration does not make ANY difference, as all it would do it keep it from going into 4th, which under full throttle, would not happen anyway till around 120mph. Yes I know that for a fact, lol.

As for the SE, I have no idea on that making a difference or not.

[PatrixUSA]

Originally Posted by ASG14

As for the SE, I have no idea on that making a difference or not.

That's why I ask... I have a 96 SE V6 with the ECTi transmission and my RPMs are way different. 3000 RPMs at 80 MPH and approx. 3600 at 95 MPG and so on under full throttle accel. I think this is where the drive ratio or gearing ratio may come into play, not sure though.

Thx.