Replacing a 92 Camry. Best to buy after which year?

[potential buyer]

Hello:

Due to an accident, I will have to replace my V6 LE Camry which I bought new in 1992. It had really low mileage (127,000 km) and ran really well. I know I'll never get such a car for the small cash offer the insurance company will give me <sigh>, for a 16.75 year old car, as the airbag deployed in the collision. When I went to collect my things from it the other day, I sat in it and had a really good cry. I loved that car.

Anyway, someone told me that a later model Camry, even with REALLY high mileage and a clean record, will be a better safer car than I had. So, I'll be out of pocket for sure, but am looking for the best price. This person thought that there was some technological change around 2000-2001 or so, whereby all cars got better. Can anyone confirm this, or know when that might have been?

The idea was to spring for a used Camry, no earlier than 2000-2001 (or whenever that time might be) for the cheapest cost on a still great car. My '92 Camry was a GREAT car, and I wouldn't have liked it if someone told me otherwise, so I don't mean to "diss" older models. I just wonder if there was a turning point, or even a lemon year to watch out for. I'm on my own, and am already off work with a serious illness. So, the extra stress of this accident, and these decisions (not to mention airbag injuries and my sore back) is rather over the top. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

[AmanO]

I think it just comes down to how much you want to spend. After that we can help you pick the right one.

[potential buyer]

Hi: I have to see what the insurance co. will give me, which will likely be a couple thousand only. However, I could get more than I expect, and await the news. This comes as a surprise (and a let-down) to have to buy a car period, so any amount seems too much to me.

In keeping with my original question about car quality/safety significantly improving somewhere in the early 2000's (??), I checked out the 2 main on-line car listings in this area... 2000-2001's seems to be in the $10,000.00 range. I had a LE so would like to stay with that, and do not want a sun/moon roof. (I need the extra head room.)

Again, depending, I would consider going up to $12,000 which looks like it would be getting me into 2003-2004's depending on features and mileage.

If it's untrue about a big change in safety/performance in the early 2000's, then late nineties cars would be more affordable yet. If there was a change, and it happened in the 2003's or later, then I'd consider springing for the $12,000.

This will be the 2nd car I've purchased in my life, and I found it tough when I bought the Camry new in '92. Buying used is a bit more scary. Through a dealer, I would insist on a car history report, and I would certainly get a Carfax report if I bought privately.

So, is there any truth to that rumour about significant improvements? I'd like to keep this car a very long time too.
Thanks.

[rty]

I never heard of any major updates at 2000-2001. Apart from cosmetic updates, 2000/20001 is essentially the same car as 1997/1998/1999. Some 1997-2001 cars did have problems with engine sludge. That's something to watch out for. A major update would be the 2002 model when the car got completely redesigned and got a new 4 cylinder engine. As far as safety goes, newer cars obviously have more safety features.

Also, a lot of people think that Gen 3 models (1992-1996) were better made than the newer cars.

[potential buyer]

Hi rty and AmanO:

Thank you for the excellent info on the model years, rty. I received the insurance offer today, which would have been more had I been able to find the bill of sale, which I couldn't. <sigh>

I'm off work due to illness, and can't undertake a big used car search right now. I'm going to have to take the easiest route and go through a reputable dealer, to make them do the work for me. I was told that if they don't have the right Camry on-site, at the right price, that they will bring them in from other cities. Is this true? The idea was that in this buyer's market, they are hungry for sales and will do that?

Thoughts?

[eyeball96]

If I were in ur situation, and I totalled my 96....I'd try to find another Gen 3/3.5. Their out there!

[Tom 2000]

2000-2001s are good cars. I had mine for 6 years now and coming close to 100K miles. Very reliable. The only thing I needed to do was maintenance. I have never had problems with oil sludge, but heard that it can be an issue as well.

[f15Camry]

Originally Posted by potential buyer

Hi rty and AmanO:

I was told that if they don't have the right Camry on-site, at the right price, that they will bring them in from other cities. Is this true? The idea was that in this buyer's market, they are hungry for sales and will do that?

Thoughts?

I have not heard of this before for used cars, but I know dealers trade or exchange new cars all the time.