Thinking of buying a Camry...

[Crazy_Pete]

Hey, I'm 18 looking for my second car and am really interested in a 3rd or 4th gen Camry. Right now I'm driving my first car, a 78 Monte Carlo, and I really like it but it really isn't the right car for me right now. Runs great, but it looks kind of ghetto, sucks down gas, is a bitch to drive in the city, and can't really be driven in winter (especially here in Canada). I really wish I could keep it and restore it, but it would take way too much money for a car that I can only drive a few months, especially when I'm starting university in a few months... I really need something more modern right now.

Anyway, my mom has an 03 Corolla and its a pretty nice car. Its had enough little problems, but I know that Toyotas in general are very reliable so I'd let those slip. I've been looking around and I'm really interested in 3rd/4th gen Camrys, probably between the years 92-97. I think they'd be pretty much perfect for what I need right now. Decent on gas, roomy, not too expensive to insure, and you can make them look pretty nice with tints, rims, etc.

What should I look for in a used Camry? What warning signs should I pay attention too, etc. I am most interested in a 4 cyl with a 5-spd, but I know 5-spds are kind of hard to find. I'd also take a 6 cyl if I could find a decent one at the right price. What are the main differences between the 3rd and 4th gen outside of looks?

If I do look at a 6 cyl, what about that sludge issue? Is it as bad as people make it out to be? I know a lot of people blow it out of proportion just because they don't like Toyotas.

[touringcamry]

Other than the looks, Gen 3 and Gen 4 are more or less the same. There are some minor engine differences where the Gen 4 engines might put out 5-10 HP more than the same Gen 3 engine. This is true for teh I4. For V6 I only know that Toyota switched engines sometime duiring Gen3, but I couldn't tell you what year is what.

As for 5sp Camrys, they are not very common, but there are some out there. V6 and 5 sp is probably even rarer. Most of them out there are going to be 4sp automatics.

The sludge issue is mainly due to the lack of proper maintenance. Toyota in the USA has some special warranty for sluding but you must provide proof of propper maintenance before they will do any work under warranty. Even though I have the I4, I still received a notice about the slude issue from Toyota, but I don't know if the I4 shares the same problems.

[Ruffrydasean]

I'm happy with my car so far.. i had to do somewhat minor repairs when I got my car,

That was only because I was the 2nd owner and you could tell that all the previous owner did was put gas in it.. and maybe add oil here and there.
I had to replace the power steering pump and the rear control arms.

After that.. it's been smooth sailing.. it hasn't had a tune-up yet but still runs like a dream, just be sure to check out the car before you run off with it

[trueasiatic]

just like what ruffrydasean said "BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE CAR BEFORE YOU RUN OFF WITH IT" and specially the waranty of the car... what is covered and not. CAMRY's are very depenadable cars inside and out, you cant ask for more of it. im glad that at your age that your getting a camry coz specially teenagers like you will buy like honda civics etc... very good choice of getting a camry! 2 thumbs up!

[Peacemaker]

There's some gap between what we want and what we can. Gen3 or Gen4 is both nice and it's up to one's preference. I have a gen3 camry but if I could afford gen4, I will do it. But since there are two more gens (5+6), I have change my mind. I will get a gen5 when I have enough $$. Good luck with your choice! Oh Camry is

[MadDawg]

OK... you are interested in a camry.. heres my opinion on camrys, I love camrys, i think they're one of the best most reliable cars on the plannet... heres some draw backs, not necisarily the fastest car in the world, it gets you by, hell, its getting me by, and i dont care about it too much... If anything i'll save up money and buy a 1999 mercedes c230 sport sedan... but anyway, back to que. Its a good all around car, the 5sfe 4cyl engine is a tuff engine, its a mid end engine, so most of its torque is between 3000-5000rpms... which isnt a bad idea, if its an automatic, just if you're flooring it, let off at 5k rpms instead of going to 6, just save some gas

now, camrys arent known for their excellent handling, but nothing a little suspension upgrade dont hurt ... it has potential to be a good handling car, and again, not the fastest, but is the road a race course? NO, drive and obey the speed limits please

For a midsized car, it has very good room, you dont find that all that often in any of the domestic mid sized sedans with all the qualitys the camry has... the interior is just built perfect, the quality in the gen3 and gen4 are completly outstanding, infact, i think its better than the brand new camrys. You can tell if the quality is good, just buy feeling and touching, infact grabbing the interior trim and dashbord, everything is solid and nothing gives any move... Every ford, chevy and dodge even, ive ever been in, even the brand new ones, have flimsy trim and what not.

Again with the suspension, stock camry's, especially the gen3, if you get enough people in it, just want to sink as far as close to the pavement as possible, and since it has such a long wheel base, you will have problems with bottoming out, so be careful entering into certain streets... but again, a suspension upgrade like Eibach/TRD or h&r springs and tokico shocks would practically eliminate that.

So bottom line, you want a very reliable car, good quality, good room, just all around good car, the camry is the best for you...

[MadDawg]

and... camry's about 9 years old or older, are gonna start running into problems, but nothing really big, my 1996 camry had to get a cv boot replaced, but that was also because of an accident from a couple years ago too... a couple lights had to be replaced... but for a 9 year old car... seriously, nothing big needs to be replaced, all the water, fuel oil pumps, whatever is a pump, have been checked and the darn thing is completly just fine, not bad for 145k miles? infact those are low miles by toyota standards.

[RedPhoenix]

well 6 isnt out yet for another year or two.

Gen3 and 4 are great, you will be more than happy. just make sure you look over it.

[asscarracer]

Im the 4th owner of my 93 Camry, the previous owner pretty much replaced everything because the 2 owner was elderly. So the 2nd owner (eldery) forgot routine matience and the car has survived. Gen 3 Camrys are built like a tank.

[Knailgun]

I have one of the "rare" camry's...the elusive 92 V6 SE 5 speed pack...rust me the V6 for the 92-94 (3vzfe) is a good motor and the latter year engine (1mzfe is great by any standard....good cars to mod as you will get props from true tuners.....simply because there are few parts for them. Also...despite what you hear about toyota's....little things are a pain...but not a major issue...just check the car over REAL good.....toyota's are almost immortal if you do regular maintainance on them and keep the body's rust free

[Cyorke]

Have to say go with the Gen3. The looks are great and the cars are almost bullet proof. Obviously if you can get the V6 do but your budget might not let you. Like I tell people when they are buying cars from me cars are built in Heaven so you are going to ahve problems with them at one point or another. The question is how many problems and how much to kix them. My brother in law has a 94 XLE V6 with 184,000 miles on it. and has had no major problems with it. He did jsut have to replace the stop light switch since his brake lights, cruise contorl and shift lock all quit working. It cost him about 100 bucks to fix. Mine is a 94 LE V6 and I am the second owner. I have had to replace some light bulb, the starter and a CV axle. Luckily mine has a warranty so it cost me 50 bucks for each repair. If you pay attention to these boards you know that there are lots of aftermarket options for the camry in suspension and some engine mods, seems like more for the I-4 than the V6 though. Like everyoe has said check the car over pretty good before you buy maybe even take it to a mechanic. Depending on the mileage ask about timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and seal replacement. If youare looking at one with 100,000 miles or more on it. That would probably be one of your most expensive reapairs you would have to make right off the bat if it is higher mileage.

[wormhole]

Camry's are good and reaible cars. I prefer the 4 gen's over any of the other ones. Just because that's what I have. If you get the 5sfe engine try and find a 5spd. You can't go wrong witha camry or maybe and awd legacy *cough*. Make sure thoguh when you get one have it checked out bya good mechanic like everyone has said. Teh lady I bought my car never changed the trans. fluid and it was darker than the oil and the timing belt was about to go.

[skewe]

not sure if carfax is valid in canada but there is somebody that will help u loook up the history of the car on TN rite now. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t81850.html

overall, don't get a very high millage car. Eventhough they r well built, it will break sooner or later, no matter how well you take care of it.

my gen3 started sucking $$ from me and I got a gen4. gen3 is now a retired casual transportation, driving it less than 2 miles a day while i take my gen4 everywhere.