New To The Toyota Family!

[03PhantomGray]

Hello everyone!

I'm brand new to the Toyota Family! Thursday, April 13, 2006 I purchased my first Toyota. It's a 2003 Camry LE, Phantom Gray Pearl, 2.4L, Auto, Cloth seats. So far it's a smooth ride!

I'm glad to see there is a forums site where I can go to check out the latest news and get info and such! I formerly owned a 96 Ford Contour. I really liked that car (it was fun to drive, had a lot of zip!) but the transmission started to fail (only had 108K on it too!). Anyway, when it died, I decided it was time to step up to an economical, reliable mid-size and after doing a week+ of research, I settled on a Toyota Camry. I know it's early in my ownership experience, but if the early results are indicative of future performance and reliability, I don't think I'm going to disappointed!

If anyone has experience with this car and knows of any pit falls and or maintenance issues I need to be concerned with, please share those with me. I want to take care of this car and I hope it lasts me at least 8-10 years. I'm the kind of guy that drives a car until the wheels fall off, if you know what I mean. I also do a lot of work on my cars myself (saves me a lot of money!) so again, if anyone knows of anything I need to keep my eyes open for, things to check, to maintain, to service regularly that aren't already mentioned in the book, please let me know so I can keep my Camry in the best possible condition. I'll have to take some pictures and post them sometime.

Thanks for welcoming me to the group everyone!

03 Phantom Gray

[Dana_15]

Welcome, your going to love the Camry.

[03PhantomGray]

1.) The dealership repeatedly advised that I shouldn't change the oil more frequently then every 5000 miles/6 months. That goes against the 3000 miles/3 months rule I'm used to for oil changes. What should I do?

2.) I was also told that my model of Camry had a timing chain, not a belt. Which is it? I'm really, really hoping for a chain. I seem to have bad luck with belts.

Thanks for the welcome!

03 Phantom Gray

[Dana_15]

Personally If your using non-synthetic oil, I'd change every 3 months or 3000 miles. Try do a search in the Camry forum, if you can't find anything make a new poset.

[03PhantomGray]

Ouch! There are a lot of conflicted and sorted opinions on that one. I guess if the dealer says 5K and I go to the dealer and have them do it, then I should be alright. I hope! Thanks for the welcome. I'm really excited about my new Camry!

Later!