Camry Experts PLease.

2291 Views 24 Replies 18 Participants Last post by DM616, Aug 30, 2010

fmfrm250

Discussion Starter · Aug 28, 2010

I have never owned a Toyota before so this may seem like a silly question. My sisterinlaw's granda passed away and I can buy her 96 camry with 15,000 miles on it for $ 4,000. Yes 15,000 miles. It is supposed to be in excellent condition except for tires are dried out. What should I look for? I was thinking do tires, belts and hoses and all fluids and call it good for 100k . Or did I miss anything? I really appreciate all of your help.

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

Chris Crash

· #2 · Aug 28, 2010

Don't bother. But give me her name and number so I can go pick it up and take it off her hands. :thumbsup:

iovaykind

· #3 · Aug 28, 2010

^ It's not completely beat up so you probably won't like it

You're not missing anything.. at that age, and since it wasn't used so much, I'd worry about the hoses becoming brittle after so many winters. Might also wanna check and change spark plugs, intake, throttle body, etc.. after so many years, dust and grime still accumulates.

Chris Crash

· #4 · Aug 28, 2010

iovaykind said:
^ It's not completely beat up so you probably won't like it

Ouch.

Black Sunshine

· #5 · Aug 28, 2010

Have everything flushed it the fluids weren't still changed regularly. They should be changed even without use.

LynchburgCSI

· #6 · Aug 28, 2010

I think everything has been covered except for finding a camera!

ics:

ricamryman

· #7 · Aug 28, 2010

Yes, I would change all rubber, belts,hoses, & fluids & filters, & your good to go!!!

bigbird

· #8 · Aug 28, 2010

like they said, rubber components that were not lubricated are likely gonna be going bad. nice find man.

iovaykind said:
^ It's not completely beat up so you probably won't like it

:lol:

THEARCHITEK

· #9 · Aug 28, 2010

wow :facepalm: wow really!! only 15k? it is all worth it, please dont beat on it so it could last u at least 300k more :thumbsup:

ycartf

· #10 · Aug 28, 2010

I am so excited for you (I mean JEALOUS) lol. That is a true gem. A great generation/design of one of the most reliable cars ever built and with only a pittance of miles on her. Awesome. I'm gonna have to keep my eyes open for something like that!

Tracy

Mike Gerber

· #11 · Aug 28, 2010

"I was thinking do tires, belts and hoses and all fluids and call it good for 100k . Or did I miss anything? I really appreciate all of your help."

The only thing I would add to your list would be to check the CV joint boots. They are rubber too and could have severe dry rot cracks in them. It would be a shame to ruin OEM CV joints with so few miles on them because the boots were cracked. If they need replacement, I would change just the boots and not replace the whole axle, as is the common practice today.

As far as the ignition system components, if the car runs well right now, especially in damp weather, I would leave them alone for now. If you are having drivability problems, then I would replace the ignition system components.

Mike

73sport

· #12 · Aug 28, 2010

I feel an ouch coming. . . .

^^ Ditto

It not the cold that kills it the countless heat cycles. If that car was garaged all that time I'd be tempted to run it to 90,000 on fluid and belt changes.

YOUR ALL GONNA SAY I'M Fool, but I'd do them fluids and run it. You're throwing money away doing all that and quality form fit hoses are $xpensive!

If things are rotted, checked, cracked, swollen, peeling, soft, bubbled, >> yea, replace them. But most of the stuff you buy these days IS a mere fraction the quality of the rubber materials the car was manufactured with! Hint, need a trusted and experience mechanic to look those over. . .

How many of you replaced belts and hoses at 80,000 only to repeat it at 12,000??

I may pay the price as my Gen 3.5s at 226,xxx Miles with all the original hoses, water pump, bearings, seals. . . . Its a die hard and doesn't leak a drop anywhere! :thumbsup: Its had two timing belts and several fluid change outs on all systems. . . Hey, its also been outside all its life where the average temp is 50f - 55f yearly.

OK - Ill turn on my flame retardant screen saver. . . :lol:

But honestly, I say this as I've done the replace it for the sake of replacing and ended up doing it every two years afterwards as the [email protected] sold these days is JUNK compared to the original materials. . . Thats why I posted. . .

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ricamryman

· #13 · Aug 28, 2010

V6 or 4 banger?

Nervous

· #14 · Aug 29, 2010

...some people replace O2 sensors each 30Kmiles, "just in case"....

But I agree, change the fluids and go for a ride! Don't fix if it is not broken.

OP, this car is really unique. I guess, it is the only one of the gen3/3.5 with so low mileage! Congrats, and good luck with it.

Black Sunshine

· #15 · Aug 29, 2010

73Sport,
I agree with you on the belts and hoses. If they look bad you should consider changing them. Use genuine parts so that they may last a while.

1996camry

· #16 · Aug 29, 2010 (Edited)

If you want new tires, I would go Yokohama tires. I have had the yokohama tires on my 96 Toyota Camry LE, and I love it. It's quite and drive smooth in city and highway. Shopping around for price matching, but if you wonder where I got my Yokohama tires. Consumer reports gave good marks on Yokohama tires. Discount tire carry Yokohama tires, but you might call them first to check inventory. They might have to place an order and they'll installed when the tires arrived.

Life time tire rotations on the 4 new tires as long you have the tires on the same car.

Nervous

· #17 · Aug 29, 2010

Sorry, but this is totally pointless to recommend "yokohama tires" without mentioning the specific model of them... This is like recommending rubber tires: they are smooth, quite, etc....

Reactions: 2

LynchburgCSI

· #18 · Aug 29, 2010

Very true. And honestly, when it comes to tires, I ignore the brand name and just look at MODEL reviews.

eyeball96

· #19 · Aug 29, 2010

Nervous said:
Sorry, but this is totally pointless to recommend "yokohama tires" without mentioning the specific model of them... This is like recommending rubber tires: they are smooth, quite, etc....

I disagree! All models of Yokohama Tires are excellent IMHO! Its depends on how much money one has to spend.

DM616

· #20 · Aug 29, 2010

*grumble grumble*

15K miles for 4K?

I paid 4.5K for 77K miles :L

/jealous

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