Should I buy 97 Camry?

2253 Views 20 Replies 12 Participants Last post by esvipron, Dec 9, 2010

scys

Discussion Starter · Sep 18, 2010 (Edited)

Hi,
I will start with a little background from me. Recently I have been through a separation. I was left with the second car, 95 tercel. Now that it is my only car it is way to small. I have two kids, 15 yr old who is 6' 2" and a 5 yr old in a car seat. I have a lead on a 97 Camry that has 270 000km on it approx 169miles. the car is a V6 XLE. The car seems to be in very good shape and he has no problem getting a dealer plate for me to drive the car around. My friend drove it for a week when her corolla was in the shop and loved it.

If it matters he told me the car was loaded except for sunroof and leather. The air still works and power seat, windows, and locks, cd/tape deck. There is some small repairs done around the wheel wells, new winter tires and he wants $2200 certified, which in my research also seems to be a deal.

My concerns are the high miliage, but my research leads me to believe maybe that's not high for this car. My other concern is anyone here over 6'2" that has been in the back seat is it comfortable? How are these cars in the snow?

Thanks,
Cy

1 - 20 of 21 Posts

LynchburgCSI

· #2 · Sep 18, 2010

I'm also 6'2". As long as the car doesn't have the sunroof, your son will be fine. :lol: The sunroof eats into interior headroom... when these cars have them my head brushes the headliner.

169k isn't too bad. Just STAY ON TOP OF MAINTAINCE! $2200 for an XLE V6 like that is pretty good... I see older 4cyl LE's for more. Be sure to have the car checked out by a mechanic... and ask for a history report.

TierOneSupplier

· #3 · Sep 18, 2010

I'm pretty sure the '97 V6 Camry has the same engine as our '98 Sienna, the 1MZ-FE. If so, the car you're looking at should still have a LOT of life left. That is, as LynchburgCSI advises, if the maintenance history is satisfactory.

300,000 miles (483,000 km) can easily be reached with these engines with a little luck, and especially IF they have been properly serviced.

I'm 6'6" and wish I had some experience in the '97 Camry so that I can answer those questions. I do fit in the Sienna just fine. Of course, I had a '99 Corolla and didn't mind its size, either.

Wishing you the best as you move forward after your separation....

korrupt1

· #4 · Sep 19, 2010

I am new to the Toyota Camry world....if its been even decently maintained, you should be good to go....I am rolling 275,xxx miles...not much to look at but she is a solid runner and I have ZERO fear of long distance trips (already took a local long distance...and a trip to Dallas is planned....18 hours of driving should say alot)....

given the speration....dont know your situation...but I would worry less about its options and more on the runnability condition.....I am divorced with kids alos....so looks wise....I could care...long as I have my home and the car runs decently...AC here is a must but leather...here is just more a pain than its really worth honestly. This is just how I look at things....your thing could be entirely different than mine

LynchburgCSI

· #5 · Sep 19, 2010

The 94-01 Camry has the exact same version of the 1mz-fe V6 engine as the Sienna.

jlawson435

· #6 · Sep 19, 2010

I am 6' 6" and my son is 6' 7" I just bought my daughter a 97 Camry with a sunroof. She loves it. The other day I and my son were in the back seat while my daughter drove and we had not problem. I and my son have both driven the car and had plenty of room in it. Easy to work on and so far seems like a great car. The main thing is she loves it going from home to college said it drives great and wouldn't trade it for another

lucasarg

· #7 · Sep 19, 2010

I would recommend that you buy the car. I bought mine (camry 97 le v6) for $2200 at 249k miles. The only thing that you must get when you buy it is a history report. Meaning when was the timing belt done, OIL CHANGE (very important) and other components. Besides that, the car will be very solid if it was taken care of. As of now i am at 259k miles and the car still run awesome, (i love the v6). Good luck to you.

:welcome:

zythr

· #8 · Sep 19, 2010

High mileage could be a concern, if as previously mentioned maintenance was not done. Also all those power options mean possible problems in the future especially with electrical shorts, plus possible failure of door locks and windows. Good luck

LynchburgCSI

· #9 · Sep 19, 2010

zythr said:
Also all those power options mean possible problems in the future especially with electrical shorts, plus possible failure of door locks and windows. Good luck

Same for any car with those options.

zythr

· #10 · Sep 19, 2010

LynchburgCSI said:
Same for any car with those options.

Very true

Though this car sounds like it has a lot of power options.

scys

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 20, 2010

Thank you very much tall people. That is my biggest concern as my son is rather uncomfortable in the little tercel. There was a statment about worry less about options, that is just the options on the car, that doesn't matter to me, right now I don't even have intermited wipers or a factory clock.
I am going to take it for a drive this week then decide. I'm sure I am going to get this car if there seems to be no problems. I will check for service records, however this car was purchased at an auction and was driven 4 hrs home and then bought by the person who drove it home. My friend that told me about it has driven the car and I was pretty sure I was going to buy it unless negitive feedback came from this post or cautions showed me something I didn't notice.
This forums has the best people on it, maybe where just happy because we don't have to fix our cars all the time.
Cy

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Nervous

· #12 · Sep 20, 2010

If I would buy gen4 camry I would look at gen 4.5 (2000-2001). 97 is the first production year of the new generation and 2001 is the last one (so, all quirks introduced in 97 were fixed in 2000-2001). And from design point of view, IMO, gen 4.5 looks better. Plus, gen 4.5 is younger, less probability of leaking seals or excessive mechanical wear. Just my 2c.

LynchburgCSI

· #13 · Sep 20, 2010

Nervous said:
If I would buy gen4 camry I would look at gen 4.5 (2000-2001). 97 is the first production year of the new generation and 2001 is the last one (so, all quirks introduced in 97 were fixed in 2000-2001). And from design point of view, IMO, gen 4.5 looks better. Plus, gen 4.5 is younger, less probability of leaking seals or excessive mechanical wear. Just my 2c.

Gotta remember the higher price too, but otherwise I agree 100%.

Remember that you can check out model year to model year brochures at toyotareference.com

Gen 4.5's also have digital climate control. Woohoo.

zythr

· #14 · Sep 20, 2010

Nervous said:
If I would buy gen4 camry I would look at gen 4.5 (2000-2001). 97 is the first production year of the new generation and 2001 is the last one (so, all quirks introduced in 97 were fixed in 2000-2001). And from design point of view, IMO, gen 4.5 looks better. Plus, gen 4.5 is younger, less probability of leaking seals or excessive mechanical wear. Just my 2c.

That's not always the case. Regardless of year depends on how it was maintained.

zythr

· #15 · Sep 20, 2010

By the way, Why not a 95 or 96 V-6 Wagon?

LittleWhiteBubble

· #16 · Sep 20, 2010

Dependability is one of toyota's high points. And as far as the electrical problems mentioned, I've personally owned 2 camrys with full power everything and I haven't had a bad window, lock, power mirror, anything. If the timing belt mileage is unknown that's something to think about, as a shop will charge a pretty penny for a timing belt and water pump change. I believe the 4 cylinders are non-interference meaning if the belt breaks there shouldn't be internal damage. I'm not sure if this is the case for the v-6 or not.

djblackout

· #17 · Sep 20, 2010

from what ive read both 4, and 6 cyl engines are NON interference. If it breaks you'll probably just end up stranded.

LittleWhiteBubble

· #18 · Sep 20, 2010

My grandfather had one of the old late 80's camry's and he drove it till the belt broke 3 times and every time after he paid 80 bucks to have a new one put on it rode fine.

LynchburgCSI

· #19 · Sep 21, 2010

djblackout said:
from what ive read both 4, and 6 cyl engines are NON interference. If it breaks you'll probably just end up stranded.

All camry engines 92-01 are non-interference, yes.

grandpapa

· #20 · Sep 21, 2010

I just sold my 97 LE with more miles then the one you mentioned. My tip for you is to check for service histroy, how many owners car is it.
I will stay away from the car if it has too many owners in the past.
the engine should be smooth and no strange noise when rev.
Check VIN, if starts with J, means the car is from Japan. There aren't many J car for 1997 because after that, most Camry were build in the US.
minor oil leak is ok, especially near the rear valve cover, very common and easy fix.

I think 97 is the best

good luck

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