Got Another Camry

[Nick1994]

Well after a year of VW ownership I've realized how good I had it when I had my 97' Camry. There was no drama with the Camry.

Today I picked up a 2000 Toyota Camry with 194k miles for $2,100. There isn't a lot on Craigslist right now, and I found this one in the newspaper. The guy thought it was a genius idea to paint the roof and rear bumper with red matching spray paint over where it was faded. The paint is also peeling on the front bumper. It's no beauty queen but maybe some day I'll have the roof and bumpers painted (my dad works at a body shop). It's a very solid car, the timing belt had been changed about 40k miles prior so I have some time until it needs replacing, and the oil was very clean as well as the transmission fluid. It runs great and shifts great too. I went and saw 4 other cars on Craigslist and this one was by far the nicest one and it was ready to drive, the others needed CV boots and clutches and A/C work.

So far I'm happy with the car, I'm pretty familiar with it since I had my 97' last year. This one has tires that are drivable, but I'll get a couple new ones to have a solid pair.

So this week it'll be getting:
Spark plugs and wires
PCV valve
Fuel filter
Oil change (Probably Chevron Supreme HM 5w30 & a Fram Ultra from my stash)
Transmission drain and refill
Power steering fluid flush with ATF
New OEM thermostat
Antifreeze drain and refill

I'm a college student that currently drives 18k a year, just needed a cheap, basic car that's good on gas.

 

[Mr Nice]

Looks like a good car for the money.

 

[HerrStig]

Good choice, the 15 inch wheels help. I run 205/60/15s on one of miine. Don't change the fuel filter unless you have a VERY good reason, the fittings on the line are VERY easy to break. Some dealers will tell you outright not to change it. One of mine has 300 K on the factory filter. Gas is cleaner than ever and the fuel system is demand regulated by ECU control of pump speed, far less gas is moved around than in the old system where excess fuel was cycled back to the tank. BTW you're NOT in California so don't pay extra for "CARB" approved emission parts. Some suppliers like Rock Auto will tell you if a part "fits California cars but is not legal there". They are called "49 state " parts and work just as well. A California front pipe and converter is 600 bucks at the local NAPA, the 49 state version is less than 250. The differential in the I4 has a fill and drain which is separate from the transmission, make sure you can open the fill plug before trying to crack the drain. The V6 can be filled from the transmission fill which caused "drippy lube" a lot of confusion.

 

[mclasser]

Those Camrys are bulletproof.

 

[901Memphis]

Paint looks really good how about some pics of the engine bay?

 

[Vern_in_IL]

Passenger side headlamp all foggy, looks like [censored]. A new OEM headlamp assembly would really up the cars looks.

 

[Greasymechtech]

Add in a diff drain/refill and a couple accessory belts

Oil pump seal, timing belt, waterpump.... are some things to consider if you don't have a interval from last timing belt job

Yellow faded lens are normal for age.

Possible sludge monster. Stick with good oil and <5k intervals. Ph3614 and ph3600 are oversized options. HM and blends are a good choice.

 

[cptbarkey]

 

[bbhero]

Hey man that is a really good car. I got my ladys grandmother 98 Camry that had only 67,000 miles. And it was perfectly maintained and immaculate everywhere inside and out. I was super happy to get it. A barn find that will keep us from having a car payment for three or four years.

I hope this car you got lasts long enough to get through school too !

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Paint looks really good how about some pics of the engine bay?
I'll take some pictures of the engine bay tomorrow, I parked it at my grandmothers across town because I haven't insured it yet, it'll be insured tomorrow.

 

[Nick1994]

I'll look into the differential fluid change, I heard about it before but thought it wasn't serviceable from 97 and after?

I'm also replacing the valve cover gasket, so I'll add some pictures of underneath too.

I'll be replacing the headlights at some point with aftermarket. Looks like the passenger headlight is from a previous generation Camry, it's a little smaller but Toyota brand. The drivers side is the correct size and is aftermarket. I suspect it was in a minor crash at some point. The core support looks original, so probably just minor.

 

[Greasymechtech]

Diff is definitely serviceable on the 2.2 with 4-speed automatic, and is a separate sump. Get the drain/fill washer-gaskets at the dealer. It takes dexron-atf for the diff.

2000 Camry should have 9005/9006 high and low beams. You should be able to HIR bulb it. 1999 Camry came with H4/9003. Not sure if older was easily interchangeable with newer. Or, one of the headlights is a 'knock-off' clone from asia.

 

[Vikas]

Aren't those 14 inch tires?

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Aren't those 14 inch tires?
My 97 had 195/70-14 tires and this one has 205/65-15 tires

 

[901Memphis]

Aftermarket headlamps are not as good as oem... I suggest if you want to replace them get genuine oem

 

[Nick1994]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Aftermarket headlamps are not as good as oem... I suggest if you want to replace them get genuine oem
Is it because they will cloud up faster or? I can't see spending that kind of money just for headlights on an old car.

 

[Nick1994]

I added the VIN on the Toyota Owners website and it showed all of the dealership service records. It got dealer oil changes every 3-4k miles for almost it's entire life. It also got new front struts and control arms at the dealer 5 1/2 years ago at 114k miles. I feel way better about this car now.

 

[901Memphis]

Originally Posted By: Nick1994
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Aftermarket headlamps are not as good as oem... I suggest if you want to replace them get genuine oem
Is it because they will cloud up faster or? I can't see spending that kind of money just for headlights on an old car.



Not exactly it's for many reasons mostly related to quality which typically results in poor optics, bad high beam/low beam alignment, thinner gauge wires that get hot and sometimes melt, poor sealing resulting in water leaks, and yes the plastic is cheaper too which results in faster oxidation and less light on the road

 

[Nick1994]

What's strange is that it's missing a wiper. I mean the entire arm for the passenger side. I'll be going to the junk yard to get one, and I'll see if they have another headlight for the other side that's in good shape.

 

[901Memphis]

It's hard to tell but the driver's side looks good is it just the passenger side that's clouded? A good condition oem junkyard housing wouldn't be a bad idea