Potential 1999 Camry purchase

[Owen Lucas]

What a beauty. I've written so many estimates on these I used to remember the part numbers for the front and rear bumpers lol.

For a first time teen driver which is still learning to drive and has a higher chance of being in an accident, I would recommend a vehicle with side impact airbags at least. I always said I'd driver the older vehicles and get kids new cars, not to spoil them, but for safety.

Maybe an entry level Buick. It will also act as a passive version of birth control so your daughter can focus on studies and keep the boys away.

 

[supton]

Yeah, for teen drivers, it's becoming more tempting to have the better safety nannies. I say this with full bitterness of hindsight: I owned a '99 Camry a year ago, and I did not like the idea of "giving" my much newer Corolla to a teenager. Goes against the religion and all. Few months later, she flipped the car on a snowy road and that was that. Maybe VSC would not have helped, and side impact airbags were not required: but I've been wicked iffy since then on letting my teens drive older cars. Stuff happens. She walked away, and I'd have zero qualms about myself driving that old car any day of the week--but that's a phone call I'd rather never have again.

That said, I still want that old car back. Simple and decent.

 

[92saturnsl2]

What a beauty. I've written so many estimates on these I used to remember the part numbers for the front and rear bumpers lol.

For a first time teen driver which is still learning to drive and has a higher chance of being in an accident, I would recommend a vehicle with side impact airbags at least. I always said I'd driver the older vehicles and get kids new cars, not to spoil them, but for safety.

Maybe an entry level Buick. It will also act as a passive version of birth control so your daughter can focus on studies and keep the boys away.

I'm the opposite, I've adopted Darwin's theory side of the spectrum. I pay for and have worked hard for my newer cars. I don't want teenage kids tearing them up. I love my daughter, but she needs to learn how to drive and won't be in it alone until I am confident she's ready. After that it's on her.

Heck, I kept two older cars in the herd just for teenage duty (my 07 Pacifica which I don't really need has a stellar safety rating and side/knee airbags) and she won't have it-- wanted her own, which I can't blame her, I was the same way as a teenager.

Criteria for her buying her own car instead of using ours: A) pay for it, B) have insurance which I'll happily split the cost or pay most of it C) have no delusions that this will be a perfect ride. She has enough money saved up for A, we'll see about the others.

 

[alarmguy]

Misfiring can be a head gasket leak. I would be concerned, almost willing to bet on it, expensive unless it is something you would take care of yourself.

To fix bad headlights is simple and may outlast the car. If not at least a couple years.

 

[dishdude]

Worst case scenario it's a head gasket, but even that would be a pretty straightforward job on this. Looks like a perfect first car for a teenager, I say go for it.

 

[Chris142]

The O-Rings where the AC hoses go on the compressor will be flat and leaking. Easy fix and add some (2oz or so) Ester oil to the system while its open.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I'm the opposite, I've adopted Darwin's theory side of the spectrum. I pay for and have worked hard for my newer cars. I don't want teenage kids tearing them up. I love my daughter, but she needs to learn how to drive and won't be in it alone until I am confident she's ready. After that it's on her.

Heck, I kept two older cars in the herd just for teenage duty (my 07 Pacifica which I don't really need has a stellar safety rating and side/knee airbags) and she won't have it-- wanted her own, which I can't blame her, I was the same way as a teenager.

Criteria for her buying her own car instead of using ours: A) pay for it, B) have insurance which I'll happily split the cost or pay most of it C) have no delusions that this will be a perfect ride. She has enough money saved up for A, we'll see about the others.

STREETSURVIVAL.ORG link to threads about some good experience for her.

They also put them in the 18 wheeler so they see what truckers see and don't see, not driving it. Both my kids and future daughter-in-law took it. It's an all day class with combination of in class and driving alternated. They included lunch as part of the class, at the time it was $75-100.

We did it at Saratoga Springs Auto museum, Consumer Reports car test facility in CT and Campgaw ski area in NJ.

My kids hate driving with others because they see what they are not paying attention to. They would rather drive even if it means they can't enjoy parties as much. At least they know they have a much better chance of getting home safely and their friends the same.

Good Luck! Make her drive EVERYWHERE for practice. When we dropped my kids at school due to schedules they drove to school and back home later which was only 5-10 minutes but just a lot of opportunity.

In the Sonata my son did it with and without stability control to experience the difference of how the technology can help but know how to handle without it.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Maybe not what she really wants but good running, reliable, no smells is key. My kids got hand me downs or very inexpensive also. My son's '10 Forte has racked up like 45k since we got it from a friend. We put good tunes it with bluetooth connectivity, amp/small sub, new speakers, windows already had a light tinting. We did some better lighting, tires. It got many extra scrapes in the college parking lot due to other new drivers and small parking spots. Doesn't really phase us because it's older and had some already. He also had to go to queens for PA clinicals and park on street with some cosmetics added. AC works, runs good, paid for, cheaper on insurance.

My daughters '08 CRV is the same scenario but less scraped from others. Good tunes/amp/small sub, lights, tint. She loves her car no need to impress others but all her friends love it also. None of them believe its 16 years old with 240k.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Maybe not what she really wants but good running, reliable, no smells is key.

Actually she dragged me over there to look at it. I'd much prefer she use one of our "spare" vehicles which are arguably nicer, but teenagers want their own things apparently; I suppose I wasn't any different at that age.

Worst case scenario it's a head gasket, but even that would be a pretty straightforward job on this. Looks like a perfect first car for a teenager, I say go for it.

Compared to transverse V6 head gaskets which I've done many, I think that would be a walk in the park. I see no evidence of a head gasket issue, though I realize anything is possible on a 25 year old car bought at a pawn shop I've got my fingers crossed that it's just an ignition problem and valve cover gasket. On the plus side the A/C was ice cold and it braked well from the 20 mph or so I could get it up to in the parking lot.

 

[Rock_Hound]

That is a nice looking Camry. I would say that you did good even if you have to put a couple grand into getting it running well.

 

[michaelluscher]

Obligatory retro review, since it is approaching historic plate age
Does it have to pass a safety/emissions test in your area?

 

[92saturnsl2]

Obligatory retro review, since it is approaching historic plate age
Does it have to pass a safety/emissions test in your area?

No safety/emissions inspections here, but I think it'd do fine with either once I go through it.

I paid them $1500 and can take it home once I take the title to the county clerk for the transfer. They wouldn't let me drive it off the lot until I come back with official paperwork.

Checking the timing belt and dealing with the misfire issue is job #1. Fluids after that. Any others I should consider, or problem areas on these cars I should be inspecting closely?

 

[Nick1994]

No safety/emissions inspections here, but I think it'd do fine with either once I go through it.

I paid them $1500 and can take it home once I take the title to the county clerk for the transfer. They wouldn't let me drive it off the lot until I come back with official paperwork.

Checking the timing belt and dealing with the misfire issue is job #1. Fluids after that. Any others I should consider, or problem areas on these cars I should be inspecting closely?

The ATF is really easy to do a spill and fill on, I think 2.5 quarts. Also, interestingly it has a separate compartment for a differential you can change the fluid on as well. Kind of hidden in the back of the transmission by the steering rack, drains maybe 1/2 a quart, I can’t remember. Also takes Dexron III (now VI).

Make sure it has the correct spark plugs, they’re a dual electrode. Denso 3195.

 

[silversport]

highly recommend for information and how to's as well as recommended fluids, parts, etc...looking forward to reading of your progress with the Camry

https://www.toyotanation.com/forums/camry-3rd-and-4th-gen-92-01-solara-99-03.103/

Bill

 

[zzyzzx]

IIRC, the valve cover gasket set comes with a set of spark plug seal.

Not always. And I have a spare gasket set for that vehicle if the OP is interested.

 

[zzyzzx]

Worst case scenario it's a head gasket, but even that would be a pretty straightforward job on this. Looks like a perfect first car for a teenager, I say go for it.

Worst case is a cracked head or cracked block. Just junked a similar Camry (except 2000 model year) with the same miles because of this.

 

[Bill7]

1999 Camry LE 4cyl auto w/ 170K listed for sale at $1700, local pawn shop. Test drove it around their parking lot and it's misfiring on at least 1-2 cylinders. Oil and coolant condition looks good visually, I checked both. Transmission shifted fine. The body is in great condition (normal dings for its age), interior needs some help, floor mat replacement mostly. Thankfully no tobacco smell which is common in KY.

Valve cover gasket has been leaking but other than the misfire, I don't see much wrong with it.

The pawn shop owners are a friend of the family and they knew my teenage daughter was looking for a car. They know as little about the car as I do, so this is basically giving us first dibs.

I'm going back Monday to study it further and bring my scan tool. For such a severe misfire, I never saw a check engine light. Curious if it's worth the gamble, or an immediate pass?

The misfires could be caused by a leaking valve cover gasket that leaked oil and soaked the coil packs, causing them to malfunction.
In general, coil packs are expensive. I would go with OEM ones from a low cost Toyota dealership online parts site like SparksToyota or Concielli toyota.

You could buy that car with a plan to drive it another 100,000 miles (from 170k to 270k).
That generation Toyota Camry's go forever.
It is from the sludge "oil gelling" Camry generation, so you may want to buy an OEM Toyota PCV valve and tube and have that changed right after the purchase. Also, you may wish to use synthetic 5W-30 and change oil every 5k miles.

In my opinion, it would be a bad idea to use conventional or synthetic blend (which is mostly conventional oil) in that engine, as it has extreme high temps in certain spots which caused the "oil gelling" controversy for Toyota.
I would use a Dexos 1 Gen 3 approved oil such as SuperTech Full Synthetic High Mileage 5 quart jug at Walmart is only $18.64.
It has has high amounts of phosphoros/zinc anti wear additives and calcium detergents.

 

[Exhaustgases]

Just looked for some Camry's on FB here. I saw one with 145k miles for 600 needs some engine work.
Another one a one owner 280k with no problems for 1290, I bet they'd all take much less.
It seems this year has some engine issues and transmission as well.

 

[92saturnsl2]

Got the title transferred & registration/taxes, so $1690 into it so far. Thought the drive home w/ a basically sight unseen pawn shop car would be dramatic or at least interesting. It was about as vanilla as the car's styling and interior

Misfire is still there but it's very random. At first more than about 1/2 throttle seemed to aggravate it, but I'd get a hiccup here and there at highway speed / low load. At times I could plant my foot in it and it'd be like any other good running engine. 4 miles down the road, just changing the throttle from 15% to ~25% provoked it. I got it home and with the hood up, I heard that satisfying crack sound of an arc grounding where it doesn't belong, which was as random as the misfires I was experiencing. Looks like an ignition issue after all.

The car otherwise seems great. A bit of a rattle/clunk in the passenger side suspension at low speed, probably a sway bar link, strut mount, who knows. Tires are aged well (made in 2016) and need replaced, but treadwear even. Drove straight as an arrow, and took curves on our country roads at 60mph with no effort. When it wasn't misfiring, the 4cyl impressed me with it's smoothness, as did the transmission shift quality.

Brakes were solid once the sitting rust/corrosion wore off, which just added some extra noise for a mile or two. I learned the car has been there since late June and they kept giving the guy extended dates to pick it back up, so it was put up for sale very recently. For a first car, it sort of reminds me of my '86 Tercel that was my first. Just a sedan instead of a wagon and no 4wd. Simple, inexpensive transportation. I wouldn't mind it as a commuter to rack up miles, honestly.

 

[dishdude]

CD and tape in a 4 cyl Camry with cloth seats?