Ramblejam: something I can easily fix and I don't have time off to venture south looking.
Used car advice
- Thread starter 53' Stude
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1990-2001: belt
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- Dec 30, 2006
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One of my favorite cars is the Corolla S. I've always liked the earlier models the best,more than the current ones.
I'd skip the Toyota 2.4L, just seems too many reports of problems. Sure, some went to high miles, but eh. I'd also skip Corolla '98-01, they were oil burner years, and their Prizm counterpart commonly used a 3AT (which could be had on a stripper Corolla also). The TB on the Camry looks not too bad in the scheme of things, and it's a non-interference engine. It'll ruin your day if it snaps, but it won't cost anything extra outside of a tow.
So far it looks like the only really bad repair would be front wheel bearings, which is a trait common to many FWD vehicles. My mechanic though says that the rear crossmember is prone to rotting out; and he's having issues finding good units. At least here in the Northeast. TB won't be fun, otherwise it looks like a pretty simple car. Oh: the VSV will be a pain to replace, if you get an EGR flow error; the valve is in a lousy spot. At least I know where it is and how to replace it now.
I have a '99 Camry, and I like it, for a simple basic car. I drove a bunch of econoboxes over the last couple of years but like this car more. I had wanted a 2009/2010 Corolla, and I think my '99 is pretty close in size and feel, but probably with less road noise.
So far it looks like the only really bad repair would be front wheel bearings, which is a trait common to many FWD vehicles. My mechanic though says that the rear crossmember is prone to rotting out; and he's having issues finding good units. At least here in the Northeast. TB won't be fun, otherwise it looks like a pretty simple car. Oh: the VSV will be a pain to replace, if you get an EGR flow error; the valve is in a lousy spot. At least I know where it is and how to replace it now.
I have a '99 Camry, and I like it, for a simple basic car. I drove a bunch of econoboxes over the last couple of years but like this car more. I had wanted a 2009/2010 Corolla, and I think my '99 is pretty close in size and feel, but probably with less road noise.
Originally Posted By: cb_13
I'm gonna recommend the greatest vehicle I have ever owned personally the Ford Escort Zx2. 200k miles and only non-maintenance items replaced were a leaking thermostat housing and a ccrm to fix the AC.
Agreed.
I had a 97 Escort sedan of the same vintage. Unparalleled durability and ICY cold A/C until the day we sold it.
Also had the leaking thermostat area as well.
I'm gonna recommend the greatest vehicle I have ever owned personally the Ford Escort Zx2. 200k miles and only non-maintenance items replaced were a leaking thermostat housing and a ccrm to fix the AC.
Agreed.
I had a 97 Escort sedan of the same vintage. Unparalleled durability and ICY cold A/C until the day we sold it.
Also had the leaking thermostat area as well.
Supton: what's a VSV?
Originally Posted By: car51
Supton: what's a VSV?
Vacuum Switching Valve?
Supton: what's a VSV?
Vacuum Switching Valve?
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: car51
Supton: what's a VSV?
Vacuum Switching Valve?
Yep. If you have that vintage Camry, apparently it'll bite you.
Toyota, at least in that vintage, uses an "integration relay" which everyone else calls a "body control module"--controls lighting and chimes and a couple other things. It's a bit buried in the dash from what I understand.
Originally Posted By: car51
Supton: what's a VSV?
Vacuum Switching Valve?
Yep. If you have that vintage Camry, apparently it'll bite you.
Toyota, at least in that vintage, uses an "integration relay" which everyone else calls a "body control module"--controls lighting and chimes and a couple other things. It's a bit buried in the dash from what I understand.
timing belt, VSV must be expensive.. sounds like a can of worms...then the Ford guys, so few around the testimony is suspect...honda's will nickel and dime you with suspension and sensors then their timing chain guides go early on the 5/20 oil...my ex still drives our new in '03 Accord so don't [censored] me.
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Timing belt, the kit I'm looking at one for $180, has all the parts (and then some), OEM level. VSV is $50 and an hour to replace (less if you know what you are doing). The rest of the car is a stereotypical Toyota anvil. Ok, rear springs can get saggy, struts get old, wheel bearings can go, so on and so forth: but at that point it's all in the noise of what used cars run for repairs.
Not saying it's the bestest car out there, but hardly a can of worms. No worse than any other used car.
Not saying it's the bestest car out there, but hardly a can of worms. No worse than any other used car.
Thanks for your good advice supton
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