Which to keep?

Is the 99, 4 cyl or 6 cyl?
On the 4 cyl, based on experience, they prone to leak from the seal behind the timing belt: oil pump seal, crankshaft seal, cam seals.
Check that, unfortunately, you have to open the TB cover.
 
a newer model is the keeper in this case; however, if it was me and I was into Camry, I'd look for '17 Camry for the money; arguably the best Camry series '16-'17 model year
 
Is the 99, 4 cyl or 6 cyl?
On the 4 cyl, based on experience, they prone to leak from the seal behind the timing belt: oil pump seal, crankshaft seal, cam seals.
Check that, unfortunately, you have to open the TB cover.
I4. When I did the TB I replaced the oil pump seal, the o-ring behind the pump and the valve cover gasket. I redid the valve cover gasket and did the oil pan gasket. I do not remember if I did the crank seal but I know I did not touch the cam seal. It’s possible (probable?) that the crank seal is gone. But there is a fair amount of oil near the transmission, and I see some on the backside of the valve cover, it’s almost like this engine just wants to leak.

Not quite time to do the TB again. Which I’m not looking forward to. I know it’s an easy job but it takes the better part of a weekend to do.
 
Keep the 99 and drive that B til she dies. There is a true feeling of freedom, at least I get in the 06 Sentra!! when you don't even care to lock the doors!
I know what you mean! I do enjoy that feeling also.

I watched someone door ding my ‘99. I should have been miffed but the shock on her face as I walked up right after she did it, only to say “good thing it’s old, otherwise I would have cared” and then immediately driving off, was well worth it.

I think keep the 2011, that car has been bulletproof. I think you can far surpass the miles of your Jetta.

It's too bad about the rodent damage. What I think would be best is to park the 1999 with a full tank of gas and a bunch of Stabil, tires filled to 50 psi, and let it sit for the daughter since it's not very rusty. Finding an older used car for her in 2 years might be hard to find a low rust one.
Yeah, although I am just not keeping up on the rust. Today I found the power steering lines up front are getting pretty toasty. I think it’s got a ways to go, but a number of fasteners under the hood are starting to disappear. It was always going to be a losing battle.
 
Keep the Tundra :)

Totally understand with the long commute though.
That vehicle was meant to be a weekend vehicle, but as time went on, I found I used it less and less. Oh I like having it, it’s nice for lumber runs, but I could that with a trailer. Right now I take trash to the dump on the weekend and that’s about it. When we build our shed this summer I might just have the lumber delivered (assuming it’s not too expensive—local hardware store vs Home Depot, sometimes it is worth the drive).

Plus it’s getting rusty too. Simply cannot win. None of these were meant for the long haul.
 
That vehicle was meant to be a weekend vehicle, but as time went on, I found I used it less and less. Oh I like having it, it’s nice for lumber runs, but I could that with a trailer. Right now I take trash to the dump on the weekend and that’s about it. When we build our shed this summer I might just have the lumber delivered (assuming it’s not too expensive—local hardware store vs Home Depot, sometimes it is worth the drive).

Plus it’s getting rusty too. Simply cannot win. None of these were meant for the long haul.
Understand

Its a different world up there with the rust. I have always been in GA, so the concept of vehicles rotting away is foreign. Unless its been sitting in a field for 50 years.

As for the two Camrys, the newer one is probably the keeper for that reason.
 
Sell both, gamble the proceeds at a Casino, win big and buy a new Avalon Hybrid.
Yes, sell both, and buy something fun. Even if its old and cheap. You've spent too much time in old camries.

What does the wife want for a new ride?
 
I think I'd lean towards keeping the 2011 just because it would probably be the best to hand off to your daughter. It's safer, she can learn to drive manual, and if she hates it the car will probably still have a little more value used than a 1999, so she can get something else.

Otherwise, I'd say to pick the car you like driving most of you're the only one driving it. The 2011 would surely sell for more I'd think.
 
Keep the 2011 Camry so you can teach your daughter how to drive a stick in a couple of years. When she destroys the clutch... no harm/no foul. EVERYONE should know how to drive a stick, I taught both of my kids and they thank me for it now. IMO people who drive sticks are better drivers, even when they are driving an automatic, because they learn to be more engaged and skillful in their driving.
Plus kids cant text when they drive manuals.
 
I'd keep the '11 - it seems that 12 years newer is a big deal in the rust belt, and there isn't much to suggest your '11 is going to be much (any) less reliable than the '99 - the simpler nature of the old Camry is at least partially negated by the new one's age, and the new one still has a reliable I-4 without any potentially-troublesome technology (GDI, etc.) (and parts are going to be easier to come by for the '11, too). Plus the safety advances in that time were huge (side air bags seem to make a big difference in certain crashes, as does VSC in avoiding certain crashes), and it'll buy you a few features over the older one. I'd clean it up as good as you can, touch up the paint, fix any other cosmetic issues that are cheap and easy (polish the headlights, etc) and if you get a few more years out of it, call it a win.
 
No time like right now to sell a truck. It sounds like you don't want 2 car payments, which car will likely get you past the last payment on wife's new car?

12 years newer would be a big deal to me with both at the same miles.
 
The ‘99 was in Arizona for I think 10 years before it found its way up here. IT’s doing what it can to catch up, but they are similar in rust levels.

The ‘11 has less options I think. No power seat and the MT means backing up a trailer is a bit more work—I did fine with my TDi but I’ve never tried with this ‘11 Camry. No BT radio either, and I’m not sure how easy it would be to rectify that—not that I use it that much, but it is nice.

The ‘11 does still have a clear coat, so it does win on presentation!
 
If you keep the 11 and it has no tow rating, what would you pull the utility trailer with?

Can you borrow the CRV for those duties, or just use the 11 Camry anyway?
 
I anticipate many, "get rid of both and buy this," posts.
That would be my issue. If they were well kept and in great shape the mileage and age wouldn’t scare me... but they’re neither.

Flip a coin, there for every benefit and liability on each, it’s too hard to say for certain.
 
If you keep the 11 and it has no tow rating, what would you pull the utility trailer with?

Can you borrow the CRV for those duties, or just use the 11 Camry anyway?
Probably just tow anyhow. It should have bigger brakes (4 wheel disc no less).

Not sure on the CRV. I’d have to get a hitch for it (all my other cars have hitches installed already), and then there’s the fact that It’s 160k is all suburb driving. Not sure how long that trans has got—it’s not giving any signs of anything, but all the same, it’s a Honda.

I’d use the CRV to move trash to the dump on the weekends.
 
Back
Top