re: Anyone here ever had a late 90's Toyota Camry?

I had a 95-96 camry xle when i graduates in 98. Drove it all through college and fhe first few years of work before selling it. Had 40k miles When i bought it and sold it with about 140ish. Never had any problems with it, just wanted something newer with less miles.

I have a friend that we call the Camry Whisperer. He’s been driving them for years. He, his wife and his two sons have long commutes to work and they all drive late 90,s camrys. If he sees one in someone’s yard he will stop and ask to buy it. He has a small private junkyard of cars to steel parts from and keep his “fleet” running.

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I have a friend that we call the Camry Whisperer. He’s been driving them for years. He, his wife and his two sons have long commutes to work and they all drive late 90,s camrys. If he sees one in someone’s yard he will stop and ask to buy it. He has a small private junkyard of cars to steel parts from and keep his “fleet” running.

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Does he have that much to fix and are the parts that hard to find?

Had a 2001 that I put almost 190k on until rear-ended when it was ten years old. Had people ask to buy it even after it was wrecked. Reliable 4 cyl. got 31mpg on the Interstate. I had to replace a brake caliper.

Note what previous poster said about oil sludge issues if not changed regularly. I am aware that there was some kind of class-action suit against Toyota over it because all registered owners received a notice, resulting in the company paying for people to get new or rebuilt engines. Oil needed to be changed more often than recommended.

You got a great commuter there, OP. I just bought a loaded 2002 Avalon with 105k miles from an elderly couple for $3500, tuned up and new tires and it's great.

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Note what previous poster said about oil sludge issues if not changed regularly. I am aware that there was some kind of class-action suit against Toyota over it because all registered owners received a notice, resulting in the company paying for people to get new or rebuilt engines. Oil needed to be changed more often than recommended.

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They extended the oil change interval in the 1997 model year (and later) without changing the engine design.

The 2.2L is an excellent engine. But it is very sensitive to bad oil. They racked up problems very quickly even among people that followed the owners manual to the letter.

One of the few mistakes that Toyota has made with that engine. It’s fundamentally solid. Stick to the 4 months/3500 mile interval and you are probably solid.

I had a '99 and it was one of the best cars I've ever owned. The only issue I had was the reason I eventually traded it in: DO NOT slam the doors very hard because the inside door handles will crumble like feta cheese. You have to be careful with closing the doors. Same kinda goes for the outside door handles. It had the kind where you pull up on it and the plastic piece you pull up on will break off. Because of this the car eventually became an ordeal to get into and out of.

I guess I could've fixed those things but I traded it in. I guess I was just ready for a new car. But that car was really solid and dependable otherwise.

May lay until you croak....

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I put 280k on my Avalon. Still ran great when I sold it.

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I seriously think that if you get a modern V6 Toyota (Avalon, Highlander, LexusRX, 4Runner, or Tacoma), your car as a legitimate shot at seeing the end of the world. Especially if you drive it carefully and maintain it well.

Chevy makes good trucks - V8 3/4 tons especially.
Ford used to make good diesels.
Honda has excellent economy cars.

No one is as consistent as Toyota though.

everyone should buy toyota