I understand that it's impossible for anyone to give me a specific and a definitive answer to this question, but I'd appreciate some objective opinions.

I have a 1997 Toyota Camry with 188,000+ miles. It was in an accident at some point because the hood, left front fender and bumper paint is crazing and the repairs are getting more obvious. We had a new hood installed several years ago. The carfax, interestingly enough, on it came back clear when it was purchased by my son (the Ford mechanic) in 2000.

We bought it from him in 2002 and it has been no problem at all. We've done the regular oil changes and maintenance. Recently it makes some kind of noise that both my husband and son identify as "You need struts."

Besides the crazing paint and strut noise, there's nothing wrong with it. They both say it's starting it's decline and will begin nickle and diming me to death as different things start to go and need repair/replacement and I need a new car NOW.

I like this car, I love that it's paid off. The paint problem doesn't bother me.
Is the mileage so terrible that it's just a matter of days before the car falls apart around me?

My husband and son are both car fans and I don't know if they're saying I NEED a new car as much as they'd like me to BUY something new.

Opinons?

hi dian, welcome to AF.
If you read around this forum, there are plenty of reports of camrys going well over 200,000 miles, some over 300k. It seems your car might end up in those ranks. The car can usually keep going as long as it is maintained right.

However, your husband and son's concern is that you are at the point where maintenance in a year might cost more than the value of the car. If you were to replace all four struts (which your mechanic son should be able to do with no problems) you will spend about $600+ on just parts (with springs and mounts), plus $100 or so for an alignment.

You need to decide if you want to put in $500-$2k into maintaining your old car each year, or $3k+ paying for a newer one, + at least a couple hundred maintaining that. The current car probably won't be as reliable, but if you're fine with having it in the garage every couple months, I say stick with the current car. It seems you like the car, and if you don't care for a newer style/look/interior, then I wouldn't worry about it.

I understand that it's impossible for anyone to give me a specific and a definitive answer to this question, but I'd appreciate some objective opinions.

I have a 1997 Toyota Camry with 188,000+ miles. It was in an accident at some point because the hood, left front fender and bumper paint is crazing and the repairs are getting more obvious. We had a new hood installed several years ago. The carfax, interestingly enough, on it came back clear when it was purchased by my son (the Ford mechanic) in 2000.

We bought it from him in 2002 and it has been no problem at all. We've done the regular oil changes and maintenance. Recently it makes some kind of noise that both my husband and son identify as "You need struts."

Besides the crazing paint and strut noise, there's nothing wrong with it. They both say it's starting it's decline and will begin nickle and diming me to death as different things start to go and need repair/replacement and I need a new car NOW.

I like this car, I love that it's paid off. The paint problem doesn't bother me.
Is the mileage so terrible that it's just a matter of days before the car falls apart around me?

My husband and son are both car fans and I don't know if they're saying I NEED a new car as much as they'd like me to BUY something new.

Opinons?

Hello dian57,

When your son and husband say you need struts did they say you needed struts for the front, back or both?

I replaced the rear struts on my 1989 Toyota Camry with 212,000 miles on the odometer (and the engine and transmission are still going very strong) The struts only cost me $50.00 a piece at Advanced Auto with a lifetime warranty.:) the springs were the originals and were absolutely fine. nothing wrong with them. I put the struts in myself. what a great experience.:runaround: and I managed not to take my head off using the spring compressors.:p I had no choice but to replace them because the car wouldn't pass inspection because they were too badly worn. I was getting seasick everytime I hit a good size bump in the road.:wink: I wouldn't have repaired the car if I thought the car didn't have plenty more life/years in it. JMHO.

Have your son (Ford mechanic) replace the struts for you and keep the car.

Hmmmm......... maybe there trying to get you to buy a Ford.:lol:

Regards,
JOET/CAMRY

Hmmmm......... maybe there trying to get you to buy a Ford.:lol:

Regards,
JOET/CAMRY


:puke:

dian57,

First of all, it would be helpful to know what type of maintainance this car has received. That would go a long way toward making an educated decision on what to do.

That said, I can suggest a couple of things to help you make your decision. Since your son is a mechanic, he can run a compression test for you for free. This will determine the overall mechanical condition of the engine and take only a few minutes. There is a Generation 4 (1997-2001) Toyota Camry factory service manual stickied at the top of this forum that you or he can download for free. It will have the specs he needs for this along with a lot more. Knowing the overall mechanical condition of the engine will go a long way toward helping you make a decision. In addition, you both can go around the body of the car thoroughly looking for any possible rust. If the body and engine are structurally sound, I think you can now make a more informed decision. In addition, I would inspect the overall condition of the other mechanical components looking at belts, hoses and gaskets, looking for any fluid leaks. You might also want to take a look at the brake pads/shoes to check for wear and have your son drive the car to check the smoothness of the transmission shifts. You can visually check the tires for wear patterns and tread depth.

As far as the noise you describe, the 97-99 Camrys had a problem with the upper strut mounts being defective. Toyota actually redesigned these upper mounts for the last 2 years of the generation 4 Camry. If you are hearing a clunk when going over bumps, this may be the problem. It requires the removal of the strut assembly to replace the upper strut mount. With as many miles as you have on this car, if you are going to remove the strut assemblies, I would also change out the both struts themselves on that end (front or back) of the car. I prefer the Monroe Quick Struts when replacing struts. They are a 1 piece strut, strut mount, spring and rubber parts assembly. You just unbolt the factory assembly and bolt these in. They are quick as there name implies and relatively easy to install. You son can probably replace a set of these assemblies in about an hour. I paid $180 each assembly for these at our local Pep Boys. I have no affiliation with Monroe; I'm just a satisfied user. You would still have to have the car aligned after replacement of these assemblies, so add about $80 to the cost, unless your son could also do the alignment where he works.

I hope I have given you a few things to consider when trying to decide on what to do with this car. I know this can be a difficult decission.

Good luck.

Mike

Mechanical issues are important. One more that's overlooked many times is safety. We all take it for granted it's going to be the other guy who's having the wreck. At the same time we can do everything right and still wind up in the middle of an ugly situation (right Mike?). My point? When you have the opportunity, buy a car with as much safety gear as you can afford. Is your 97 equipped with the latest safety gear like side airbags and stability control etc? No. Would you want you and yours to be as safe as they could be? You bet. I'm reminded of this dilemma every day when I see 3 of the 5 cars I own. My daughter has the 94 Camry in San Diego. It has front airbags - period. The worst of the dilemma.

"At the same time we can do everything right and still wind up in the middle of an ugly situation (right Mike?)."

Absolutely right. However, I still drive my 1990 Mazda Miata with only a driver's air bag. It's just too much fun to give up.

My 98 Camry did have side airbags. I ordered the car that way. It was an option back then. I also ordered my 94 Camry with antilock brakes. That too was an option back then; a very expensive option. If I remember correctly it was around $1100 back in 94.

RIP is right about safety. When I was a teenager, (way back when) a mechanic I knew and respected told me there are 3 things you don't let go in a car. They were brakes, tires and steering components. You can cheap out on the other things if you can't afford them, but these 3 things are a must. At that time there were no disc brakes, no antilock brakes, no airbags and nothing like stability control.

Mike

This is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. Thank you all for your opinions and advice.

I wish I paid more attention to the maintenance and repairs we've had done on the car. About 18 months ago we put about $2500 into new tires, brakes and other things (there's that attention deficit). We're good about regular oil and oil filter changes, plugs and points? (I hope that's right). You know, the normal stuff. I've always alerted my husband to any unusual noises and he's taken care of it right away.

The car has just a tiny bit of rust starting on the driver side door.

My son started his own business about a year ago, not car related. Although he continues to maintain and consult on our car matters, he doesn't have access to a lift. These things you mention that need checking--can he do that without a lift?

I am not adament about keeping the car. I just want to make sure I don't get rid of it, saddle myself with car payments and increased insurance premiums and the new owner drives it for another 3 years without problems. That happened years ago with a Ford Tempo (sorry) that I was talked into replacing and it still annoys me.

I'll print out your responses and ask my son and husband to look at what you've suggested. Then we can make an educated decision.

Another thing to consider--I only work 11 miles from my house.

Afterthought question--did 1989 Camrys come with airbags?

Everything I see mentioned (unless I missed something) can be done without a lift. You will need a jack and a couple jackstands for the struts though.
If you go the Monroe QuickStrut route, go to strutmasters.com, I got the pair of rears for $334 shipped. Mike suggested the QuickStruts to me and I'm very satisfied with them also.

Afterthought question--did 1989 Camrys come with airbags?


No they didn't. I believe they had automatic lap belts (or was it shoulder belts?) that wrapped around you when you closed the front door on either side. I think that was the only safety related item for the generation 2 (1987-1991) Camrys.

Or did you mean 1998? If that's what you meant, the 1998 had dual front airbags. The side curtain airbags were an option. Some 98 cars will have them and some will not.

Mike

Seems like just a little TLC and you car will be set. I've beaten my '88 for a couple years now and she has some (very) hard miles on her. I think 199,970 last time I checked.

No they didn't. I believe they had automatic lap belts (or was it shoulder belts?) that wrapped around you when you closed the front door on either side...

God I hate those. That'll be one thing I WILL NOT miss after I get the 5 point harnesses for mine.

Just an update.

We've gone around and test-drove a few cars--Prius hybrid, Civic hybrid, Altima hybrid and Sentra. I'm leaning toward the Sentra when my Camry is officially dead.

The "strut" noise hasn't reoccurred but I'm sure the existing struts will self-destruct at the most inopportune moment. Strut replacement is being scheduled.

I'm keeping the Camry till the very last bit of use has been enjoyed by me.

I did mean to ask about the 1989 Camry airbags. Thanks for the clarification.

And thank you all for your input!