Help with new car

[Judith]

I just bought a 90 camry with 76,000 miles. Somebody metioned to me that foreign cars will need a timing belt/chain(?) replacement around 80,000 miles and that it costs about $1000. Is this true? Is it something I need to worry about and get done pretty quick, and does it really cost that much?

[Brian R.]

Under sever use conditions, your timing belt should be changed every 60,000 miles. Under "Normal" use, you can get away with every 90,000 miles. If I were you, I would get it changed as soon as it is convenient and get the water pump changed at the same time. It won't cost you much more than the cost of the part for the water pump.

You can see the maintenance requirements for your auto here:
http://www.edmunds.com/products/maintguide/index.html

As you can see, Edmunds estimates the cost of timing belt replacement at around $170 for the 4 cylinder engine. That's $33.80 for the belt and $133.50 for labor (that's the estimated cost in my zip code). Shouldn't be much more wherever you are (except maybe AK or HI ).

[don24mac]

Timing belt is a good investment and should be done around this time for your car. Toyota dealers usually have specials on this common procedure. In Connecticut, it usually costs between $100 and $125. Be sure to have them install new drive belts for the alternator and power steering pump, too. That adds about $15 to $20 dollars to the cost.

I loved my 90 Camry. It was still running strong at 200,000 miles when I traded it in on a used 2000 Camry two years ago. Probably should have kept it.

The only maintenance I did on that car was routine maintenance. Timing belt replacement is considered routine maintenance.