What to watch for in used Camrys

[Redonthehead]

Hi all. I'm in the market for a used Camry for the wife. Probably a 2000 - 2003 model. What should I look for?

What's the recommended service interval on the timing belt and cost?

Is the 6 cylinder much preferred over 4? I just as soon she putted around town saving fuel.

Any specific service issues to watch out for?

Thanks

[sanengo]

4 cylinder is enough for a daily driver and it will save you gas. Timing belt can be replaced every 80k miles and will cost up to $1000 depending on where you get it done.

The camry is a very solid car and can go a long way with little maintenance. Just make sure all your fluids are regularly changed and you should be fine.

[gator2764]

Originally Posted by Redonthehead

Hi all. I'm in the market for a used Camry for the wife. Probably a 2000 - 2003 model. What should I look for?

What's the recommended service interval on the timing belt and cost?

Is the 6 cylinder much preferred over 4? I just as soon she putted around town saving fuel.

Any specific service issues to watch out for?

Thanks

I have had the timing belt and water pump replaced twice on my 95 camry and it didn't cost over $500.00 each time. Best to have the seals replaced while everything is removed.

[Redonthehead]

Are these interference engines? ie: if the belt breaks the engine is trashed?

can belt replacement be done in the driveway, or do you have to drop the engine in these FWD cars?

[gator2764]

Originally Posted by Redonthehead

Are these interference engines? ie: if the belt breaks the engine is trashed?

can belt replacement be done in the driveway, or do you have to drop the engine in these FWD cars?

2002 and newer have a timing chain. 2001 has a belt but is not an interference engine

[Daniel M. Dreifus]

can belt replacement be done in the driveway, or do you have to drop the engine in these FWD cars?
------------------
Can be replaced by removing the front wheel.
It's a big help to remove the crankshaft pulley first, then remove the engine brace - you have easier access to them from beneath.

[TioSanchez]

I've replaced the belt on a 2.2L and it is a pretty straiht forward operation. I would recommend purchasing a ratchet wrench (14MM as I recall) for a very tight fit on a couple of the engine mount bracket bolts. Get a manual and follow it precisely with regards to marking your belt, TDC, etc. Not sure about newer Camry's but my manual (92-98 I think) specifically states that the engine is non-interference. Other than that I think the Camry is solid as previously posted. My daughters is a 94 with 340,000 miles and they drive the piss out of it and am only now encountering minor problems. Yeah, I'ld buy one.

[hairbandmanx]

We have an 00 LE 2.2L 4cyl auto. Great car overall. 84k on it and nothing major came up. Pros are reliability, soft quiet ride, good crash ratings, smoothe transmission good acoustics for the stereo (we have the 6 speaker) engine is easy to work on (saves on any repair costs), oil changes are EASY!!! Cons I would say are acceleration, fuel economy (we're only getting 22 in the winter and about 24.5 in summer (up here in Wisconsin), and trunk space. That narrow aperture when you fold down the seats pretty much negates the function of fold down seats! Anyway, overall a very solid car and I'm happy. I've had a '97 Pontiac Sunfire coupe, '95 Saturn SL2, '98 Ford Contour SE and an '87 Chevy Cavelier and this blows all of them away. Our other car is an '01 Celica GT and I have to say I like that a bit more than the Camry but they're both totally different classes of cars. Solid buy in my opinion.

[sanengo]

Sorry, CND$ I keep forgetting

[Brian R.]

Here's a link to a list of interference engines and non-interference engines.

http://www.gates.com/downloads/downl...older=brochure

[rum runner]

[Hi all. I'm in the market for a used Camry for the wife. Probably a 2000 - 2003 model. What should I look for?

What's the recommended service interval on the timing belt and cost?

Is the 6 cylinder much preferred over 4? I just as soon she putted around town saving fuel.

Any specific service issues to watch out for?]



Yeah I was gonna say…

4cyl Toyota=non-interference engine
4cyl Honda= interference engine

I drove Camry/Accord on a car lot, side by side. There was no comparison on drivability. IMO.

I know for a fact that some Camry’s have 125,000 on the original timing belt. I bought one. Later I was told by a reputable mechanic the 2.2L 4cyl 5S-FE engine is one of the 3 best engines ever built

My only complaint is specific year models have seats hard as a rock.