found my commuter car :)

[ezbtr]

87 Toyota Camry, 2.0, 4 banger, auto(was looking for stick) but what a deal. VERY well maintained, in same family since new, oil clean, AC, loaded 93000 original, head gasket was done and valve job as car had sat for so long. Runs great, no racecar but 22-31 mpg - sure beats my Yukon at 14-16 mpg. Body good, a few small dings and clear coat peeling, great tires and immaculate interior. Driven by grandparents and then family when they passed away. Only thing I could see is a tranny fluid change maybe(deosnt smell or look burnt) and needs a radio as other was stolen. All for $900. All service records too. Slight pull in steering wheel, but alignment is good, owner(older 70's gentleman) to take to shop and have fixed, he's keeping car for me even though I told him Id buy tonight. Boy have I been looking!

 

[triumphrick]

Re: found my commuter car

Cool..not a ton of powerr, but that boxy little camry was a reliable car. I happened to have saved a site with some info for that year, as well as some later models. With only 93K she is way less than half way thru her useful life!

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/toyota-camry2.htm

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: found my commuter car

That is a good deal. That car may give you solid service for 4 or 5 years with very little repair cost. As you know they can go 200k easy.

 

[mthieme]

Re: found my commuter car

I'm hoping to run across an old 197x Honda CB175 motorcycle for a commuter.
Something that burns more oil than gas that I can pick up for less than a song.
Whenever it blows up I can just push off into the woods!

Good deal on the Toyota.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: found my commuter car

Fresh oil, fresh filters, fresh fluids and you should be good to go.

 

[ezbtr]

Re: found my commuter car

thanks guys, I did see that link before, real informative yup just want reliable and good mpg, its kinda a cool boxy look. I had an 86 VW Golf, was fun to drive (5 speed) good on gas and got it for $650, but needed a bit of work - got rid of it when it was broken into, trashed the dash, electrical etc. This one needs no work, just tranny service, they really took great care of it.

 

[ezbtr]

Re: found my commuter car

got it today , fresh oil/filter, owner had tire rotated, was causing pulling, will replace in maybe 10K with brand new spare in trunk, tranny service and install radio this week and thats all she needs - $900....drives really nice

 

[Splat]

Re: found my commuter car

Most mechanics will generally tell you if that tranni fluid hasn't been changed by that kinfd of mileage NOT TO CHANGE IT. It's generally regarded as opening up a can of worms. If it's not burnt I would consider leaving it.

BIll

 

[ezbtr]

Re: found my commuter car

I really dont know if it has or not, just looked a bit dirty, a bit on the light brownish/pinkish side, no burnt smell, shifts fine though. Ive heard the same about not changing. But if you dont know??????

 

[ezmobee]

Re: found my commuter car

I had a car once that had been a company car. The car manager told me that they didn't change the tranny fluid at all till like well over 100k. And sure enough when they did it, it totally jacked up the tranny. However, they then changed it again and it was fine. Was still shifting fine when I sold it with over 165k on it.

 

[ezbtr]

Re: found my commuter car

had the tranny serviced, new filter, gaskets and fluid(not power flush) and shifted better, i think old seals on filter were a bit leaky? All esle good, filled when gas light came on and only put in 11.5 gals. and manual says 16 gal tank?? Curious to see what mpg is at next fillup.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: found my commuter car

Sounds like a sweet find there. I wished I could find something like that for work. I used to have a 92 Civic, put 330K on the thing before someone pulled out in front of me on the hwy. While not a glorious vehicle it was very reliable and a money maker (mileage reimbursement).

I don't know if they replaced the plugs, wires, cap, rotor while doing the head work, but it might be good preventative maintenance to do if not done yet. Also some fuel injector cleaner in the next 2 tanks of gas and as Bob suggested oil-filter and fuel filter. Preventative maintenance makes them last for a long time.

Post up what you are getting for mileage, I'm curious. My old Civic got 30-40, Accord I'm driving now 25,,, wifey's Durango (grocery getter/tow vehicle) 15

 

[ezbtr]

Re: found my commuter car

yup already did B12 in tank, will do fuel filter this weekend , am thinking 10/30 next oil change and perhaps synthetic. Just filled last pm, so maybe Seafoam or another can of B12. Will check cap, wires and plugs this weekend too and post mileage next fillup, manual says 22 city -31 hwy, we'll see

 

[ezbtr]

Re: found my commuter car

just checked plugs, cap and rotor, all like brand new and put Seafoam in tank this a.m., so next tank, I change fuel filter and there is nothing else to do til oil change in 5K, except stereo install. Gonna go with synthetic as no leaks and doesnt burn, was thinking paint job, but hell this is my Concord/Oakland commuter and dont want a break in - maybe fix two locks(screwed up when they got the stereo), but hey I can unlock and lock via passenger door