Takuro's Camry Lyfe: 2 year ownership costs

"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
02/09/2015 at 18:23 • Filed to: camr, beige, camry lyfe

This should be a thing here, it's FUN!

Not going to go into details such as K-Roll did, because I know nothing of Camries other than my truck was a pig on gas, I needed something better, it was fun while it lasted, and I was offered this as even trade. It was V6 but STICK, so I was intrigued. It gets 30MPG when its not cold as balls out, so that's good. It's got a rear seat so I can ferry my kids places. Which is neato.

It had 197k on it when I got it two years ago, and now, 33,000 miles later, here's what I stuck into it:

Right away it needed tires. It was February, it was snowing, and cupped old Primewell 3-season tires were not fun on my 60mile daily commute. Plus, those hubcaps HAD TO GO.

(WARNING, ACTUAL PIC OF CAR THE DAY I GOT IT BELOW)

I had a couple 16" General Altimax Arctic snow tires just lying around, and in weighing the costs of new 15" rubber for the stock wheels, vs. two snow tires and 16" wheels somehow obtained, it actually worked out better to upsize. So like new 16" Highlander/RX300 wheels were sourced ($200) and two tires ($160), along with eBay OEM center caps ($40)

Also a CEL that came with the car was remedied with a new oxygen sensor. ($60)

Clunks in the front caused by worn sway bar links set me back $60 to fix, and I drove it the rest of the winter, threw some used freebie tires on it for the summer, and as winter approached once again, SHOCKTOBER was going on at Napa, and something had to be done about the wallowy ride.

So enter a new set of Monroe Quick Struts, Buy Three Get One Free! ($380 with rebate)

After that winter, around March or so of last year, a misfire was showing its ugly head. Oil found in the spark plug tube also was begging for attention, so off came the intake, the rear valve cover, and in went new gaskets, plugs, and wires. ($80)

Hmm, what else did I replace last year.... OH! The door handle broke ($6)

And that pesky power steering leak was finally fixed with a used rack from a Lexus ES, Whiteline rack mounting bushing were installed, as were new sway bar bushings. ($90 for rack, bushings, belt)

Other than that..... and some small fixes and changes and oil changes, the car hasn't let me down or left me stranded. The exhaust leak from the flex pipe will be fixed in spring, I already have a new pipe and headers to go on it ($180, but not counting it in the total yet) since it was cheaper to go custom than OE replacement. I also have my eye on a catback to go with it, to replace the already rusting cheap-o pipe and muffler on there now that the PO had installed.

So how does that all add up?

Car: FREEish (long story about sold Subarus and parts, a lowered truck, and a trade)

Wheels and tires: $400

CEL and tune up: $140

Suspension: $440

Misc: $6

Total: $986

So for just about a grand, I've driven this car for two years and 33,000 miles without major issue. Can't beat that with a car payment.

DISCUSSION (33)

bob and john > Takuro Spirit
02/09/2015 at 18:26

this is the last gen of camry i REALLY liked.

IDK, but those tail lights just...WORK. not the previous ones that were that cloudly 90's thing, but the clear lenses.

Twism > Takuro Spirit
02/09/2015 at 18:28

Waaaait.

I might be stupidly late to the party, but...

your Camry is a manual V6?

That was a thing?

Takuro Spirit > Twism
02/09/2015 at 18:30

Yes. Last gen that had it as an option. Not as rare as you'd think, though.

Kinja'd!!!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Takuro Spirit
02/09/2015 at 18:32

I'll take some of that Kit Kat bar

Steve in Manhattan > Twism
02/09/2015 at 18:34

They never offered that engine/transmission combination here in US America (that I recall), but I had an '88 wagon with a 4 cylinder/5M. Gray, but it was still a pretty Jalop car.

Takuro Spirit > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/09/2015 at 18:34

It's the spare key :/

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Takuro Spirit
02/09/2015 at 18:38

... I was referring to your v6 manual camry :(

ly2v8-Brian > Takuro Spirit
02/09/2015 at 18:39

Kinja'd!!!

A fastener, quite possibly exposed.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Takuro Spirit
02/09/2015 at 18:41

Most jalop camry ever

Twism > Steve in Manhattan
02/09/2015 at 18:44

His front plate says Wisconsin, so I'd assume his car was sold here.

Unless someone took the time to import a gray market Camry (which I doubt).

Boxer_4 > Takuro Spirit
02/09/2015 at 18:47

Some of those issues (struts, flex pipe) sound very familiar, but with our old '99 LE. We did the Shocktober deal as well.

I was always impressed with the ownership cost of this generation of Camry. We had an 01 Passat at the same time as the 99 Camry. Both were bought new. The Passat was traded in back in 2009, and the Camry was sold back in 2012. In the end, the Passat cost twice as much to run as the Camry all in.

GhostZ > Twism
02/09/2015 at 18:50

They also had a 2-door coupe verison.

Kinja'd!!!

Steve in Manhattan > Twism
02/09/2015 at 18:52

Huh - I recall that my gen Camry ('88 model year) did not offer a stick with the V6. Maybe they added it - I want to say this car is the generation after mine, but I can't be sure.

qbeezy > Takuro Spirit
02/09/2015 at 18:58

I agree, this is something we should do more often. We know that certain cars cost a lot more than others to ma1intain, however we all often cross shop or at least consider what news cars we want. And knowing how much problems cost the better. After all we all need the cash for that sweet ass exhaust

Twism > GhostZ
02/09/2015 at 18:59

Yeah, I saw one with my very own eyes.

a manual, V6 coupe camry would be an amazing find.

Takuro Spirit > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/09/2015 at 19:00

I don't get it.

Takuro Spirit > ly2v8-Brian
02/09/2015 at 19:00

*dead*

GhostZ > Twism
02/09/2015 at 19:00

I'm almost positive they never came in that configuration, but it's likely someone out there has swapped the drivetrain.

Takuro Spirit > qbeezy
02/09/2015 at 19:01

$260.00 on eBay... mmmmmm

Ryanator122 > Takuro Spirit
02/09/2015 at 19:20

When my camry died I searched for 2000-2001.

Hundreds of examples within 300 miles.

Added "V6" to the query...

35.

Added "Manual"?

Zero.

Expand to 500 miles?

Ryanator122 > GhostZ
02/09/2015 at 19:23

V6 Manual in the Camry was a thing. Most of the time the V6 came in the LE or the XLE, which were the higher trims. As such, the discerning (lazy, non-car-person) customers probably didn't want a 5 speed in their comfy family sedan, and thus not many were ordered.

It WAS an option sold here though.