150,000 Miles on the Enterprise

"Captain of the Enterprise" (justanotherdayinparadise) 01/03/2020 at 17:45 • Filed to: Toyota, Toyota Camry, 150000 mile club, 150k

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It’s been a while since I’ve posted more than an hour rule but here goes. Also, Kinja is being weird about letting me type around photos.

The Enterprise hit 150,000 miles a couple weeks ago! I’ve had this 2011 Camry Le 2.5 I-4 since April of 2018 when I bought it with 121,000 miles. Much like the totaled 2005 Corolla it replaced, this was purchased for a specific reason. I need a highly reliable and dependable commuter car that is practical and economical. I bought this one for $5,000 and with the four cylinder it is pretty economical. I average about 25-27 mpg. Is it exciting? Not particularly. Is it a fantastic commuter? Definitely. For me it is much more comfortable than the 2005 Corolla it replaced. I’m 6'3" and find the extra height and width much more comfortable. It’s a fantastic tool for what I need as I wrap up college and prepare for my future life.

Is it reliable and dependable? I hate tempting fate so I’ll just say that in the time I’ve owned it I’ve done oil, filters, tires, brakes and put in an aftermarket radio. All of which were easy and straightforward and totally expected. So far, it’s rock solid. Additionally, I had it looked at by a transmission shop and they said that the transmission was in great shape and that they wouldn’t even have me change the fluid because it was good as well. I also had an oil analysis done on it and that came out great. Apparently, it only has approximately 7,500 of wear based on the sample. Which was mentioned twice in the analysis and with surprise so it shouldn’t be a typo.

Unless something happens I’m expecting it to easily make it to the 200,000 mile mark at which point I think I will consider everything “bonus miles” after that but could also see it making much farther without much issue. I’d love to see it hit 300,000 miles but also would like to move to something else eventually.

While it doesn’t excite me it just works and I can rely on it for whatever I’m doing. I feel I could drive cross country today if I wanted or needed and that commuting is easy for it. For that I’m grateful and happy with my choice. 

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 17:48

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Kudos to you, man. I keep telling myself that I need something like your car for my daily commute, and then some weird part of my id kicks in and I end up with a ten year old BMW 

Captain of the Enterprise > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 01/03/2020 at 17:55

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Thank you, I’d love to go the other route but I’m seriously poor right now with trying to get through college and and working with all my health issues. Eventually, I will have a fun car but I need to graduate and get there first. 

E90M3 > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 01/03/2020 at 17:58

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In Savannah, I drove 76 miles a day, I also thought a 10 year old BMW was my commuting solution. 

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 01/03/2020 at 17:58

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Whenever I think of replacing my DD Mini with something, all I can think of is of even older German cars....

wafflesnfalafel > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 18:00

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P erfect car for the job, (but does it have an answer for the Kobayashi Maru test?)

Captain of the Enterprise > wafflesnfalafel 01/03/2020 at 18:08

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The test itself is a cheat lol

Chuckles > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 18:10

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I am glad to hear that it’s still serving you well. Our next car will probably be something larger because occasionally the Fiat isn’t quite big enough and the Civic is getting old . Something like your Camry would be pretty good for when we would need to take passengers in the back seat. I imagine the ride is also smoother than the Fiat due to the longer wheelbase.

Captain of the Enterprise > Chuckles 01/03/2020 at 18:12

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Thank you! It does ride great, better than the Corolla I think due in large part to the longer wheelbase. The back seat is quite spacious as well for adults even my size. 

shop-teacher > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 18:12

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Very good! I'm right behind you in mileage, but n the '06 Sierra crew cab I've been DDing since new. It also does not excite me, but has always done its job so we'll, and been so reliable, that I've grown to love it because of how trusty it is.

Captain of the Enterprise > shop-teacher 01/03/2020 at 18:14

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Very nice! I’m in a similar boat with how I feel about it. I really can’t complain and it does it’s job very well and I feel better being able to trust it than having to worry about it all the time. 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Chuckles 01/03/2020 at 18:17

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Compromise: a compact for big people that isn't entirely boring 

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/1st-gen-chevy-cruze-the-oppositelock-review-and-buyers-1840529624

shop-teacher > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 18:25

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Having my trusty truck in  the fleet, has allowed me the flexibility to undertake the other vehicular shenanigans I’ve done over the last several years. I never have to worry about how I’m going to get to work.

Captain of the Enterprise > shop-teacher 01/03/2020 at 18:26

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Solid! Thats what I’d like to do eventually. Have a reliable daily and something more fun. 

shop-teacher > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 18:28

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It's pretty great. Right now I'm not in a position to have the fun vehicle as well either, but that time shall come again.

Captain of the Enterprise > shop-teacher 01/03/2020 at 18:42

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I hope it comes quickly for both of us! 

shop-teacher > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 18:45

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Me too :)

Chuckles > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 01/03/2020 at 19:01

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I would need to sit in one, but I'm more interested in midsize sedans at this point. I used to have a 2002 Honda Accord EX with the V6 and I enjoyed that a lot.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 19:28

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Yay! I’m of the persuasion that a car doesn’t have to be outright exciting to be enjoyable. Cars are what you make them....if you love it, you love it. :)

Captain of the Enterprise > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 01/03/2020 at 20:01

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Thanks!! I agree!

Ssfancyfresh > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 20:31

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This, to me,  is peak C amry. I think it’s the best one they made and the 4 cylinder is the one to get. I spent a lot of time with a camry just like this and it helped me realize just how great they are. 

Captain of the Enterprise > Ssfancyfresh 01/03/2020 at 20:42

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I haven’t driven a lot of different gens but am very happy with this one. This is the first year with the 2.5 instead of the 2.4 so it’s supposed to have less oil consumption issues. I’ve also heard the 6 speed trans is really reliable and lasts a long time and is a solid transmission. They really are great cars. It’s the best car I’ve owned so far. 

MultiplaOrgasms > Ssfancyfresh 01/03/2020 at 20:44

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Peak Camry is the XV10 Camry Wagon

LastFirstMI is my name > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 21:17

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Damn it Jim, that’s an appliance not a starship



NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 21:43

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There is a *lot* to be said for a reliable, no-hassle daily driver, even if not terribly “exciting.”

E specially when you have other stuff (like school, work, etc.) on your mind and the last thing you need is another problem to deal with.

Ssfancyfresh > MultiplaOrgasms 01/03/2020 at 22:03

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That was probably the most important generation of Camry. It’s certainly the era when Honda and Toyota cemented their strangle hold on the midsize car market in the US.

But those cars were small, expensive, and under powered compared to their rivals. They were certainly much nicer than any Camry before and it, to me, sort of reminds me of what Hyundai/Kia are doing now.

“Hey! We can actually make good cars! We don’t have to keep selling a value leader in the economy car market! Let’s go!”

But Captain’s Camry is peak Camry. The recipe wa s (is)  perfect for the heart of the market. Those cars are huge, comfortable, efficient, reliable, and affordable. They have decent performance and safety and great resale.  if you were buying something in that segment, why would you buy anything else?

I mean, maybe an A ccord. But that’s it.

AestheticsInMotion > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 22:21

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There’s something to said for a car that gets you where you need to be in comfort, mile after mile without worry . My built Miata might be more * exciting* , but more enjoyable? Only on the best days. Most of the time I’d much r ather have s omething that doesn’t leak in the rain, doesn’t require gymnastics to get in, a bent neck when driving, constant worry about thieves, earplug-level road-noise ...

Keep it 'till 300,000!

arl > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 22:44

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This is good Oppo. Make it so number one! 

Captain of the Enterprise > LastFirstMI is my name 01/04/2020 at 08:49

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Lol

Captain of the Enterprise > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny 01/04/2020 at 08:50

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Exactly, I’m quite happy with it because of that. 

Captain of the Enterprise > AestheticsInMotion 01/04/2020 at 08:52

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Thanks! There definitely is something to be said for it. If rust or major problems don’t kill it first I’d like to take it to 300,000. It won’t be worth a whole lot by the time I pay it off and I’d love to hold onto it as a daily driver and pick up a second vehicle that could then be more fun or risky. I wouldn’t mind driving it into the ground. 

Captain of the Enterprise > arl 01/04/2020 at 08:53

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Thank you!!

sonicgabe > Captain of the Enterprise 01/04/2020 at 21:56

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Most excellent. My first car (back in 1993) was an ‘81 Corolla wagon with 120,000. Besides consumables (pad, belts, oil, and the like) it was all original parts. Still had the original clutch, which I got about 20,000 miles out of before having to replace it. Besides one inconceivable incident of a strut mount breaking, nothing unexpected went wrong with it. I eventually had to do some work on it: head gasket, fan clutch, and a few other little things. It was bulletproof, as is the Toyota way.

Hats off to all the Oppos who rock high mileage vehicles, be they as fresh as your Camry or as crusty as our ‘95 Ranger (which has ???,??? miles; the odometer broke at 130,006 and we are way north of that at this point). Hats off to all you. 

Captain of the Enterprise > sonicgabe 01/05/2020 at 12:00

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Thanks! I’m happy with my Yota. Hats off to you’re high miler too!