Sold on the Camry

[Jason James]

I've had this car for 3 years and it has been the best 2nd-hand car I've
bought ($8000 '95). Its just ticking over 168,000ks and it still has no slop
in the power-steering or rattles, noises in the suspension. The interior has
not fallen apart and the doors shut like new.

The engine is a little noisy in the top-end and it came with tar-like
residue due oil-change abuse some time in its past, but soi far I've got
away with that. The thing is, this apparently under-powered car (only
100kw/1.35T) pulls away in 3rd gear (manual) from 30 kph without shudder or
labouring.
Handling is amazing. If you push it thru a corner it remains neutral while
the pedal is down without any skating or ploughing. It hasn't got out of
shape in a corner yet.

They do have a bad rap in the perception stakes,..but I think this is
wrongly attributed. This car is as long as a C/dore but not quite as
wide,..the boot is huge compared to the old LTD and previous shitboxes, and
it remaons dust-tight. The exhaust and struts are original. It does run
cheese-cutters,..but on the plus side you can buy $69 tires for it. The AC
freezes ya nutz off. The only fault so-far has been the brake-mastercyl
resevoir level warning light,....but that's all folks...

Jason

[D Walford]

Jason James wrote:
>
> I've had this car for 3 years and it has been the best 2nd-hand car I've
> bought ($8000 '95). Its just ticking over 168,000ks and it still has no slop
> in the power-steering or rattles, noises in the suspension. The interior has
> not fallen apart and the doors shut like new.
>

Very typical Toyota quality and reliablity, why would anyone be stupid
enough to buy anything else:-)



Daryl

[Spankalogical Protocol]

"D Walford" <walford@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
news:426AC1D8.6BFBFA09@iprimus.com.au...
> Jason James wrote:
> >
> > I've had this car for 3 years and it has been the best 2nd-hand car I've
> > bought ($8000 '95). Its just ticking over 168,000ks and it still has no
slop
> > in the power-steering or rattles, noises in the suspension. The interior
has
> > not fallen apart and the doors shut like new.
> >
>
> Very typical Toyota quality and reliablity, why would anyone be stupid
> enough to buy anything else:-)
>
>
>
> Daryl

Hello World.

I couldn't help reading that in a John Laws voice :)

Valvoline....you know what i mean.

[jackbadger]

Typical.
That perception of being boring works in everyones favour except those who
buy new. The big fleet push means values drop sharply in first 3 years, but
then level out. Try and think of a 10-15 year old car that you'd trust as
much as a Toyota. They're built ok, but the secret is in the design;
clever in that it is simple, especially for those who have to screw the
things together.
My opinion, anyway.

jackbadger
abused '95 Tarago with 300,000km, costing stuff all to maintain.

[Uncle Bully]

"Jason James" <associate@dodo.comzapspam.au> wrote in message
news:d4drc6$bna$1@domitilla.aioe.org...
> I've had this car for 3 years and it has been the best 2nd-hand car I've
> bought ($8000 '95). Its just ticking over 168,000ks and it still has no
> slop
> in the power-steering or rattles, noises in the suspension. The interior
> has
> not fallen apart and the doors shut like new.

I don't think anyone ever questioned the quality of the Toyota, it just
looks and performs like a cardboard box.

>
> The engine is a little noisy in the top-end and it came with tar-like
> residue due oil-change abuse some time in its past, but soi far I've got
> away with that. The thing is, this apparently under-powered car (only
> 100kw/1.35T) pulls away in 3rd gear (manual) from 30 kph without shudder
> or
> labouring.
> Handling is amazing. If you push it thru a corner it remains neutral while
> the pedal is down without any skating or ploughing. It hasn't got out of
> shape in a corner yet.

That's because it doesn't have enough power to get out of shape. Handling is
a proportion of engine power to chassis dynamics. Put a 185kw engine in
there (ie standard Falcon donk) and see how it goes.

>
> They do have a bad rap in the perception stakes,..but I think this is
> wrongly attributed. This car is as long as a C/dore but not quite as
> wide,..the boot is huge compared to the old LTD and previous shitboxes,
> and
> it remaons dust-tight. The exhaust and struts are original. It does run
> cheese-cutters,..but on the plus side you can buy $69 tires for it. The AC
> freezes ya nutz off. The only fault so-far has been the brake-mastercyl
> resevoir level warning light,....but that's all folks...

I had an Avalon for a week when on holidays and the car did everything it
needed to do. But no matter how much I agreed that it works well, I could
never convince myself to liking it.

[Dan---]

"D Walford" <walford@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
news:426AC1D8.6BFBFA09@iprimus.com.au...

>
> Very typical Toyota quality and reliablity, why would anyone be stupid
> enough to buy anything else:-)

That cardigan is looking really well worn. :-p
I agree that they are reliable but its as exciting as being in a coma. :-)
--
Regards Dan

[jackbadger]

>I had an Avalon for a week when on holidays >and the car did everything
it
>needed to do. But no matter how much I agreed >that it works well, I
could
>never convince myself to liking it.

fast forward to 2013, your wife/mum/good friend/daughter/son wants to
spend $10k on a car, must be reliable and cheap to run, have plenty of
space, doesn't really care about anything else, asking you for advice. You
suggest a 2003 Avalon, she/he takes your advice, loves the car, fitted the
criterea (especially reliability), eternally grateful for sound advice.
Would you like it then?
I'd NEVER buy one for myself, but fuck I'm glad they exist!

[Serialpest]

On 24/4/05 1:10 PM, in article 15Eae.484$bc7.17132@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au,
"Dan---" <nospam@thansx.com> wrote:

> "D Walford" <walford@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> news:426AC1D8.6BFBFA09@iprimus.com.au...
>
>>
>> Very typical Toyota quality and reliablity, why would anyone be stupid
>> enough to buy anything else:-)
>
> That cardigan is looking really well worn. :-p
> I agree that they are reliable but its as exciting as being in a coma. :-)

Sounds like your sex life. Have you always had a thing for black women?

[Uncle Bully]

"jackbadger" <castle56@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:a0e77f05d7c8ebbf5f0b1cccd7268aff@localhost.ta lkaboutautos.com...
> >I had an Avalon for a week when on holidays >and the car did everything
> it
>>needed to do. But no matter how much I agreed >that it works well, I
> could
>>never convince myself to liking it.
>
> fast forward to 2013, your wife/mum/good friend/daughter/son wants to
> spend $10k on a car, must be reliable and cheap to run, have plenty of
> space, doesn't really care about anything else, asking you for advice. You
> suggest a 2003 Avalon, she/he takes your advice, loves the car, fitted the
> criterea (especially reliability), eternally grateful for sound advice.
> Would you like it then?
> I'd NEVER buy one for myself, but fuck I'm glad they exist!

At the rate petrol proces are going, I'd probably recommend a horse :)

[jackbadger]

>> I'd NEVER buy one for myself, but fuck I'm >>glad they exist!

>At the rate petrol proces are going, I'd >probably recommend a horse :)

OOOOOOOOH....careful. The ABS sensors and exhaust manifolds are known to
give trouble! :p

[Jason James]

"Uncle Bully" <wakeupcall@optushome.com.au.REMOVE> wrote in message
news:426af2fd$0$4655$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>
> "Jason James" <associate@dodo.comzapspam.au> wrote in message
> news:d4drc6$bna$1@domitilla.aioe.org...
> > I've had this car for 3 years and it has been the best 2nd-hand car I've
> > bought ($8000 '95). Its just ticking over 168,000ks and it still has no
> > slop
> > in the power-steering or rattles, noises in the suspension. The interior
> > has
> > not fallen apart and the doors shut like new.
>
> I don't think anyone ever questioned the quality of the Toyota, it just
> looks and performs like a cardboard box.
>
> >
> > The engine is a little noisy in the top-end and it came with tar-like
> > residue due oil-change abuse some time in its past, but soi far I've got
> > away with that. The thing is, this apparently under-powered car (only
> > 100kw/1.35T) pulls away in 3rd gear (manual) from 30 kph without shudder
> > or
> > labouring.
> > Handling is amazing. If you push it thru a corner it remains neutral
while
> > the pedal is down without any skating or ploughing. It hasn't got out of
> > shape in a corner yet.
>
> That's because it doesn't have enough power to get out of shape. Handling
is
> a proportion of engine power to chassis dynamics. Put a 185kw engine in
> there (ie standard Falcon donk) and see how it goes.

You mean as in powering out of a corner? What I meant was corners entered
too fast do not upset the neutral balance of the car,...


> > They do have a bad rap in the perception stakes,..but I think this is
> > wrongly attributed. This car is as long as a C/dore but not quite as
> > wide,..the boot is huge compared to the old LTD and previous shitboxes,
> > and
> > it remaons dust-tight. The exhaust and struts are original. It does run
> > cheese-cutters,..but on the plus side you can buy $69 tires for it. The
AC
> > freezes ya nutz off. The only fault so-far has been the brake-mastercyl
> > resevoir level warning light,....but that's all folks...
>
> I had an Avalon for a week when on holidays and the car did everything it
> needed to do. But no matter how much I agreed that it works well, I could
> never convince myself to liking it.

Prior, I drove new fleet cars ie Falcodores,..the Camry has pluses and
minuses,..power being one,..but other stuff like tracking and stability is
as good or better.

Jason

[dvk]

"Dan---" <nospam@thansx.com> wrote in message
news:15Eae.484$bc7.17132@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
> "D Walford" <walford@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> news:426AC1D8.6BFBFA09@iprimus.com.au...
>
> >
> > Very typical Toyota quality and reliablity, why would anyone be stupid
> > enough to buy anything else:-)
>
> That cardigan is looking really well worn. :-p
> I agree that they are reliable but its as exciting as being in a coma. :-)

I don't see how they're any less exciting than any other family hack getting
round Australia.

The irony is that the harping on about cardigans and lack of excitement is
even more comparable to being in a coma.

[D Walford]

Dan--- wrote:
>
> "D Walford" <walford@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> news:426AC1D8.6BFBFA09@iprimus.com.au...
>
> >
> > Very typical Toyota quality and reliablity, why would anyone be stupid
> > enough to buy anything else:-)
>
> That cardigan is looking really well worn. :-p
> I agree that they are reliable but its as exciting as being in a coma. :-)

I'm getting bored with those untrue comments about Toyota's:-)
If I owned something other than a Toyota I'd get bored sitting around
for hours waiting for my car to be repaired.



Daryl

[Dan---]

D Walford" <walford@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
news:426C4E52.3BD09ED1@iprimus.com.au...
> Dan--- wrote:
> >
> > "D Walford" <walford@iprimus.com.au> wrote in message
> > news:426AC1D8.6BFBFA09@iprimus.com.au...
> >
> > >
> > > Very typical Toyota quality and reliablity, why would anyone be stupid
> > > enough to buy anything else:-)
> >
> > That cardigan is looking really well worn. :-p
> > I agree that they are reliable but its as exciting as being in a coma.
:-)
>
> I'm getting bored with those untrue comments about Toyota's:-)

LOL sorry just rattling some cages. :-)

> If I owned something other than a Toyota I'd get bored sitting around
> for hours waiting for my car to be repaired.
>

I wouldn't wait around I would go somewhere. :-)

[cd]

Mum, had a magna, handeling was twitchy to say the least, felt like it
wanted to jack knife when switching directions with the steering. Anyway
my mum ended up crashing over the side of a bridge, She used the
insurance money on a humble 89 camry. Immediatly i could tell this older
toyota was MUCH better then the magna, the handeling felt so much more
predictable and sure footed. And amazingly the engine is still going
just fine even tho my mum is shocking with maintanence, not changing oil
for over a year, running with a leak in the radiator overheating it many
times, running low oil! retarded timing, blocked cat. I thought it was
truly screwed, but after an oil change, new cat, new radiator and
general tune up (timing, new spark plugs, air filter) it's like a new
engine still, smooth and fuel effiecient. I'm impressed especually now
that it's approaching 300,000k's.


Jason James wrote:
> "Uncle Bully" <wakeupcall@optushome.com.au.REMOVE> wrote in message
> news:426af2fd$0$4655$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.au ...
>
>>"Jason James" <associate@dodo.comzapspam.au> wrote in message
>>news:d4drc6$bna$1@domitilla.aioe.org...
>>
>>>I've had this car for 3 years and it has been the best 2nd-hand car I've
>>>bought ($8000 '95). Its just ticking over 168,000ks and it still has no
>>>slop
>>>in the power-steering or rattles, noises in the suspension. The interior
>>>has
>>>not fallen apart and the doors shut like new.
>>
>>I don't think anyone ever questioned the quality of the Toyota, it just
>>looks and performs like a cardboard box.
>>
>>
>>>The engine is a little noisy in the top-end and it came with tar-like
>>>residue due oil-change abuse some time in its past, but soi far I've got
>>>away with that. The thing is, this apparently under-powered car (only
>>>100kw/1.35T) pulls away in 3rd gear (manual) from 30 kph without shudder
>>>or
>>>labouring.
>>>Handling is amazing. If you push it thru a corner it remains neutral
>
> while
>
>>>the pedal is down without any skating or ploughing. It hasn't got out of
>>>shape in a corner yet.
>>
>>That's because it doesn't have enough power to get out of shape. Handling
>
> is
>
>>a proportion of engine power to chassis dynamics. Put a 185kw engine in
>>there (ie standard Falcon donk) and see how it goes.
>
>
> You mean as in powering out of a corner? What I meant was corners entered
> too fast do not upset the neutral balance of the car,...
>
>
>
>>>They do have a bad rap in the perception stakes,..but I think this is
>>>wrongly attributed. This car is as long as a C/dore but not quite as
>>>wide,..the boot is huge compared to the old LTD and previous shitboxes,
>>>and
>>>it remaons dust-tight. The exhaust and struts are original. It does run
>>>cheese-cutters,..but on the plus side you can buy $69 tires for it. The
>
> AC
>
>>>freezes ya nutz off. The only fault so-far has been the brake-mastercyl
>>>resevoir level warning light,....but that's all folks...
>>
>>I had an Avalon for a week when on holidays and the car did everything it
>>needed to do. But no matter how much I agreed that it works well, I could
>>never convince myself to liking it.
>
>
> Prior, I drove new fleet cars ie Falcodores,..the Camry has pluses and
> minuses,..power being one,..but other stuff like tracking and stability is
> as good or better.
>
> Jason
>
>

[Jason James]

"cd" <urantiacjd@dodo.com.au> wrote in message
news:426c7f8b$0$14373$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au...
> Mum, had a magna, handeling was twitchy to say the least, felt like it
> wanted to jack knife when switching directions with the steering. Anyway
> my mum ended up crashing over the side of a bridge, She used the
> insurance money on a humble 89 camry. Immediatly i could tell this older
> toyota was MUCH better then the magna, the handeling felt so much more
> predictable and sure footed. And amazingly the engine is still going
> just fine even tho my mum is shocking with maintanence, not changing oil
> for over a year, running with a leak in the radiator overheating it many
> times, running low oil! retarded timing, blocked cat. I thought it was
> truly screwed, but after an oil change, new cat, new radiator and
> general tune up (timing, new spark plugs, air filter) it's like a new
> engine still, smooth and fuel effiecient. I'm impressed especually now
> that it's approaching 300,000k's.


The Toyota endurance stories dont come much tuffer than your mums,...what
with the periodic overheating. Not to worry, all the females in my family
dont have a clue either. My daughter has fried 2 engines,..to her expense
tho I put them in for her (the new ones),..women.

Jason

[jackbadger]

>The Toyota endurance stories dont come much >tuffer than your
mums,...what
>with the periodic overheating. Not to worry, >all the females in my
family
>dont have a clue either. My daughter has fried >2 engines,..to her
expense
>tho I put them in for her (the new >ones),..women.

>Jason

Your daughter's lucky!
My stepbrother asked me to find him a car back in 1998, had $10k to spend.
Found a Toyota Cressida Grande with everything. Gave him 3 years & 8 months
of faultless service....................until he went away on business for
4 weeks leaving the car with his girlfriend (now his wife).
She decided to 'pretty' the car up for his impending return, so after
having the car detailed, drove to a servo for top-ups. Fill with petrol -
check; fill up washer bottle - check; fill the tyres - check; check the
oil level - .......at this point, after opening the cap marked 'oil' (or
'710', another story!!!), decided it must be low as she could see no
evidence of oil down there. Added 1 litre, no improvement. Bought a 4
litre container, all the time thinking 'lucky he's got me to check this
sort of stuff'. Topped up until it started spilling over the sides,
replaced cap, tried to start engine..............$6,000 for a replacement
2nd hand motor from a Japanese Supra, fitted.
Like you said, women!!

Can't live with 'em..........
Can't shoot 'em!