Topic: '06 Camry V6 LE for $13K...Comments/Advice?

[RoyJen]

Hi gang,
I was offered an OTR price of $13K for a 2006 Toyota Camry V6 LE with 145 000 km.  The dealer also offered to toss in a 1year/20000 km powertrain warranty.

Is this a good buy?

Thanks for your opinions!

[articsteve]

You are in an expensive market compared to Ontario so I can't comment on price.

What is the service record like?  Transmission services?

It's got a timing belt and it's probably original and the belt will need to be replaced probably asap..  My son says it's not interference and I'm leaning towards that it is.  The 3.0 V6 was non interference.  You definitely need to check that out first.

Does it have power driver's seat and roof (power group) ?

[RoyJen]

Service records look pretty clean at first glance.  Car was sold and maintained at the same dealership before being traded in.  No major work has been done.

Thanks for pointing out the "milestone" maintenance items.  I had forgotten to check on those.  I'm pretty certain the timing belt is still original.

I'm pretty certain the only Toyota interference engines are the older 1.5L, 1.8L and 2.4L versions found in the Tercel, Corolla/Camry, and their trucks, respectively.  Off the top of my head, I can't remember the exact model years.

Thanks for your input - I would have forgotten to check up on some important items otherwise.

This is my first time buying pre-owned: any other tips?

You are in an expensive market compared to Ontario so I can't comment on price.

What is the service record like?  Transmission services?

It's got a timing belt and it's probably original and the belt will need to be replaced probably asap..  My son says it's not interference and I'm leaning towards that it is.  The 3.0 V6 was non interference.  You definitely need to check that out first.

Does it have power driver's seat and roof (power group) ?

[articsteve]

The only thing that is problematic on used vehicles is that the auto trannies are rarely serviced.  If it was indeed serviced at a Toyota dealer and if it was a strong store the service guys would have hit the previous owner up for 2 tranny services which is just a dump and refill.  None the less, worthwhile.  Any Toyota can run the VIN for you and find out.

The only other thing which applies to all cars is make sure that it never had a hitch installed.

It will need the rad fluid replaced.

[PJungnitsch]

It's worthwhile to go through and check what other maintenance needs to be done as well (engine oil, brake fluid, brake pads, rotors, exhaust, brake fluid flush, differential oil, wipers, etc). I bought a used Tundra from a Toyota dealer, and they were perfectly happy to charge me for changing the oil, brake pads, skim the rotors, etc AFTER I had paid for it and used it a month.

Had never bought a vehicle from a dealer before and had assumed 'Certified Used' meant they had done all that, but they hadn't, it just meant they checked and everything met minimum spec.

For your own piece of mind it is good to have all the wear items, fluids, etc replaced or renewed (or for sure know what has to be done and when) on a used vehicle when you get it, so it is probably worthwhile to see what you can negotiate with the shop before you give them your cash.

The other thing is the accident history.

[RoyJen]

I REALLY appreciate all this great advice. 

I'm now armed with a decent checklist for my next visit.  I'll report the outcome in the next couple weeks.

[joelietz]

How did it go? If you're still shopping and haven't bitten on that car yet I know it sounds elementary but get an inspection done.

A friend of mine bought a used VW Passat and had she known that the owner AND the dealership skipped on maintenance and it needed new brake calipers and a few other things all around she would've been able to talk them down another 2-3k in the price. Beware of stingy seemingly friendly dealers.

In the past I would've expected more from a Porsche dealership. Not the case anymore.