We are only doing essential maintenance on our 1997 Camry, brakes etc. Our headlights are dim making driving at night challenging. Considering changing them out for something brighter but not top-of-the-line. Any suggestions? My mechanic suggests some Sylvanias that are around $40 each for the bulb, which appears not prudent for a car so old. He would install them, so not sure of the Labor cost. He's also going to do something to the lenses which would help. So, in essence, new headlight bulbs for a 25-year-old car? I also need a new bulb in the dash and the overhead cabin bulbs, too. Don't want to go overboard. Many thanks for your insight.

 

One can buy both headlight units for $55 at Rockauto.com to DIY and save.

One can polish the headlight lens but I am no a big fan of this. There are kits one can buy to DIY. If you get a kit get one with a spray or wipe on liquid coating after polish.

Is this a back light dashboard bulb? Rockauto also sells these and dome lights.. The process of removing the instrument cluster is simple IF one knows what they are doing. and the dome light cover even more simple. One can find out the bulb number and shop local if wanted.

Youtube is your friend here. They will have videos on replacing the headlight assy and other bulbs plus lens polishing.

If you are short on cash read up and DIY.

Have done all of the above on similar year car and it straights forward. Which is one reason I replace a lens instead of polishing. Get the cost to polish and compare to cost to replace.