Buy a 2003 Camry for a steal even with the known engine issues?
#1
06-13-2010, 02:31 PM
Buy a 2003 Camry for a steal even with the known engine issues?
I have an opportunity to buy a 2003 Camry with 21K miles on it for $7K. Little old man owned since new, he can no longer drive it to church so he is selling it. Looks like it just left the lot...absolutely immaculate in every way but I know these models are prone to the head bolt failure. Should I just walk away from it knowing that the motor could blow in 30K miles? Thanks
#2
06-13-2010, 04:22 PM
The 4 cylinder engine has this issue. Don't know what percentage of engines have experienced this problem, Toyota made a lot of these engines. Toyota changed the engine block design sometime later.
It appears the problem occurs around 60K and up. Toyota still appears to be non-supportive for out of warranty repairs.
Otherwise:
There have been posts about changing the coolant more frequently the recommended (Toyota uses long life coolant). Not sure what this does.
Don't overheat the engine.
If the threads do fail owners have been using Time-Serts to repair the block. This site and sites such as Toyotanation have posts on using this product.
There was someone who was attempting to develop a stud replacement package for this engine as they did for the GM NorthStar.
http://www.northstarperformance.com/sgstuds.php
Not sure what repair costs would be, perhaps $500 if DIY, guessing add 10+ hours shop time if having it professionally done (you would need to find a shop that does this). Not sure if a Toyota dealer would do this. Their position in the past was to install a new block, perhaps this has changed.
As to buying this car. It appears to be an excellent price given condition and mileage.
It appears the problem occurs around 60K and up. Toyota still appears to be non-supportive for out of warranty repairs.
Otherwise:
There have been posts about changing the coolant more frequently the recommended (Toyota uses long life coolant). Not sure what this does.
Don't overheat the engine.
If the threads do fail owners have been using Time-Serts to repair the block. This site and sites such as Toyotanation have posts on using this product.
There was someone who was attempting to develop a stud replacement package for this engine as they did for the GM NorthStar.
http://www.northstarperformance.com/sgstuds.php
Not sure what repair costs would be, perhaps $500 if DIY, guessing add 10+ hours shop time if having it professionally done (you would need to find a shop that does this). Not sure if a Toyota dealer would do this. Their position in the past was to install a new block, perhaps this has changed.
As to buying this car. It appears to be an excellent price given condition and mileage.
#3
06-14-2010, 07:00 AM
Thanks for the info...yah it is the 4cyl engine we are looking at. Seems like such an amazing deal but with a possibly fatal flaw. Who would have thought Toyota could screw up so badly. We are also picking up a 93 Camry with 198K miles on it today for a second car and I have no worries about that one running for a while longer. Decisions decisions....
#4
06-14-2010, 10:09 AM
Yes, one thing about the 1993 Camry is it has been around long enough that all the unknowns are well known along with their fixes.
Aftermarket and salvage yard parts are also readily available at reasonable prices.
The Generation 3 was well built and simple to work on.
No all 2AZ-FE engines have problems
Aftermarket and salvage yard parts are also readily available at reasonable prices.
The Generation 3 was well built and simple to work on.
No all 2AZ-FE engines have problems
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