Hello,

Just joined as I have committed to purchasing a used Camry and wanted to get a head start on info/advice. If this is the wrong forum section for this post, apologies and let me know where to post this request.

She is a 2017 SE 2.5L, grey w/black interior, base options. 101K miles. $14K firm. Overall condition is good to good+, 2 owners. VIN checks out. Details follow.

Present owner did use some touch up paint on a few scratches and had to epoxy a small crack in the front bumper. Bodywork is generally in nice condition otherwise:
- no wrench markings on any hood bolts, fender bolts, or trunk lid bolts. The paint is smooth/unmolested where it wraps around the hood/trunk lid edges. Paint matches inside gas filler door. Body seams look good.
- no odd smell in the cabin, no moisture on driver/passenger floor.
- no sunroof which is a plus to me
- spare tire well is dry.
- driver seat electrics work.
- headlights a bit hazy, owner is supplying a resto kit but may be better to just buy new units from Rockauto?

Mechanically she runs/drives smoothly:
- owner let me pull codes (they could have been previously cleared I understand), none present or stored.
- no leaks I could see underneath.
- oil relatively clean but owner says she's been serviced recently. Carfax bears this out.
- tires are nice Michelins with a lot of tread left.
- transmission shifts smoothly, both in D and using paddles. Did not notice anything out of the ordinary.
- engine accelerates smoothly, not the greatest power but she is a 4 banger.
- brake rotors are smooth on the outside but pads will need replacing, fluid is down. Braking hard from 60+ is good, no major shudder or steering offset. Any thoughts on best pads/price?
- suspension felt good, if not track ready

Interior is good, not great:
- some minor staining here/there, looking at good seat covers to protect from this point on. No rips/tearing.
- dash/wheel/panel clean
- A/C was working well
- cruise control works
- the electronics I did check work

I'm sure I overlooked some things, probably due to my initial impression being a good one. Hopefully I didn't miss something that may bite me in the azz. The price is actually good for my area of N. AL in this present market. I did see 2 other '17 Camrys with comp mileage, one in Nashville, one in B'ham, for about $13K each, but then add in dealer fees, so +$500 or more. Plus travel to see/test drive, just a hassle not $.

Stated reason for selling; 3rd child on the way and going the minivan route. The present owner appears to be a decent guy, no reason to doubt him. I've only had one other Toyota. It was an '82 1.8L 5 spd Corolla wagon. Drove her into the ground, taught both kids to drive a stick using her. Sold with 257K on the clock, original A/C system still working .

Thoughts/advice?

TIA for any feedback,
ACE

 

The 2017 is supposed to be decent car. It is the last year of the 7th Generation of Camry thus the bugs were worked out before Toyota moved onto Generation 8.

You seem to have covered all the bases in inspecting the car. Might walk around it in the sun to glance at its reflections and look for paint and body inconsistencies indicating possible body work.

The car is too young to have what might be more common issues on all cars but since your checking everything out.

Operate the car in a few 360's left and right at low speed to listen for clicking or popping indicating possible worn CV joints. If you can see under the car check as best can the CV and steering arm boots for damage. Drive over a few bumps to check for rattles from worn out sway bar bushings.

The radiator is plastic and over time might have cracks. Check the radiator upper tank for coolant weeping from hairline cracks.

A few complaints about interior electrical items not working so check everything electrical. Previous years had trans torque converter issues which should have been worked out. Converter shutter, slipping.

The Toyota navigation and screen displays have had issues across all models.

Your might run the VIN for possible recalls.and safety campaigns.

Can't comment on price as don't know and zip code dependent.

Thus a decent car.

If you do buy the car get the trans fluid completely changed. Just have it changed. Here not power flushed, use no chemicals, no back flush. Just get the old out and new as gently as possible. At over 100K its time for a change and don't believe the hype that its lifetime fluid!

If you want detailed complaints of what can go wrong go to the Toyotanation.com site in appropriate Camry generation forums. Make sure you reference a 2017 as Gen 7 started at 2012 and the first few years had its bugs.

 

Thanx for the response, points noted. I've read horror stories of transmission flush issues for various types of transmission, so a simple change is all I would do. Carfax indicates regular oil/filter changes, cabin air filter change, injector cleaning (FWTW), etc.

This price for my zip code is better than many, especially used car dealers. The market has been stupid overpriced for a while, some say it will crash soon, others have the opposite opinion. I'm running around in a 28 yr old Explorer and can't wait much longer.

Thx,
ACE

 

It has taken this long, but the Camry I posted about is finally mine. This process has been an exercise in patience.




I have more pics all the way around, but I'm not sure how to reduce the size a bit in the post, and this may not be the right forum area for pics?

ACE

 

Operate the car in a few 360's left and right at low speed to listen for clicking or popping indicating possible worn CV joints. If you can see under the car check as best can the CV and steering arm boots for damage. Drive over a few bumps to check for rattles from worn out sway bar bushings.