1998 Camry

[Alan Prost]

So in need of advice, I have always had a soft/ bland spot for these, this one is local, under a grand with 81k on the clock, would expect to knock him down a bit..... could you tell us the pros and cons of the old 2.2?

Toyota Camry 2.2i auto Saloon 1998 Green Long MOT Low Mileage _ eBay.html

[Alan Prost]

Try again

[wuvvum]

@Spottedlaurel is the expert on these. 

[Spottedlaurel]

Just now, wuvvum said:

@Spottedlaurel is the expert on these. 

Already tapping out a reply

[Alan Prost]

1 minute ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Already tapping out a reply

Waiting for a more educated view rather than my; I like the shape and colour combo.........

[dollywobbler]

Isn't the 2.2 pretty bombproof? They adore these, and even more the previous generation down under.

[Spottedlaurel]

Hmmm, what to say?!

I've had a 2.2 Sport version of this generation, and four of the previous-gen including three 2.2s (one of which I still have on the road, I used it just yesterday). I've had one or another on the road for most of the last 14 years (sometimes several at the same time).

Parts are expensive when they're needed, but it's a 1990s Toyota so you shouldn't need them that often. Get half-decent parts by Blueprint or the like if you can. I imagine it would be possible to get some parts from the USA, but I've always managed to work something out here so far.

Brake calipers can need freeing-off if the car hasn't been used for a while.

Masses of room around the 4-cyl engine making for easy maintenance/replacement.

The 2.2s in particular drive very nicely. They're the sort of car you need to live with to appreciate how good they are. The engine has decent torque low down but continues to rev well (mine sounds positively sporty with a full stainless exhaust system).

I saw that one on eBay a day or two ago and it struck me as a fairly honest old thing. At that mileage it should loads of life left in it yet. Wuvvum had my first estate off me and took it over 200k miles, I only took it off the road because of a few niggling things, nothing fundamental and it still drove well until the very end (I had it back for spares).

[Alan Prost]

11 minutes ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Hmmm, what to say?!

I've had a 2.2 Sport version of this generation, and four of the previous-gen including three 2.2s (one of which I still have on the road, I used it just yesterday). I've had one or another on the road for most of the last 14 years (sometimes several at the same time).

Parts are expensive when they're needed, but it's a 1990s Toyota so you shouldn't need them that often. Get half-decent parts by Blueprint or the like if you can. I imagine it would be possible to get some parts from the USA, but I've always managed to work something out here so far.

Brake calipers can need freeing-off if the car hasn't been used for a while.

Masses of room around the 4-cyl engine making for easy maintenance/replacement.

The 2.2s in particular drive very nicely. They're the sort of car you need to live with to appreciate how good they are. The engine has decent torque low down but continues to rev well (mine sounds positively sporty with a full stainless exhaust system).

I saw that one on eBay a day or two ago and it struck me as a fairly honest old thing. At that mileage it should loads of life left in it yet. Wuvvum had my first estate off me and took it over 200k miles, I only took it off the road because of a few niggling things, nothing fundamental and it still drove well until the very end (I had it back for spares).

Ah pleased you clocked that one, anything I should look out for on inspection?

[High Jetter]

I could be interested in a 5-door

[Madman Of The People]

Here in the US of A, these cars are as numerous as cockroaches in a greasy-spoon restaurant.  And, just like a cockroach, these cars refuse to die.

Until it was recently surpassed by the RAV4, the Camry was Toyota's top selling model and America's top selling passenger car for two decades straight.  We're tripping over the damn things.  Book an Uber on your phone and, chances are, the car picking you up will be a Camry.  They were the go-to choice for risk-adverse consumers who valued reliability above all else.  In other words, the overwhelming majority of American car buyers.

Camrys of this generation were almost always beige and duller than daytime television.  For those lacking in any sense of aesthetic taste, faux-gold badges were depressingly popular during this time.  I still see quite a few 20-year-old Camrys with faded "gold" badges and bashed-in bumpers, a testament to their owner's lack of driving skill and their complete disinterest in cars, in general.

The cost of shipping to the UK aside, the USA should be an endless source of cheap parts for your Camry.  It may be a somewhat rare novelty in Blighty but, over here, the Camry is as common as dirt and even less interesting.  These cars have a reputation for being a cure for insomnia so be careful not to nod off behind the wheel!

 

[Spottedlaurel]

8 hours ago, Alan Prost said:

Ah pleased you clocked that one, anything I should look out for on inspection?

To be honest, I really can't think of anything specific. Have you looked at the MoT history of it online, there's nothing too scary there.

It'd be good if the cam belt and water pump have been done relatively recently.

Try and get feel if the the wheels all rotate freely, to make sure you haven't got a sticky caliper somewhere.

My Sport had a bit of rot in the door from a former accident repair, otherwise this generation doesn't seem to rust much.

I used mine on several trackdays, it acquitted itself remarkably well:

Like I say, you need to own one for a while to get what they do and how they do it so well.

8 hours ago, High Jetter said:

I could be interested in a 5-door

You'd have to get a previous-gen model like mine, they did do an estate of the next one but it was a bit more swoopy and not sold as widely.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I’m hoping that all the good things people are saying apply to the 02 2.4 auto I seem to be high bidder on since looking at Camrys last night.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Toyota-Camry-2-4-VVT-i-CDX-4dr-automatic-petrol-grey-saloon/264933074227?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225076%26meid%3D335f2b11730c4d3384bd02deafade250%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D353278268406%26itm%3D264933074227%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

Big gap in MOT history that points to it being on taxi compliance ticket between 2015 and 2019, but I’m sure if I tidy it up and do a better ad. There’s £4/500 in it . Although if I sell my E Class I’d be happy driving round in it, let’s see if anyone jumps in, I don’t see it at more than £800, especially without viewing it.

[Cookiesouwest]

Surely even when used as a taxi, it would have still needed an mot?

[St.Jude]

1 hour ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

I’m hoping that all the good things people are saying apply to the 02 2.4 auto I seem to be high bidder on since looking at Camrys last night.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Toyota-Camry-2-4-VVT-i-CDX-4dr-automatic-petrol-grey-saloon/264933074227?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225076%26meid%3D335f2b11730c4d3384bd02deafade250%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D353278268406%26itm%3D264933074227%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

Big gap in MOT history that points to it being on taxi compliance ticket between 2015 and 2019, but I’m sure if I tidy it up and do a better ad. There’s £4/500 in it . Although if I sell my E Class I’d be happy driving round in it, let’s see if anyone jumps in, I don’t see it at more than £800, especially without viewing it.

I raise you a 1998 Vsex

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Camry-V6-Sport/324365702957?_trkparms=aid%3D888008%26algo%3DDISC.CARDS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200220090753%26meid%3D73bc64160ee94d359a62a75bdf8346f6%26pid%3D100752%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D264933074227%26itm%3D324365702957%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDiscV1&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m1982

[NorfolkNWeigh]

23 minutes ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Surely even when used as a taxi, it would have still needed an mot?

There is an exemption from MOT if a Taxi Compliance test is in place. Most drivers have both, but you can save the MOT fee if you choose not to have an MOT certificate. I’m assuming that’s what’s happened here, but it might be something else, exported even if just to Channel Islands, IOM etc. Although it did do 45,000 miles in that time.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

13 minutes ago, sgtberbatov said:

I raise you a 1998 Vsex

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Camry-V6-Sport/324365702957?_trkparms=aid%3D888008%26algo%3DDISC.CARDS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200220090753%26meid%3D73bc64160ee94d359a62a75bdf8346f6%26pid%3D100752%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D264933074227%26itm%3D324365702957%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDiscV1&_trksid=p2047675.c100752.m1982

Yeah, saw that . But it’s in Edinburgh and I think Jeanette Krankie is about to shut the border...

[St.Jude]

16 minutes ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

Yeah, saw that . But it’s in Edinburgh and I think Jeanette Krankie is about to shut the border...

But she has quite a lovely bottom. Compliment her on that and she'll let you past.

Don't ask me how I know.

[bunglebus]

16 hours ago, Alan Prost said:

I have nothing to add,other than that is an excellent reg for a Japanese car

[scdan4]

I bought a v6 Camry as a quick stopgap, it ended up lasting 6 years and 80k

only sold it (with circa 175k on ) as got bored.

Great, but dull cars.

[Alan Prost]

49 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

I have nothing to add,other than that is an excellent reg for a Japanese car

Yep I thought most fitting!

[High Jetter]

5 hours ago, NorfolkNWeigh said:

I’m hoping that all the good things people are saying apply to the 02 2.4 auto I seem to be high bidder on since looking at Camrys last night.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Toyota-Camry-2-4-VVT-i-CDX-4dr-automatic-petrol-grey-saloon/264933074227?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225076%26meid%3D335f2b11730c4d3384bd02deafade250%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D353278268406%26itm%3D264933074227%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DDefaultOrganic&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

Big gap in MOT history that points to it being on taxi compliance ticket between 2015 and 2019, but I’m sure if I tidy it up and do a better ad. There’s £4/500 in it . Although if I sell my E Class I’d be happy driving round in it, let’s see if anyone jumps in, I don’t see it at more than £800, especially without viewing it.

£800? You were hopeful! Sold for £1.220.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

11 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

£800? You were hopeful! Sold for £1.220.

I was high bidder at £750 until about 2 mins to go , then it went mad. It finished up about where I’d expect to sell it on at!

I was a little wary of the “ worn exhaust”

[Macscrooge]

 I looked at a green 2.2 years ago but bought a(nother) Volvo instead. Still nice looking cars. My American daughter in law was much amused when I asked who has the Camry in her family. And yes, they have one. 

[Alan Prost]

58 minutes ago, High Jetter said:

£800? You were hopeful! Sold for £1.220.

Thing is, I personally just like the old shape one, those tail lights!

[Alan Prost]

11 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

To be honest, I really can't think of anything specific. Have you looked at the MoT history of it online, there's nothing too scary there.

It'd be good if the cam belt and water pump have been done relatively recently.

Try and get feel if the the wheels all rotate freely, to make sure you haven't got a sticky caliper somewhere.

My Sport had a bit of rot in the door from a former accident repair, otherwise this generation doesn't seem to rust much.

I used mine on several trackdays, it acquitted itself remarkably well:

Like I say, you need to own one for a while to get what they do and how they do it so well.

You'd have to get a previous-gen model like mine, they did do an estate of the next one but it was a bit more swoopy and not sold as widely.

Looked at MOT history, nothing scary!

[robinmasters]

I have nothing useful to add.

But phwoar, look at this:

[Cord Fourteener]

Looks nice to me, looks like a reliable and comfy mobile sofa thats not very common here(as @Madman Of The People says almost everywhere they are like cockroaches!)

Are these front or rear drive? I've never managed to work it out, I've always assumed that as they are so popular in markets who also like muscle cars and pony cars that they are...? 

[Lacquer Peel]

FWD. 

[St.Jude]

8 hours ago, robinmasters said:

I have nothing useful to add.

But phwoar, look at this:

Looks like a bigger, more plush version of my Corolla. 

I want one now.

[Alan Prost]

Big Corolla, think I'm going to take a look, just waiting to hear back on cambelt evidence.......