RE: Shed of the Week: Toyota Camry 3.0 V6

[forzaminardi]

The choice in Shedland is usually something interesting but either unreliable or f*cked up or something dull that'll last forever. Prudence wins the day this week - quite a dull but nice barge.

[TurboHatchback]

I quite like it but then I am partial to an old Toyota. The only problem with old Toyotas is that although they are reliable, when you do need parts the prices from dealers are hysterical, they make German brand spare parts look like bargains. For the go-faster stuff there is a big aftermarket but I can't imagine the same is true for these.

[rtz62]

Limpet said:

For me it's a yeah but no but yeah but no but thing. I appreciate the wafty engine, and the fact it will probably still work faultlessly in 10 years with minimal maintenance, but I couldn't bring myself to spend a grand on something so dull. It's not like you have a great interior, or great dynamics, or lots of performance, or great external styling, or any one thing that makes you want to spend time in it. It's an appliance on wheels. Worthy and reliable, but when you compare the prospect of getting in this, to getting in an old Jag, BMW or Mercedes, and the way it's going to make you feel as a result, it's not even close.

And if you just want reliable transport, what's the point of a 3.0 V6 and the associated fuel bills?

This one wouldn't be for me?

I love the sentence "..but when you compare the prospect of getting in this, to getting in an old Jag, BMW or Mercedes, and the way it's going to make you feel as a result, it's not even close"

Is that the feeling of sitting in said luxo-barge on the hard-shoulder whilst waiting for the Recovery Services to come and tow you back home?
Because let's face it, the money you spend on one of those is less likely to buy you something that will keep going, than buying this white goods Toybota.
Someone referred to it as like sitting in warm wallpaper paste; at work we used to refer to cars like these as 'bank robbery cars'. Nothing to make them stand out, anonymous colour and styling, and if Joe Public was asked to describe the car that the bank robbers got away in, the description would be of something, well, average.
Having said all that, and as a cheap car to keep and run until it fails to run, or fails it's mot, its a good one. Fuel costs notwithstanding......

[carinaman]

em177 said:

rassi said:

Another trivia: The estate version had dual wipers for the rear screen

Now that's the sort of fun facts we like on a Friday morning

Wasn't that the version before?

[Limpet]

rtz62 said:

I love the sentence "..but when you compare the prospect of getting in this, to getting in an old Jag, BMW or Mercedes, and the way it's going to make you feel as a result, it's not even close"

Is that the feeling of sitting in said luxo-barge on the hard-shoulder whilst waiting for the Recovery Services to come and tow you back home?
Because let's face it, the money you spend on one of those is less likely to buy you something that will keep going, than buying this white goods Toybota.
Someone referred to it as like sitting in warm wallpaper paste; at work we used to refer to cars like these as 'bank robbery cars'. Nothing to make them stand out, anonymous colour and styling, and if Joe Public was asked to describe the car that the bank robbers got away in, the description would be of something, well, average.
Having said all that, and as a cheap car to keep and run until it fails to run, or fails it's mot, its a good one. Fuel costs notwithstanding......

That is a chance you take with any car at this level, and that's what breakdown cover is for.

Like I said, you spend a grand on a car for two main reasons: either it's your main car and you can't afford / don't want to spend any more, in which case you are unlikely to want a 3.0 V6 under the bonnet and the associated running costs. Or it's a second / third vehicle for a bit of fun, in which case reliability and practicality aren't likely to be the most important factors, and you want it to enjoy yourself in.

If you want to do a bank job or conduct any other business without attracting the attention of the Law, or to induce memory fog in eyewitnesses through sheer blandness, it is of course an excellent choice. No argument there.

Edited by Limpet on Friday 19th February 11:13

[only1ian]

Nuppy said:

I shouldn't like this but I do...

Im with you! We forget just how many interesting toyota's existed in the 1990's! Belt the afore mentioned supercharger on a run it until it pops

[DeanHelix]

I bought one of these a few years ago, solely for the engine to fit into an MR2. I drove it for a few thousand miles first to make sure everything was fine with the engine. What an exceptionally dull car. I've never found 197bhp to be quite so un-exciting apart from when strangled by this slushy auto-box. The car itself was solid and comfy, surprisingly big/wide compared to the Audi A4 estate I also ran at the time.

In the end, I decided the numbers of the engine swap didn't work (3500 for MR2, 1500 for Camry, another 4-5k to put the engine of one in the other - so, 10k all in for a V6 MR2 for which price there were other quicker options available) and sold it to some bloke who wanted to export it to Africa, apparently they really like the Camry out there.

[0a]

spreadsheet monkey said:

Great shed. Millions of middle class Yank buyers can't be wrong. For a grand, I would much rather have one of these than a rusty Merc W124 or a flakey Saab.

I'd definitely go for the rusty W124 (and did!)

[Horse Pop]

I'd be interested to know what codes the CEL was about.

I dunno about Camrys, but on the IS200 the TRC light comes on with the CEL to tell you there's something not right.

[Thunder18]

I'd much rather shed/waft around in an even less conspicuous Leg End.... for only a few quid more
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...

[kellyt]

I think the elephant in the room is that it's hideous. How can you get such poor power out of 3 litres? Move along, nothing to see here....

[Rumblestripe]

I used to love my old Avensis for its lovely soft ride and comfy seats, nothing ever went wrong on it and it was remarkably frugal for a 1.8 petrol. I've driven the old V20 model Camry and it was just like the Avensis but more so. Sadly my old Uncle wrote it off before I could "inherit" it. They are like going for a drive on a comfy sofa or perhaps a lovely divan. Those wanting to rag around rural bye ways need not (indeed, should not) apply.

Like it.

[kellyt]

Thunder18 said:

I'd much rather shed/waft around in an even less conspicuous Leg End.... for only a few quid more
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...

Indeed. It doesn't hit the Shed budget, but I'd second that. At least the interior is plentifully luxurious. And Honda, well, if you've had one it's hard not to like them.

[Hugh Jarse]

carinaman said:

em177 said:

rassi said:

Another trivia: The estate version had dual wipers for the rear screen

Now that's the sort of fun facts we like on a Friday morning

Wasn't that the version before?

Impressive outbearding, 2 points.

[Moominator]

I really like these. Sorry if it offends anyone but I've always liked japtastic saloons. The Crown etc etc from the 70's onwards.

The Camry is MASSIVE in the far east- Thailand etc.

Here we are hooked on shopping hatchback and bland saloon 3 series.

[soad]

Some say, Toyota Racing Development offered a supercharger?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Racing_Develo...

[Blackpuddin]

soad said:

Writer says, Toyota Racing Development offered a supercharger?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Racing_Develo...

Edited that for you.

[andybu]

I was "assigned" an earlier version of one of these (2 litre motor) when I took a new job as MD of a software company. There was 11 months to run on the 3 year lease and as the newest boy in the doors I got lumbered with it. Spent the next 11 months ragging it silly & trying to kill it. Which didn't work.

What really got me was the blancmange type handling. Plus under-steer and yet more under-steer. Lots of electronic toys to play with (my children christened it The Wurlitzer) but otherwise white goods on four wheels. The head gasket was chuffing away with a widening leak when it was taken away and replaced with a nice 5 series.

The occasional nightmares had finally stopped, so I'll thank Shed to not mention the Camry word ever again......

No. Just no.

[sinbaddio]

I rather like this. In a similar vain, I bought a 3.5 V6 Legend for the rusty rally last year, which got a proper hammering for five days solid and was an awesome vehicle. I expect this would offer the same experience

http://rustyrally.org.uk/the-italian-route/gallery...

[AC43]

If Alan Partridge hadn't been so successful he'd have driven one of these.