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Goodbye Volkswagen, Hello Toyota
My VW was officially declared dead, tote, kaput, pining for the fjords. And a replacement engine , even at around 130K on it would have run around $3200 parts and labor, anything less than 100K pushing $4400.
My mechanic simply told me "I'm telling you this, do NOT invest in another engine, go find a used car, preferably a Toyota since you'll be using it for work!"
I had no choice, I needed a vehicle, needed one badly, very badly, No car, no work, no work no income.
I had my Trump Bux set aside for one of three things, Emergency Rent, Debt reduction, or Potential car repair/replacement....to a car it went. I skipped a credit card payment, and pawned a few firearms (Selling them would only have fetched me $50 more, and I rather get them back!)
Immediately its noticed across the country, thanks to Covid-19, fewer new cars are being sold/ fewer traded in. Used cars have gone up in price. And usually at stupid prices. Cars with 150K plus in miles were averaging over $5K, hell , I seen some with 189K-229K on the engine and over $6K. The cars less than $2K were utter junkpiles. I preferred a car with a manual transmission (Theft proof in todays world practically) Only found one, a 99 Camry that was difficult to even shift into gear (Bad clutch) and when I got it on the road, the whole front end shook like the car like it was on a paint shaker, quickly denied!!
Then drove to Rockford Illinois, found this one, a 1999 Camry with 136K on it, 6 cylinder, intact interior, working AC, some rust on the right side along the bottom of the doors. Took it for the test drive, violently put it through maneuvers to check the suspension , shocks and control arms, brakes too. The salesman was actually pleased I tortured the car first saying "Most people just drive a car to test it, you seriously pushed the car to the extremes first! "
I will say this, as a highway car, it performed flawlessly, great road car.
Got it home, took it to my mechanic, who looked it over, glad to see a Toyota, then bitched it was a 99 Camry "You bought an old car!!" I said I had no choice due to money issues. He pointed out the timing belt was 10 years old, and the serpentine belt was a factory original! Plus gets worse mileage in town than the VW since its a six cylinder.
And I still owed him for the replacement timing belt on the VW when he found the bad #2 cylinder . So he made an offer I couldn't refuse, he'll take my VW, part it out, and cover my one bill and also will replace the timing belt and water pump, plus a serpentine on the Toyota. Yeah, its 21 years old, old enough to buy a drink, but again, I had no choice on my very limited budget.
The day after I got the car...the damn check engine light comes on, my asshole slammed shut thinking the VW curse followed me to this car, its the catalytic converter is roached, That will be $650 since its a dual catalytic system. Plus I still need to title and Register the car and the DMV is closed due to Covid-19! I dare NOT push my luck with that.
So yeah, seriously need to scare up registration/title funds, catalytic funds and get my firearms out of hock ASAP.
But at least I have a car again! And can work again!!! (But Dammit!! August is a dead month delivery/tip-wise. ) Gotta seriously score seat covers too, damn cloth seats! Oh and I got to replace the passenger side mirror housing, this one is FUBAR'd and the glass is seriously scratched. Thankfully Amazon has them cheap, slapped one on my wishlist for later when I get the Registration, catalytic replaced.
My mechanic simply told me "I'm telling you this, do NOT invest in another engine, go find a used car, preferably a Toyota since you'll be using it for work!"
I had no choice, I needed a vehicle, needed one badly, very badly, No car, no work, no work no income.
I had my Trump Bux set aside for one of three things, Emergency Rent, Debt reduction, or Potential car repair/replacement....to a car it went. I skipped a credit card payment, and pawned a few firearms (Selling them would only have fetched me $50 more, and I rather get them back!)
Immediately its noticed across the country, thanks to Covid-19, fewer new cars are being sold/ fewer traded in. Used cars have gone up in price. And usually at stupid prices. Cars with 150K plus in miles were averaging over $5K, hell , I seen some with 189K-229K on the engine and over $6K. The cars less than $2K were utter junkpiles. I preferred a car with a manual transmission (Theft proof in todays world practically) Only found one, a 99 Camry that was difficult to even shift into gear (Bad clutch) and when I got it on the road, the whole front end shook like the car like it was on a paint shaker, quickly denied!!
Then drove to Rockford Illinois, found this one, a 1999 Camry with 136K on it, 6 cylinder, intact interior, working AC, some rust on the right side along the bottom of the doors. Took it for the test drive, violently put it through maneuvers to check the suspension , shocks and control arms, brakes too. The salesman was actually pleased I tortured the car first saying "Most people just drive a car to test it, you seriously pushed the car to the extremes first! "
I will say this, as a highway car, it performed flawlessly, great road car.
Got it home, took it to my mechanic, who looked it over, glad to see a Toyota, then bitched it was a 99 Camry "You bought an old car!!" I said I had no choice due to money issues. He pointed out the timing belt was 10 years old, and the serpentine belt was a factory original! Plus gets worse mileage in town than the VW since its a six cylinder.
And I still owed him for the replacement timing belt on the VW when he found the bad #2 cylinder . So he made an offer I couldn't refuse, he'll take my VW, part it out, and cover my one bill and also will replace the timing belt and water pump, plus a serpentine on the Toyota. Yeah, its 21 years old, old enough to buy a drink, but again, I had no choice on my very limited budget.
The day after I got the car...the damn check engine light comes on, my asshole slammed shut thinking the VW curse followed me to this car, its the catalytic converter is roached, That will be $650 since its a dual catalytic system. Plus I still need to title and Register the car and the DMV is closed due to Covid-19! I dare NOT push my luck with that.
So yeah, seriously need to scare up registration/title funds, catalytic funds and get my firearms out of hock ASAP.
But at least I have a car again! And can work again!!! (But Dammit!! August is a dead month delivery/tip-wise. ) Gotta seriously score seat covers too, damn cloth seats! Oh and I got to replace the passenger side mirror housing, this one is FUBAR'd and the glass is seriously scratched. Thankfully Amazon has them cheap, slapped one on my wishlist for later when I get the Registration, catalytic replaced.
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Yup, according to TimPool (one of their own...) The "media" and the resthave been plotting it...just the possibility of "cheating" by either side looks to be the projectedcause...damnit...
Video here...
https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/9580235/
Video here...
https://www.furaffinity.net/journal/9580235/
If the catalytic converter is roached and its only 650 count yourself lucky.. There a bit of flex pipe on the 2003 4cylinder Camry. To replace it properly with factory parts is around 1200 because the flex is part of the exhaust including the catalytic converter.. Though I don't have to worry about a timing belt as Toyota used a timing chain on their 4cylinder engines
so you have to weld the replacement part to both pipe ends... still way cheaper than the whole part. you might have to remove it at least partially, though, in order to create a closed welding seam. I've done that at our auto shop a few times now. don't let them talk you in to replacing the whole ensemble without need. :)
Hhhhhgh. ...both mercedes I showed you were immaculate, nothing needs to worked on with a Mercedes, they run forever and mine got 37 MPG. Nothing wins against a Mercedes on the road, either.
There are no aftermarket repair parts for a toyota, no oversize piston rings to rebuild the engine.
I hope this lasts for you, but Toyota lasts a long time driving in snow free states like California, not Wisconsin.
The clandestine way of bridging the cat problem is to heat it up to 800 degrees then drop it in a barrel of water, this explodes the platinum bb's inside the cat, then bang a hole throgh to the other side and weld ot on both sides of the pipe. Toyota's don't blow smog, so no one but you will ever know, plus it will get a 35% gas per mile boost because the Cat is not restricting back pressure.
Get some plastic dry cleaner bags to go over your seats until you can afford real fitted plastic ones for your model and year.
You have to go to the DMV pound on the window until someone inside comes up to yell at you then ask "I need to make an appointment". Alternately call every DMV in Wisconsin to find one that actually answers the phone and make an appointment!
There are no aftermarket repair parts for a toyota, no oversize piston rings to rebuild the engine.
I hope this lasts for you, but Toyota lasts a long time driving in snow free states like California, not Wisconsin.
The clandestine way of bridging the cat problem is to heat it up to 800 degrees then drop it in a barrel of water, this explodes the platinum bb's inside the cat, then bang a hole throgh to the other side and weld ot on both sides of the pipe. Toyota's don't blow smog, so no one but you will ever know, plus it will get a 35% gas per mile boost because the Cat is not restricting back pressure.
Get some plastic dry cleaner bags to go over your seats until you can afford real fitted plastic ones for your model and year.
You have to go to the DMV pound on the window until someone inside comes up to yell at you then ask "I need to make an appointment". Alternately call every DMV in Wisconsin to find one that actually answers the phone and make an appointment!
I seriously miss my 57 and 67 Bugs, they were simple, performed great.
I admit, I prefer the safety of the VWs over the Toyotas, Hell, even Volvo's are better safety-wise.
Plus learned...NO VW's built from 2006-2008! Those were serious problem years.
BTW, the paint is fair, showing spot rust here and there, in some weird ass silver gray, plus the paint on the rear bumper is utterly failed.
I admit, I prefer the safety of the VWs over the Toyotas, Hell, even Volvo's are better safety-wise.
Plus learned...NO VW's built from 2006-2008! Those were serious problem years.
BTW, the paint is fair, showing spot rust here and there, in some weird ass silver gray, plus the paint on the rear bumper is utterly failed.
I see nothin wrong with driving a '99 Camry.
here is somethign you could try: sometimes a cat problem comes from worn-down spark plugs which the onboard diagnosis won't detect. considering the age of timing and serpent belts I'd try that first, then go to the highway and heat the engine up with low gear, full throttle hoping to burn the cat free of accumulated dirt and oil residue. if the light still comes on, well, it was worth a try.
good luck with that machine! :D
here is somethign you could try: sometimes a cat problem comes from worn-down spark plugs which the onboard diagnosis won't detect. considering the age of timing and serpent belts I'd try that first, then go to the highway and heat the engine up with low gear, full throttle hoping to burn the cat free of accumulated dirt and oil residue. if the light still comes on, well, it was worth a try.
good luck with that machine! :D
such ancient vehicles would be rendered either museum material or barely driven at all here in germany. mostly because it's often hard to get spare parts for them. some like mercedes and porsche reproduce many long-lost parts, but don't ask for the price tag...
I'm glad my 1974 Ford Taunus sedan just refuses to die. :P
I'm glad my 1974 Ford Taunus sedan just refuses to die. :P
In Santa Monica, I saw a white, 1930 Model A Ford convertible as a daily driver, unrestored, but it had a couple of "modern" parts (like an ignition lock), but otherwise was "Just this car". Parts for "beloved", or Popular older cars are always available. 1960's daily drivers are also quite common.
I'm kind of green with envy.
at least here we have the means of having a classic ride registered as a historic vehicle, given it's a decent condition and time-correct when it comes to rebuild or tuning. then you have to pay only 192€ of tax per year no matter the engine size. if you know what you do (and the testing engineer, too) there are many things you can get away with. I even saw an old 1934 Model A two-door sedan as a rat rod... I have no idea how that passed the historic test, but the license plate says it did.
at least here we have the means of having a classic ride registered as a historic vehicle, given it's a decent condition and time-correct when it comes to rebuild or tuning. then you have to pay only 192€ of tax per year no matter the engine size. if you know what you do (and the testing engineer, too) there are many things you can get away with. I even saw an old 1934 Model A two-door sedan as a rat rod... I have no idea how that passed the historic test, but the license plate says it did.
Had a 4 cyl 97 Camry up until late January 2018 until some asshole stole it. Police recovered it three weeks later and only things wrong were the front bumper being damaged and the interior being trashed. Still cranked up with no problem but sadly insurance declared it totaled. When I got it in 09 it had 130,000+ miles on it, when it got stolen it had 275,000+ and was still going strong. Never gave me transmission or engine problems the entire time I had it so yeah there really great cars.
Good luck with this one!
Good luck with this one!
that sounds like a reasonable trade. My nephew scored a used toyota camry it looked like it belonged to a little old lady who's garage was 2 inches too narrow for the car, mechanically perfect but cosmetically out to lunch. was 8 years old and only 2k so barely within his price range.
Toyotas are WAY more reliable; with proper maintenance of course. My 1996 Corolla currently has 233,000 miles on it and still rolling.
You should have better luck with this car. Once that catalytic converter gets taken care of, this car can run for a long time.
You should have better luck with this car. Once that catalytic converter gets taken care of, this car can run for a long time.
I’ve owned both Volkswagens and Toyotas. In fact, it was Volkswagen that precipitated the switch to Toyotas.
Volkswagens when they are new and still covered by a factory warranty are, I suppose, decent enough. But once the warranty expires, they quickly turn into the spawn of Satan. Mine cost me $7,000 in repairs alone in the 18 months I owned it. Never, ever again.
But then, tired of getting financially reamed, I bought a 2000 Camry with 130,000 miles. It now has 210,000 And Is still kicking ass. It too has a shot catalytic converter, and the check engine light comes on from time to time, but it also goes out on its own and, most importantly, here in the suburbs of Chicago where a vehicle must be tested for emissions compliance every two years, it still passes. And the A/C works.
Toyotas rule. I own two now and will buy nothing else.
Volkswagens when they are new and still covered by a factory warranty are, I suppose, decent enough. But once the warranty expires, they quickly turn into the spawn of Satan. Mine cost me $7,000 in repairs alone in the 18 months I owned it. Never, ever again.
But then, tired of getting financially reamed, I bought a 2000 Camry with 130,000 miles. It now has 210,000 And Is still kicking ass. It too has a shot catalytic converter, and the check engine light comes on from time to time, but it also goes out on its own and, most importantly, here in the suburbs of Chicago where a vehicle must be tested for emissions compliance every two years, it still passes. And the A/C works.
Toyotas rule. I own two now and will buy nothing else.
Had one of those, a 1995, as my work car in Los Angeles. I would put 3-400 miles a day on it. Oil changes every 3 months like clock work. Car wash every two weeks, replace the timing belt every 70,000 miles. I put 300,000 miles on it in 8 years. The only
Major problems were a radiator replacement, front end replacement. Otherwise trouble free.
Major problems were a radiator replacement, front end replacement. Otherwise trouble free.
Glad you've got wheels again, and your mechanic is right; it's hard to go wrong with a Toyota.
My brother had a '99 Camry (4 cylinder). I'm on my 3rd Toyota -- I'd still buy another. I loved my 2008 Solara, but it was getting long in the tooth. I looked up the VIN and the next owner had crahsed it within 3 months.
My brother had a '99 Camry (4 cylinder). I'm on my 3rd Toyota -- I'd still buy another. I loved my 2008 Solara, but it was getting long in the tooth. I looked up the VIN and the next owner had crahsed it within 3 months.
Toyotas are called boring cars, but really, that's what people want. They should want a car that gets them to work, reliably, gets them home, reliably, gets them everywhere they need to go, reliably, and you can't go wrong with a 6 cyl. Yes it's an older car, but from my experience, only the interior trim pieces go on older Toyotas. I had a few things fail on my 2000 Sienna but nothing has affected the drivability. It could still drive itself to the shop and back. What you have is an example of a basic car, with few electronic gizmos to go wrong, and legendary Toyota reliability. I think you still made a wise investment.
My last Toyota, a 94 Corolla, was basically a rebadged Chevy Prism. Was a problematic POS and blew its engine when I was heading to MFM in 2013. My ex still has the 98 Corolla I ended up buying in Cape Girardeau Missouri just to get to the con and get home. She's had several issues with it as well, but also doesn't add the miles like I do.
As long as the engine isn't bogging down, you can ride that catalytic converter with no problems. It's just not as efficient as it used to be. Have your mechanic do a backpressure test. The converter isn't too badly priced on RA ( https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/toyota,1999,camry,3.0l+v6,1357488,exhaust+&+emission,catalytic+converter,5808 )
I'm a bit late, but nice score! If that's manual, you scored one of the last V6 Camrys made with a proper gearbox. I've heard of those hitting over 300K with proper care so you've got a while.
I started out with '80s Toyotas, went to Honda/Acura, then to BMW/Audi. I loved how my BMW drove, but I could never keep it running well for more than a few months at a time. After an accident cosmetically totaled it, things started deteriorating pretty badly. I was trying to purchase one of my dream cars at the time so I had to limp it(or borrow my stepdad's old Tacoma). Flew out to Detroit from Colorado and bought said dream car, an '88 Celica Alltrac with 33K on the clock. This was Toyota's most technologically advanced, complex sports car of the era; the first Japanese turbo AWD rally car ever made. Unicorn rarity with almost impossible to find parts beyond general maintenance items. The car was sitting on a timing belt that had been last done before 9/11(this was 2015) and had been driven maybe a thousand miles in the past decade.
My BMW failed at about the same time my Celica arrived. I had no choice but to press the garage queen rally car into service as a daily driver. After a timing belt change I had virtually no issues other than an undisclosed incident regarding the steering rack mount that was not the fault of the car(VERY expensive repair, however). The grand total of other repairs needed were a distributor cap, blower motor, fog light fuse, and a rework of the air to water intercooler system(a DIY fix). The turbo is aging but I have a rebuilt unit waiting to go in. That solidness right there caused me to switch my entire fleet to Toyota. I probably won't ever own anything else.
I started out with '80s Toyotas, went to Honda/Acura, then to BMW/Audi. I loved how my BMW drove, but I could never keep it running well for more than a few months at a time. After an accident cosmetically totaled it, things started deteriorating pretty badly. I was trying to purchase one of my dream cars at the time so I had to limp it(or borrow my stepdad's old Tacoma). Flew out to Detroit from Colorado and bought said dream car, an '88 Celica Alltrac with 33K on the clock. This was Toyota's most technologically advanced, complex sports car of the era; the first Japanese turbo AWD rally car ever made. Unicorn rarity with almost impossible to find parts beyond general maintenance items. The car was sitting on a timing belt that had been last done before 9/11(this was 2015) and had been driven maybe a thousand miles in the past decade.
My BMW failed at about the same time my Celica arrived. I had no choice but to press the garage queen rally car into service as a daily driver. After a timing belt change I had virtually no issues other than an undisclosed incident regarding the steering rack mount that was not the fault of the car(VERY expensive repair, however). The grand total of other repairs needed were a distributor cap, blower motor, fog light fuse, and a rework of the air to water intercooler system(a DIY fix). The turbo is aging but I have a rebuilt unit waiting to go in. That solidness right there caused me to switch my entire fleet to Toyota. I probably won't ever own anything else.
those timing belt toyota v6 motors are notorious for exhaust leaks causing it to say it needs a catalyst
if there's louder than normal exhaust noise outta the front you can bet on the cats actually being okay.
Ignore the loud exhaust as long as you can bear it, because any exhaust repair is only temporary. Always better to find someone to weld back up the OEM stainless steel bits rather than replacing them with aftermarket parts which rust out in a year (walker, bosal, catco, all are just as bad).
if there's louder than normal exhaust noise outta the front you can bet on the cats actually being okay.
Ignore the loud exhaust as long as you can bear it, because any exhaust repair is only temporary. Always better to find someone to weld back up the OEM stainless steel bits rather than replacing them with aftermarket parts which rust out in a year (walker, bosal, catco, all are just as bad).
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