Is the automatic transmission in the 1990 Toyota Camry known for its reliability, or should I be concerned about potential issues with it? I am considering a purchase but am unsure if the automatic transmission is a dealbreaker regarding reliability.
The car has 120,000 miles and I am buying it from a dealer
Please don't take this the wrong way but you have got to be kidding. Any expectation reliability for daily use is out the window when the vehicle is nearly 35 years old. How much longer do you realistically expect to get out of it?
The 120,000 mile claimed mileage is suspiciously low, a little more than 3500 miles per year, and would require verification to be believed. Even if true, parts deteriorate with age as well as mileage and if the car has not been properly maintained over those decades it may well not last much longer.
Then if the car spent any amount of time in an area with salted winter roads rust is going to be a concern.
What kind of dealer is selling cars that old? A bottom-feeder BHPH (Buy Here Pay Here) lot?
That thing is so ancient, it almost belongs in a museum!
What if its well taken care of 🙂
It's still decades old, being sold by a dealer that is most likely very sketchy, and most mechanics won't touch it because it's pre-OBD2.
Look around you on the road. How many cars that old do you see in regular use? Probably not many and there's a reason for that.
Sorry you don't like the answer (down vote) but that's the reality. Unless your intent is to buy a weekend toy that you're going to be wrenching on yourself for fun, buying that thing is a poor decision.
Apologies for the accidental downvote; that wasn't my intention. I actually find your conclusion quite reasonable. Out of curiosity, could you share your thoughts on what would be an appropriate listing price for this (just curious lol)?1990 Camry: https://www.insightmotors.com/details/used-1990-toyota-camry/101748138
If it's in running condition maybe $500.
it might have been a reliable car back in 1990 , but it's 34 years old now.
What if its well taken care of
if someone really stayed on top of replacing all the aging rubber hoses, bushings, seals and plastics, then maybe. But it's just going to continue to rot and cost money to maintain.
From the odomoeter, it sounds like it sat somewhere for extended periods of time which isn't good for cars.
In any case you shouldn't pay much for it (they should really be paying you to take it off their hands).