Scotty indicated in one of his talks re. used Camrys that you should get a V6 for some years due to issues with the 2.4l motor 2AZ-FE. Then in some of his other talks he recommends getting a V4 because it is not as hard on the engine/transmission, it is cheaper to fix, and it has a maintenance-free timing chain and better gas mileage. So in the Camry years 2000-2006 and 2010-2013-should I get a V6 or V8? Which has better resale value? Thank you for your help!
V4 or V8 engines were never offered in the Camry. Inline 4 or V6 only.
I'm 70, recently widowed, trying to do a crash course in cars so I can get a used Camry to last for a couple of years in hopes that the car prices will normalize. -so I assumed that a 6 cylinder engine was a V6 and 4 cylinder would be a V4. Haven't heard/read the term inline 4. Thanks for the clarification. So do I want a 6 cylinder or 4 cylinder older-pre-2007 Camry?
The 4-cylinder engine will use less gas and be less expensive to service overall. The V6 obviously is more powerful but is less economical and will cost more to maintain, being more complex and more difficult to work on.
Toyota's oil burning problems due to defective piston rings in the Camry are most common in the 2007-2011 4-cylinder models with the 2AZ-FE engine and should be avoided. (A sticker in the engine compartment identifies the engine model.)
If the engine has been properly maintained with regular oil changes the timing chain requires no other maintenance. (It is engines with timing belts that require regular changes.)
No matter what car you consider it should be checked out by a good mechanic before purchase.
There is no such thing as a maintenance free timing chain. The timing chain is only one part of a system that includes sprockets, tensioners and guides.
You do not want a 4cyl 2012-2014 Camry
Yikes, so it looks like 4 cylinder Camrys from 2007-2014 should be off the table due to severe engine and transmission problems. Might be best to just buy a V6 model even though regular running costs will be a bit higher.