I recently bought used 2010 Highlander 125,000 miles. Ive been very patiently searching for an excellent deal on a used car to replace our 98 Camry. I had a thought and wanted your expert feedback and insight about a possible strategy; I want to keep the Highlander as long as safely and economically possible. What about buying a matching Highlander same model and around same year. I thought this way as both age then it might be possible to borrow parts or get volume discounts etc. Aside from the extra cost of purchase price and gas mileage over another Camry, what are the pros and cons and is this a sensible or possibly beneficial strategy?One particular aspect of this is that Inhave the Limited AWD edition. I was thinking if I did this Id go for the 2wd version since Scotty says AWD is higher cost to maintain and stuff goes wrong. Furthermore if I found a base model 4 cyl for better gas would the parts swapping still be possible down the road?
thanks in advance.
Nah I'd just keep this one until it falls apart parts are cheap on Toyotas if you spend money on another one it would be a waste of money that is just my opinion and when it does have issues if something major goes wrong you would have to get rid of it anyways (like engine blows up) and you could get parts easily so limiting yourself to another car you spent money on doesn't seem the best of ideas IMO.
If its in good mechanical condition and has low miles the Highlander might last another 10 15 years with pretty good resale value if its in good shape and higher trim level later on so I would just hold onto that one.
Plus, even if a spare parts car was smart, you should wait till its a buyers market because right now its a sellers market and hard to find good deals, in my opinion too hard to spend time.
There will always be parts for Toyotas in the near future, so I wouldn't worry.
Great thanks for that perspective! and I will slow walk the purchase of whatevers next. I can get another few thousand or few months out of the Camry while we wait and search.
How mechanically inclined are you and do you enjoy working on your car?
Here is why I ask: say you buy the second car. Well, Toyotas are made very well so it's likely you won't be pulling parts for a while. Are you planning on buying a newer one for a parts car? Because robbing one old part to replace an old part is a waste of time. The big items you could salvage would be engine, transmission, rear differential, etc. Are you comfortable with removing those items and installing them correctly on the other car?
IMO, parts cars are a good idea for building old cars that you know are going to break. The small things that may go wrong on a Toyota can easily be repaired as parts are readily available. Most times the only reason guys buy parts cars is if parts are hard to come by. Highlander parts are sold on every street corner.
You would have to swap A LOT of parts to make up the cost of buying the second vehicle. And maintaining it. And insuring it. And fueling it.
I would pass for sure, but that's just my opinion.
Great points thank you for talking me off that cliff. Another Camry it likely will be.
You're welcome. Always happy to help. 🙂
I’ve never done it myself. I’ve heard of some folks buying a “parts car”.
I think a lot of the choice depends on space and technical know how. More space and more know how, more feasible. Less space and less know how, probably a waste of time and money.
I’m in the latter category.
Thank you
Not worth it. Parts are readily available for that vehicle (a Toyota and a popular model).
Thank you that makes sense to me.
What’s wrong with your old Camry?
Rusted frame
Damn. At least you got some good use out of it!!!
23.5 years not bad
Yeah it runs great still even in Boston where weather is below freezing still starts right up quiet as can be and is smooth on the highways. Great example of what you all say to everyone all the time your advice holds up in real life where it matters.
My 2 cents - used sedans are selling MUCH cheaper than SUV's, and are cheaper on gas, insurances, etc. Replace your 02 Camry with a 2012 Camry when the time comes, and get 13 years out of that one
I like where your heads at. thanks
I don't think you're going to see huge discounts for two vehicles 😆
However, having a second set of parts will make troubleshooting easier.
