Hi Scotty, I am interested in buying a 2001 Camry 4 cylinder CE with 104K miles. The Camry was in Florida until 85K (about 2 years ago) then it was in Connecticut for the next 19K miles. Since the Camry is about 24 years old, is there anything I should replace because of the old age, for example, the automatic transmission or the steering rack or power steering pump or even parts of the engine. My reasoning is old cars have seals that wear with age and thus may require changing one or more car parts. Also will the Camry last at least 5 year without changing any parts for the sake of seals that may wear with age. Thank you.
You expect a 21-year-old car to last another 5 years without needing repairs? Good luck with that.
No, that is not what I asked. I know it will need a timing belt, water pump, the usual. I want to know if the transmission will need to be replaced only because of the age of the Camry, 23 years. I know the tranny has seals that may wear only due to age. So, I want to know if for the sake of the 23 year old seals or other parts inside the tranny, the whole tranny will need to be replaced because of age? I am hoping the tranny will last another 100K without needing replacement. I of course will flush the tranny fluid and then do drain and fills. Thank you.
No, that is not what I asked. I know it will need a timing belt, water pump, the usual. I want to know if the transmission will need to be replaced only because of the age of the Camry, 23 years. I know the tranny has seals that may wear only due to age. So, I want to know if for the sake of the 23 year old seals or other parts inside the tranny, the whole tranny will need to be replaced because of age?
There's no way to tell unless one happens to have a functioning crystal ball. If it's not leaking now the seals are obviously OK at this time. How long they'll last is anyone's guess. Proper maintenance helps since dirty fluid will chew away at the seals. Cars newer than that can have leaking trans seals and in much older vehicles the seals might still be OK. (I have a 1971 model where the original trans and seals are still fine.)
Expecting a car that old to last another 5 years without major problems is going to be a crap shoot. It might last another 5 or 10 years, or even more, if properly maintained. However it also might die tomorrow, in which case it still will have lasted a very long time.
Your best bet is to have the car evaluated by a good mechanic before purchase so at least you'll have a good idea of its current condition.
Thank you for your response. Helpful.
No problem - being a cheapskate I've made a lifelong habit of buying old, high-mileage cars at low cost, but I have realistic expectations. Also I do my own repairs, which makes a huge difference in the feasibility of operating an older vehicle.
My current daily driver was purchased in 2011 for $1500 when it was "only" about 15 years old but with a little over 200K miles. I only really expected to get a year or two out of it - but I'm still driving the thing today. Sometimes you get lucky and they'll surprise you.
I want to know if the transmission will need to be replaced only because of the age of the Camry, 23 years.
Not because of age, but because of lack of maintenance and misuse.
My reasoning is old cars have seals that wear with age and thus may require changing one or more car parts. Also will the Camry last at least 5 year without changing any parts for the sake of seals that may wear with age.
After 23 years, every piece of rubber on/in the Camry is already suspect. As for the cars 'future service', vast majority of that is already in the rear view mirror..
Have a mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection first, before you buy.
Thank you for your response. Helpful
I of course will flush the tranny fluid and then do drain and fills.
Flushing that transmission is begging for trouble.
Thank you. Not sure if flushing a Camry though would hurt especially the 2001 and earlier because they were the best Camries ever.
Not sure if flushing a Camry though would hurt especially the 2001 and earlier because they were the best Camries ever.
Don't flush any vehicle's transmission. Debris can get into the valve body and wreak havoc on your transmission. Only do a drain and fill.
will the Camry last at least 5 year without changing any parts
you can expect that it will need a lot of parts replaced
