subject: The Carbuyers Guide To The Toyota Camry [print this page] If buying a second hand toyota camry in Ireland there are certain things you should look for.Neglected metallic paint can be faded through to metal. Moulded plastic bumpers are often covered to mask repairs.
As the bonded front and rear screen seals fail, water will pour in under the carpets and rot the floor. Front apron has flimsy metal stays at each corner worth all of 50 cents but cost 25 to replace.
Check for underbody damage at front. Walk away if the body is no good.Appalling imitation body panels and lights are common and ruin Camry safety and strength.. High-mileage steering wheel rims could pull away from internal frame. Check all door hardware, locks, interior/dash lights and switches especially heater fan which is costly and fiddly to get working again. Padded central console lid essential for rear passenger safety but nasty folded plastic hinges snap for costly replacement.
Spongy brake pedal usually means master cylinder overhaul. Air-con may need costly updating if not working.Camry engines never give trouble, then reach a point when most items fail in rapid succession. First to go is the radiator or the alternator, followed by a leaky water pump driven by the cam belt and hidden from view for disaster if not caught in time. Welch plugs, oil seals around distributor, engine sump, rocker cover and rear main then go in quick succession as under bonnet heat destroys everything perishable.
Cooling hoses, windscreen washer jets and hoses, ignition coil, expensive plug leads and distributor cap, fuel lines, power steering hoses and pump all need to be monitored.Noisy or worn manual gearboxes are now showing up. Excessive graunching or noise suggests a hard life or faulty clutch hydraulics. Broken engine mounts are common and quickly generate costly exhaust fractures.Rear liftback struts on wagon fail but can be re-gassed. Check rear wiper operation. Make sure liftback shuts and seals properly to avoid killer exhaust leaks. Check rear load area for tell tale creases from hefty rear impact.
