To Fix or Not? Beater 96 Camry
10-12-11, 09:25 PM
#1
To Fix or Not? Beater 96 Camry
So my beater daily driver died recently. A 1996 Toyota Camry coupe I4. I ran it without engine oil basically. Now the engine is dead and needs a replacement. Was quoted $2300 for parts and labor. Note that the car is only worth 2-3k running. So financially it doesn't really make sense to fix. All my friends and family suggest I scrape it.
However, it has sentimental value to me, being my first car since 18. Also, its rare with only 5000 2 door Camrys made. Plus I want something to drive to keep the mileage off my Lexus. If fixed, I don't ever plan on selling it. So its either fix it or sell it to the scrapyard for $250. Thoughts or suggestions? I have to make a decision soon. Thanks
However, it has sentimental value to me, being my first car since 18. Also, its rare with only 5000 2 door Camrys made. Plus I want something to drive to keep the mileage off my Lexus. If fixed, I don't ever plan on selling it. So its either fix it or sell it to the scrapyard for $250. Thoughts or suggestions? I have to make a decision soon. Thanks
10-12-11, 09:39 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
If it's any other car I would say junk it. But for me, a Camery offers insanely great value that I would do everything within my means and power to keep it (Currently we have one that we got it for less than $3k and we LOVE it). It's got great gas mileage doesn't it? And you obviously won't be able to get the same car for $250. We've all been down to that road where months after we regretted letting that car go.
10-12-11, 10:19 PM
#5
Lexus Champion
Find a wrecked one with a good engine, start swapping. Doing an engine swap in these cars is actually quite easy, one of the easiest out there.
10-12-11, 10:46 PM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
2 door camrys are quite rare. Not exotic status but a pretty good rare lil beater. I personally think $2300 is quite expensive. I replaced an engine in my maxima for $1000 installed.
10-12-11, 11:18 PM
#7
Camry motor is extremely hard to locate, even for mechanic shops, I know this since I sold at least 24 Pre 01 Camrys. I think if shop order it would cost them 1200, plus labor, it would be close to 2k to replace. A decent shape 96 camry cost around 2k, should just sell this one for 500-1200 with blown engine ( someone mechanic inclined woud buy it ), and buy another beater.
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10-12-11, 11:31 PM
#8
Lexus Champion
Buying another Gen3 Camry is easy. Finding a 2 door, quite a bit harder. A used engine is easy to find, but finding one that doesn't have 200K+ miles can be a challenge, best to find one that's been wrecked with lower mileage.
10-13-11, 03:29 AM
#10
I personally would find another beater and junk or sell this one for parts. I know it has sentimental value, but its just a Camry. I too have a beater Camry, but i bought it as a throw away car. If when it financially doesn't make sense to keep or repair it I'll just throw it away.
10-13-11, 07:54 AM
#13
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i will more than likely be in your situation soon as well. my camry was my first car, love it, dont just want to trash it, i daily drive it and its sitting at about 246k and the trans is slipping here and there.
if you can id say just sit it aside and drive your lexus while you save up for an engine and the work. since its not your only form of transportation you have room to take your time on fixing it and possibly saving some money in the process since it isnt that urgent
if you can id say just sit it aside and drive your lexus while you save up for an engine and the work. since its not your only form of transportation you have room to take your time on fixing it and possibly saving some money in the process since it isnt that urgent
10-13-11, 08:27 AM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Other things to think about? If you had a new engine in your Camry, would it be fine for the next year or so? Did you put any other money into it like suspension, brakes, trans etc?? If so, you know the engine repair would, for the most part, be the end of the money being put into it for a while.
Also, hows the rest of the car's condition? Are there other things you've been meaning to get fixed on it like stereo or A/C or even repairing the interior...? In that case I'd say cut your losses.
If you buy another beater car for $2k, who knows what other things it'll need since you don't know the history of it.
If you got another $2k car, you're pretty much taking over someone else's problems. If you junk it, I would look for something that is more like $4-5k. Might be more money up front, but less money to put into it over the next 2-3 yrs.
It might be hard letting go of your first car... but they're always bigger and better things down the road. I was bummed to get rid of my first car (blown head gasket, repair too much compared w/ value) but I don't wish I still had it now.
Also, hows the rest of the car's condition? Are there other things you've been meaning to get fixed on it like stereo or A/C or even repairing the interior...? In that case I'd say cut your losses.
If you buy another beater car for $2k, who knows what other things it'll need since you don't know the history of it.
If you got another $2k car, you're pretty much taking over someone else's problems. If you junk it, I would look for something that is more like $4-5k. Might be more money up front, but less money to put into it over the next 2-3 yrs.
It might be hard letting go of your first car... but they're always bigger and better things down the road. I was bummed to get rid of my first car (blown head gasket, repair too much compared w/ value) but I don't wish I still had it now.