1997 Camry (Worth the repairs?)

SMOODIE

MEMBER
1997 TOYOTA CAMRY

Hi Guys - I have a 4cyl Camry that has pretty much gone everywhere with me. Right now we are at 225,000 miles, and to be honest not until a couple months ago were things starting to look not to bright.

Here is a list of issues right now:

Leaky tranny (figure I can have it serviced and it will go away)

Final Drive leaking bad (I don't know what that means)

Need to replace all belts they are getting bad

Assuming I need new struts, back of the car has no absorption of impact. If I have someone in the back seat and I hit a speed bump, I will most definitely feel it.

Slight oil leak under the car.

My question - Is it worth going in and having all these repairs done? At 225,000 miles is it worth it? What do you guys think I am looking at for these repairs (Ball park figures)

I appreciate it fellas, and look forward to hearing your responses. Aside from a little leak here and there, and a little bumpy side, the car runs fine. Never replaced the tranny or engine. Only major issue was someone rear ended me. Thats it!

3 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

You'll need to be more descriptive to answer the final drive leak, it's part of the transmission.

There is a member called buzzass that may have an opinion on that.

The leaky tranny may be the final drive leak?

Say you put $1000 into it for the rear struts, the tranny leak and the belts, just as a wild but conservative guess, can you buy a car that you know the condition for that much? Once you own it, your drivin cheap. I'll send you an article that I wrote for motorage magazine that may help.

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Monday, October 1st, 2007 AT 5:28 PM

SMOODIE

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Sorry for the vague. I took it into get the oil changed and it's what the guys told me. That the Tranny gasket needs to be replaced. Also said the Final Drive is leaking bad (needed to add in 2 pints). The tranny gasket I can have done no problem, just never heard of the final drive so didn't really know what to look for in that situation.

As for the struts, I called up Pep Boys and those guys will do them for $429.87 plus tax. Sound reasonable?

I agree with the driving cheap comment, I just don't want my tranny to go out soon after I do all this work. Being that I am up in the 225k range, I don't know how long those bad boys last. Besides the little leaks, it seems tip top shape.

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Monday, October 1st, 2007 AT 5:47 PM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

A quart low isn't a good thing. May want to fix the leaks first and run it a few months. Should it go south, you'll still have the option of doing the struts or not. If the tranny does go bad, there is an option of used...$1000?

So if that puts you to $2000, that breaks down to a little less than $200 a month for the next year... It looks like you drive 22,500 miles per year, that equates to (2000/22,500) or nine cents per mile...And that falls into what the article I sent you proves. Say things go real bad :shock: :x and you put $4000 into it this year. That is still only 18 cents per mile.

I would want to know if the mounts and or springs are included in that. I would suggest a quick strut assy that includes it all. A little pricier, but at that mileage, it will make a difference.

Struts and springs go hand in hand IMHO. The mount it probably the noise your hearing. Contact a few independent shop, the chains make me shiver. You may even want a quote from the dealer...sometimes that can be competitive.

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Monday, October 1st, 2007 AT 6:41 PM