96 Camry V6 Manual

calais · 04-11-2014, 06:44 PM

G'day All,

I have been offered a 1996 Camry V6 Manual by a older gent at the local bowls club. He can't drive anymore and has had the car since new. I believe it has around 110,000km and is the Csi model so manual windows but it has air con and power steer etc. Its the widebody with the 136kw/276nm 3.0 quad cam engine and five speed. Its old man immaculate.

Has anyone got any feedback on what one of these were like to drive when they were new? I know they arent a rocketship or anything, but as quite a cheap daily driver you could do worse couldn't you?

The research I have done seems to point to it be no worse than a commodore or falcon of the day, just not suited to heavy towing.

Im giving it some good thought as I dont like leaving my good car at train stations or out in the weather during long work trips and the like. And right now my daily is a 31 year old japanese two door which I wont even drive to the shops.

Any advice or thoughts are greatly appreciated.

**redxm** · 04-11-2014, 07:14 PM

As long as you remove the hat from the parcel shelf it should be fine.

calais · 04-11-2014, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redxm

As long as you remove the hat from the parcel shelf it should be fine.

That was going to be the first improvement. A hat and venetians.

I think i'd also be the first camry driver to do the speed limit!

Binny · 04-11-2014, 07:29 PM

I had a '96 "Touring Edition" years ago. They are no rocket ship but the V6 is a good thing with decent torque and can be more economical than the 4 cylinders are as they struggle a lot less.
If you are after a reliable commuter you can do a lot worse. I think this era of Toyotas was the most reliable. The 3VZ-FE is very reliable but its really important that its had regular oil and coolant changes as its quad cam, 24 valve is a lot more complicated than an equivalent commodore or falcon 6 of the era.
Mine had 310,000km and was still going strong when I sold it. Everything still worked, central locking, CD stacker, the aircon was awesome. It even had the original brake rotors. It had a clutch at about 180,000ks. The rocker cover gaskets can leak eventually and the back one is a pain to access and it leaks on the exhaust. This is the only issue I had. It never even blew light bulbs.
With towing it towed a box trailer with a couch on it up hills on the highway in 5th with no worries. Lets be realistic though I wouldn't tow much more than that.

BENT_8 · 04-11-2014, 08:18 PM

I worked for Toyota when the wide body upgrade came in, driven **** loads of them when they were new.
Many lunch breaks were spent blowing away Commodores on the Macca's run for the sales manager.
They go alright, especially the manual version...

My inlaws bought a 96 Touring series brand new from us, they loved it and my mother inlaw always said she hated selling it.
Last year I stumbled across an immaculate example in a car yard for 4k and bought it for her.
I know 4k for a 96 Toyota is way up there but they are such a bullet proof car I knew it would pay for itself with reliable service.

She prefers to drive it over their 08 BF2.

Just bought the wife a 2010 Touring series, so much car for such little outlay, likes a drink though.

WPR1 · 04-11-2014, 08:29 PM

They went pretty well sub 8 second 0-100. If I'm not mistaken around 100k it is due for a new timing belt so check that. They were quite advanced for their day and the latest Camry/Aurion is not that different (I.e they haven't advanced much since).

2011G6E · 04-11-2014, 09:00 PM

I find it interesting it's a manual version...most Camrys are autos. Could be a damn good thing. It's an excellent engine as well. You wouldn't be sorry.

danzvtil · 04-11-2014, 09:28 PM

Just calculate the power to weight ratio of your V6 man Toyota vs an EF XR6 and you'll see what a sleeper they were.
As a teenager, my mum had a 97 4cyl auto Intrigue with the 15inch wheel upgrade and that thing used to corner flat as, I even called a Toyota dealer one day to confirm whether the intrigue came with the touring suspension, it didn't. If it didn't get written off in a rear ender, she would still have it.

GTMOND · 04-11-2014, 09:44 PM

I had an auto 95 model which had 210k on it when I left it with my ex and never had a problem with it.

calais · 04-11-2014, 11:01 PM

Could be a goer. I don't need a new runwbout just yet, but sounds like I should store it until needed next august.

Power to weight between a camry and an el XR6? Surely there wouldnt be any comparison. Would the camry really be a bit of a sleeper for its day?

nuthin' fancy · 04-11-2014, 11:09 PM

Almost sounds too good for railway station hack. 15 y/o Kias and Hyundais are best for that.

BENT_8 · 04-11-2014, 11:12 PM

What colour?

calais · 04-11-2014, 11:18 PM

Its white, factory 15" hubcaps, weathershield etc.

calais · 04-11-2014, 11:23 PM

I should clarify I wouldnt beat up on my cars, but i'm just after something that I wouldnt mind leaving in a carpark all day, being confident it will still be there when I come back.

I feel uncomfortable leaving my new Forester XT or my Scorpion anywhere for too long. I'd prefer a car with a minimal financial investment to risk.

mik · 04-11-2014, 11:24 PM

Sounds like a good run around, i would be hanging onto that one, it will probably go for years with bugger all work, just very basic servicing.

XR Martin · 04-11-2014, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Just calculate the power to weight ratio of your V6 man Toyota vs an EF XR6 and you'll see what a sleeper they were.
As a teenager, my mum had a 97 4cyl auto Intrigue with the 15inch wheel upgrade and that thing used to corner flat as, I even called a Toyota dealer one day to confirm whether the intrigue came with the touring suspension, it didn't. If it didn't get written off in a rear ender, she would still have it.

Its only 100kg or so lighter than an EL XR6
'96 V6 Camry 10.55kg:kw
'96 EL XR6 9.34kg:kw

Sure it might give an auto El XR6 a scare, but its not going to worry a manual one...

calais · 04-11-2014, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Its only 100kg or so lighter than an EL XR6
'96 V6 Camry 10.55kg:kw
'96 EL XR6 9.34kg:kw

Sure it might give an auto El XR6 a scare, but its not going to worry a manual one...

An auto XR6 was still a quick car in its day. I remember driving one a few years back and it was a good drive. A manual would feel better again. The camry is a grandpa spec that might just keep up in a straight line in good weather. Plenty quick enough for a daily, for me at least.

chookaradley · 05-11-2014, 07:43 AM

Silky smooth V6, and rare as rocking horse 5 speed wagon.

Bearman · 05-11-2014, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calais

I should clarify I wouldnt beat up on my cars, but i'm just after something that I wouldnt mind leaving in a carpark all day, being confident it will still be there when I come back.

I feel uncomfortable leaving my new Forester XT or my Scorpion anywhere for too long. I'd prefer a car with a minimal financial investment to risk.

Sounds like this Camry fits the bill perfectly. It'll be as reliable as all get out and last years. And being a V6 Manual won't totally suck to drive. Sounds like a winner.

SumoDog68 · 05-11-2014, 09:06 PM

I owned 96 Touring Vienta V6 manual in Panama blue. It was probably over 16 years ago - good engine , plenty of grunt , fairly quick. 3vz-fe very reliable iron block alloy head . Heavy under steerer on the limit , great sleeper , noone ever expected Camry to be that quick.

Bearman · 17-12-2014, 07:47 PM

Hey Calais, did you end up grabbing this Camry??

asagaai · 18-12-2014, 01:32 AM

Hey I got a 98 Camry manual with no extras like electric windows, so it is light.

Done 315,000, paint on roof blotchy, some rust on front window seal as I park it on beach each day when going to work. My wife had it for some time and I kid not she managed to bump/smash/scratch literally every quarter section of the car- so it looks quite a sight.

But- I have religiously done the oil changes and cam belts at 100,000, and the suspension has been bushed and tyres are new Pirellis.

Handles like a bucket of crap, brakes are underpowered for the power in a light manual version, but you can purposely flick the rear out while hoofing your right foot while flicking the steering around a corner- stupid fun which must look so wrong outside.

Leaks oil from rocker cover gasket, and has pulley whine because of the oil.

But pulls hard- especially on 98, nice longish chirrrrp from first to second, the number of v8's and new BWM and Mercs I have smashed at lights- smashed a wrx who bogged with turbo lag, and they drive up behind like cops on heat and look for minutes (probably think it has a turbo cause of the slipping pulley whine)