I just got this car last month and the owner before me seems to have taken good care of it. I took it for an oil change as soon as I got it - and that's all I've done towards maintenance so far. The car is in perfect shape and runs so well that I've fallen in love with it regardless of the high miles and the year! What are some other things that I should consider doing to maintain it for another few years?

I admit again I don't know much about cars...

Change your timing belt at 180,000 miles.........please, don't forget! Change your fuel filter every 30,000 miles. Change your automatic transmission fluid every 15,000 miles. This is critically important because your trans will destroy itself due to sludge and varnish buildup and this is caused by overheating so you want to keep fresh trans fluid in there. Also, change your oil and oil filter every 3,000 to 4,000 miles, no longer than that. Change your air filter at least once a year. Have your radiator drained and refilled especially if it hasn't been done in the past couple of years. Depending on where you live, this will prepare you for winter driving too. If there is an owners manual with the car then read through the maintenance section. Hope this helps and hope you have more years of happy motoring!

I just got this car last month and the owner before me seems to have taken good care of it. I took it for an oil change as soon as I got it - and that's all I've done towards maintenance so far. The car is in perfect shape and runs so well that I've fallen in love with it regardless of the high miles and the year! What are some other things that I should consider doing to maintain it for another few years?

I admit again I don't know much about cars...

I have owned 2 1987 Camry wagons. The first I bought in 1994 with about 120K and drove it up to 420K. The second I bought in 2001 with 230k and its at 370K.

Fear not! With regular maintenance your car will last a very long time.
But beware the exhaust system. I had to replace mine every 15 months without fail.

Thanks Bossman and jm2k, great suggestions!

jm2k, could you please explain in a few words what exactly is meant by exhaust system and what does it inlcude when it comes to replacing? Thanks!

(~don't know much about cars..)

i got an 89 camry wagon... the muffler and the pipe that connects to the muffler have both been replaced twice since i've had the car (about 3 and a half years now). luckily at midas, the muffler has a lifetime warranty, only paid for labor. as far as the exhaust system goes, if the car sounds like a boat, then you know it needs to be fixed. :)

the only thing really major that went wrong was the transmission (auto). the guy at the transmission place said they have a history of problems with the overdrive and it does something that completely kills reverse. had to get a new one, that wasn't cheap.

other than that, i haven't had any major problems with my car, and i change the oil every 5000-6000 miles. it's got about 125k on it right now (got it with 69k), i'm hoping it will last me another couple years.

Change your timing belt at 180,000 miles.........please, don't forget! Change your fuel filter every 30,000 miles. Change your automatic transmission fluid every 15,000 miles. This is critically important because your trans will destroy itself due to sludge and varnish buildup and this is caused by overheating so you want to keep fresh trans fluid in there. Also, change your oil and oil filter every 3,000 to 4,000 miles, no longer than that. Change your air filter at least once a year. Have your radiator drained and refilled especially if it hasn't been done in the past couple of years. Depending on where you live, this will prepare you for winter driving too. If there is an owners manual with the car then read through the maintenance section. Hope this helps and hope you have more years of happy motoring!

Yes, the timing belt thing is absolutely a MUST.....

You don't want to get stuck like I did once....it wasn't NICE....

My 88 I4 is at 177,000mi and still going.
I just hate the automatic tranny.
5-speed swap will happen in the spring.

Toyrolla,
I also had a 72 510 sedan, green 4-dr, I loved it! It was my first car. I put Fenton mags on it with BFG radial TA wide tires and a BRE color-matching front spoiler. Great little car!

No problem, my dad's company car, an 87 Camry LE Wagon has around 190k without problems. The engine is still running very strong. Once again, as said by a few other members already, maintence goes a long way to keep the car running well.

timing belt, oil change every 3000 k( use the 10-40w since your mileage is more than 75000) just watch your oil and everything gonna be last very long.

278,000 miles, great cars :lol2:

JJ

Toyota are great cars and last a long time. I have a co-worker who has a '92 Camry with 210,000 miles on it with the original engine and still going strong. A car with high mileage like that should last a few more years provided that it had regular maintenance and care.

88 Camry Wagon
Bought at 70K
Replace 4th piston and rings and rebuild cylinder head at 150K
It's 170k now. Runs great!

Oil change is the most important thing that makes your vehicle last long.

Since this thread is about longevity, it seems like a good place for a related question. A colleague of mine has a '94 Camry LE I4. Everything is working fine, and at 166k miles, he can't complain. But the car has a cylinder that has been noisy since the car was new. Several mechanics have said that it was either scored or undersized. There's a constant pinging, especially at acceleration. Compression is fine, it's just noisy. Should the owner be concerned? Thanks, Parmenides3

Pining at acceleration or uphill may indicate the valve lash is not right. Use high grade fuel may alleviate the noise. If not, you have to adjust the valve clearance.