Advice on Replacing My Comprehensively Insured Camry

MikeHunt on 12/01/2017 - 11:35

My 9 year old Camry (140k on the clock) is worth $7-8k more or less.
Been a great reliable car, never had any trouble with it. Serviced regularly at local dealership.
Generally cost effective servicing but increasing a little of late.
Bought it at auction in 2009 when 1 year old (Government car, 70k on the clock) for about $16k.

Question:
Should I upgrade to a 2015 or 2016 Camry? Or consider another similar vehicle? Or just keep car as is.
Main objective is to eliminate the possibility of costly repairs as the car is getting older.
Budget up to $20k odd.

My situation:
2 kids (4 and 2) who are brutal on the car (multiple voms on long rides, food all over the place).
Good salary, enormous mortgage, have the cash to buy outright, just want a deal.

Automotive

Comments

  • Skramit on 12/01/2017 - 11:42
    +2

    The vom smell in a car never leaves does it.

    Ahhh parenthood.

  • Euphemistic on 12/01/2017 - 11:47
    +8

    If you've got kids you are meant to have an SUV aren't you?

    If the Camry fits your requirements I'd see no reason not to stick with one. Same again, pick one about 12months old and drive it for 6-7years.

  • Cheap Charlie on 12/01/2017 - 11:47
    +3

    I would suggest if the Camry is suiting your needs, Stick with the Camry line and move up to the 15/16 model.
    As you probably already know, Camrys still within the manufacturers warranty period are relatively cheap.
    Head to the Gov/fleet auctions and hopefully another 8 years trouble free motoring.

  • k-rokfm on 12/01/2017 - 11:47
    +24

    four. Keep the car for a few more years until the kids get a little bit older and more responsible. If you havent had any major issues with your car yet then just keep it for a little while longer and then when you get a new one the kids wont trash it straight away. Save the cash to reduce your mortgage for now and then buy one in a few more years

  • Skramit on 12/01/2017 - 11:48

    Camry is about to launch a new model, so you can grab a good deal on the outgoing model soon no doubt.

    http://www.caradvice.com.au/512191/2018-toyota-camry-reveale…

    So probably from middle of 2016 the current camry stock will want to be cleared out by dealers with good pricing.

    • spackbace on 12/01/2017 - 11:56

      For a Camry that doesn't look too bad (obviously we're seeing the top-end one there), and built in Japan is a plus

      • Cheap Charlie on 12/01/2017 - 12:51

        Apparently Toyota USA will be campaigning the MY2018 Camry in Nascar…
        Even thoe the Nascar is RWD with a carby Chev motor…
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJkj8_BarRk&t=0s

        • nocure on 12/01/2017 - 16:57

          Been running Camry's for years in "Sprint Cup."

        • Cheap Charlie on 12/01/2017 - 23:01

          Nice, didn't realise Toyota USA offered RWD Carby Chev V8's.
          Good to know

        • StewBalls on 13/01/2017 - 08:15

          @Cheap Charlie: I think every car on the market in the US has a V8… ;)

        • Euphemistic on 13/01/2017 - 08:34
          +3

          @StewBalls: and skids to a stop every time and explodes on impact with anything more than a speedbump.

        • StewBalls on 14/01/2017 - 17:32

          @Euphemistic:
          Can you name the truck with four wheel drive, Smells like a steak, and seats thirty five? Canyonero! Canyonero! Well, it goes real slow with the hammer down, It's the country-fried truck endorsed by a clown, Canyonero! Canyonero!

          12 yards long, 2 lanes wide, 65 tons of American pride! Canyonero! Canyonero! Top of the line in utility sports, Unexplained fires are a matter for the courts! Canyonero! Canyonero! She blinds everybody with her super high beams, She's a squirrel-squashin', deer-smackin' drivin' machine, Canyonero! Canyonero! Canyonero! Whoa, Canyonero! Whoooooaaaa!

  • altomic on 12/01/2017 - 11:50
    +8

    I would keep the camry:

    (A) speaking as a father of 3 kids who have stopped vomiting and dropping food (actually that never stops) it is nice to have a cleanish car (well, with out the vomit, milk stains), don't buy a new car to then have the vomit stains.

    (B) A camry should easily last 200K, however things do go wrong, but generally they are very reliable.

    (C) keep it until something costly (>$500) goes majorly wrong with it. it should last you another 5 years. by then your youngest is out of a car seat and you can buy another car with out the car seat. <— having no car seats is the best. parts for a 2009 are plentiful and cheap.

    (D) the 20k you could drop for another car would save you approx $6,000 in interest on your mortgage over the next 5 years.

    (E) pay for someone to do a major cosmetic clean up of the car to "revitalise" it. (or do it yourself - i.e. upholstery shampoo, clean windows, vacuum, tyre blackening, etc etc.

    • MikeHunt on 12/01/2017 - 12:12
      +1

      thanks - with ya on the car seats. How old before I can drop the car seats entirely?

      I havent got my records in front of me but I had a major service last year that might have been $1,200 odd. Was definitely $1k+.
      I fondly remember the early services when it was still under warranty. Some were about $250.

      Actually the inside is not too bad (we don't go on that many long drives ……). Mainly very short trips in the city. Preschool runs etc.
      Few minor dents on the outside.

      • resubaehtgnolhcs on 12/01/2017 - 12:16
        +1

        $1200 for a major service!!! For a Camry, that's got to be more than just a service … maybe you had the breaks done as well?

        • MikeHunt on 12/01/2017 - 12:19

          yeah, there was extra stuff (dont remember what - it was over 6 months ago now and I just said yeah, go ahead).
          They found problems. Seems nothing atypical for a car of this age and milage?

        • RockyRaccoon on 12/01/2017 - 13:09
          +3

          @MikeHunt: Save yourself, by skipping the dealer. Just keep to basic services. Dealer servicing will just mean you pay 3-4X the cost, unless you have a very unusual dealer 🚕

          Your Camry is probably only worth $5K not the $7K you think it is worth. Its only done 70K since you bought it. Thats 10K per year, so it shouldnt cost too much to service as long as you avoid the dealer.

          They will find problems that really shouldn't exist.

      • ESEMCE on 30/01/2017 - 14:12

        You need to go back through your records and look at the cost breakdown of that expensive service.
        If you had Brakes/Shockers/CV joints replaced, they're one-off repairs that wont need doing again for years.
        You'll have paid for these years and wont get it back on sale. May as well make the most of your investment.
        Next big thing that needs doing is the time to consider trading up…

    • apple2016 on 12/01/2017 - 14:11

      A camry should easily last 200K, however things do go wrong, but generally they are very reliable.

      This could be true for the 9 yr old camry of OP. I am not so sure about today camry though!…

      • Daabido on 13/01/2017 - 08:20

        I would be extremely surprised if any modern Japanese designed / manufactured or Korean car wouldn't last 200k.

        I could be wrong though. European cars on the other hand, of which I have one, are another kettle of fish. My 2009 MINI will hit 200k this year or next with little done to it, but I feel kind of lucky.

        I think it is more to do with age these days, with the increased use of plastics which have a limited shelf life. Eight years before things start to go wrong with electricals as well. Or sooner, or never. It all depends on your car. Or day 2, if like my Mum you bought a Mitsubishi Sigma.

        • apple2016 on 13/01/2017 - 13:51

          I would attribute the more failures due to involvement of more electronics.
          Even the head unit in current cars are integrated to more stuff that its extremely expensive to replace.
          These things tend to break down more often then your engine or transmission.

      • JIMB0 on 13/01/2017 - 12:06

        They're both much the same car.

  • resubaehtgnolhcs on 12/01/2017 - 12:14
    +1

    Bought it at auction in 2009 when 1 year old (Government car, 70k on the clock)

    You sure the Camry was only 1 yr old when you brought it? 70k in a year is a hell of a lot (unless it's a taxi), and it's taken you another 8 years to put another 70k on the car…

    But that aside, Toyota's are reliable and by the sounds of things have served you well. Maybe get a leather interior on your next car as vomit and spills are easier to clean - at least that's what friends with young kids have told me!

    • MikeHunt on 12/01/2017 - 12:17

      Yep. Was Blacktown Council. Might have been 60k on clock but approx correct. And maybe 18 months.
      Our milage is very low. Live in inner suburban Sydney, I take train to work, wife works from home part time.

  • JimB on 12/01/2017 - 12:40
    +6

    Just keep the car.

    Camry's are known for being very reliable.

    If you need a new one, wait until next year when they close the factory, I'm sure there will be a run out clearance.

  • Richardc on 12/01/2017 - 12:47
    -5

    I think SUV's better for you.

    • MikeHunt on 12/01/2017 - 12:50
      +4

      why? Only think I have thought is that as the kids get older it will be helpful to be able to tranport bikes, go on hols, transport other kids etc
      (eg get a RAV4 or Kluger). If that is the case my bias is to keep the Camry and wait until I think I need a bigger car. No point changing over now and then finding out in 3 years the "new" Camry is too small.

      • Richardc on 12/01/2017 - 12:57
        -1

        just wait for few yrs until you need to take your kids to school

        • try2bhelpful on 12/01/2017 - 13:04

          Maybe walk them to school or get them on bikes when they are older. I hate to sound like an old fart but when did driving kids to school become so common.

        • MikeHunt on 12/01/2017 - 13:17

          @try2bhelpful:

          that is my intention but it is also up to the wife.
          I will still need to ferry them to sport etc.

        • try2bhelpful on 12/01/2017 - 13:23

          @MikeHunt: maybe car pooling with other families might help there; might cut down on the mileage and extend the car life. If he wife puts up resistence to the kids walking to school just say the words "obesity" and "resilience".

        • MikeHunt on 12/01/2017 - 13:30
          +1

          @try2bhelpful:

          LOL. the local primary school is only 500m away (junior campus) and 1km away (senior campus) so I am hoping some walking will be possible.
          However the 4yo has autism so may need to go to a special school (maybe 15km away).
          Still like the carpooling idea. Saves a lot of time, as well as wear on the car.

        • try2bhelpful on 12/01/2017 - 13:50
          +1

          @MikeHunt: I grew up in Geelong, so I won't give you the "we rode a horse to school 10 miles in the snow" story but those sort of distances should be quite workable particularly if you can take the time to walk with them - at least to start with. It is a really good time to talk with the kids and play "I Spy" games, etc. Obviously, the four year old is a different issue and the choices you need to make will be based on how your child develops. It might be worth investigating flexible working hours, and work from home, options to enable more family time. I wish you all the best for your family.

        • StewBalls on 12/01/2017 - 14:37
          +3

          @MikeHunt: Back on topic, you are right, you don't need a faux wheel drive (I abhor the term SUV, it's an Americanism that refers to a different class of vehicle we don't really have in Australia).

          What we have here are essentially jacked up hatchbacks with no more room (or in the case of the X-Trail, less) than most sedans or hatches.

          Unfortunately, they have now become the status symbol of the middle class ne'er-do-well toff…hence the need to have one when dropping the kids off at school…must keep up with them Joneses, eh! ;)

        • ankor on 13/01/2017 - 19:10
          +2

          @StewBalls: haha x every yuppie suburb in Australia..

        • aussieprepper on 14/01/2017 - 01:19

          @StewBalls: my bro has kids he got a forester turbo and done it up. Not many parents rock up with a done up forester lol

        • StewBalls on 14/01/2017 - 13:58

          @aussieprepper: You should be very proud…

        • aussieprepper on 14/01/2017 - 14:21

          @StewBalls:I mean there are other options besides a shitty Mazda

  • roundnumbersonly on 12/01/2017 - 15:44

    Maybe pick up a 2015 Camry from Toyota on 0% finance. I've had mine for a year and it's going great. Fuel economy isn't too bad either.

  • Banana on 12/01/2017 - 22:07
    +2

    Keep the Camry unless you have your heart set on upgrading. But if you use your car from just A to B, the good old Camry is extremely reliable. We recently farewell our old Camry(1998) as there was a leak in the water tank and it's too costly to fix it. Other than that and being petrol-thirsty, it had never missed a beat.

  • boccos on 13/01/2017 - 07:37
    +1

    Keep it. I had a '99 Model Camry and traded it on a new Camry in 2013. New ones are not as good as the old. Petrol consumption os higher, more plastic in body that isn't quite the finish of the old. Odd noises eminating from both inside the car and the motor train, which the Service staff say is now the new normal. Unsure about the overall reliability but a saleseman also thought that it has been lowered. Not that reducing the reliability would probably make me stop buying a Toyota but faced with the facts I would have preferred to keep my old Camry until it was 20 year old before trading up.

  • werdnanostaw on 13/01/2017 - 09:00
    +2

    Improved safety of newer car:

    • More airbags
    • Pre-tensioning seat belts
    • Better crash protection in body
    • Lane departure warning
    • Autonomous emergency braking
    • Active cruise control
    • Reversing camera (so you don't back over kids)
    • …

    Forget the glitz, like leather seats or shiny wheels. Always go for the maximum safety features you can get.

    • MikeHunt on 13/01/2017 - 09:02

      thanks werd, incredibly important.
      I will use your list as a checklist for any upgraded car I get!

  • werdnanostaw on 13/01/2017 - 09:11
    +1

    Don't take my list as gospel. Read what the experts have to say:

    http://www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au/Safety-Features/

    What I would really like to find is a web site that lists all features (safety and otherwise) of all vehicles available in Australia that could be selected as, say:

    • Not important
    • Nice to have
    • Important
    • Show stopper if not available

    and it would then display a list of the vehicles that match the selected filters. Does anyone know of such a site?

  • werdnanostaw on 13/01/2017 - 10:40

    My filters require a zeroth option:

    • Must not have this feature

    Such as space saver tyre or even worse, tyre re-inflator kit.

    • apple2016 on 13/01/2017 - 13:46

      So you prefer runflats instead?

      • Cheap Charlie on 13/01/2017 - 15:46
        +3

        Or just a good ol full size spare

        • apple2016 on 13/01/2017 - 16:57

          when all 4 tyres of a car are half worn then a full size spare is only as good as a space saver. It might be better than some space savers but still would contribute to uneven traction and breaking. so you will be forced to change back to original tyre.
          Unless you keep cycling thru with the spare tyre every 2k kms or so its just as good as space saver.

  • goodcopbadcop on 13/01/2017 - 18:20
    +2

    Toyota is advertising online Camry Altise 2016 demo model from $25,990 with a 0% comparison rate - http://www.toyota.com.au/special-offers-and-great-value?_ga=…

    You could also consider the option of an Aurion ATX 2016 demo model from $27,990 with a 0% comparison rate* on the same website.

    You have a car that you could trade in - so if you are keen on a new car which gives you touch screen audio; blue tooth; reversing camera etc - then this might be an option for you to look into.

    Be aware however that O% interest means that the price of the vehicle is non-negotiable. They have to have it higher so that what they lose on charging you o% interest- they can be assure will be made up on the price to you.

    Choose to buy at the end of the month - as they will have monthly targets which means that they need to get some sales so may give you more for your trade-in to get your deal. Therefore it is the difference price - that you will want to be $20K maximum.

    As it is a demo model - it will have some mileage on the clock and as it is owned by the dealer will have been registered to the dealer. Make sure you get YOUR ownership date and therefore 3 years of warranty and capped services to commence from the time that it is registered in your name.

    The new Camry Altise and Aurion ATX have cloth seats. To preserve them:

    Don't let your kids eat food and drink nothing more than water in a new car. Snacking is adding extra calories anyway; so feed them before you go or when they get there. There is less chance then that you will be cleaning up children's vomit. Food and particularly either greasy or sweet processed snack food is often used to occupy a bored child. For long time travel have books, and suitable playthings so that they have something to do with their hands. If you absolutely must - just because you've tried everything - upload some kids movies onto tablets (one each is best) and let them watch with their own earphones. Only allow this for longer journeys so that an expectation isn't set up that everytime they muck up they are rewarded and given the tablet to watch something. Young children will still get bored of this as well. But highly recommend that you don't give food and high calorie snacks to alleviate boredom.

    Put seatcovers or at least a folded up sheet on the seat under the car seats to preserve the new condition of the seats.

    As your kids get older they will mimic the way you treat the car. If it is your rubbish bin and you eat mammouth amounts of junk food as you drive, and drop the rubbish everywhere - then they will see that as normal behaviour and copy it.

    Clean it regularly both inside and out - and get the kids to help. Cleaning a car and playing with the soapy water is what kids do best but it also teaches them that this car is valued, is kept clean and looked after and they will learn through that activity why it's not OK to have rubbish all through out it.

    • bhm133 on 13/01/2017 - 22:41

      Good advice re looking after the car. As a kid ny parents treated their cars very well. No messy food allowed. We helped wash etc. As a result we respected the vehicle and passing that on to my own kids now.

    • StewBalls on 14/01/2017 - 14:07
      -1

      Nice pipe dream, clearly you have never had kids…anyone who has them will tell you that despite the best laid plans of mice & men, shit happens…not feeding them on cue won't stop them vomiting, and when (not if) they do, you just have to man up & clean it up as best you can, worst case spray a bit of Febreeze on it, take a couple of spoonfuls of cement & HTFU.

      You need to keep some perspective here, a person would have to be an utter anal retentive asshat to get upset about a kid becoming motion sick in a car.

      Remember, cars are just another material thing, they get damaged & dirty in the real world, which is where you should be living if you make the choice to have kids. If you can't be a bit flexible, don't have kids…stay in your regimented, structured single life; but if you choose to procreate you'd best learn to bend a little. Yes, by all means it's a great idea to teach them the lessons about caring for the family property; but remember they're still kids, don't be too OCD about it or you're setting yourself (and them) up for a world of hurt.

      Once you do have kids, you'll thankfully be exposed to media that helps you deal with these little trials…remember, Let it go, let it go!!! ;)

      • goodcopbadcop on 31/01/2017 - 10:46
        +2

        Dear StewBalls - Are you having a go at me??? Actually I have 4 kids who are all adults now, living their own lives and are all healthy happy well adjusted people. During that growing up time we've had around 6 family cars plus company cars. The family cars were never treated as shitboxes to crap in, or vomit in or chuck food or drive around in and left to go mouldy. They were respected as material possessions that got us from A to B, always driven with care, serviced and cleaned. My suggestion above was to demonstrate a way that a new car can be kept looking somewhat new. With 4 kids I always lived in the "real world". I just happened to have brought my kids up this way. I'm not OCD about cleaning, but I've never had to use any chemical Freebreeze crap in the car or house or those stupid disgusting smelly trees to mask the odour of something off deposited into the back of the seat or in the fabric upholstery. You know that the way you respect and treat your car and your house is an extension of the way that you do or don't value yourself??

  • nikey2k27 on 13/01/2017 - 18:35

    Ex Gov on would be just as good for your needs.

  • ribze1 on 13/01/2017 - 22:49
    +4

    Why did you mention it's comprehensively insured? Are you considering an insurance job? lol

  • sonicstabber on 14/01/2017 - 12:44
    +1

    I'd recommend looking at the newer Aurion over the Camry.

    Same chassis, and mostly derived from the Camry for performance/specs, so you won't be getting something wildly different.

    Also, since the Camry is a long standing model from Toyota and available in abundance (i.e. overseas and locally, imported etc), it is generally over-represented in accidents and sometimes is more expensive when it comes to insurance costs.

    In comparison, the Aurion replaced the Avalon in around 2006 I think, so it's demographic as a cost VS risk for insurance is much smaller, and so generally a bit cheaper. Also, it is not widely released (i.e. mostly Australia and parts of Asia) in comparison to the Camry which is a known model in most countries.

    This is based on my own personal experience, looking between buying a Camry VS an Aurion for the same year, model, specs and approx value. The Aurion looks to hold its value a bit more, but also be cheaper generally on insurance in the comparisons I made.

    Hope this helps

  • PVA on 14/01/2017 - 14:02
    +1

    i just had a new base model camry for 3 weeks as a rental,. what a great car and tonnes of room inside and in boot. goes great too.
    Buy another and you'll be happy. Remember the kids will be a lot bigger in a few years.

    I doubt youll get $8k for yours though.

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