Are there any used Toyota Camrys available for sale nearby?

Question

been searching all over the Beaverton area for a used Camry since my old car died last week and im honestly stuck between a few choices i found on craigslist and some local lots. i have about $17k saved up and i really need this to be a solid commuter for my 45 min drive to work every day.

The two im looking at are:

a 2016 Camry LE with 92k miles for $15,500

a 2014 XLE with 77k miles for $16,200

im kinda leaning toward the XLE because of the leather and the lower mileage but my dad says i should go for the 2016 because its newer and might have better tech or safety stuff but it feels so basic inside compared to the older one. honestly i just need something that wont leave me stranded on the highway lol. i also saw a 2015 SE with 110k miles for way cheaper like $13k but that feels like too many miles right?

budget: $18,000 max
use: daily long distance commute
timeline: need to buy by friday

does anyone know if these prices are decent for the portland area right now or which one of these would be the smartest move for high mileage driving...

LavenderLead · Accepted Answer

Saw this post a bit late but you gotta be careful with the 2014 models. Quick question tho, do any of these come with actual service records? Specifically for the transmission. The 2012 to 2014 range had some torque converter shudder issues that you really dont want to deal with on a long commute. I would suggest leaning toward the 2016 even if it feels basic. It got better safety scores for offset crashes after the 2015 refresh. If you really hate the LE interior, maybe check out a Mazda 6 Touring 2016 or even a Honda Accord EX 2015 instead. Prices in Portland are crazy right now so those quotes are decent. Just make sure to use a Ancel AD310 Classic Enhanced OBD II Scanner to check for cleared codes before Friday. Small lots can be sneaky.

Vibe Vale · Answer

Like someone mentioned, these models are generally tanks, but the prices in the Portland area are pretty brutal lately. Since you gotta make a move by Friday, you really need to look at the total cost of ownership rather than just the sticker price. To help narrow it down, i have a couple quick questions:

How much do you care about the interior comforts like seat heaters and nicer materials versus having a car that is two years newer for resale value later?

Are you okay with spending a bit more on maintenance right away if you go for the high-mileage SE, or do you need something that is 100% turn-key today? If you're doing a 90-minute round trip every single day, that XLE comfort is tempting, but the 2016 safety features might save you some insurance money. Definitely ask if they have done the 100k mile service on that SE yet... that is usually a big one with the spark plugs and coolant flushes.

welknotqxn · Answer

Honestly, over the years I've realized you just can't go wrong with any Toyota for a long commute like that. In my experience, it's always smarter to go for the newest model year you can afford even if it means missing out on the leather seats. I've tried many cars for daily driving and nothing beats the reliability of that brand. Just get any sedan from them and you wont regret it. Prices in the Portland area are pretty brutal right now but thats just the reality of buying a used car lately. Just focus on getting the newest one possible so you're set by Friday... you really want that peace of mind when you're on the highway for 45 minutes twice a day.