Which car would you daily drive?

[KrisZ]

What is the vehicle that you're trying to keep the miles off of? Unless it's another boring Toyota, I don't think punishing yourself by driving a clunked out and neglected Camry or Sienna is worth it. These are punishing enough when they're brand new, I can't imagine driving one that was neglected.

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted by Deontologist
Originally Posted by supton
Van's have great utility but I bet the Camry is a better daily driver. Better mpg. IIRC you had a thread about how abused the Camry was, that would give me pause, but for a daily driver, who cares. Run until it makes a really scary noise, then ditch.

Do you have the option of running both?

I'd do the timing belt. It's the item most likely to strand you. What is that, a $700 job if you do it right?


$700 is also about how much the van is worth right now. That's the only thing keeping me from bothering with the timing belt.


It's only $700 for a shop to do it? I'd assume the tensioner and other components are about shot too on a 20yr/old van. At this point you could replace the T-belt by itself and have other things go.

I do commend you though, having gone ~20yrs and 180K miles on the (I assume) factory T-belt!

 

[Deontologist]

Originally Posted by JTK
Originally Posted by Deontologist
Originally Posted by supton
Van's have great utility but I bet the Camry is a better daily driver. Better mpg. IIRC you had a thread about how abused the Camry was, that would give me pause, but for a daily driver, who cares. Run until it makes a really scary noise, then ditch.

Do you have the option of running both?

I'd do the timing belt. It's the item most likely to strand you. What is that, a $700 job if you do it right?


$700 is also about how much the van is worth right now. That's the only thing keeping me from bothering with the timing belt.


It's only $700 for a shop to do it? I'd assume the tensioner and other components are about shot too on a 20yr/old van. At this point you could replace the T-belt by itself and have other things go.

I do commend you though, having gone ~20yrs and 180K miles on the (I assume) factory T-belt!

Yep, it's clearly safe to extend t-belt change intervals by 100%!

Working t-belt (and water pump)! Doesn't leak a drop of coolant from anywhere.

 

[PandaBear]

Drive the Camry, 160k vs 182k means nothing and it has less weight and easier to drive around. Powertrain should be similar unless obvious neglect, transmission should last longer on a lighter camry, and assume the camry is 4 cyl it should be easier and cheaper to maintain and repair than a 99 V6 Sienna, just in case something breaks.

Cooling the car's green house is easier than a van too, so another plus for Camry in FL.

If you can turn a screw driver and ratchet you should be able to correctly re-attach a bumper. Or you can pull a junkyard bumper of the same color and replace a cracked one. Zip tie is a no-no, even if you are broke, it just makes you want to junk the car and in the end cost you more money, because you keep wanting to buy a newer car.

 

[Red91]

I'm pretty certain this whole thread is actually about timing belt durability.

 

[The Critic]

An Aisin timing belt kit, drive belts and coolant will be under $225. One Saturday and you will have the job done.

 

[SeaJay]

I am guessing here, but the Camry should be weigh quite a bit less than the Sienna. If correct, it will get better gas mileage and the tires should last more miles. Brake pads and rotors might also last longer.

Repair costs & reliability should be a push between the two. Unless you need the hauling capacity (which that of the van well exceeds that of a Camry) ditch the van and drive the Camry. Also, stock up on Zip ties with the large economy package from you local box hardware store.

Good luck with whatever you decide!