Used Car: 2012-2014 Toyota Camry

Limcjb on 23/05/2018 - 21:39

Good evening guys.

I'll be up front and say I know nothing about cars.

Looking at buying a used car and I think the Toyota Camry from 2012-2014 fits the bill. Most of the depreciation has happened, reliable, not on many car thieves bucket lists and should last the next 10 years while under my $15000 ceiling.Fits 3 adults comfortably. Looking at prices online… 50 to 60k models should be around $13000 to $14000 right?

Is there anything I should be aware of with this model? Comments? Alternatives?

What's a

Thanks everyone for your help!

Automotive

Comments

  • thetrain on 23/05/2018 - 22:03
    +1

    If you're after a Camry, check out the fleet auctions at Pickles.

    Usually ex government or fleet lease. $14k should get you 2014-2015. There are usually stacks of different ones every week.

    If you know nothing about cars may be worth bringing a knowledgeable friend.

  • pao2x on 23/05/2018 - 22:43

    I bought a 2012 Camry with 58K on it in Jan 2016 for 12k on pickles.

    • imcjb on 23/05/2018 - 22:46

      Did you go and inspect the car in person? I know you can't really hold Pickles at fault for dud cars anyway. Most of the auctions are on weekdays it seems which is a bit inconvenient.

      • pao2x on 23/05/2018 - 22:49

        Yes, only on the day. You cannot really inspect it well because you should have a few options on auction.

    • saurabhgoyal93 on 26/05/2018 - 17:57

      Does Pickles provide statutory 3 months 5k kms dealer warranty if you buy from fleet/ex-government auctions?

  • SPCTRE on 23/05/2018 - 23:22
    -7

    I would strongly recommended staying away from ex-government, company or fleet cars.
    Chances of the car entire life abused and maintenance to the bare minimum is high.
    Old man bought an ex-fleet car which happens to be the same car model as my own just newer year but can tell straight away the engine has had a rough life.
    Doesn’t sound or drive the same.
    Ex-cars are cheap for a reason

    • Gronk on 24/05/2018 - 08:12
      +10

      Worst advice ever.

      Ex fleet guy here, ex company rental and govt vehicles are usually the pick of the bunch because maintainance is included in the lease agreement so they're often better maintained.

      Ex Rental vehicles are the ones to avoid like the plague.

  • EightImmortals on 24/05/2018 - 06:23

    Can you get a used hybrid for that price?

    (Should you get a used Hybrid for that price? How would the batteries be?)

  • Ryanek on 24/05/2018 - 08:03
    +8

    It's refreshing to read a sensible approach to buying a car.

  • Oz8argain on 24/05/2018 - 10:51

    thanks for reminding me again that my camry is worth jack shit :')

  • Foxtail on 24/05/2018 - 11:13

    Like my Merc, it dropped $7K in value each year, sold it for top $ privately on car sales and bought a little 2014 Honda Jazz town car for $14K with 12k on clock and warranty.

  • PinzVidz on 24/05/2018 - 15:21
    +1

    50 series Camry is a pretty bulletproof car, one and only thing I've ever seen go wrong with them is door actuators not locking and/or unlocking, which requires replacement of the catch assembly as the actuator is built into it.

    Facelift of the 50 series came out in early 2015, your budget might just get there, OP. Lots of improvements over the first spec of the 50 series (late 2011-2014). If you're looking at a hybrid, will have to be the first spec for the budget (2012-2014). Early Altises didn't have a reverse camera, but spec change in mid-2013 made them standard.

    Crap standard audio systems are easily replaceable with a decent head unit like the Kenwood DDX918WS with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, fascias are available to suit.

    should last the next 10 30 years

    FTFY.

    • imcjb on 24/05/2018 - 19:29
      +1

      Going to reference a few comments. Thanks to everyone for their input so far.

      Ironically it's fleet access that exposed me to Toyata Camrys initially. I'm happy to potentially get a fleet car.

      Is buying from an auction reasonable for a noob such as myself. Is a dealer preferable to a private seller as you have recourse/warranty that you don't necessarily have with a private seller depending on state law.

      • PinzVidz on 24/05/2018 - 19:56
        +1

        Considering how reliable they are, don't be frightened at looking at private, as long as it has good, consistent service history. If private, always do a PPSR on a vehicle you're ready to buy to make sure there's no finance encumbrance and/or write off status.

        Just had a quick sniff around on carsaales, gawd there's a lot of dreamers on there trying to sell old 40 series Camry for ridiculous prices. Spotted Atara R here and Atara S here. The R was a limited run, basically an Altise with camera, Atara bumpers and wheels. Atara S has a bit more fruit like Smart Entry/Start, dual zone A/C, paddle shifters and slightly nicer trim. I'd offer $13K-$14K for the R, $12K-$13K for the S.

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