Good morning! I know some of my recent choices have been of questionable use as actual transportation recently, so today we’re going to celebrate durability and look at two vehicles that are known for piling on the miles. That rabbit with the battery has got nothing on these two.
First, however, let’s look at yesterday’s results. I figured the Element was going to win, and by a lot, and I was right. Those things are way more popular now than when they were actually for sale new, it seems, especially with a manual. Just try to find a crossover SUV for sale with a stickshift these days. Sure, it has a lot of miles on it, but it’s a Honda.
The little Fox wagon had its fans, too, and I sure like it – it reminds me of the VW Golf I drove in college, same color and everything. But I can’t deny that the Element is a way better deal. A lot of you took the VW’s seller to task for replacing the Bosch fuel injection with a carburetor. I’m no big fan of Bosch CIS, but if you’re going to switch to a carb, at least do it right and slap a Weber DCOE (or two) on there so it looks cool.
When cars are new, it’s hard to tell which will go the distance and which will end up in neat rows at self-service junkyards within a decade. And of course, the old nature versus nurture discussion comes into play here as well; any car can be reliable if an owner fawns over it enough, and any car can be a lemon with enough neglect and abuse. But some cars have a knack for consistently achieving big numbers on their odometers. Today we’re looking at two such cars, one from Toyota and one from General Motors. Here they are.
1996 Toyota Camry LE – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2-liter dual overhead cam inline 4, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Portland, OR
Odometer reading: 200,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives great
The Toyota Camry’s durability and reliability are well-known, even outside of gearhead circles. The XV10 generation, sold from 1992-96, was even famously lampooned in The Onion for being too reliable. These cars are practically perpetual-motion machines: Keep gas in them, change the oil once in a while, replace the timing belt once a decade, and they’ll just run and run.
That durability comes at the expense of excitement and driving dynamics; the Camry is a means of conveyance and not much more. And it’s no luxury car, either. But the seats are fairly comfy, the ride is all right, and the interior materials hold up nearly as well as the mechanicals. Put the photos of this car side-by-side with a ’96 Camry brochure, and you’d be hard-pressed to tell which is which.
I’m sure that’s partly due to the fact that this is a one-owner car. Someone obviously cared for this car ever since it was new, and it shows. A one-owner used car in this price range is rare, and definitely desirable, especially if they have all the service records. It eliminates the possibility of some nasty surprises.
It’s pretty clean on the outside too, and it’s the best color for this generation of Camry. The headlights are cloudy, but that’s to be expected at this age. You could try to polish them, but why bother, when replacements are cheap? The aftermarket wheels aren’t a terribly welcome sight, for me anyway; I’m generally a fan of original equipment wheels. But at least these look like the right size for the car.
2004 Chevrolet Tahoe – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: 5.3-liter overhead valve V8, four-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Lacey, WA
Odometer reading: 203,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
In the beginning, SUVs had two doors. And they were good. But then, families started buying SUVs instead of minivans, and the SUVs grew an extra set of doors. But they were still pretty good. Chevy’s now-legendary Tahoe and its sister model the GMC Yukon came from the original full-size Blazer/Jimmy, which were put out to pasture after the 1994 model year. A two-door version of the Tahoe/Yukon limped along for a few years, but the four-doors were far more common. By the time this GMT800 Tahoe was built, the two-doors were only a memory.
The heart of the Tahoe, and a big part of its durability, is the LS-based “Vortec” V8, here displacing 5.3 liters and putting out a stout 285 horsepower. The only transmission available is GM’s ever-present 4L60E overdrive automatic, and in this case it drives the rear wheels only. A push-button part-time 4WD system was available, and probably more common than these 2WD versions. But I guess if you don’t need 4WD, not having it is one less thing to go wrong.
“Things going wrong” isn’t a common GMT800 occurrence anyway; with the exception of some annoying electrical gremlins, these are sturdy and reliable trucks. This one has surpassed 200,000 miles, and the seller says it runs well. The tires, battery, exhaust, and water pump are all new. The interior is a little rough; this is GM toy-quality plastic at its finest, and this one hasn’t been treated too kindly. The seller says the headliner is in rough shape too, but doesn’t include a photo.
Outside, it’s “honestly scruffy,” with a few dents to its name, but basically in good shape. SUVs are working vehicles, and no one expects them to win any beauty pageants. But it’s not going to embarrass you either. In fact, one of the upsides to a Tahoe or Yukon is that no one is likely to notice it at all.
There’s no guarantee that either of these cars won’t conk out tomorrow, of course, but the odds are in their favor. I’ve seen examples of both of these cars closing in on half a million miles. And for the price, both of them seem worth the gamble. Which one of them would you choose?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
No interest in a 2WD Tahoe, and the Camry looks great. Camry it is.
I can’t decide. I actually have two very similar cars (ES300 and GMC Yukon XL). I got one free and one for 5k, so even the same cost as buying these two
That Toyota is in pretty nice condition, so it got my vote. Still hard to imagine paying $2500 for a car with 200,000 miles, but it’s 2024.
I could overlook the scuffyness if the Tahoe were 4WD. I could overlook the lack of 4WD if it were super clean. But that Camry is cleaner than any 200k mile car has a right to be. It’ll make a great, efficient daily for someone on a budget.
That is such a clean Camry. But I have such a soft spot for the big GM SUVs of that era. Hard to choose, would be Tahoe all day if it was a 4×4.
This would make an excellent two car garage on a budget. You should be able to keep both running for years to come. With that said, the Camry seems to be in somewhat better condition and the Tahoe being a Tahoe rather than a Suburban and also being 2WD means my vote goes to the Camry. But both seem like a good deal.
The Camry cockroach for me. It will likely outlast me.
That is a good generation for the Camry and this one is really clean. I can even give the aftermarket wheels a pass since it probably had crappy hubcaps when it was new. At least the wheels are period correct, not chrome and really not that different from stock Toyota ones. Throw a Toyota center cap on them and most people wouldn’t look twice. Easy choice for me since I don’t like Tahoes. It might be a more difficult decision if you do.
I could use another Camry.
Camryaderie
We have a 200k mile GMC Sierra from 1999 sitting in my parents’ driveway. It still runs, but time has not been kind to that interior. The seat cushions of this generation have a habit of detaching from the seat frame, so every time you accelerate/brake/turn your whole body shifts, with the seat cushion, a couple inches. For that reason, and the fact you could buy a second Camry every year with the money you save on gas, my vote goes to the Camry.
I hate both, but the Camry would be cheaper to run, I prefer smaller vehicles, and I can actually tolerate the interior, unlike the Tahoe, even though I’d arguably have more use for the Tahoe.
I went Camry.
My current stable has a 99 Camry with ~70k on it. Burns oil ridiculously but rides smooth and there are plenty of donors at the u-pull-it yard.
I also have a 96 Tahoe with 43k in amazing condition. But it is just so impractical for me really. The wife’s Sienna beats it in all but towing.
Can’t believe I’m writing this, but I’ll take the Tahoe. Just wish this was yesterday so that I could claim it was because it’s Tahoe Tuesday.
I would take both! I would take the Camry back and forth to work so I can have a gas saving sedan and then I could use the Tahoe for my family transport.$2,500 is an outstanding price for a Tahoe in that condition I would love to be able to buy it and make a California smog legal and I would flip it and make a easy $2,000!
That Camry will go another 100k with regular maintenance. The Chevy?.. Sold a 99 Camry with 200k on it because it had leaks. Should fixed em and drove it another couple years. Got over 30 mpg on the highway. Easy to work on. Try changing the plugs on the Tahoe! I have. The back ones are a pain. 4 plugs on the Camry done in 20 minutes. Oh and try getting in and out of the back doors of the Tahoe. I’m 6 foot and have to fold like a pretzel to exit the vehicle. The inside door handles break off. Replaced those for my daughter before someone cut their hand on the jagged stub. Riding in the back seat is cruel and unusual punishment. Generic Motors. Meh ???? Camry for the Win!
The Camry is very nice, but I will take the Tahoe. I have driven a GMT800 Suburban and it was very comfortable. I am willing to get worse fuel economy if it gives me a more comfortable, roomier vehicle.
Some comments seem to be focused on the lack of 4wd. I think four wheel drive is the most overrated feature in a vehicle. I drove a 2wd Suburban through two Wisconsin winters and never had a problem. I drove a Wrangler through several winter storms and never engaged 4wd. Four wheel drive isn’t necessary in winter urban/suburban driving or light off roading. If you are regularly driving through deep, unplowed snow you probably want four wheel drive, though.
I sort of have use for a Tahoe-like vehicle, but a 200k mile GM scares me.
For me I’d take the Cam and find some type of factory wheels. But if I needed a truck the Tahoe looks good as well, and I’d find the factory tail lights and install ASAP.
This is another day where I want a “both” option. These are the cleanest $2500 cars I have seen in a decade.
I think that’s the cleanest 90s Camry in the entire world.
If that Tahoe is rust free, its a bargain even if its only 2WD. Perfect for towing the camper around.
I’ll take the Camry, mostly because I already have a GMT800 Sierra with more than 200,000 miles on it and don’t need another. I am, however, honestly impressed that the Tahoe doesn’t show any visible rust on fenders or rocker panels. Outside of desert country, I didn’t think that was possible.
I guess the Camry as I’m quite familiar with this generation and I don’t really need the 2wd Tahoe. It might be fun to see what could be done to make it somewhat fun at Autocross while keeping the stock appearance
I’d be personally more happy with the Camry since I don’t need a truck-sized SUV, but if I knew someone who DID need a towing/hauling vehicle I’d recommend that Tahoe to them in an instant.
My wife’s 89 year old grandmother still drives her 97 Camry, and it probably has less than 120,000 miles on it. Camry for me.
I’ll take a 200,000 mile Toyota any day over a 200,000 mile GM product. Plus I have no need for something as large as a Tahoe. So the Camry is an easy pick for me. And it will be far cheaper to operate.
Your reasoning is correct so long as you do maintenance. If you want to never change the oil and ignore all maintenance the old adage holds true: Nothing runs as bad as a GM for as long as a GM.
While I agree that a GM will run poorly longer than most vehicles will run period, you can’t discount how much a Camry will tolerate neglect. Apparently, a half quart of oil is “fine”: https://youtu.be/OzoRIsXtY3M?si=w3xshH6ltGgjgtwk
I actually never watched the teardown/bottom end rebuild on the engine. I was actually expecting so much worse: https://youtu.be/Bvn8QsWixes?si=Qq2UGDzVn48MtWBk
Those internals are tough as a strip club steak!