Used Toyota Camry in the US: How I found the perfect car in two days

I started looking on various portals, dealerships and FB Marketplace and located an ideal car - a one owner 2006 Lexus ES330 done just 75,000 miles.

BHPian vigsom recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Introduction:

This is an account of how some remote due diligence helped a very close friend's daughter pick up her first own car, a pre-owned 2012 Toyota Camry XLE (codenamed XV50) in Florida.

What's on the Menu?

1. Challenges on hand and the pendulum swinging from to
2. Options evaluated
3. Purchase decision
4. Initial ownership experience

What's unique about this purchase experience?

Only two working days in hand and getting a car became an absolute must.

The need for a car and the challenges on hand

A very close friend's daughter had been driving her Dad's Toyota RAV4 and her sis' 2020 Camry in CT and was good at it. In mid-2024 - she had enrolled for a second degree, and was moving from CT to a University in Florida. Now for the challenges

1. She was moving to Florida one Wednesday, and had to have a car in hand by that Sunday
2. Any potential car would have to be seen and closed latest by Friday (for the title transfer to be completed)
3. She was an absolute novice at understanding vehicles, and except driving, new nothing technical about them
4. Unknown city, and immediate appointment for pre-purchase vehicle inspection might not be possible
5. Knowing my friend not to be a risk taker, I had to ensure that the risks associated with the prospective purchase should be as close to zero as possible

So it came down to vehicle inspection, finalization and title transfer all preferably between a Wednesday afternoon and a Friday afternoon

Car search activated

Over 20 days prior to her landing date, I started looking on various portals, dealerships and FB Marketplace and located an ideal car - a one owner 2006 Lexus ES330 done just 75,000 miles. Just looking at the ad, I told her she could safely take this car. In hindsight, however, I also knew that the ES330 would disappear well before she landed in Florida. Therefore, I went on to shortlist more cars three days prior to her arrival

1. 2013 Kia Optima SXL done 1,11,000 miles
2. 2016 Honda Accord EX done 1,90,000 miles
3. 2012 Toyota Camry XLE done 1,09,000 miles
4. 2009 Toyota Corolla S done 1,35,000 miles
5. 2015 Toyota Camry SE done 73,500 miles

Parallel actions

About a week prior, I started taking short lessons for her to help her understand some basics along with some illustrations and my old threads on the Lexus and Acura on this very forum. Few areas that I touched upon:

1. how to read the colour and feel of the engine oil and infer
2. what hail damage would look like
3. typical tell tale signs of a car that's seen flood damage
4. visual inspection of a suspension
5. how to observe tyres and infer

As I was going through this process, I also noted her to get interested and grasp some fine details rather fast. This gave me some confidence in her ability to provide me with the right inputs when the actual remote assessment was to happen.

Examining the list, and an honourable mention

As expected, the 2006 ES330 was gone by the time she landed in Florida. Although I felt the 2012 Camry was now her best bet, I just couldn't afford to ignore the 2013 Kia Optima SXL. Presenting a few pictures that are drool-worthy.

Front Left View

Center Dash - - the lettering all intact

Driver Door Controls - the lettering all intact

Gear lever console

Driver door view - seats undamaged

Rear seat - undamaged

View from the rear seat - note the sporty pedals too

Rear

Running a carfax report on this car threw the following up, which only confirmed my initial feel of this car

1. All inspection records seen; oil changed every 3,000 miles
2. Clean ownership and title

The report also indicated that the car had gone for a manufacturer recall to secure headliner plates. The car was sold in Georgia but moved by the owner to Indiana and then to Florida.

Continue reading on BHPian vigsom's review on a 2012 Toyota Camry for BHPian comments, insights and more information.