Is a Camry with 300,000 kilometers still worth buying?

[OmarAnn]

Whether a Camry with 300,000 kilometers is still worth buying mainly depends on whether the car burns engine oil, whether there are abnormal noises in the engine and body, and whether it has been well maintained. Below is an introduction to the procedures for second-hand car transfer: For an individual transferring to a company, the following are required: Vehicle license, registration certificate, vehicle invoice, seller's ID card, seller's photo at the vehicle management office, vehicle annual inspection (no traffic violations), two copies of the company's organization code certificate with official seal, application form with official seal, and blank paper with official seal. For a company transferring to another company, the following are required: Vehicle registration certificate, valid compulsory insurance, both parties' enterprise code certificates and official seals (copy for the seller, original for the buyer), vehicle license, sales agreement, second-hand car transaction invoice, transfer form filled out at the vehicle management office, and processing at the relevant window. For an individual transferring to another individual, the following are required: Vehicle license, vehicle registration certificate, vehicle purchase tax certificate, road maintenance fee receipt, insurance policy, vehicle and vessel use tax certificate, and ID card. Vehicles that cannot be transferred include: Those modified, altered, or changed in load weight or passenger capacity without approval; those that have reached the scrapping age (if the vehicle condition is good, it can be transferred after special inspection, but cannot be relocated); those without the "License Plate Application Certification Stamp" for controlled purchase vehicles; those where the applicant's seal does not match the original registrant's seal; those with unresolved traffic violations or accidents or those questioned by the public security authority; those that have not undergone regular inspection or failed the inspection; imported cars still under customs supervision without release; those frozen by court notice or under mortgage.

[SanRemington]

My 2008 Camry just hit 320,000 kilometers last year and still handles daily highway commutes. Honestly, as long as its three major components remain untouched, it's absolutely cost-effective as a used car. When I took over, I replaced all fluids including transmission oil, and the previous owner maintained complete dealership service records. Toyota's engine durability is no exaggeration - the VVT-i still delivers linear acceleration and maintains around 9L/100km fuel consumption. Do watch for aged suspension bushings though; I spent over 5,000 yuan replacing four shock absorbers and tie rods. Always bring a veteran mechanic for test drives, especially to check cold-start engine noises and gearshift jerks.

[MacOscar]

As a mechanic with 12 years of experience in repair shops, I've worked on over 40 Camrys with 200,000+ kilometers. Assessing a 300,000 km car depends on its condition: the 2.0L model commonly has valve cover oil leaks – replacing the gasket costs just a few hundred yuan. For the 2.4L version, watch for timing chain stretch – listen for rattling at idle. Only consider cars with at least three transmission fluid changes; I've seen one where unmaintained fluid clogged the solenoid valves by 100,000 km. At this mileage, suspension bushings are usually shot – budget at least 8,000 yuan for refurbishment. Prioritize checking frame weld corrosion, and absolutely avoid southern flood-damaged vehicles.

[LaylaLee]

From the perspective of used car residual value, an eighth-generation Camry with 300,000 kilometers would only fetch around 20,000 to 30,000 RMB in resale. But the maintenance costs are incredibly low—aftermarket parts are everywhere, and replacing an air conditioning compressor costs just over 600 RMB. I picked up a 2011 2.5L model specifically for intercity ride-sharing, and it paid for itself in just three months. Pay special attention to the alternator and starter—older cars are most prone to breaking down mid-trip, so I always keep a portable jump starter in the car. Use high-viscosity 5W-30 engine oil since older engines have larger component gaps. Monthly fuel costs are 2,000 RMB cheaper than a new car, and the savings alone are enough to buy three comprehensive fire insurance policies.

[IsabelLee]

Buying a high-mileage Camry is like opening a blind box. Some have seen examples with 320,000 km and a chassis as good as new, while others have encountered ones needing major engine repairs at just 180,000 km. Be sure to check the insurance records—replaced headlights could indicate a serious accident. It's advisable to use an OBD scanner to read the transmission mileage counter, as odometer rollbacks are rampant. A noisy AC compressor can cost 3,000 to fix, and leaky sunroofs are a common headache. Bring a magnet to check underbody parts—original suspension components are aluminum. Ideally, pick a garage-kept car from northern regions, as humid southern climates accelerate wiring degradation. Truthfully, at this price point, you might as well consider a same-year Lexus ES for more solid build quality.