Newer Chevy or Older Toyota?

Maintenance/Repairs
, ,
1

Going to get a cheap car for winter. Have narrowed down 2 options.

1.) 2012 Chevy Impala LS. Clean title 135k miles. Original Engine and Transmission. Has the 3.6L V6 and 6L80 Transmission. Passed Virginia Inspection a year ago. Seller asking $1700

2.) 2005 Toyota Solara with the 2.4L 4 Cyl. Clean title 205k miles. Original Engine, Lower mileage 120k 4 speed transmission put in last month. Seller has receipts for transmission replacement, however it was from a junkyard and there is no warranty. This vehicle also passed Virginia inspection about a year ago. Seller asking $1800

Assuming that they both run and drive good as of right now, which would be a better buy from a reliability standpoint alone? Obviously Toyota wins if we’re comparing apples to apples. However, the Chevy is 7 years and 70k miles newer. So I’m not sure if that cancels out.

I am wary about buying American vehicles with mixed reputation. Yes I have a 2013 Mustang GT but the 1st gen 5.0 and 6r80 in that car are both well known to be generally very reliable.

I have previously owned a 2001 explorer with the 4.0 that developed timing chain rattle after 9 months of ownership at 210k miles despite no rattle when I first bought it and religiously changing the oil. (Probably changed the oil and filter 3 times within 9 months PLUS I had replaced the tensioners as well first thing when I got it. and it still blew up). To be fair, the Ford 4.0s are INFAMOUSLY horrible and have a major flaw by design due to the PLASTIC guides and weak tensioners…There are many cases of peoples chains rattling under 100k miles even with religious oil changes, but I digress. Just don’t want to go down this rabbit hole again.

Point being, I am wary of the Chevy since I had a bad experience before with questionable American engines (4.0). MOST sources I have looked into say the 3.6 L from Chevy from 2012 and on is a very reliable engine. Some people say they had timing chain issues but that was due to lack of oil changes if anything.

I am wary of the Toyota as well but for different reasons. Even though yes it can last a long time even at 205k miles, it’s still 7 years / 70k miles older I’m not sure if this is a good buy - Gaskets, fuel lines, brake lines, hoses and seals are all 7 years older and I feel like by Mid 2000’s (2010 and on) most auto manufacturers used better quality gaskets, hoses, seals, etc.

Unfortunately I can’t quite swing the finances for lower mileage 05-06 camry or solara, otherwise I’d just get that…Any insight is appreciated.

2

Either of these will be a crap shoot given the age and mileage.

Generally I go for the vehicle with the better maintenance history and/or records.

Personally I’d go with the Chevy. It’s newer, and it has 4 doors. I’ve found that 2 door cars get kind of old after a while. Unless that’s what you’re looking for, of course.

1 Like
3

I’d get the Toyota.

The 3.6 engine is notorious for failing timing chains, among other problems.

Tester

2 Likes
4

Another vote for the 2006 Solara. The 3.3L V-6 is solid, and if the transmission is shifting fine, a drain-and-fill (NOT A FLUSH) should keep it running well for a long time. Please note that the Toyota 3.3L V-6 is an interference engine with a rubber timing belt. Unless there is proof it was changed recently, I’d suggest replacing (or having a reputable shop replace) the entire timing belt kit–including the hydraulic tensioner, idler pulleys, water pump, and obviously the belt itself. Expect to pay about $1200-1300 to have this done professionally.

5

The 2.4 Solara engine has a timing chain.

76174
761741500Ă—1500 224 KB

Tester

6

I was about to maybe go look at the Solara sometime today. Here is a video of what the seller sent me of the underside.

How bad does it look/sound? Looks to me like the flexpipe is broken or at least needs to be welded? Also maybe oil pan gasket as well? Kind of hard to tell exactly. Rust doesn’t look too bad.

The seller is a mechanic, he only owned it for a month and he bought the car from a customer who didn’t want to replace the transmission when it went out a month ago. So he doesn’t know much about the cars history but claims there’s nothing wrong with it.

7

Typical for a 20 year-old car.

I don’t see anything to be concerned about.

Tester

1 Like
8

The [parts of the underside shown looks to be in excellent shape. It appears the exhaust system needs a little work is all. As long as the cat is good, not overly expensive. When you look at this car in person, focus on the bottom edges of the exterior panels, rocker panels, wheel wells, etc. The vdo doesn’t show that area very clearly. That’s is where rust problems normally show up first, and fixing those, while not a show-stopper in most cases, can be somewhat expensive. In any event suggest to obtain a pre-purchase inspection from your own mechanic before deciding. I’d be leaning toward the Solara as well.

9

The video doesn’t mention the year and I can tell by the engine cover it’s not a 2012. Could be a 2010 or 2011. Not all 3.6’s are the same. In 2012, they introduced the 3.6L LFX which was an improvement over the LLT shown and that’s when the timing chain issues began to go away. I’m not saying they weren’t still a potential issue I just dislike when guys paint all 3.6s with the same brush.

10

never mind

11

I don’t like it when folks refer to trans as “4spd”. It’s a Toyota. It could be manual or auto. I’d lean towards auto on a Chevy. It’s vague.
Mech got Toyota for scrap? $300? Put in used trans he bought and is selling it for 1700. Seems fair.

12

Then why is it only $1700.00??? :thinking:

2.4L was a 5 speed manual, or it came with either a 4 speed auto (U241E) or a 5 speed auto (U250E)… I think the 1998 Tercel was the last Toyota car 4 speed manual, in 1999 The new Echo took it’s place with the 5 speed manual…

Since it just had a used transmission installed, it might be safe to say it just had a drain and fill (they filled what drain out lol), I’m sure they spilt some fluid between the old car and and it’s current home… If the fluid looks good wait about 20-30K and then do it…
If I would have been the one installing the trans, I would have installed all new seals with new filter…