Back to the future
As mentioned above, Toyota isn’t replacing the Avensis range following the cessation of the model line. Instead they’re shipping back the Camry from a faraway country. Hardly a substitute mid-range model. Let’s say you fancy a bit of classic Toyota action in the form of a large petrol saloon, but you only have loose change. You also want an up-to-date nameplate for your internet forum status.
Well, for the first time in a long time, I watched a Toyota Camry go through an auction. This was an evening sale and the car came direct from a Toyota main agent. Large petrol saloons always tickle my fancy, so I hung around long enough to see if I could afford it.
The answer was yes and no. This was a 99V model, so the tax was affordable. Sadly, the MOT wasn’t likely to be. The test was due in a few weeks and I could see an ABS light illuminated and hear that the exhaust had more holes than a packet of Polos. The handbrake lever was pointing skywards, too.
The Camry was, classically speaking, ‘green ’n’ cream’ which is good news on an old Jag, less so on a 1990s Japanese car. Bottle-green bodywork with a grey-cream cloth interior wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing combo. My boss described the car as ‘not nice’ when he saw what I was getting giddy over.
The price? Well, it had covered 116,000 miles, had two previous keepers and was in less than presentable condition, so
“I thought I’d offer £200 – little more than scrap value. How wrong can you be?”
I thought I’d offer £200 – little more than scrap value. How wrong can you be? It sold for £350 + fees, meaning this Camry stood its new owner over a monkey before it inevitably failed its MOT.
Incidentally, the Burnaston plant will also be dropping the Auris imminently. But fear not as the replacement for that is called the Corolla (!) and will still come from the East Midlands plant. Just rejoice at that news!