A Camry. Really.

Per
Update by Per Schroeder to the Toyota Camry project car
Sep 21, 2012

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It's a greyish beige that just blends into its surroundings.

That V6 badge means it's got almost 200 hp.

The wand-like device doesn't hurt either.

We found a Camry on Craigslist to prove a point: You can have fun and go fast with just about anything. Even a Camry.

We hear the following excuse a lot: “I can’t do trackdays or autocross because I’ve got XYZ, which isn’t a sports car.” We’re here to say that you can go fast and have fun on track with just about anything. Even a family sedan that your Memaw drives can be a ton of fun out on track.

To prove this point, we bought a 1999 Camry that we found on Craigslist for $2700. It’s a somewhat odd combination of the V6 engine and a five-speed transmission, but many of the modifications that we’ll be doing can work on the four-cylinder or automatic versions.

Our plan is to fix a few small issues, baseline the car at a few events and then spend about $2000 making it a fun and competent track car. Our total investment will be less than $5000.

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Comments
2ndstorer
2ndstorer New Reader
9/21/12 9:00 a.m.

I cannot wait to see what you do with this thing. Mine was totalled last month and I miss it. Trying to find another V6 manual around here is proving to be difficult. Have fun!

ansonivan
ansonivan Dork
9/21/12 9:12 a.m.

I love you guys, please leave child car seats strapped in the rear for all events and pictures. Maybe stick a nitrous bottle in each one just for extra lol-factor.

DoctorBlade
DoctorBlade UltraDork
9/21/12 9:22 a.m.

I can't wait to see the avalanche of hate-mail this will generate. Should be one heck of a sleeper.

Per Schroeder
Per Schroeder PowerDork
9/21/12 9:42 a.m.

We hear the following excuse a lot: "I can't do trackdays or autocross because I've got XYZ, which isn't a sports car." We're here to say that you can go fast and have fun on track with just about anything. Even a family sedan that your Memaw drives can be a ton of fun out on track.

To prove this point, we bought a 1999 Camry that we found on Craigslist for $2700. It's a somewhat odd combination of the V6 engine and a five-speed transmission, but many of the modifications that we'll be doing can work on the four-cylinder or automatic versions.

Our plan is to fix a few small issues, baseline the car at a few events and then spend about $2000 making it a fun and competent track car. Our total investment will be less than $5000.

Racer1ab
Racer1ab Dork
9/21/12 9:48 a.m.

I can't wait until this thing goes up for sale. :-)

pinchvalve
pinchvalve GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
9/21/12 10:59 a.m.

I see a little of the old GRM in this one, can't wait.

ZOO
ZOO GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
9/21/12 11:38 a.m.

My '92 V6 5spd combo was surprisingly competent on the track.

Sky_Render
Sky_Render Dork
9/21/12 2:41 p.m.

I didn't even know it was possible to get a Camry with a manual transmission.

Geekspeed
Geekspeed Reader
9/21/12 4:20 p.m.

Niiiiiiiiicccccceeeee.... Watching this with interest.

RobVN
RobVN New Reader
9/21/12 4:40 p.m.

I have one of these puppies. Eibach pro springs, Tokico blues, front strut brace, cold air intake, TRD sway bar and exhaust. 134,000 miles so far.

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