Being my "balik kampung" mode of transport to Penang, I occasionally travel to and fro Penang for family trips (average 2-3 trips per year) wherelse most of the time, the car would be a garage queen at home for the rest of the year where I would use public transport to work in downtown KL. Nope, it is not worth to drive a big machine into busy KL during rush hours (pre-MCO days).
Ferrying the family to dinner
Many would be asking, why the heck would someone modify an obscure uncle car? Coming from a bias Toyota owner family, I do admit I have a certain relationship with Toyota sporty heydays. Actually what got me into this mod was an article on Facebook 6-7 years ago depicting a Hong Kong article on a BLITZ supercharged Estima. Knowing how much I despise owning MPVs or "high rider family carriers", I realise that the same engine is also used in the Camry of this generation.
On one of its Penang hometown trip
It started when I was on my highway trip and when I got high-beamed away by a not so friendly highway user. The asthmatic dare I say rubbish 170hp 2.4v really gave me a final straw that broke the camel's back. 5 speed auto? Ha-ha-ha. Coming from a history of modded Corollas, this uncle car definitely will need some extra juice. I do admit, it's a comfortable cruiser.
Why not a turbo route? With majority manufacturers going smaller CC and turbo route? I have been asked over this question many times. Well simple, I want to prolong the engine originality to an extens, engine and gearbox lifespan and yes, my bank book account as well. My idea was simple at that time, plonk-in a bolt-on and wah-laa, magic horses arises. Well, it is not so simple. This engine is a high compression engine to begin with, with NA-tuned in mind from the factory. With factors limiting and me trying to preserve as much as factory standard items I can get in the engine bay making sure I don't go power crazy destroying my engine and gearbox in the process, I chose the Rotrex centrifugal supercharger route with a piggy back on ECU.
The engine bay
I am sure many will be having the same question in their head. Cost? How much power? Boost level? Problems? How about the reliability? Fuel consumption must be hell? I am not going into technical part. To sum it up generally, going into my 3rd year with this heap, driving this not-so-uncle car on the highway have been entertaining. To sum up naughtiness, keeping up with a mid-powered conti is a stroll. Engine making around a bone stock FD2R engine horses does do some wonder even though this uncle car weights a hefty 1.5 ton. Just don't step into the M or AMG lines and u will be fine. Like i say, good things definitely comes with good price. Fuel consumption pays for it. Making less than 8km/L on heavy footed runs is not a happy thing drawing my hate for it. Reliability? Well, the system doesn't touches the engine fluid but relies on its own lubrication. So just periodic fluid maintenance have made it happy so far. The car is running on UMW fully synthetic since the car went on its 1000 KM first service and gearbox oil replace every 20k KM. So no problem-o so far.
At its sleeping slumber
To be frank, I would not be upgrading anything else for this car interior and exterior wise. It has a very yawning 2000's interior look. Yes, super comfy seats and boat like handling which makes a 5 hour Thai border trip a walk-in-the-park. Nope, I would not be going for those fake carbon fiber sticker tack-on or those Ah-beng 10 coloured LED headlamps or tail lamps nor I will be upgrading any suspension, brakes or even the wheels. A Camry is still Camry no matter how many inch of rim upgrade you go for. A final dream mod to it would be a pair of Kelford high performance camshafts on this.
The original "yellowish" pearl white paint
How about running costs? Should I sound like a Toyota sales man? Spares for this car is aplenty be it Original Thai Toyota or OEM. If you are hardworking enough, a walk into the spare part shop will lit your day. Since I mention that major mechanical repair have been done by myself after that 3 year UMW warranty, It's a happy trip for me. The old set of absorbers kaput on me at 80+k KM. A set of OEM Tokicos and full original bushes set me a nice RM2.4k from a genuine parts dealer. Brake discs cost around RM500 for a full set 4 pieces. Brake pads cost ranges RM50-400. Replaced at every 40k KM. Pick a decent brand and you will be alright. Just be careful with the balance shaft issue on this camry generation since used ones are mostly high mileage runners and nope, my steering rack is still fine at this moment. It is running on Michelin PS4 currently. Good grip but noise is not to my liking. I would definitely head back to Michelin Primacy 4 after this. Like a rule of thumb, take care of the car well and on time and it will take care of you.
Am I looking for an upgrade soon? Well, nope and not so soon. Parts are cheap for this "uncle" as long you stay clear of service centres at this age and pick a "smart" mechanic. Most of my maintenance have been on my own unless the bolt-on mod or Air-conditioning have problems. So as long running costs is at a reasonable cost, it definitely stays in my stable.
Its original dashboard with its original UMW Toyota player
The floating meter
PROs
- still a good looker
- interior size
- reasonable maintenance and running costs
- comfort level still on par to this day of age
- looks discreet (my personal point)
CONs
- rides like a boat
- it's getting old at 9 years old
- a 30s driving it instantly get "Uncle" street cred
- that 2.4 thirst (owner leg problem)