Camry SE Nightshade
Why r/BuyItForLife recommends it
17 mentions from real owners
- #1Sep 1, 2025
purchase car entirely or make payments?
We have consistently bought toyotas/Lexus and not been disappointed. They are extremely reliable cars with basic upkeep. I'm currently driving a 2009 Toyota and am just now thinking of replacing it. We bought it used and I have put 80k miles on it and it just now is needing some repairs. If you have a lower budget I highly recommend doing the same. A toyota can easily get you to 200k miles/20 years old, so even if you get it at 100k miles/10 years old, you still get a car with a lot of life left in it. A camry is always a great option unless you have older children and need some more space. We still had a carry when we had young children and it was a great car. If you can pay off a car, then compare APR on the loan with the % you can get on an HYSA. If what you can get back on an HYSA or treasury bond, keeping in mind you pay taxes on the interest, then you should put money in to some form of savings and pay down the loan over time from that. But that's not the case right now, certainly not when looking at a used car loan-interest rates on loans are higher. So your best bet is to pay as much upfront as you can, get that monthly payment as low as you can, and aggressively pay off the car loan, putting as much into paying down the principal as you can. Shop around for a loan--you don't have to go with dealer financing as the dealer usually has worse rates than a credit union. Then, once the loan is paid off, put the money in an HYSA or treasurey bonds and start saving up for the next car.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #2Sep 1, 2025
purchase car entirely or make payments?
Buy a 10 yr old Camry and that will last you 5-10 years
View on Redditopen_in_new - #3Jul 2, 2025
Name your top 5 BIFL items
1. Tie between my 2006 Toyota Tundra and 1994 Toyota Camry. Both well over 300k miles and run just fine with normal maintenance 2. Darn tough socks, I am on my feet 16+ hours a day in all kinds of environments and they hold up like crazy 3. Le Cruset skillet, I splurged and got the expensive cast iron. When my partner dropped it and it broke in two, the outlet store replaced it zero questions asked 4. Filson medium duffle, again a splurge purchase, but it’s the perfect size for me for a three day weekend trip and it looks sharp 5. Carhartt Sherpa lined jacket, bought it in 2002 while still in the military and it’s gone through every winter since with just a little fraying on the sleeve and some discoloration from staining
View on Redditopen_in_new - #4Mar 3, 2025
Where Does "Buy It for Life" Not Make Sense?
Toyota and Honda are the only two car brands I will buy. My uncle is still driving a 1994 Honda Civic. My aunt's Camry lasted 20 years. To add on to this, while buying a car that'll last you a lifetime is good, what's even better is finding a good mechanic. Develop a relationship and they will help you keep that car on the road.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #5Feb 7, 2025
In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?
My brother just got totaled in an accident. He was still driving his high school car. A 99 Camry. It has had a few new engines and I don't know the mileage. But yes Toyota. I had a Camry that got flipped upside down and all it needed was a timing pulley and a windshield. next car I'm buying in saving for a Toyota
View on Redditopen_in_new - #6Feb 6, 2025
In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?
Just got a new to me camry. Then put a couple K into the 2006, with 170000 miles and gave it to my son.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #7Feb 6, 2025
In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?
https://ifunny.co/picture/toyota-fucking-camry-it-s-not-the-car-you-want-SHUGbcAx7
View on Redditopen_in_new - #8Feb 6, 2025
In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?
Yeah, all the new Camrys on the Prius drivetrain now, all of the model are hybrid and 2024 V6’s are high demand in the used market now, easily above the lower trims of the new Camrys.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #9Feb 6, 2025
In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?
Been looking at a Camry and would like to buy new, but the 2025’s are all newly 9th gen. Same platform as the Prius has been using for years, but still.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #10Feb 6, 2025
In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?
I’d argue the hybrids are probably more reliable than the gasoline versions. Toyota has had the Prius out for decades and it’s insanely reliable. The e-cvt drivetrain makes it even more simple and durable. They’re now in the recent RAV4s and probably in the refreshed Camry unless I’m mistaken. EV I agree though I wouldn’t touch a Toyota EV ever. Way better options out there
View on Redditopen_in_new - #11Feb 6, 2025
In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?
so basically there aren't any. people are gunna chug their brand loyalty soda. but 🤷♂️ find the classic formula a car with a low tress engine and a manual or classic geared transmission. Toyota Camry has a 2.5 liter non turbo making like 160hp. that thing will run along time because it literally don't make enough power to matter. trucks aren't gunna be that way, they have had a power race for a couple years now. they all make huge power for tiny engines.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #12Feb 6, 2025
What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?
I am not loyal to any brand… excluding Toyota I will only ever buy a Toyota (unless their longevity goes to shit, which seems like it isn’t and won’t any time soon). I have seen Camrys go 350k, 200k, kids in high school would drive Corolla’s with 400k+ miles on them. They are simple machines with little to no flair, that get you from a to b and don’t brake, if they do they’ll at least say “don’t worry man we’ll at least get you to the shop” you drive it to the shop and they look at an axel split in half and go “how in the ever living fuck did you drive this 20 miles to get here” and you’d say “I thought it sounded a little funny but it drove fine other than a little rattle” Oh you bought this Camry when your child was one because your BMWs engine blew up when you sneezed on it? Well I hope he likes this car but it’s gonna be his when he turns 16…oh your on your 4th Mercedes? Huh I haven’t bought a car in…wow 20 years maybe it’s time to buy one my 4Runner does have 500k on it, meh it’s still rolling just fine alright see ya later got a 2 week 1000 mile off roading trip in the Mojave desert with this puppy! See ya soon!
View on Redditopen_in_new - #13Feb 6, 2025
In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?
My 2011 Camry was totaled after someone hydroplaned into me. I use part of the insurance money and got a 2007 Avalon. Toyotas for life! They've gone 300k+ miles, unless they were in an accident, or the idiot son-in-law decided he wanted to customize it while forgetting that he's a moron and can't tie his shoes even with a video with step by step instructions.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #14Feb 6, 2025
In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?
Toyota 4Runner/Tacoma/Land Cruiser (last generation—not the new ones, at least for now). Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Camry are all top of game for longevity. That said, check out current Volvos. I would favor the T5 models over T6 due to less engine complexity. They also offer an optional comprehensive 12 year 150,000 mile extended warranty on new cars, and at least until recently their CPO cars could get 10 year unlimited mileage. My family has had Volvos since the 1950s, and I find the current ones still have many of the qualities of those cars. They are very solid, well-made, overall reliable, but do have some nickel and dime problems. People on the Volvo forums all like the longevity, reliability and ease of repair of models from the early to mid 2000s, aside from a few years (2014-2017) when they first came out with the current 4 cylinder engines.
View on Redditopen_in_new - #15Feb 6, 2025
In an age of things designed to be replaced, what currently-produced 1) trucks, and 2) cars come closest to BIFL?
i keep telling myself i'll get a new car when the camry finally dies but 250k miles and the AC is still blowing cold...
View on Redditopen_in_new - #16Feb 3, 2025
Buy Once Cry Once items?
I bought a Toyota Camry new in 2000. I finally got rid of it in 2020. My Subaru Outback is from 2013 and has had 0 issues
View on Redditopen_in_new - #17Feb 1, 2025
What’s one item you bought that has lasted for YEARS and was worth every penny?
My 2000 Toyota Camry. I’m beginning to think it might outlast me
View on Redditopen_in_new
