What Should I Be Aware Of?

So, my DD/winter beater 1993 Subaru Loyale 4WD wagon is pretty much on it's last legs. I bought it 3 years ago for $1100 and it owes me nothing at this point, so I have started looking around at replacements. I live in CNY, so AWD/4WD is preferable and I don't have a lot of cash to play with. So, while searching, I stumbled across this:

http://utica.craigslist.org/cto/5145820746.html

Didn't pay a whole lot of attention until I saw the line about 4WD and realized this was a Camry All-Trac. Looks pretty clean, especially for CNY, and it only has 85K miles, so I figure the drivetrain has plenty of life.

Basically, my question is, having never played with Toyotas, what should I be aware of when looking at this thing? Is there any weirdness with the All-Trac that might make parts availability hell?

What's wrong with the harmonic balancer? I'm very leery of other people's diagnostics. If it is the harmonic balancer, which it could be, then the outer ring of it where the belts ride should be missing or very loose (not attached) to the inner part. I'm not saying it couldn't happen, because it did to me on a 92 RN Truck (22RE), but just be sure to check the diagnostics.

That should have a 3SFE motor, which is totally bullet proof if you change the oil and keep coolant in it. The drive train is likely to be bulletproof too, if you change the transmission oil every hundred thousand or so. Parts availability isn't going to be much of a problem as that car is still basically new, if the millage is correct.

If it is just the harmonic balancer, that should be easily replaced with a junk yard part. Change the timing belt and the O-ring behind the oil pump while you're in there. About a 2-3 hour job total if you've done it before. I think it's a good find.

Yeah, I would obviously have to go take a look at it to determine what exactly is the issue. I have a garage at home as well as access to a lift on weekends, so doing the repairs shouldn't be too difficult. And tires are no biggie, can get a set of cheap Douglas Xtra-Trac IIs at Wal-Mart for cheap (I've had excellent luck with those) and the dampener is only ~$55 from Rock Auto

Wasn't retorqued properly after a service, came loose and wrecked the nose of the crank is another possibility. Theres got to be a half million engines to fit that in junkyards all over the world.

I don't think I've ever seen an AWD Camry.

Streetwiseguy wrote: Wasn't retorqued properly after a service, came loose and wrecked the nose of the crank is another possibility. Theres got to be a half million engines to fit that in junkyards all over the world. I don't think I've ever seen an AWD Camry.

Immediately replacing the engine would be something I'd rather not get into.

And I have seen one other Camry All-Trac, and it was the weird 5-door hatchback variant with a 5-speed. Guy offered it in trade for a 1990 Acura Legend 5-speed I had and I turned the offer down. A month later the Acura's clutch exploded and replacing that turned into quite a debacle. That'll teach me.

"in good condition for the year" That's usually a way to deny the damage and rust that is actually there.

Agree with the comments about the harmonic damper.

Check the paper work and the VIN plate to make sure they match, because I don't think that's the right style body for a 91.

Otherwise, it's $500. Probably money well spent on a cheap little awd car.

Yeah, I was wondering about the year. Wikipedia shows the 1991 Camry as being the newer XV10 chassis but if I Google search "1991 Camry" I get this body style. And with the lack of pictures and it being a 24 year old car in NY, I am definitely concerned about rust, but at least it's right in the city where I live. Any areas that these era Camrys were particularly prone to rust-out?