Toyota Camry 2001 Problems

Your mechanic is correct, it's very hard to fix if the problem doesn't manifest itself when he's there to observe it. But I would suggest you start by checking the ignition system, the coils and crank angle sensor.

TOYOTA, like all carmakers, won't recommend modifying their cars in any way and that includes converting them to LPG. They spent millions of dollars developing cars to set specifications and know nothing of the consequences of modifying them. So they always say not to modify. Probably the only problem you will face is the valve recession you mention. Talk to a respected specialist and ask their advice. The difficulty with cars like the Camry is the LPG conversion industry has little experience with them.

GENERALLY carmakers recommend changing the cam timing belt about 100,000km, but Toyota's service point is 150,000km and there's no reason to question that recommendation. There is no history or belt breakage with the Camry so I would stick to the Toyota recommendation.

LOWERING a car changes the geometry of the suspension, and the drive shafts, which may account for the amplification. A vibration will often travel through the car, causing other components to resonate. Go through the normal driving process that you know causes the vibration, and while you're doing it identify when it occurs, at what speed, whether slowing down, accelerating, brakes on, brakes off, coasting and so on. I'd check the brakes, looking for a sticking calliper, uneven pad wear, or foreign objects stuck in the disc. The things you mention seem to be focused on what's happening as a result of the vibration, not the cause of the vibration itself.

YOUR research is correct. Toyota might on the whole build bland cars, the Camry being one of them. But they are well built and generally very reliable.

TO get ABS, a driver's airbag and remote central locking on the 1999/2001 Camry four, you will need to move up the model range and look at a CS-X. You'll pay $15,000-$20,000 and for that you'll get a safe, reliable and well-built car. The JS and JSII Vectras were similarly equipped with driver's airbag, ABS and central locking, and will be slightly less expensive at $16,000 to $18,000. The Vectra is basically sound and has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 104kW. The Camry is a similarly sized four with 94kW -- power and price advantage to the Holden.