Replacing timing belt is not cheap, some people waited longer time because they can't afford it, so they have to take some risk.
Different car has different design. About 1996, I asked the same question to a mechanic, about what if I don't replace it. He looked at the book, and said, for Camry, it's OK, but not for Corolla. For Camry, you just lost power if timing belt is broken, but for Corolla the engine will break.
Different car has different design. About 1996, I asked the same question to a mechanic, about what if I don't replace it. He looked at the book, and said, for Camry, it's OK, but not for Corolla. For Camry, you just lost power if timing belt is broken, but for Corolla the engine will break.