Toyota Camry (2010 and older) Midsize | Compact
Toyota Camry (2010 and older) Midsize | Compact
[Feb 05, 2003]
ag06
Model Reviewed:
Camry
Strength:
Good power-for a family car Reliable
Weakness:
leather cracking toyota brake quality could be better Bought the car used in April 2002 from a friend. Car had 42,000 miles on it and ran great. It is the XLE model with leather and all the options. I now have 56,000 miles on the car and it is going great. I have had to replace the brakes, but I tend to use them hard so that is my fault. Leather is cracking pretty bad on the front seats, especially the drivers. Overall, the car has been great and has had no problems with regular maintance. Similar Products Used: Honda Accord-great car. Got 198,000 miles out of it before it was wrecked. |
[Jan 26, 2003]
Scott
Model Reviewed:
Toyota Camry LE
Strength:
1. Getting 28mpg combined-very good 2. Plenty of pep for a 4 cylinder even with 5 people. (the new 210 hp vvt v-6 must be awesome but is it worth the extra 2 grand and 5mpg-maybe) 3. Very solid and quiet ride. I prefer the Camry over my friend's newer BMW in this department. 4. My 3 kids fit comfortably in the back seat. However not enough room for a long trip. 5. Fit and finish is excellent. To stay on the safe side I bought the one assembled in Japan and not Kentucky. 6. The heater works almost instantly.
Weakness:
1. Front seats are so-so in the supports. 2. Visibility out the back window not that great. 3. Handling is not exciting. Did alot of research to come up with a commuter vehicle under $20k, decent fuel mileage, safe, dependable, good ride, etc. On paper the Camry was the overall winner. So far after 3,ooo miles I am getting very attached to this car. Personally I can't justify spending another $15k for a Lexus when this Camry delivers the way it does. Similar Products Used: 1. VW Jetta 2. Ford Windstar 3. Ford Escort |
[Jan 23, 2003]
dave
Model Reviewed:
camry
Strength:
the car won't die. very reliable. power windows and locks still work, drives pretty smoothly yet. I'm very impressed.
Weakness:
gutless very good car. i have 280,000+ miles on it and it's still going. The only things that have gone wrong with it are the boots. I'm waiting for it to die so I can get a new one, but it just won't quit. There is a little rust, but I'm from SD, so that's expected. It was a hand me down from my dad. he took really good care of it. oil change every 2000-3000 miles. |
[Jan 22, 2003]
Madonna207
Model Reviewed:
Camry SE V6
Strength:
Very powerful engine, no problem merging. Attracts a lot of attention.. which can be a good or bad thing. I always have people wanting to race me. I give in every now and then to a Camaro Z28 (with a lot of modifications) and I lost to a 1998 Chevy Corvette. I'm not surprised because it is only a V6. But I still have yet to lose to a V6 Accord or any Honda.. stock or aftermarket.
Weakness:
Not really all that crazy about the factory tires (Bridgestone Turanza V-Rated) I just think that they're too poor of quality for the car. Please feel free to email me at Madonna207@aol.com This is my second Camry, I kept my 1991 Camry because I simply could not give it up after 210,000+ miles. Hopefully this one will be just as good. I bought this April 2002, very happy, more than I had asked for. I bought the loaded version that is possible. Power everything, Power, heated and leather seats, sunroof, spoiler, factory tinted windows, navigation system (GPS), which come in very handy. I've had this car for almost a year now and it drives like a much more expensive car. My friends and co workers still fight over who gets to ride in the front seat and I think that I'm going to start charging people for drives around town just to see how it is. I would highly recommend this or any Toyota for anyone even slightly considering. Trust me.. you WON'T be disappointed. Similar Products Used: 1991 Toyota Camry-Best Car I'll ever own 1991 Honda Civic - Problems problems problems... 1997 Honda Accord - Too slow and very dull body, interior was also cheaper than my '91 Camry 1985 Chevy Tru |
[Jan 20, 2003]
Alan
Model Reviewed:
Toyota Camry LE 4 cyl.
Strength:
Good fit and finish Great ride Good fuel economy
Weakness:
Brakes seem a little mushy. Will have dealer check them. After researching and test driving most of the other cars in this size and price range I chose the Camry and I am sure I got the best. It is smooth, quiet and has a feel of quality normally found in more expensive cars. The fit and finish are excellent and the gas mileage is great. Nice radio (upgraded) and the sunroof is a joy. Similar Products Used: Honda Accord |
[Jan 17, 2003]
Brandice
Model Reviewed:
Toyota Camry SE
Strength:
-Reliability, (does well in snow too!) -Quiet and smooth ride -Interior is very pleasant compared to others in its class. Roomy and sharp edges. Strong sound system, everything is at fingers reach. -Great cruise control, and locking systems. -You can appreciate the engineering if you are a driver. -ABS works wonderful -Warms up very quickly in 20 degree weather. Freezes you out in the A/C. -Steering is tight and motionless -Gas mileage better than expected.
Weakness:
-Breaks are just a TAD weak -4 cylinder is somewhat underpowered The Toyota being a leader in it's class has done well with this Camry SE. I think it is a bit under powered as a 4 cylinder but way overpriced if you were to get the 6 cylinder. The car performs as advertised, if you want stability in a family sedan with a sporty edge I recommend the SE with spoiler. It adds minor details to an already semi-bland car. As for performance and reliability, I get better mileage than advertised, and it handles great, straight alignment and quiet ride with smooth transitions over bumps. Don't be afraid of the 2003 model year, it has everything you need. Comparatively the Camry was better than the Accord and Jetta/Passat, at least in my area. The interior is roomy and the trunk very large. The exhaust is bothersome because from the rear it appears to dip down close to the ground...it actually is built that way so don't be alarmed. Gauges are well lit but the breaks, rather mushy, they get the job done though. Child locks are annoying but what do you expect in a family sedan. A very well built car for the money and you will save a ton in maintenance. The SE interior is VERY nice with the metallic features, I recommend this car for those individuals who want to sleep at night. I have driven them all including the Nissan and for the money...the Camry lives up to it's reputation and the resale value is excellent. Good, stable, and nice to look at without having to worry about the future. Similar Products Used: 97 Civic, 94 Accord, 2002 Quad Cab Toyota 4X4 (Excellent Truck), 2002 Toyota Solara |
[Jan 04, 2003]
mrsacks
Model Reviewed:
Toyota Camry XLE 4 Cyl Auto
Strength:
Quite, well engineered and thought out. So far Toyota's reputation for quality has been borne out.
Weakness:
Maybe a bit short on power, but if you are looking for a tire smoker, get a Mustang. Could use a bit more chrome but that's a personal choice. Otherwise no other weaknesses. Please with purchase. Car performs as advertised. This is not a sports sedan, rather a quality built jack of all trades, midsize sedan that rides very well, is quite and has adequate power. It will meet most everyone's needs. Similar Products Used: Honda Accord, Honda Civic, another Camry '97 (I'm a "three-peat" Toyota owner, having bought my fist in '73 - a 5 Speed Corolla! |
[Jan 04, 2003]
William Gottlieb
Model Reviewed:
Camry XLE V-6
Strength:
Velvety engine Good transmission shifting (until in overdrive) Very reliable (only a few minor glitches) Tight Body...a well built car. Styling does'nt offend (doesn't excite either. Nice Sunroof Nice Ride Nimble around town (at slower speeds)
Weakness:
Poor Gas Mileage with V-6 Poor Tracking Eats Tires Totally Numb Steering (borders on dangerous) Weird Door Locks Too much required maintenance Seat lack thigh support and side bolsters Slippery leather Too much road noise Sharp bumps aren't taken too well Too much torque steer Major understeer I leased the car from my brother-in law who is a Toyota dealer and never even sat in one until it was delivered to me. I ordered the top line XLE model with leather because the interior of the LE was so boring. I am impressed with the build quality and interior finishes. The car looks expensive on the inside so I call it my "poor man's" Lexus ES-300 as it's the same car underneath and they share the same body shell. The engine is velvety smooth and is well mated to the transmission. Shifts are quick and smooth normally but when in overdrive it'll start shifting a lot if you changes speeds, like in heavey freeway traffic. Lately it has started delaying the first shift for about 1/4 mile after the car has been parked a while, like it needs to warm up or something. There have been a few minor glitches over the 35,000 miles I've driven so far. The keyless entry never worked right from day one, works 10% of the time. The dealer said it was a bad battery but after 3 years it still works 10% of the time. One time the car even locked me out while I was standing outside it and the engine was off too, fortunately the window was open. A warning light has come on saying a tail light is out but that's not the case. The remote mirrors stopped working once but that was fixed OK. After one year, the car wouldn't run on regular without pinging and now it pings even on premium. Dealer said it was the tires...one of us is stupid and it ain't me. Also, it uses a lot of that premium gas for it's size. My biggest complaint is that the steering is so completely numb and there is so much torque steer and understeer that in heavy freeway traffic I consider the car to be dangerous to drive. It's nimble at city speeds but anything faster than that is scary. Also, the thing eats tires but that may be more a problem with the heavier V-6 but I had to get new tires at 18,000 miles...got some Michelins. The seats are OK for short drives but after an hour or so I start getting cramps in my legs as the seats are short on thigh support, I'm 5'-10". Also, the leather is so slippery that I am constantly having to re-position myself and the leather on the steering wheel is so thin that my "club" has worn thru it. The ride is generally comfortable and fairly firm (just how I like it) but it shows harshness over sharp bumps. Still, after 35,000 miles there isn't a rattle....it's definitely a well built car. I love the sunroof and use it a lot in the summers here in the NW but I wish they'd adjusted that littlepop-up air deflector about 1/4" lower when open as it would cut the wind noise in half. Try this with your car and see what you think. One other annoyance, Toyota wants you in their dealership way too much. The 15,000 mile check cost me $360!! so now I skip every other scheduled maintenance check. I do change the oil every 3000 miles but I can't afford to do Mercedes like maintenance on a Toyota. As my lease is up in a few months I was thinking about another Camry but I don't really care for the looks of the new one. They seem to make them cheaper looking each time. The rear looks like a Mitsubishi econobox. Even the new Lexus ES-300 looks cheap. The biggest thing is the handling. From what I've read so far, they haven't really done anything to improve the car's numb feeling. Regardless of its quality and reliability, if I don't feel safe driving it I'll be looking elsewhere. Similar Products Used: 1992 Taurus GL |
[Jan 03, 2003]
phshafe
Model Reviewed:
Toyota Camry
Strength:
1. Crashworthiness -- check NHTSA and IIHS Web sites to verify this. 2. Reliability -- check Consumer Reports to verify this, or ask your friends. 3. Dealers -- excellent ones can be had, who are part of the "reliability" strategy will specifically not encourage to get unnecessary preventive maintenance or other repairs done This is the best car I have ever owned.
Weakness:
1. Get the side air bags; crashworthiness is less complete without them should you be hit from the side 2. Consumes about a quart of oil every 2000 miles which dealers say is normal; but check it and get it fixed when this becomes a quart every 1000 miles 3. Not a giveaway; don't look for bargains except in a severe recession (like now) As flawless as any car can be expected to be. In over 5 years, performed every time. The more I use it, the more I become aware of the considerable design engineering that went into it. When I talk with dealers about "mid-life" maintenance steps that previous cars would typically need at 60-70K miles, in every case, they are not needed and/or there are mechanisms built it to let me know when they are needed and those mechanisms haven't tripped yet. I take car trips in the western US as a hobby, and which can be risky with the wrong car. This one performs well on mountains, in snow and rain, and in high heat like Arizona in August; adverse conditions bring out the best in it. Toyota has tamed the American West much better than Detroit ever has or ever will. I worked for Detroit launching an auto plant after getting my MBA back east, and finally quit in disgust and despair due to their planned obsolescence mindset and ethnic slurs. While Detroit fights lawsuits rather than fix their cars, Toyota sent me an extended warranty I would never have asked for when the possibility of problems with one of my car parts became known. Toyota has succeeded where Detroit failed because they earned their success by being civil, decent and methodical while Detroit cannot get beyond behavior that is infantile, sociopathic and ultimately self-destructing. Similar Products Used: 1993 Nissan Sentra; 1979 Ford Mustang; 1986 Ford Escort |
[Jan 03, 2003]
rebecca jenkins
I purchased a camry because of the good things that I heard about the car. I am very dissapointed in my car. The paint is flaking off and found out it was a manufacturing problem and warranty is run out. Recalled because of the oil, now I have a rear main cell leaking and also the console lid is broken off. Now there seems to be something wrong with the ball joints. I am a very dissatisfied customer. My car has only 67,000 miles. I have owned Fords, Volkswagons but never had problems as I have had with this car. I tell everyone DO NOT buy a Camery. Maybe I will buy another VW. |