1998 Toyota Camry XLE 3.0L V6

Summary:

Reliable car that takes me from Point A to Point B

Faults:

Power steering leaking.

General Comments:

This is a very reliable car that I own. My '99 Lexus GS300 has higher mileage, but it's a Lexus.

I bought it used this year at 162K miles, and I've already driven more than 10,000 miles in six months. Have made two trips to San Diego from the Bay Area.

After I bought the car from the previous owner, I immediately changed rotors, brake pads, flushed A/T and of course, changed motor oil.

Small problems like sun visors' mirror fell off, clock not working, but the car still runs strong.

Some time right after I bought the car, the power steering started leaking on the driver's side. I bought two bottles of the Lucas stop leak, and it worked like a charm.

Just put a new battery in yesterday.

Other than that, I take this car for long drives due to the better mileage I get from it: I average 28-29 m/g highway and local combined! Now my Lexus has become a weekend car. I'll probably keep the Camry to 200K or 300K miles.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th September, 2011

1998 Toyota Camry LE 3.0 V6

Summary:

Best car I've owned

Faults:

Clock fell out of place in the dash since nearly the day we got it.

Driver side door latch broken at approx. 125,000 miles.

Nothing else, no major replacements of parts needed! Amazing!

General Comments:

My mom originally bought the car in 2005 with 92,000 miles on the clock. I bought the car from her in 2009, and as of a week ago at 145,000 miles, it got T-boned by a diesel truck running a stop sign.

I had really hoped that I would run this car till it died, it showed no signs of going out anytime soon. I would not be surprised if it had made to 200,000+ miles easily. It's a shame it was wrecked.

The car is not fun to drive per-se, but when needed it does have ample power to get up and go on the interstate. But what do you expect, it's a four door family car. Bland, but very reliable.

I've taken some near cross country trips with the car, and even in some of the steeper mountainous areas it does well (as long as it's on pavement). The handling can be a bit vague sometimes at higher speeds, but it still very controllable.

As far as comfort on those long trips, the seats can be a bit hard and unforgiving, and although I'm not a tall man at 5'11", it can feel a bit small. It rides very comfortably, soaking up most bumps, but the big pot holes here in Iowa can be a bit much for it. The car does well in the snow as well handling most snow drifts. It handled the heat of the Arizona desert and the cold winters of Iowa. Great in any climate.

Overall a great car, cheap to insure, fairly easy on gas, and ultra-reliable. Not much else you could ask for.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th August, 2011

1998 Toyota Camry LE 2.2L

Summary:

Reliable, economic quality make this average looker worth keeping

Faults:

Occasional slight rattle in the dash.

Coin tray doesn't close.

General Comments:

Extraordinary reliability and quiet ride make this car a keeper.

If I baby the gas pedal, the car averages around 7.3 L/100 KM (33 mpg US; 38 mpg CDN), which includes a fair bit of highway.

The clearance underneath the car sucks, so gravel roads often result in a bit of grounding.

The seats are fairly comfortable on long trips, but not outstanding.

The muffler system is rock solid and going strong (unlike my Mazda 626 that needed replacing every 2 yrs!).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th December, 2010

1998 Toyota Camry Le 2.2 i4

Summary:

Bland

Faults:

Many things have gone wrong. It has needed over 6,000 in work. Here are some of the problems:

Bulbs on dash have burned out

Thermostat stuck open needed new thermostat

Leaking oil pan had to be resealed

Front strut mounts had to be replaced

Valve cover started leaking oil, had to be resealed

Brakes had to be replaced twice

Sway bar bushings had to be replaced

Timing belt replaced

Oil pump had to be changed

Check engine light went on had to be replaced

Charcoal canister

Front control arm had to be replaced

Brakes had to be done again

Plastic bumpers are fading and the paint is horrible

Now after I thought it was finally giving me no more problems, the engine is starting to make this knocking/tapping noise at idle, that sounds like valve noise. The oil has always been changed on time, and the car has been meticulously maintained. I can't pinpoint the noise.

General Comments:

The good thing is the car has an absolutely wonderful ride, it is very smooth and the seat is very comfortable, it does not give back pain. The interior styling could be better, but it's not too bad.

The thing that I can't stand about this car is the gutless 2.2 engine. The thing has nothing for power. I am looking at something that has some more power for my next car, like a V6 Eclipse.

It has not been reliable at all for me, especially since I had high expectations of it being a Toyota.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 23rd June, 2010