1999 Toyota Camry LE 1.7

Summary:

Gives me a hard time

Faults:

When I start the car, the idle speed does not go up. It starts shaking and the engine turns off. After that I start the car again, and at the same time I press the gas and RPM picks up. Most of the time, it happens on cold starts. It happens once in a while. Now it's happening morning and afternoon also.

I had the same problem before with the same car. Then I went to the Toyota dealer. They changed the idle speed sensor. Now the same problem has come back again. I went to different mechanics, but all of them gave different opinions and advice. Please help me solve my dilemma. Thank you.

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

Review Date: 11th July, 2006

1999 Toyota Camry LE 2.2L 5S-FE (4-cylinder)

Summary:

The perfect mid-size sedan

Faults:

A couple months ago I started the car, but it would not stay running. This only happened once and has never occurred since. Putting in a gas additive seemed to correct this problem.

The brakes, even though they are in good condition, often squeak. However, I have been told cheap brake pads will do that. This is not the fault of Toyota.

General Comments:

Forget what people say when they complain about the four-cylinder's "lack of power" (133 horsepower, or 130 if you live in a state following California's emmissions standards). It is adequate for the Camry's size, and can return 23 miles per gallon in the city, or about 27 in mixed driving. I have been recording fuel economy at each "fill-up", and personally I recommend skipping the V6 unless you like more refinement and/or want leather and traction control.

The Camry's ABS system has proven to be a life-safer on more than one occasion (a dog running out in front of me on a rainy day, and a car turning left in front of me for no reason). Just press the brake pedal with as much pressure as possible, and steer around the obstacle. The pedal does not jerk or groan that much at all.

The HVAC (heater/vent/air conditioning) controls are well laid out, and it's possible to know the controls like the back of your hand within a day or two. With three large dials representing temperature, vent position and fan speed, it is no problem switching settings (for example I can go from air conditioning on my face to defrosting on the windshield within seconds).

The seats are extremely comfortable, though I have gotten backache after about an hour of stop and go driving.

The interior is a nice shade of tan, and save for some black plastic on the center console, it has a very upscale, warm feeling.

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

Review Date: 11th June, 2006

30th May 2008, 08:50

Squeaking can often be avoided by applying a special paste between brake pads and a cylinder.

I would also like to add that rear drum brakes (4 cyl model) are inadequate and are pain to replace. I wish they used disc brakes instead.

13th Jun 2010, 00:25

I have owned a 1999 Camry 2.2 sedan. 22,000km. Man I could not stand it. Handling was good. Feel from the wheel great. Ride comfort good. All the mod cons great. But rotten power. Best I could do was 10lt - 100km on the highway, 12-15 in town. Used a heavy foot with the low power trying keep up with traffic. And trying to overtake on the highway is waste of time. Only Camry I will ever by again is a V6, no matter what. All taxi drivers I talk to say both the 2.5 and 3.0 V6 are cheaper to run than the 2.2.

I downgraded to a 1995 Mits Diamante and love it. Fuel is 10lt in town, 7 on country roads, 6 on the highway if no overtaking. By far a better car.