2003 Toyota Camry CDX 3.0 V6 petrol
Summary:
Still a favourite
Faults:
Wear and tear parts replaced over the years. No major problems.
Tiny oil leak from somewhere, haven't figured it out where it's coming from but it's not causing an issue; I rarely if ever have to top up the oil, even though the engine has seen a lot of mileage.
Rust is becoming an issue however, but it is over 20 years old!
Oh and the A/C stopped working long ago, never bothered to repair. Leather seats also looking worn now.
General Comments:
What can I say about the Camry that has not already been said on here in hundreds of other reviews? Probably not much, but the reason people like these cars is simple - they are reliable and durable and there are not many cars made today that will hold up like this car has in over 20 years. I love 1990s / early 2000s Toyota.
The car is smooth to drive and the interior is very comfortable. 3.0 V6 is fast when you need it, not very economical by today's standard however.
I quite like how it looks, with light grey paintwork and alloy wheels.
I'll keep it so long as it keeps going! The engine is noisier now but no apparent issues. I never missed an oil change, but believe it or not I don't think the previous owner cared for it too much, certainly not as much as I have.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 19th August, 2025
23rd Aug 2025, 00:15
For your sake, I hope yours is equipped with the optional Side and Curtain Airbags as the XV30 generation Camry without the extra airbags was rated POOR by the IIHS when they tested it in a side crash-test.
And since most Toyotas owners have a very dismissive attitude towards safety, most of these XV30 Camry were ordered without the side and curtain airbags, so, be careful.
We're in 2025 and the roads are overcrowded with heavy electric cars and SUVs driven by careless drivers who are too busy texting whilst speeding and failing miserably to yield at junctions.