Faults:

Front and rear struts replaced (with gas ones).

All engine and transmission mounts replaced.

New battery.

New alternator.

New rear muffler.

General Comments:

I bought this car for $500 from a friend's uncle. At first I thought I was doing him a favour, but not now.

The car had just got new tyres, alternator and rear muffler fitted, and came with a full tank of petrol - so $500 is a bargain!

The car is solid and very reliable, and after the initial repairs, my total layout has still only been around $1700 (including purchase). Not bad for a good second car.

A bit disappointed it had a carby instead of EFI and no power steering, but - $500 :) It is in great condition all round, only blemishes are faded boot paint and slight rust in the rear wheel arches.

It's a pleasure to drive, and after I got some roof racks for free, boy has it been useful. I carried all the building materials for 3 pergolas on it, not at once though. I always wanted a ute, but who needs it.

I use it as daily transport, and to take the kids to sports, and best of all, I can park it anywhere and not worry about it.

It ran out of petrol this morning, I am trying to teach it run on less less petrol - LOL. I was annoyed with it and left it where it stopped, but after reading the other comments, I will retrieve it tonight.

Hopefully it will last and last; it's the best work horse I have ever owned.

Faults:

The motor in the drivers side door that operates my window has been dying. It will work fine and the window will move up and down, and then decide to stop working. If I go into my door panel and tap on the motor, it starts working again. I'm sure its just because the car is almost 17 years old, and once it's replaced it will be fine.

General Comments:

For a station wagon, it's quick.

Reliable, never quits on me.

Plenty of room, plus the folding rear seats.

It has power window, power locks and such, which are great.

Faults:

Ignition cylinder broken due to attempted theft: $400.00.

Radio Bezel broken due to attempted theft: $64.00.

When I got the car back from the dealer, they gave me a list of things wrong with the car, including:

Exhaust center pipe is cracked.

Clutch Master Cylinder leaks.

Oil leaking from behind the timing cover. The mechanic wrote "Recommend steam and recheck - too much oil everywhere."

The mechanic wrote "trans pan?" on the list... that doesn't look good.

Both lower control arm bushings are broken.

This is only some of the problems that were listed.. I think my car was put through it's paces before I had it.

Sometimes it does not start after it has been running for a while.

General Comments:

When I bought the car in November of 2005, I was told that it was in great condition. Obviously it is not. Nevertheless I love this car and staunchly defend it's honor when my friends tease my about my "crappy car."

The car is fairly quick and handles decently well for it's class. When driving to a friend's house in the mountains, I could generally take turns 20 miles faster than they were labeled (trying to keep up with his 89 BMW 325i). However, make no mistake - this car no racer.

Gas is in the mid-to-high 20's in the city, depending on how you drive it, and low to mid 30's on the freeway. Not really comparable to modern gas-sippers getting 40 mpg (even if you drive them rough), but not even close to a gas guzzler. Even when gas is 3.15 a gallon it's only $35 to fill up completely.

Good for a kid who wishes they have a fast car - the 2.0 inline 4 cylinder engine sounds like a Mustang at higher RPM's and leaves a grin on your face every time, but still goes from 0-60 in just over 9 seconds. Like I said, definitely not a racer.

The front seats are typical cloth seats, nothing really too fancy. I was still comfortable in the car after two hours. I never sat in the backseat, but I've never heard any complaints, including any from my best friends, who aare 5'10" and 6'1". I'm 5'7".

The button on the steering column that releases the key is a bit annoying, but I know I'm going to miss it when I get my next car.

This car is definitely reliable except for the hot-start problem, which I'm convinced is not typical of the 2nd generation Camry. I'm sure it's just my car.

It doesn't have a tachometer even though supposedly all Camry's with a manual transmission are supposed to have one. I think the previous owner switched out the dash.

I love this car and will drive it until it dies, which unfortunately will not be very long.