1996 Toyota Camry Reviews

I bought the car with 150,000, and 2 weeks later the check engine light came on (solenoid was broken).

3 weeks later, the brakes got so hot that it melted the plastic rims on the tires. Needed to replace the master cylinder and the brake pads.

1 week later, the check engine light came on again and it was the catalytic converter. Now it won't pass smog... $800.00 and still fixing it.

Obviously, the people didn't maintain it and I'm getting to pay for all the damage caused by lack of care.

I love the car, as it's very comfortable to ride in, stereo sounds great, and it rides well.

Major unplanned repairs have included rack and pinion at 90,000 miles; exhaust manifold at 200,000 miles.

I bought the car brand new with automatic, V6, A/C for $21,000. It has been incredibly reliable and really fun to drive. It now has close to 230,000 miles.

I've been good about maintenance. I do the oil change myself every 3,000 miles and started using synthetic oil (I buy Super Tech, Wal-mart's brand) at around 150,000 miles. The engine does not burn a drop of oil. I use Toyota oil filters or Mobil 1 oil filters only.

I also get the transmission oil changed every 30,000 miles, radiator water, brake fluid and power steering fluid every 30,000 miles.

Spark plugs, timing belt, and all other belts and water pump every 60,000 miles.

I only use very good gas like Exxon or Shell. I put some Marvel Mystery oil in my gas every other tankful.

I use a K&N air filter.

I wax the car by hand once a year.

I just finished a trip to Carlsbad New Mexico with my wife, and I averaged 33 mpg with the A/C on at 65 mph. That's on a six cylinder engine!

None of my major repairs were done at the dealer. Except for the timing belt they were usually hundreds more in their estimates for the work.

Clutch at about 160 000kms. Cost me about $600.

Radiator went at the same time as the clutch.

About the same time I had to change the electric motor for the front passenger side window. That cost $500. Ouch!

At about 200 000kms the AC stopped working, I never got it fixed.

Front shocks were replaced a few of years ago, at about 210 000kms. Cost about $600.

I found the brakes lasted forever. 140 000kms on the back and about 80 000 - 100 000kms.

It needs the rear shocks replaced, but at this point it is pretty much a beater and I am reluctant to put any money into it.

I bought this car off my 74 year old mother when she could no longer work the clutch. She bought another Camry to replace it. It was like new when I got it, she never took it over 90kms an hour (60mph). I was much harder on it and it started to cost me when the rad and clutch went. This car is definitely a grand-ma's car, but other than the pretty routine repairs mentioned above it has been bullet-proof. It is very reliable and really well built. It is even still on its original stainless steel exhaust system!

For a Japanese car it is big and heavy with a very soft smooth ride. This one, being a manual 5speed it is surprisingly quick.

Looks wise, the interior has been very long wearing, but the exterior has suffered from our salty winters here in Eastern Canada. Most of the lower panels are galvanized so they do not rust easily even when the paint started to flake off, but above the windshield on the roof there is a bad rust spot that has been growing for 4-5 years. I noticed other Camry's have the same problem.

At 260 000kms I am not too worried about the body outlasting the mechanicals. The engine is good and uses no oil, but everything else is starting to feel and sound like an old taxi. Bumpy and rattly. I would buy another one with low miles on it in a second. I love this car. Great for camping, road-trips and super comfortable for commuting.