Faults:

Cosmetics: the leather seats have cracked and ripped, the plastic on the sun visors has cracked and failed. The plastic knobs on the radio have cracked and fallen off. The clear coat on the exterior paint has started to fail at 170,000 miles/10 years.

General Comments:

Awesome reliability, good power and a great commuter car.

Aside from the cosmetic issues, (we live out in the Arizona desert) this car has been, and still is, a perfect all around daily driver.

The dealer has been very supportive when we need maintenance (what little there has been) and overall, this is the best car I have ever owned, compared to 3 Honda Accords and several Subarus.

All my previous cars were great, but our Toyota Camry is even better...

Faults:

Valve stem seals were replaced under the 7 year / 100,000 miles extended warranty. This seems to be a typical problem on these 4 cylinders.

No other problems noteworthy of reporting.

General Comments:

Extremely reliable and very comfortable. I've had it since brand new (5 miles) in May 1997. Change oil every 3000 miles. Flush transmission every 15,000. Both a bit of overkill, but a whole lot cheaper than expensive repairs and no real down time.

On this model you have to change timing belt every 60,000 miles. I think in '98 or '99 they switched belts, which require you to change every 90,000 miles. Something to consider if buying a used Camry 4 cylinder. (same body style 1997 - 2001)

I drive mostly around town, but drive from San Francisco bay area to Texas and find car EXTREMELY comfortable. I drive for many hours and get out feeling fit. On highway at 70 mph with A/C on I average just under 33mpg (and it does NOT burn oil). Message is: Spend a few bucks on maintenance and you'll be a happy camper for many miles to come.

Trunk is very adequate, if not large for a vehicle of this size.

I have owned many other vehicles. My family and I have owned 6 Toyotas (Corolla 3, Camry 2, 4Runner 1). They were all excellent. Next car: I will go only to a Toyota dealer.

Faults:

Replaced EGV at 90,000 miles.

Shocks (2) at 200,000.

Other than that, the only items have been routine maintenance items.

Timing belt at 65,000 mile intervals and oil changes every 5,000 miles.

The Camry has run faultlessly over the last 14 years when purchased new.

At 100,000 miles, the Toyota dealer told me that the engine required a new head gasket. However there was no sign of any oil in the cooling system, so my local mechanic advised to wait and see. The motor continues to run perfectly at 205,000, so I doubt the dealer's diagnosis, for which they wanted $1500 to repair!

I will continue to keep this motor, and if necessary put in a replacement engine, though I am told that it will probably be OK for another 50,000 miles or more.

In conclusion, the Camry has been quite exceptional.

General Comments:

Comfortable 4 seater.

Very quiet engine; exceptional for a 4 cylinder.