2002 Toyota Camry LE 2.4 from North America

Summary:

A true economy car for a high price

Faults:

The engine vibrates slightly when coming to a stop, as the transmission downshifts.

The plastic looks cheap.

The car feels like an overgrown Neon.

The 4 cylinder engine lacks power.

General Comments:

This car is seriously slow, and I'm not impressed by it's level of fit and finish. A Hyundai Sonata's fit and finish is much better.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th May, 2003

3rd Jan 2004, 09:30

I have one, and consider it a superb vehicle.

The engine is smooth at all running speeds. The slight shudder at idle is normal in a 4 cylinder this size, once above idle the balance shafts make it a smooth runner.

Inside you cannot tell it is a 4. The noise is low and the performance is excellent - unless you drag race at stop signs.

I find it roomy, comfortable and well designed. I have had the '02 Camry LE for 18 months. I have not had to return to the dealer for any issues.

To close, I am very satisfied with my '02 purchase.

14th Apr 2005, 05:12

My Mother, when she was alive, loved Toyota Camrys. This was her 4th one before she passed away from cancer in July of 2004. The 2002 Toyota Camry LE can't be beat! Great gas mileage, plenty of room and very dependable.

I'm glad I bought her car. It was a smart buy.

8th Mar 2007, 19:34

If you were looking for power, you should have purchased a V6... that's your own fault - NOT Toyota's.

2002 Toyota Camry LE 3.0 V6 from North America

Summary:

I wish I kept my Caravan with 110000 miles

Faults:

The power steering pump sprung a leak at 300 miles.

The front passenger seat belt was defective and had to be replaced.

The transmission "clunks" when shifting from reverse to drive after the car has been setting for five or six hours.

The car has a hesitation at as if the transmission can't decide what gear it wants to be in.

General Comments:

The transmission problems that I have with this car and Toyota's refusal to fix the car, make me wish I never bought the car.

I've been to three different Toyota dealers with the car trying to get something done and it's more than a coincidence that they all have the same response, "It's normal, it's a characteristic of the car".

They refuse to even lift the hood to check the transmission dipstick. It's as if they do anything it could be an acknowledgment that a problem does exist.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 4th April, 2003

19th Jan 2004, 09:30

As a 2002 Toyota Camry LE owner, I would like to state that I, too, am having the same problems; i.e., power steering pump and car hesitation. I recently took my car to my local Toyota dealer for servicing who informed me that although they suspected my power steering pump was beginning to fail, there was no concrete evidence of this fact. (Although I had to replace quite a lot of the power steering fluid, they claimed they could not find the leak). Accordingly, they refused to replace the power steering pump under my extended warranty. My vehicle currently has 40,200 miles on it. This, unfortunately, is the last straw for me as a Camry owner. Previously they replaced my air compressor (which, ironically, my VIN no. showed it was an American air compressor, but when they actually removed the air compressor from my car, it was determined it was a Japanese make). In any event, I wanted a Camry for years (drove a Toyota Corolla for 10 years) and, with the problems that keep coming up, I can no longer trust this vehicle to get me to/from my job, which is 100 miles round trip. It is my intention to trade my Camry in this week... from a very disappointed 2002 Camry owner.

View 8 more comments

2002 Toyota Camry SE V6 from North America

Summary:

Affordable luxury and performance

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

The V6 Camry SE is very affordable luxury and performance.

The car eats up the miles effortlessly and comfortably, but the V6 has very good pickup and acceleration when merging or passing.

With the SE the suspension is quite firm and sporty, you do feel the road through the seat of your pants. The upside is very tight, precise handling and very quick response through the sport sized steering wheel.

Interior fit and finish is very good. This vehicle has the upgraded cloth interior which is a major step up from the standard LE. The SE also gives you very nice looking silver trim and instrumentation, which while still plastic doesn't look "plasticy".

All controls are well laid out, and very intuitive to use. The layout is so uncluttered that at first glance you'll think you are missing something - but it is just a nice clean design.

Although I've heard a lot of negatives about the exterior design I think the look compares favorably with a Lexus ES300. It doesn't have the sporty look of a Nissan Altima, but it is a very classic design that will hold up well.

The only downside so far has been the OEM Bridgestone Turanza's that came on the vehicle. These have turned out to be terrible on any amount of snow or ice, and have severe hydroplaning problems when wet.

I had the tires siped by a local shop, and this has made a significant improvement in grip. I plan on upgrading to a high quality all-season before next winter, or a dedicated winter tire on some basic steel rims.

So far at 7,500 miles gas mileage is averaging about 22-25 mpg for highway driving. I attribute this to a lead foot and the fact that it engine won't be fully broken in for a couple of thousand more miles.

I always knew that Camry's were considered very reliable transportation.

With the 2002 and up model year and the SE option you can have reliability and performance in a very attractive package.

Now the aftermarket just needs to catch up with some body kits, and you could add 17" or 18" wheels and be fighting off the kids at the stoplights!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th February, 2003

10th Dec 2003, 04:25

I agree with your comment on the original tires. My 2002 Camry is horrible in the snow. Do you have any suggestions for all season tires that are good in new england weather. Thank you.

26th Jul 2004, 07:26

I just returned from a vacation along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. My 2002 Camry SE performed like a champ. The handling on sharp mountain curves was incredible. It has a good combination of feel of the road and comfort. The 16" Bridgestone tires are no problem in the southeastern U.S.

I expect the long-term reliability to be at least as good as other Toyotas that I have owned.

25th Mar 2008, 14:38

Tires are horrible and made me lose traction which resulted in an accident. Great car as long as you change tires.

2002 Toyota Camry from North America

Summary:

The car screams ugly

Faults:

I didn't buy it, it was my rental car. Drove it for 4 weeks.

I wouldn't spend my money on something ugly like this.

Weaknesses: design, soft steering, lousy stereo system.

I think the new Camry looks like crap.

1. The front end looks squashed. The ugly headlights run way too far up the front fender.

2. The rear overhang is extremely long. It would better suit a Crown Vic. Hello Toyota, have you heard of cab forward? It involves moving all of the wheels out, not just the front two.

I really can't stand the looks of the new Camry.

The headlights are weird. I sat in the back once and I couldn't believe how limited the rear seat headroom is.

How can Toyota sell these ugly cars by the hundreds of thousands? I don't get it?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th February, 2002

27th Mar 2003, 17:00

I am a true lover of toyota's and own 3 of them however I do have to agree with you on the ugliness of the new Camry. I kinda think it looks like the Echo which is another design boo boo! I certainly hope they fire whoever is screwing up these wonderful reliable cars cause I will be buying one another one some day.

View 10 more comments