2001 Toyota Camry LE Sedan review from North America

The lower control arms were replaced sometime in the first 69,570 miles.

I bought this 2001 Toyota Camry used in December 2008 with 69,570 miles. My Taurus had to get a valve cleaning priced at $3000, and at eight years old and 140,000 miles, it wasn't worth fixing it anymore. So, I needed something cheap (as in less than $10,000 max), an automatic transmission, and in four doors.

I test drove this car like no tomorrow. First, I drove it in the city with only my son.

Next, my son got in the back seat (directly behind me). He asked if the seat was adjusted to my liking. I then proceeded to move it forward one inch. He said the back seat was great, but then said he noticed that one of the pop-out cupholders was missing (broken).

Then, we drove the car home (on the highway) to get the rest of my family (four people and a small dog). The Camry was silky smooth on the highway.

By the time we got home, it was nightfall. The headlights were nice and bright. The family liked the car.

Major notes per the family:

The front seats are definitely a step up from those of the Taurus. My son noted that they were not flat and had good lumbar. The rear, he said, was also fine. He did not like the rear headrest, and tried adjusting it. There were no notches on the headrest, and it slid out after only about an inch of adjustment. He took it off, but ultimately decided he would put it on, and in the lowest position. The interior has also worn well. This may be because it was just detailed to be put on the market, but I thought the seats were pristine for a seven-year-old car. The cloth showed no wrinkles, no cigarette holes, and they were still sculpted.

There were no squeaks or rattles.

The interior needs more sound insulation. Both road and wind noise were harsh. The wind noise was bad in my Taurus, but it was a little better than the Camry. The road noise is FAR worse in the Camry.

The trunk is smaller than the Taurus. The trunk of a 2007-2008 Taurus is 17 cubic feet, and on the Camry is 14. (The largest trunk of any sedan sold in North America is tied for two vehicles: the 2008 Taurus and twins and the Crown Victoria and twins at 21 cubic feet.) The difference is immediately noticeable. The rear seats on my example do collapse. However, they yield minimal pass through space.

The Camry accelerated well, but not as well as my Taurus. It was better than the 2007 Focus I rented, but, again, not as good as the Taurus.

The brakes were better than my Taurus. Plain and simple. I cannot explain it.

The Camry was tippy in turns. In my head, I could not take a turn with a maximum speed limit of thirty five miles per hour at thirty five miles per hour. The fastest I could go was twenty miles per hour. The tail slid entirely too easily. When I was doing the traditional three-point turn, I could tell that the car was fishtailing.

I did not feel too many of the bumps on the road. I felt the biggest bumps, but the little ones were absorbed well. In my Taurus, every single bump of every single size was felt.

The power door locks work on their own schedule. I have to hit ‘Unlock’ on the key fob three times to unlock all the doors. (If I recall correctly, once is only the driver door, twice is both front doors, and three times is all doors).

The gas tank release and the trunk release is on the floor in the driver foot well. I like this better than in the Taurus. On my Taurus, there was a finger hole to open the tank. Anyone could put soap in it or steal gas. However, I noticed that the gas tank lid does not lose properly. It latches but it can still be pushed.

The hood release is appropriately located: out of the way of everything else. It is well-hidden. The hood latch sticks but is okay.

Based on first impressions, the Camry will be a fine family car.