2003 Toyota Camry LE review from North America

Since 100 miles, the steering wheel has barely heard but felt weird occasional pop & no one at Toyota has ever admitted to noticing it; however ASE certified engine mechanic looked it over and found it odd but harmless.

Factory tires USELESS at 26K (were rotated by Toyota dealership religiously).

Headlamp switch replaced at 29K (shorted out & caused flicker after using turn signal)

Toyota battery failed at 37K! (Walmart USA Store $39.95 battery it was replaced with laste-M until 97K!)

Manifold (cracked) replaced at 79K. $408 covered on ext warranty.

Catalytic converter (exhaust manifold assembly) replaced at 84K - (I caused such a fuss over the price that the service manager gave the parts to me under a "goodwill warranty", but labor was $285 (not covered under ext. warranty)

Oil pan leaking at 84K (so barely noticeable that the extended warranty did not want to cover a "seep")

Engine light code DTCPO442 - charcoal canister & VSV replaced at 91K, a $514 repair covered under the extended warranty.

A/C clutch relay replaced at 99K.

Overall, compared to other cars I've had - very minimal, and of course I protected myself by buying the extended warranty $1000 (7 years, 100K) compared to GM's $1800-$2400 for same). I was really mad at the catalytic converter expensive repair, but the manager FIXED that. Cheap on insurance, gas, 4 cylinder not really noticeable even after driving a 6 cyl before that - really great car. Paid off and still in good condition.

At first I thought it was less comfortable than my 1998 Malibu, but got used to it. Decided on the Camry after seeing Internet comparison of the two and could not FIND a Malibu on a lot - had to order and pay extra $$. Toyota's usually higher price had a lot FULL, but only one 4 cyl so I lucked out. The Malibu was a good car with minimal problems, but I say minimal only because my $800 ext warranty once paid for a $900 repair among two others, but I LOVED that car, my first with leather, sunroof, etc. Handed it down in the family.

Learned on Internet that safety ratings for the 2003 are not that great for the driver's head and neck :-(. I've had 1 hit and run driver hit me from side, 1 baby deer messed up the front end about $3k, another parking lot hit & run from the behind - $2.5K, and a repair shop tech drove it over a tire machine - another $3K, but no major accidents on the DRIVERS side thank goodness!