2001 Toyota Camry LE review from North America

Mysterious rattles from the back.

Poor panel fit.

I have this car as a rental after my 2001 Intrigue was hit from the side by a red light runner. This is the first time I've ever driven this model of a Camry, and I was greatly disappointed, after hearing much praise of this.

For one, the seats are too wide. I'm 6'1, of average width, and I don't have enough lateral support. Worse, every person who I've taken along has moaned about the terrible seats, whether it be the bath tub seating position, or the head rests. I'm not exactly wild over the fabric either.

Coming from an Intrigue (GM Cars are known for their plasticy interiors and poor panel fits), the Camry was disappointing! With the exception of the passenger door gap (on the Intrigue), the Intrigue's interior is much higher quality than the Camry's. The lower part of the dash is cheap, hard plastic. The textures don't match one bit, either.

I also hated how high the dash went from the passenger's side, and so did everyone who rode in it.

The car is bland. I mean bland. Not even pleasing, just bland.

The rear driver's side of the car is rattling incessently. Neither my Intrigue, nor my 6 year old Taurus have such a rattle.

The cup holders need some revision. They work, but not very well for anything larger than a can.

The engine is smooth, but it's far from the gem that is the inside of the Intrigue.

I really can't see why anybody would buy this car. The fit and finish is nothing to brag about, the styling is bland to the point of ugliness, it makes the passengers sick, and it's not even comfortable.

If you're looking at a Camry, please visit your local Ford or Oldsmobile dealer, and test drive a Taurus or an Intrigue, and you suddenly won't want a Camry anymore. And while I can't say this for all GM cars, the Intrigue is every bit as reliable as the Camry, which should not be all too surprising (keep in mind, Toyotas are made at co-GM plants).

I mention the Taurus, because I've had mine for quite a while, and it has had stellar reliability despite its heavy usage.