2002 Toyota Camry XLE from North America - Comments

I'm a mechanic and yes, I've heard of several Camrys and Corollas requiring more than one engine in less than 100,000 miles.

The myth about import superiority is so strong that people really have no concept of just how unreliable these cars really are.

The remark about the Ford Pinto caught my eye because I paid $300 for a '79 Pinto with 183,000 miles on it in 1994 to drive to school at a university where I was working on a degree. I didn't want to leave my good car in the high-crime university area. I drove the Pinto for 4 years, and sold it still running great for twice what I paid for it with over 200,000 miles on it.

My personal experience has shown Ford to be probably the most reliable vehicles. We put over 300,000 miles on one with virtually zero problems. I have friends who have put well over 300,000 miles on Ford trucks without a problem.

Currently the most reliable and highest quality vehicles are the Ford Fusion, which is the highest rated car Consumer Reports has ever reported on, and the awesome new Chevy Malibu, which is the American Car of the Year and is receiving rave reviews from most automotive authorities.

Imports have pretty much had their day. Even in our harsh economic climate, GM sales dropped less than Toyota last month.

"Head gaskets do not cause oil sludge." (comment 13:58)

Yes, actually they can cause sludge easily, as they allow small amounts of coolant to leak into the engine oil if they are defective, thus forming a gooey mess of sludge. Leaking gaskets are a very MAJOR cause of sludge formation, as only a small amount of coolant can contaminate the oil and result in a lot of sludge.

And for what brand are you a mechanic? Ford? You do all the work on your Fords? Of course. How many starters, alternators, water pumps, power window and lock motors, switches, knobs and levers have you replaced? Those must be "maintenance items".

I am a Toyota salesman. I spend most of my "spare" time with my service department customers who's collective opinion sings volumes over your couple of cars that have not had any problems. Oil changes and tire rotations. Our techs have lawn chairs by their tool boxes because they are OFTEN with nothing to do. We have a ratio of 1 mechanic to 3 salesmen. Look at your dealership. What is your ratio?

90% of all Toyota Camry's built since 1989 are still registered and taxes paid in 2007. Government reported, indisputable numbers. What Ford cars were they competing with in 1989? I believe it would be Escort and Taurus. How many of those are still registered and paid to keep on the highway?

As far as the awesome domestics and all the magazines, I do believe every single new domestic produced in the last 20 years was touted as the one to end Toyota. Remember the Oldsmobile Achieva? Car of the year, and the "Camry Killer" as reported by Motor Trend Magazine.

If you want to know what's a good car or not, talk to everybody about their cars. Find out who has had one for 200k. See if they would buy another one. Compare that to how many hate it and would never buy another, and see which list has the best ratio. Toyota and Honda will most likely have a 100% satisfied customer count. That's real.

Yes, Toyotas DO break down. In 44 years of driving, we have been stranded on the highway exactly TWICE. Both times it was in a friend's nearly new Toyota (two different friends, two different Toyotas).

Not ONE of our many domestics has ever had an engine or transmission failure. That includes a Ford with 325,000+ miles, a Dodge with 240,000+ miles and a Buick with 277,000+ miles.

My family also currently owns a 54-year-old Pontiac that has well over 250,000 miles. It has had one engine rebuild (new rings and inserts) but the original hydramatic transmission has never been touched. It is now used only for shows and parades (it has been cosmetically restored).

As for older domestics on the road, I drive a long stretch of freeway to work and routinely see 20+ or even 30+ year old domestics on the road every day. The only vehicles I see great numbers of broken down on the road are Nissans, older Civics and late model Camrys. Watching my neighbor's Camry being hauled to the repair shop on a flatbed truck is a common sight at my house. Our current vehicles (GM and Ford) have never been in the shop for anything, even the 8-year-old one.

I realize one has to be loyal to something they sell, but in view of Toyota's recent declines in quality (and they never were all that good) and their recent drop in sales (off more last month than GM) I hardly think all Toyota repairmen are sitting around watching TV.

Lets see, a new car salesman has vested interests/quotas to achieve and is not going to dwell on the negatives.

I have yet to hear "Mr Customer this vehicle has had sludging, transmission issues, and your used car has a lot of life left, so it's a better move for you to keep it". Usually I heard forget published book values, I buy your vehicles at auctions and it's worth much less to me.

It's quite easy to go on line for anyone to research repairs; consumeraffairs.com is telling. Or even better go to the repair lounge and sit with others and ask how their Hondas/Toyotas are holding up.

Do you seriously believe people on here think that certified mechanics are sitting around all day in new car dealerships with no work to do? My favorite way to buy now is seek out the Internet sales new car dealerships. I bought my last 2 new vehicles that way....picking a 100 mile radius on-line then finding a new car dealer and using the Internet price. I also sell my old vehicle myself so I don't get "bumped" on my trade-in.

2008 (6:35 pm)

Has anyone had air bag issues with the Camry? My wife recently had an accident in her 2002 GLE Camry. The accident was head-on, yet the air bags did not deploy causing head and neck injuries. Is there anyone else who has had any such problems??

Bought a 1998 Camry with 150,000 miles on it in 2005. Finally sold it at 218,000 because I wanted something newer. It ran perfectly and the new owners will likely see many more miles out of it before it is done.

Just bought a 2002 Camry XLE with 99,000 miles on it. At this rate, my next car purchase will be in 2015.

I also have a 1993 Toyota Previa van with 215,000 miles on it. I bought it in 2004 and it had 184,000 miles on it. Never had a problem with it..

My previous car was a 1994 Ford Escort. Sold it at 175,000 miles. 94-95 was a good year for Ford. Can't say much for them since then. Especially with all the spontaneous combustions in parking lots. Nothing inspires confidence in a company more than driving through the Wal-Mart parking lot and seeing a burned out shell of a Ford Expedition.

While I'm sure there are Camrys that have an issue from the factory, my personal experience does not include anyone I know that has a Toyota (I live in Georgetown, KY where the Toyota Plant is and they are a dime a dozen) has had an issue with a car that was not a direct result of owner negligence or the shop's negligence in regards to the vehicle's care.

I read all the above comments with interest, I currently own 2 Camry's, a 97 and an 02. I am also a mechanic and for most of my career have worked for GM, but have also worked for other dealers as well as some independent shops.

Although I have never worked for Toyota or Honda, I have several mechanic acquaintances that do or have. The bottom line is this, GM has had head gasket problems, Ford has had head gasket problems, Chrysler has had head gasket problems, Toyota has had head gasket problems, Honda has had head gasket problems.

The important thing to keep in mind is cars are machines, machines break down, broken machines can be fixed, that is why mechanics exist.

What is vital to selecting a vehicle is how widespread are the problems, and how much will cost of ownership be? I have found after owning many GM and Fords and 2 Chryslers, and several Toyota's and Honda's, is that I have to spend less money on the last 2 brand's to keep them on the road. I however do realize I am looking at it from a different perspective than most.

Good luck to all with whatever you drive.

11:49.

Well said. Thanks for your perspective. You actually sound like a real mechanic. It's also refreshing to read the writing of someone who has a grasp of grammar and spelling.

Re 2002 Camry 4-banger. -- Purchased used ex lease with 78000km. Now has 150000 km. This is our 5th Toyota and the best.

BUT -- took in to the local dealership for a price for front brakes and spark plug replacement. They wanted $ Can 200 to replace 4 plugs (1.4 hours from the book) I did it myself in 32 minutes. I am not a mechanic. And I don't cost $85 an hour. They wanted $ Can 300 for the front brakes. I bought the pads plugs and had discs turned for under $100. Good sale at Canadian tire.

LITTLE OLD LADIES BEWARE!!!