During the entire life of the car, it has had a problem with oil and oil sludging in the engine. It hasn't mattered that I've changed the oil every 3,000 miles, and driven it with care. This has lead to an engine tear-down and rebuild at 94,000 miles. This came to a very expensive $2,600 from the dealership, in which was shady, deceptive dealership.
The interior has some minor quirks, like the door lock on the passenger side front door won't work unless you use the power door lock button.
The steering wheel squeaks when you turn it.
This car was purchased based on Toyota's reputation. This car has NOT lived up to the so-called reliability standards of Toyota.
The Camry is a comfortable car, with a very comfortable ride.
Handling is typical of a mid-size car. Capable, predictable, but I wouldn't take an off-ramp at 80.
Fuel economy is no better - if not worse - than my V6 Malibu. About 25 mpg average.
Interior room is very good, and the same goes for trunk space.
The interior is very boring.
Overall, it's a good car with substandard reliability problems.
If you really like the Camry, insist on an extended warranty and make sure the oil sludge problem is resolved, so you're not stuck with a $2,600 repair bill! Poor quality on Toyota's behalf.
You guys over in North America get it so bad. Down here in Australia, Toyota really does live up to its reputation of superb reliability. I have two Camrys, a 1994 model which has done 116000km/72000miles and a 2002 run-out model with 28500km/17700miles, both CSI models. There have been no major problems so far. The only costs incurred are the usual oil changes plus the cost of replacing parts due to normal wear and tear. Well, our 1994 model had to have the radiator replaced, a premature timing-belt replacement (at 80000km/49700miles) and a new head-gasket due to maintanance neglect, but since then, no problems.
With regard to dealership service, I would say it has been a pretty satisfying experience thus far, at least at the particular dealership where my family gets the 2002 model serviced (although I am quite confident that this kind of service is consistent throughout Toyota Australia). The people there have been friendly and honest. They even steam-clean the engine after the servicing has been done!! I couldn't help, but think "Wow."
What are Subaru and Mazda like over where you are? I know they generally also have a good reliability reputation. I could also mention Honda, but I get the feeling after reading some of the reviews in the Honda section that at least with the Accord, there have been some quality issues over where you are; please correct me if I am mistaken about this.
I don't want to act as though I'm a guru or anything, but this is what I know and believe to be true.
When Toyota became aware of the oil sludge problem, they immediately sent a recall letter to all owners. I was one of them. My '97 Camry wasn't under warranty at the time and yet they completely rebuilt the engine and all parts that were affected by this problem while giving me a loaner car (at 80,000 miles!). I couldn't believe it. I am now selling the car at 140,000 miles and never had a problem after they fixed it. By the way, they never charged me a dime.
A tried and true Camry owner! Thank you Toyota!
I have had a camry for a month now and I am loving it. I had always longed for a camry, but could not afford to get a new one and so I got a '93 model. it's great!!
1993's are very good, provided they have been taken care of. That was back when Toyota still made quality products. Things started slipping very badly in 1996, and continued on a downward spiral for many years.
Some objective people are finally starting to catch on (without the help of the automotive press), that Toyotas might not be all they were/are supposedly cracked up to be. I do not know whether the problems have been corrected in the new models (2005) or not.
I do not think anyone could honestly say, though, that the older ones were not good. I would suggest enjoying your '93. It is a nice easy car to work on (provided the mechanic knows what they are doing), with an excellent track record. I have a neighbor who's '92 is at 170,000 miles+. I would definitely put a new engine in that car (if it ever needs it), before I would ever buy a new vehicle, especially a Toyota.
The cheapest way to get around, is almost invariably to keep the car you have on the road. If yours has been cared for, it should definitely be worth it.
Absolutely! I have been driving a 97 Camry for a while, and now that I'm doing work on my current daily driver, I have been subject to driving the 1997 Camry CE more often than normal. I have to say, the acceleration is brutal, the handling is that of a small yacht, the fuel economy is substandard, especially considering that the same fuel burned DOES NOT translate into power. Luckily we have not had the check engine light issue, possibly taken care of by previous owner who also had the head gasket replaced. Other than performing like a public transit bus, it has not been too bad of a vehicle. It is relatively quiet inside, thanks to the weighty sound deadening, and the fact that the engine mounts are pillows. I absolutely agree that both Toyota AND Honda quality is declining rapidly, despite the marketing dept. of each company playing heavily on the reliability reputation they have. I can't wait to get my car done, so I can stop driving this thing.
Yeah I have over 202,000 miles on it and it still is able to take the beating of a teen. All i had to do was replace the timing belt and waterpump. very very reliable car
Just bought my 2nd Toyota Camry. The first was a 2002 I bought new and replaced a 2000 BMW. Never had a single problem with the Toyota, and it by far was more reliable and comfortable than the BMW. The Camry was sold with 82,000 miles only because I wanted a new Camry, and Toyota service department and CarMax inspected it and advised it was in great condition. I received a premium price when I sold it to a private party.
The new Camry is even more comfortable, plenty of power (V6), with great gas mileage. In my opinion, Toyota lived up to their reputation of quality and reliability. Great vehicle!
I have a 1997 Camry with more than 148,000 miles on it. Never had a problem with it, no engine sludging either (even though I was a little careless a few times in changing the oil at 3000 miles)... Lucky I guess... but it run great with good gas mileage (26 mpg city/34 mpg hwy) and I am not getting rid of it until it falls apart.
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