1993 Toyota Camry Executive from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

When I got this car, the head gasket was on it's way out, the head itself was starting to rot away and the top hose fitting on the engine was rotten too (due to someone using only tap water for coolant). This cost me only $865AUD to fix, (not bad considering I only paid $6800 for the car as it was).

The timing belt had just been replaced at 196,000 (with these twin cam Camry's you have to change the timing belt every 100,000 km's or so, the only real flaw with these cars). Repair: $400.

The power steering system leaked at around 195,000. Repair: around $650.

The CV joint boots are starting to crack, Toyota want $228 to replace (each side!).

The paint lacquer is starting to peel off, mainly on the driver's door, and the top of the dash board is starting to turn it's toes up due to it being in the sun a little too much (keep these Jap cars out of the sun, they don't like it!).

The car needed a wheel alignment, and the tyres needed rotating. $51.

Just after I bought the car, the battery suddenly went kaput (though I don't think that's the car's fault). Had a new battery fitted for $125.

With the interior, the 'ceiling' is starting to fall down on my head, and some of the fabric on the insides of the doors are coming to bits...

When I'm reversing my car from my driveway, I sometimes have trouble seeing what's on my left due to the passenger seat's headrest (I've never really had this problem with any of the other cars I've owned).

This car, when you push it on a straight run, can really go, and I'm talking about the automatic! Seems to be good on the fuel too.

Nice, roomy interior, and is really comfortable to drive, I had passengers fall asleep while I drove them around (you almost risk falling asleep at the wheel yourself!).

The simplish interior seems really easy to clean.

I just wrote the review above. When I had the wheel alignment done, the car still veers to the left just like before... this car has been in a prang, but the people who did the wheel alignment say there's nothing wrong underneath.

I'm not sure I like the feel of this car, I think it is one of a 'bad batch'. The brake pedal 'vibrates' under my foot for starters. The previous owner bought this car for $7500AUD in 2001! That is very cheap. He's now gone and got himself a VR Commodore with a 5 litre V8. I think he must've been thrashing this little car then as it had a lot of carbon inside the engine (we know as we had the head gasket changed).

Also, I'm starting to think this car is very bad on the petrol. I have done only 200 km's in it since I filled her up (she has a 70 Litre petrol tank) and already the petrol gauge is nearly reading at half empty! (I just hope the gauge has funny 'logarithmic' properties). Well I suppose I did have a lengthy, slow drive through the city the other day...

Me again...

Just had the automatic gearbox replaced. Cost me around $1900AUD. My mechanic ripped me off with this. He said the box would cost $900. Then when he came back with the box he said it was $990. I foolishly asked him "So that price included 10% GST?", and he looked in the air, thought for a second and said "No". So he went and charged me another $99 on top of the $90 he was ripping me off of the box. How do I know this? I found a receipt for the gearbox in his van and it said cash paid for gearbox $900.

They say stick with the same mechanic -I disagree. When your mechanic starts doing things like this to you then it is time to look elsewhere. I have since found another mechanic and he doesn't stuff around. I always get a straight answer out of him and he is cheap (and professional)!

Hi there! I feel so sorry for what you have been through with this car. I guess the previous owner of your car had made things difficult for you then (I hope not now anyway). To be honest with you, I consider the 1993 Toyota Camry a very reliable and fuel efficient vehicle (in contrast to say the Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon). There's no question that if you look after your vehicle well that in-turn you the vehicle will look after you! It also helps to shop around for 'cheaper' quality second hand parts as they often to the trick just as well as opposed to paying $$$$ for new ones and feeling shameful and guilty. Happy driving. Thang.

Hi, yes in hindsight it looks like I got ripped off with this car, I should have realized that the previous owner was a hot head who hooned the sh*t out of this car (he had bought himself a V8 after this car). I still got myself a relatively decent vehicle, it is now very reliable. It does not burn much oil at all and holds it's coolant. It is worth spending a bit of money on these Camry's.

Hi, it's me again. I have just gone out and foolishly bought the next gen Camry (1997 CSi) which is also a 4 cylinder auto with fairly low km's. Tell you what, I prefer the drive of my 93 Camry (which I still have) to the newer car! The new car feels underpowered, and the build feels cheap. I was thinking of getting rid of the 97 Camry and getting a 93-96 model wagon! Maybe even a V6, but V6 Camry wagons are VERY hard to find 2nd hand...