1997 Toyota Camry GX 2.2 petrol

Summary:

Understated luxury and clockwork reliability

Faults:

Radiator housing leaked @ 186K km

Front passenger power window malfunction

Rear right door handle broke

Right headlamp fused.

General Comments:

Dull interior, but well built

Very quiet, smooth ride

Performance adequate, transmission butter smooth

Averaged 11litres/100km throughout the years.

Batteries have lasted 3 years on average, Car severely overheated last year @ when radiator housing leaked.Besides replacing the faulty item also changed alternator and reflux bottle which melted, battery and had cylinder head cover re-ground as it was warped.

Other than this, wear n tear maintenance included changing timing belts at 80K km and 160K km.

Changed front disk pads at 100K km and both front and rear again at 200K km.

Rear absorbers and suspension bushes replaced at 180K km.

Front left drive shaft replaced about 120K km, right driveshaft at 200K km.

Oil & filter changed faithfully at 5000km intervals.

"Cobra" alarm switch replaced last week

Seats have held up well with no wear marks despite 4 kids growing up in it. Head-board had to be replaced as fabric was detaching from impact of two regular six footer passengers

At 203K km engine still does not burn oil significantly, starts first time every morning.

Other than these maintenance items and the unfortunate radiator housing failure(which seems to be predictable based on feedback from 2 other family members who own the same model)

Everything else works practically as new, even radio & CD changer and motorised aerial are original.

Had the car since new. It was a company vehicle and took the option to buy over the car, as my family couldn't bear to part with it.

Comfort, quiet refinement, economy and reliability are attributes of this vehicle. Certainly a satisfied owner.Definitely the best all-round car, and the one which I have owned the longest in my 29 years of driving.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th September, 2004

2004 Toyota Camry 2.0E 2 litre petrol

Summary:

A great family car

Faults:

1. Boot flooded with water on day 1 (repaired)

2. A-pillar (driver side) popped out after 1 week (self repair)

3. Rear seat belt clip came off (self repair)

4. Suspension "clucked" when going over speed retardant (fixed after 10 months)

5. Rear view mirror rattled (replaced)

6. Vanity mirror cover (passenger) spring faulty, came off on its own.

General Comments:

The car is rather good overall, but I believe since the Malaysian version is now made in Thailand, Toyota is suffering a drop in quality as the QA/QC may not be as strong as its Japanese plants.

However, it is likely that quality will begin to improve once customer feedback continue to be well managed all the way back to the designers and also production line.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th April, 2004

22nd Sep 2004, 00:49

The car engine, transmission and suspension are good, but the interior quality has dropped.

- The plastic coating on the door handles chipped off. The black patches showing more and more as the beige color chipped off.

- The vanity mirror on driver's side spring seems broken and cannot close.

- The headlamp cover made of low quality plastic and scratches all over after less than 2 years.

- The steering squeaky noise has not been fixed despite 2 complains made at Toyota Service Center at Subang Jaya due to lack of skill personnel and tools.

- Door insulation not too good, can feel the effects of wind seeping in at high speed.

- The body paint work easily chipped off.

- Booking for service need to be made 3-4 weeks ahead. Need to expand the service center.

Camry 2.0 Owner

WKN 3101

TEL +6012-3199886.

11th Mar 2005, 02:06

The engine and handling are good. But a few interior issues are faced with my new Camry 2.0 (bought end Dec'05)

Squeaky noise comes from the driver seat intermittently. Sometimes can even feel the driver seat being jerked when driving over a corner.

Squeaky noise coming from the glove compartment when driving over uneven road all the times.

Centre storage compartment cover cannot be latched up properly. Fixed in the 1st service.

Body paint easily comes off upon slight contact with hard objects (such as a neigbouring car door accidentally touched on the side door of Camry).

Slightly below my expectation on the new Camry.

21st Jan 2009, 10:19

I am planning to buy Toyota Camry model 2005, although the 2008 model is more complicated, but I would rather stick with the old one heheehe.. larger than the latest one.

29th Sep 2010, 10:00

I read from a forum saying that a 2005 2.0 Camry consumes just RM 0.17 per litre, how true can this be? I'm planning to get a used one.

20th Dec 2010, 10:08

Yes you are right, the fuel consumption is as stated. I own one myself, and I'm pretty satisfied with this car.

27th Dec 2010, 20:12

I am a owner of Toyota Camry 2.4 series 2010. Car I.D WTC 5023.

My problems are as follows:

- My car always drifts to the left, no matter how you drive.

- Hitting pocket of water, it shoots to the left.

- Wobbles at around more than 110 KM/H.

Complaints made at the service centre, they replaced the front springs, and now it has become even worse. Complained to Shah Alam HQ, they deny after being checked by improper engineers sent to the service centre.

Can anybody advise me on the next course of action?