Faults:

The air compressor doesn't work right now. It blows cold air, and then the a/c light begins to blink.

Had a pretty bad oil leak.

The passenger side door handle broke.

The sunroof button broke.

The alternator had overheated once.

No other major mechanical problems.

General Comments:

This car is a real reliable car. It gets me from point A to point B. It gets good gas mileage. I have a 4 cylinder, and it's really slow. That's the one thing I don't like about it. When you get going, it starts cruising. It has a good stereo system and sounds very good.

Faults:

Last year, the first major fault that occurred with the car was a leak in the exhaust system. The whole system had to be replaced at considerable expense.

Unfortunately, while the Toyota dealer was putting the car back together after installing the exhaust (a one piece catalytic converter and manifold, etc.) they did not connect the front axle on correctly and left a tool in the engine compartment. This was quite a hassle.

Also, the engine had some problems with some of the oil seals at around 100k miles.

The bushings on the suspension (typical Camry issue) had to be replaced at around 70k miles.

At 110k, I had all the struts replaced after one started oozing fluid out and burning it on the tire.

General Comments:

This car is quite a trooper considering the amount of stress I put on it going up and down a mountain to school every day. My parents are letting me use it as I am a high school student. They owned it from new, but I acquired it last year.

I got into two wrecks which were not my fault this past year and the car performed considerably better than I thought it might, being ten years old. A few scratches on the bumper for one (rear-ended by 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Cierra) and a severely dented door from the other. (1997 Isuzu Trooper side impact).

I am becoming a bit nervous as the miles go up. It seems as though the car feels differently every day. Still, compared to some cars I've driven with half the miles I can say that this is one well built automobile.

The valves generally like to make a lot of noise at startup.

The heat takes quite a while to come on in the winter.

Handling is safe if not exactly meeting the desires of the average teenage driver.

Styling has aged fairly well as have the engine, auto transmission, and interior integrity of the vehicle.

The seats don't quite support me right.

The four is a little slow, but I can still accelerate a bit faster than the 4 in the 1990 Volvo 240DL my friend has.

Solid, well deserved reputation.

Faults:

The "D" transmission indicator light on the dash when out. But this is not a loss. There is another one on the floor gear shift.

General Comments:

This is the best car I have ever had. I bought it from a new car dealer in Atlanta. It was a demo that was driven by the dealership's Finance Manager.

We keep it garaged and drive it occasionally. I would go on a cross country trip and feel secure about it.

If I ever get another car, it will be a Camry.