Faults:

Back in 2001, I found a jewel: a year-old Camry with slightly high mileage, but "broken in" well. I have driven the car for six years, and have been pretty well satisfied.

Other than routine maintenance (oil change every 3,000 miles., battery, tires, brakes, timing belt every 60,000 miles.), I was stranded only once. This was due to the water pump seizing up @ 119,000 miles., just before I was to replace the timing belt for the second time. As I remember, I was actually glad that it seized up when it did, because the old belt was shredded to pieces rather than a new one. Pump and belt replaced, I was on with my business.

Fast forward to May of 2007, exactly six years after purchase, the 5S-FE 4 cylinder started knocking... LOUDLY. With a rod about to be thrown, my gut feeling was not good. And, after "crow-hopping" the car to my mechanic, was faced with the unpleasant reality. After 159,674 miles., my engine was as good as dead. It was fixable, but not cost-effective.

Rather than replacing the entire car, I "traded" in my engine for an identical new 5S-FE. I am uncertain as to why the old engine died so prematurely (I've heard countless stories of 300,000 miles. Toyota engines), but I DID in fact maintain the engine as specified in the owner's manual. Well out of warranty, I really can't complain about the engine. After six years and that many miles, it's not exactly a "Lemon", but I am disappointed at the engine's longevity.

General Comments:

Excellent fuel economy (36 mpg highway)

Good power for a 4 cylinder engine

Good ABS

Good ergonomics

Poor AM/FM/CD unit (volume control)

Poor quality headlamp lenses (plastic yellows)

Faults:

Front right tire developed a belt problem. Had to replace both front tires.

The battery died two days after I bought the car.

Transmission developed a large clunk when downshifting from second gear. This started around 70,000 and got progressively worse.

Annoying rattle from rear suspension. I was told this was normal for Camry's. I used to drive a 92 Camry v6 that had this same issue even after replacing rear shocks.

General Comments:

This car had serious power and surprisingly decent gas mileage.

Handling is about average for a mid size family sedan.

This car was always maintained. When I bought it, it had all the service records and everything was up to date. I had the transmission flushed shortly after I bought the car. Having never beat on the car, I'm disappointed with the transmission situation. First I was told by the dealer that the transmission glitch was likely caused by needing new motor mounts. I spent $300 to replace one motor mount that was worn out. The rest were fine.

Hard downshifting stopped for about a week or two, then it returned. I went back to the dealership for an estimate and check up on the transmission. They wanted $4000.00 for the rebuild. This car had about 100,000 miles on it at this point and gas prices recently went way up. One fill up would cost me around $60. I decided this vehicle was too costly to own so I traded it in.

Faults:

This car was basically flawless except for the tires. I got a flat and the dealer did a poor job patching it up. This caused the same tire to burst on the highway while I was going 75. I lost control and hit the median before rolling over twice onto the shoulder. Luckily, I got out without a scratch.

General Comments:

All the Camry has to offer is reliability. Other than that, performance and comfort are only average. Acceleration with my four cylinder was terrible, and the cloth seats need much improvement. Road grip is basically non-existent and pays the price in icy conditions in the winter.