1994 Toyota Camry DX 4 cylinder from North America
Summary:
Regular maintenance will create an extremely reliable car
Faults:
All of the problems were existing problems when I bought the car and were all replaced after purchasing the car.
THE FOLLOWING WERE NOT NECESSARILY PROBLEMS THAT AFFECTED CAR PERFORMANCE OR SAFETY; HOWEVER, THEY WERE DUE TO BE REPLACED:
Timing belt kit.
Water pump.
Drive Belts.
*Timing belt kit, water pump, and drive belts were replaced at the same time. The total price would have been $490 (including labor), however, an additional $125 was added for the timing belt kit (lasts longer than 60,000 miles) as opposed to a regular timing belt. The timing belt kit comes with a more durable belt, tensioner pulley, auto tensioner, etc. Since the car has 180,000 miles, the timing belt kit was “highly recommended” by the independent shop.
Tune-up $320. ($95 for plug wire set)
THE FOLLOWING ARE ACTUAL PROBLEMS THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED:
Radiator and Hoses (approximately $220)
Rear Struts (approximately $300)
Fuel-Filter $90.
Overall this sounds like a lot of work ($1500). However, the car was taken car of prior to my purchasing and the mechanic said I would be good to drive the car to at least 300,000 miles without any serious mechanical problems.
Although I have only driven the car for 700 miles, I have yet to find any problems with the way that the car drives. The car drives smoothly and the engine sounds like a new one.
General Comments:
The car drives well even at 180,000 miles.
Driving at 70+ MPH causes some slight vibration, although not very noticeable.
Good gas mileage about 24 MPG combined highway and city.
Some shaking when I brake. Maybe needs new engine mounts.
Overall the car drives smoothly for an older car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 13th November, 2006
2nd Feb 2012, 22:01
24 MPG seems quite low for the 2.2L 5S-FE, even if it is an automatic. I have a 5 speed at around 190k. I average 30-40 MPG. Lower in the winter, higher in the summer. Never lower than 30. And yes, these Camrys are amazing!
19th May 2009, 22:14
The shaking when braking usually deals with your brakes, not engine mounts. Have your rotors checked, pads and calipers, see if they are in need of being replaced? Engine mounts usually are realized when accelerating, idle and other times when engine speed changes.