1996 Toyota Camry LE 2.2L 5S-FE from North America

Summary:

One tough S.O.B of a car

Faults:

Nothing major just regular maintenance:

- Oil Changes 5000 Km.

- Timing Belt Just done 1 yr ago.

- Coolant maintained.

- Radiator has been replaced 8 months ago.

- CV Joints Left 1 time (3 months ago), Right 2 Times.

- Power windows few fixes here and there.

- Wipers.

- Just drained Transaxle Fluid.

- Spark Plugs.

Brakes: rear drums have been replaced completely.

Brakes: front discs been replaced completely.

K&N Air filter!

Water Pump.

General Comments:

Awesome car, dad drove it to work every day for 7 years ran perfect. Never broke down on him.

Now it's mine, got it with 410000 km, the thing is a cruiser and is EXTREMELY reliable. No rust on the body, its in great condition.

I think Toyota has to have one of the best powertrains in the game.

Car may not be the fastest, but it's a solid commuting car with very good gas economy.

Its inline 4, 2.2 Liter engine is great.

Sound system is good.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th November, 2008

1996 Toyota Camry Coupe 2.2L NA from North America

Summary:

The ultimate work horse

Faults:

Unexpected Items:

Passenger Side power window motor

Driver side door exterior door handle

Dome light.

General Comments:

The 5SFE motor in this thing is probably the most over engineered unit for its time.

Just to list a few facts:

1. The crank shaft is forged, and it's capable of handling much more torque than what Toyota gave it credit for.

2. It has a very cleverly designed oil cooler, on start up, the coolant warms the oil, and the other way around when the oil gets hot.

3. Although it's design some 15 years ago, it had 2 oxygen sensors to make sure the engine's always running cleanly and efficiently.

All this means, is that, it will last and last and last...

Servicing this car is amazingly easy, doesn't need to be raised to change oil (the filter is right on top), replacing the water pump is a 30 minutes job if you have the right tools (5 hours without...).

I get 32mpg on highway with AC on, going... well, same speed everyone else drive on hwy 5. Only 22mpg in local streets though.

All in all, this is not a very exciting car, but it sure has lots of characters, I wish Toyota can design something with this much character again. Doesn't look like it's going to happen though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th October, 2008

7th Oct 2008, 23:52

There is no Camry coupe as such. Is your car a Solara? (basically the same thing as a Camry coupe).

11th Oct 2008, 18:43

I'm the original poster:

I have no idea why it showed up as a sad face. I like the car very much. and I never CHOSE a sad face... I just said I won't buy another Toyota (because nowadays they are as interesting as any shopping cart)

In 96, it's still called a coupe, from 97 up, it's a solara.

Not quite true about the oil cooler, coolant runs around the cylinder bore, and oil circulates through crank shaft then to the head, and drain straight down.

If you have oil temperature gauge in the pan (Or install it where the pressure sensor goes), you will be surprised just how much the temperature lags behind coolant. This heat exchanger definitely helps the engine warm up evenly.

1996 Toyota Camry from North America

Summary:

A solid, reliable car which lasts for a long time.

Faults:

The check engine light went on after I inherited the car from my father (who took excellent care of it).I had the problem fixed however in spite of this, the problem continues to happen and is a constant issue every year when the car has to be inspected.

I have also experienced problems with the driver side window. I have had the motor replaced twice and after a while I hear a rattling sound in the door. I do not know what causes this problem.

General Comments:

It is a fine, reliable car other than the minor things mentioned above. I have 114,000 miles on it and it ran great until someone ran a red light and totaled it on me.

I would highly recomend this car for its durability.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th February, 2008