25th Nov 2001, 16:23

I am sorry, but I do not agree with your opinion. As an owner of a 1998 Camry, I do agree that the car is a bit dull, but keep in mind, you're the one who rented it. If you wanted a sports car, you should have rented a sports car. Some people don't need or want flashy cars. Some people just want a basic car that will last. Those people buy Toyotas.

I have driven my Camry for a while, and I have not experienced any problems at all. I find the interior practical and well designed. I find the seat very comfortable, and so does my family. After 3 and a half years of use, all of my interior panels still match, and I happen to like the cup holders. They seem to hold a 12oz can just as well as a 20 or 24oz bottle.

My car still is put together pretty well considering all of the abuse that I have put it through. I have experienced only one problem with the whole car- the armrest broke after my dog jumped over it while it was open. The dealer even fixed it under warranty, even though it was obvious that it was not a manufacturer's defect.

Please keep in mind that your car was a rental unit, which means the rental company probably bought the cheapest version. Upgraded models feature adjustable seats, both driver and passenger's seats, so you can get comfortable, as well as raise it so you can see over the dashboard.

I also can't belive that a Camry could be chosen over a Taurus or an Intrigue. Although those two American cars are cheaper, you most certainly get what you pay for. Just do some math, buy a $23,000 Taurus or Intrigue, and you know what you'll have three years later? Squat for resale value. Maybe you'll be lucky and get $9,000 if you find a sucker. A $23,000 Camry often sees $13-14,000 when it comes time to sell three years later. Japanese cars simply last longer and are made better that anything from Ford, GM, or Chrysler. I bought an GM car once, the bottom of the engine block cracked at 38,000 miles. Not only that, but the dealer couldn't fix it. When I got it back, I found that the top half was now cracked. They wanted close to $6,000 to fix it, and GM refused to give any discount on fixing it, even though it was only 2k off of warranty. They wouldn't even give me a deal on a new car. Please notice that most American cars only come with a 3 year warranty, then the dealer basically denies that the car came from them. My Toyota came with a 5 year power-train warranty, and I am certain I will never use it.

Also notice that not only is the Intrigue dying, but the whole Oldsmobile brand. It gives me faith the at least some people in this country are coming to their senses.

425,000+ Camry buyers a year can't be wrong- that's more than Taurus and Intrigue. People know a good car when they see one. I look forward to many happy years with my Camry. Just ask any Camry owner as they drive past, as you wait at your Ford or GM Service Department.

23rd Jun 2004, 14:17

To the second commentor. I have a 1989 GM vehicle. WIth many miles it has been extremely reliable, comfortable and great. I do not agree with YOUR comment.

20th Jan 2006, 07:48

That sounds like my experience with Toyota. Lots of the same failures, but at this point covered by warranty. I'm afraid to keep the car beyond the warranty for fear of what will fall on me.

22nd Nov 2006, 19:48

The camry is what it is!!!

A good honest hard working car.

Had four camrys to date, nothing serious went wrong with any of them!

Definitely recommend them to anyone.

11th May 2007, 16:04

There must be a lot of out of work ford employees making crazy posts about how poor toyotas are. I've had many fords and had to constantly work on them to keep them running. Chrysler is even worse in my experience. listen, being blindly loyal to any make of car is bad for the consumer. if not for foreign cars, we'd still be dealing with cars wearing out at 36 k miles, remember that time about 25- 30 yrs ago? they only get better when they HAVE TO. its not the workers fault. junk parts =junk cars,no matter who puts them together. LET US BUY WHATS GOOD. if that changes, lets buy the new "reliable". - I hate working on cars and spending big $$$ on repairs.

14th May 2007, 17:51

I doubt this group has even looked at 2007 GM's to even comment. I have had imports and domestics every few years not just commenting 1998-2001. I would not buy another new import with 36,000 mile warranties. Its too short.

6th Oct 2008, 22:11

Simple facts guys. GM & Fords repairs bays are filled by 70% warranty repairs vs 30% of non-warranty. They are paying greatly for making unreliable cars. All those companies are hurting badly cause of this. The brand loyalty is so funny to listen to, here's a little insider fact. Every GM vehicle has $6000 added to its price to pay for it's worker's high wages, benefits and pensions. They make the worst compacts in the world and know it. But for Midsize they are rock solid.

8th Oct 2008, 00:06

I think many of the commenters who bash domestics and rave about imports haven't driven a domestic in decades. One commenter who raves about his 17 year old Tacoma admits to not driving a domestic since 1992.

A recent Ford review is from a person who had never owned a domestic, and he raved about the new Ford. A Honda owner admits that the new Ford Fusion is a much tighter, smoother and better built car than his Accord.

People who have driven anything built by U.S. auto makers recently (or in the past 10 years) will quickly admit that modern domestics are as good, and in most cases better, than imports. I make it a point to test drive many different cars, both foreign and domestic, to keep up with current trends. No import I've driven has impressed me nearly as much as the Ford Fusion or Chevy Malibu.

As for warranties, they seldom matter to me. As a mechanic I drive only reliable cars, which for me means Ford, GM or Chrysler, and I never require any repairs, even in the first 100,000 miles. When you drive a Ford 300,000+ miles with only one muffler, 2 hoses and several brake jobs, you don't worry about the warranty.

Same for my Dodge, which required only 2 timing belts, one hose and 2 brake jobs in over 200,000 miles, or our Buick that required nothing but brake jobs in 277,000 miles.

28th May 2009, 17:47

I have to tell you all that I have had 20 years of car nightmares with GM cars, and even worse my Dodge Dynasty that required 3 transmissions was the worst of all. Chrysler makes some nice looking cars but I will never trust them. On the plus side I have a 2002 Cavalier that has been pretty descent, but it only has 45,000 miles on it. Don't buy a Hyundai either. I have a 2000 sonata that has been garbage. I have spent thousands of dollars on it to keep it going. Currently looking into a Camry as I have friends that have put over 200K on them and sold them in still good running condition. Also had a ford. It's true what they say. Fix Or Repair Daily.

29th May 2009, 12:32

I've never known even ONE individual who got 200,000 miles out of a Camry without very major repairs. Our friend who is an import fan has 130,000 miles on his Camry. He sheepishly admits to over $4000 in repairs (so far) but still maintains "Japanese cars are better". As for Fords, none of ours ever required ANY repairs before 150,000 miles, and none ever had an engine or transmission replaced in over 300,000 miles. Our company's Rangers routinely go 300,000 miles with no problems. Our current 2006 Fusion is an extremely solid and reliable car. I guess that's why Consumer Reports rates it TWO FULL LEVELS ABOVE CAMRY in predicted reliability. Ford has just as many "recommended buy" vehicles as Toyota, and beats them in reliability. If you fall for Japanese ad hype, you've no one but yourself to blame. We got burned on a Honda and will never buy a car based on false ads or untrue claims again... EVER.