22nd Dec 2006, 21:23

I actually sold the 1994 Toyota Camry LE for $2500 about six months ago. The two door coupe still ran like a top after 239,000 miles. Unfortunately though, I've been buying so many other cars at my sales that I rarely had the time to drive it.

Folks, I have to tell you that the mid-90's Toyota Camry represented the absolute pinnacle of long-term quality and durability for this brand. The 1997 re-design resulted in a lot of decontenting that made Toyota cars more price competitive in the marketplace. For the Camry, it worked. The Camry became the best selling car in America... but there are a lot of mechanical and interior cosmetic problems associated with the 1997 - 2001 generation that simply weren't there with this generation.

Funny enough, I actually purchased a 4-door 1994 Toyota Camry from a Carmax sale for $2190 a couple of weeks ago. The car has 190,000+ miles, but still runs like a top with absolutely no rattles or noise issues. Like ny car, I think this has to do with the one owner only using top quality parts on her Camry. In fact, my neighbor's 1994 camry lasted 319,000 miles before the tranny gave out on that one.

If you're looking for a reliable vehicle that is VERY easy to maintain yourself, a 4-cylinder Camry can be a great choice. But that's only if the prior owner took excellent care of it. Don't be fooled by all the marones who say that the name on the car dictates the reliability. That's simply not true. It's the owner's maintenance habits, driving style, and the quality of the parts used that dictate how well the car will last.

The surging problem may be attributable to the IAC valve (idle air control valve). I've seen this problem in several other vehicles and that will usually fix it in the end.