Introduction

One of the top choices in mid-size family sedan class, Toyota Camry has been holding the title of the best-selling passenger car in the U.S. almost every year since 1997. The reason: good combination of stylish look, roomy, comfortable interior, soft, smooth ride and Toyota's reliability. Fuel economy also plays an important role.
Toyota Camry is one of the most reliable models on the road. It's fairly easy to maintain and Toyota parts and service are not very expensive.
Toyota Camry has front-wheel drive with transverse-mount engine.
Available with four- and six-cylinder engine.
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) are standard on all models starting from 2005. IIHS Best Pick for Offset Frontal Crash for 2002-06 models. Five stars for both driver and passenger in NHTSA frontal crash test for 2005-06 models.

Interior

Classic Toyota's style: everything is simple and convenient, nothing superfluous. The instrument panel is clear and easy to read. Front seats are very soft and comfortable. There is plenty of room even for tall adult. Tilt steering is easy to adjust. Interior fit and finish is good. The trunk is spacious and its volume can be increased by folding rear seats down. Rear space is normal for three tall adults.

Engines

Toyota Camry is powered by either a four-cylinder or V6 engine.
Four-cylinder engine:
Models from 1992 to 2002 had the 2.2-liter, DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine that might seem slightly underpowered but was vary reliable.
Starting from 2002 Camry received new 4-cylinder 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve engine with Variable Valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) delivering 157 horsepower at 5,600 rpm. The cylinder block and the head are made from aluminium alloy to reduce weight. Timing belt was replaced by a chain to reduce maintenance costs (no need to replace a timing belt). This engine offers good low-end torque, reasonable power and good fuel economy.
V6 engine:
In my opinion, the 3.0L DOHC engine (model 1MZ-FE, lower image) is one of the best Toyota's engines. It's very smooth and quiet, has plenty of power and has proven to be very durable.
Starting from 2004 model, 3.0 V6 engine comes with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) producing 210 horsepower. Also from 2004 model the 3.3-liter, 225-horsepower V6 with VVT-i is available on Camry SE models.
I believe all these engines can last very long if properly maintained.

Strengths

- Very soft and smooth ride
- Good handling
- Comfortable interior
- Toyota reliability
- Easy to service, parts are moderately priced

Weaknesses

- Interior looks too plain
- 4-cylinder engine is a bit noisy
- Brake pedal feels too soft
- Suspension may produce some rattle noise after certain mileage

Overall

If you are looking for something "special" like high-performance engine or sophisticated luxury interior, you won't find it in the Camry. But if you are looking for very comfortable, reliable family sedan, the Camry should be on your list of choices. The Camry is well known for a very smooth and soft ride. The models from 2002 are particularly quiet inside. And what's very important when buying a used car, the Camry is very reliable.

Few maintenance tips

- To keep your engine in a good shape change the engine oil regularly.
- Synthetic oil will be perfect if you want extra protection for your engine.
- Always check your parking space for leaks, and if you find one, get it fixed as soon as you can.
- Try to avoid overheating the engine - it may cause serious problems.
- Don't use front end covers - some of them make more restriction to the air flow causing the engine to run with higher temperature.
- Timing belt noise at cold start on a 4-cylinder engine may be eliminated after replacing the timing belt with upgraded hardware available from Toyota dealer.
- It's very important to change the automatic transmission fluid regularly using the right fluid type (I'd recommend to buy it directly from Toyota)
- It make sense to replace the water pump when you change the timing belt.
- Try to stick with original Toyota parts, they are reasonable priced.

Toyota Camry short specs. (2005 model)

Engine

Standard, LE 4-cyl,
SE 4-cyl, XLE 4-cyl
2.4L DOHC 16-valve VVT-i 4-cylinder
160 h.p @ 5700 rpm, 163 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

LE V6, XLE V6

3.0L DOHC 24-valve VVT-i V6
210 h.p @ 5800 rpm, 220 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm
SE V6

3.3L DOHC 24-valve VVT-i V6
225 h.p @ 5600 rpm, 240 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

2.4-liter 4-cylinder
with automatic transmission

city: 24MPG (9.8 L/100km)
hwy: 34MPG (6.9 L/100km

3.0-liter V6 with
automatic transmission
city: 20MPG (11.8 L/100km)
hwy: 28MPG (8.4 L/100km)
3.3-liter V6 with
automatic transmission

city: 20MPG (11.8 L/100km)