Toyota Camry 2006 and earlier

dudleyr

Your wife is right about the spoiler. They don't really do anything, and I think they make the car look worse.

negative

Formbankr:

 

The seats in the '01, which was the previous generation Camry, would (probably) be similar to my '97, which was the first year of that generation. I don't know if one of them could be put in. I think a lot would depend on whether the seat tracks are the same. The person who would know that best is the service manager at your local dealer.

 

Keep in mind that the driver's seat cushion in the '97 - '01 was not adjustable for tilt, and that you might be trading one problem for another. Some people complained that the permanent, upward angle of the cushion in the previous generation cut into the bottoms of their thighs.

 

Assuming a seat from another car, or an aftermarket seat, would fit and would be compatible otherwise, the main downside would be appearance. But if you held on to the original seat and didn't mind paying to have it reinstalled when you're ready to sell the car, that wouldn't be a problem.

 

On the whole, I think by swapping the seat, you'd be trading a known problem for potential, unknown problems. Consider finding another (entire) car you like, and make sure before purchasing it you either rent it or that a dealer gives you a demo for a long-term test drive. That way, you'd know what you're getting into.

mcgirl0730

Hello everybody...I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm 5 weeks pregnant. I am sooo glad I bought the Camry eight months ago. Good thing it wasn't a Mazda 3 or Honda Accord coupe.

coastdriver

This is my 3rd Toyota product. My new 2005 Camry SE is the most disappointing vehicle.

 

Summary: Pros and Cons

 

First the Cons:

-- Extremely noisy tires on rough/grooved pavement. (17-inch low-profile Bridgestone Turanza)

 

-- Noisy interior. (The V6 has a "growl." All engine noises can be heard through the cabin during acceleration.)

 

-- Uncomfortable, hard seats. ( Driver's lumbar support especially troubling. On a long drive, this car is just not comfortable.)

 

-- Not enough leg room for tall drivers. (My '95 Camry seemed to have more room.)

 

-- Interior fabric seems cheap. (seats and carpet seem to be of lower quality than in the past.)

  

-- Transmission is jerky at low speeds. (The electronic-controlled transmission/computer/throttle seem to be out of sinc with each other. I did a Google search, and found a report dating back to 2002 involving this problem.

 

-- Handling is subpar for a vehicle with performance "sport suspension." (Very rough ride, and you will feel every little dip, bump, and flaw in the road. Cornering leaves a lot to be desired.)

  

Now the Pros:

-- Fit & Finish is excellent. Superb paint job. Very tight fitting doors which close with a nice solid "thunk."

 

-- Body styling is very sporty. Rear spoiler and custom wheels and tires look very nice on the SE V6 model. Moonroof adds to the sport look.

 

-- Powerful 225-horse engine. Very adequate in all driving conditions.

 

-- Outstanding head lights, fog lights, and 3rd brakelight in rear spoiler.

 

-- Great sounding stereo. All heat/air/vent control knobs clearly marked and easy to use.

 

-- Keyless entry lock/unlock is convenient. Be advised, having a spare key made by the dealer will cost you upwards of $40. (computer chip in key.)

 

-- According to the owners manual, the SE V6 is almost maintenance free. Just change the oil and rotate the tires every 5000 miles or less (depending on driving conditions.)

 

I give this new SE V6 a rating of 5 stars out of 10.

alpha01

Curious- which vehicles did you cross shop? I understand most of your criticisms, but can defend a few: You are the first to express that the V6 is noisy. The Camrys 3.3L is one of the most refined, and I dont think many would regard a "growl" as a bad thing. The vehicle is a $25 family car, not a Lexus LS (which actually will also growl softly under acceleration). What kind of cornering do you do that the Camry cannot handle? And finally, if you think the SE has a firm ride, did you also try out Altima, Accord, and Mazda 6? Even firmer. You can change your tires, as well- and get the dealership to pick up the tab. Complain about the noise on your next service and tell them you'd prefer to switch to a less noisy brand.

 

Im sorry that you are not as thrilled with the Camry as you expected to be. The Camry is not without faults, and the jerky throttle/transmission response issue is one that is commonly noted by enthusiasts/enthusiastic drivers.

 

Curious- which model was your 95? If it was an LE or XLE V6, why did you not chose to stay with the more luxury biased models?

 

Good luck!

 

~alpha

parnell

I have never owned a Toyota before. I purchased a new '05 Toyota Camry XLE with the navigation system, side curtains,stability package,heated seats,and a few other small options for $26,000. I can not say enough good things about my car. It is sharp looking for a four door sedan, very nice inside, a luxury ride, and I love the navigation system. I only wanted to spend in the mid twenties, but wanted a safe car with a good resale value. I think this car could be the best bargain on the market. I did some research and found that the '05 Camry has almost the same MSRP as the '96 Camry. So in almost ten years no price increase, but the standard features have improved very much.

richyl

If the dealer does not have a car with VSC available, how long will they take to get it? Will it take months?

coastdriver

Hi alpha,

 

My previous Camry was a '95 LE with the 4 cyl engine.

 

Obviously, the '05 SE with the powerful V6 is quite a change!

 

The interior noise inside my SE is loud. And I'm not just talking engine noise.... I also hear lots of road noise, tire noise, and wind noise. My old Camry was much quieter. The noise comes right through the door and the floor. In addition, every time I hit a small bump, I hear a BIG THUMP!

 

I expected to hear a little engine noise from the V6 when accelerating, but not this much. Toyota did a bad job of sound-proofing the cabin. And the road noise from the Bridgstone tires is unaceptable.

 

I've always bought Michelan tires. I think Michelan makes the best performing and quietest tires.

 

I did not test-drive any other vehicles. Toyota was my first and only choice. I knew the ride would be somewhat stiffer on the SE. I guess I will just have to get used to it. Even in routine cornering, my car seems to lean too much. (It may be due to the Bridgstone tires.) I am disappointed in the SE "sport suspension."

 

Do all the SE models come with Bridgstone tires? I am going out to the dealer tomorrow, I will ask about changing to another set of tires.

Thanks.

motownusa

Congragulations !! I am sure your Camry will serve you and your baby well. Hope everything goes well.

1winglow

Hi Mcgirl,

 

You definitely made the right choise. The Camry is one of the safest, quietest and smoothest cars for your money.

 

Best of luck with your baby.

gt76man

Thanks for the comments. I am starting to agree with the wife. The v6 xle is more a luzury car than a sports car. I will go without the spoiler. :-)

jrct9454

My initial reaction after reading your first post was "dump the tires". For less than $500, you can go to any number of Michelin alternatives, any one of which are going to be quieter and better-riding [but not as good-handling] as the Bridgestones. Beyond that, I have never heard a complaint before about this car being noisy, or that even the SE suspension could be called "too firm". Start by replacing the tires with Michelin MXV4s - they will ride better, be quieter, but will not corner like the BS on the car now.

slimwolf77

Congrats, mcgirl730. Now you have even more incentive to take it easy during those U-turns j/k

mcgirl0730

I can't wait! I'll take care of my Camry so my baby can drive it when he/she turns 16

jim112

I am unable to move the shift lever from park in my '92 camry (the shift lever overide button on the console works fine allowing me to move the lever). Also, my brake lights do not function when the lever is stuck. Occasionally the lever will move in the usual manner; at the same time the brake lights work.

 

Is this some kind of a relay issue or possibly the brake light switch. Thanx for your help

jrct9454

Sounds like the ignition interlock is gone, or going. Means a bad ignition switch. Off to your friendly repair shop...

solara00

Does anyone know why the O4 XLE had its Navigation disk changed? If it was just a mapping update, you would have thought they would have made you pay for the new disk. Plus, the service department said that THEY needed to make the fix. If it was just a new disk, I think I could have handled that.

 

So was there something simply wrong in the data, or was the software/hardware not right? I did get the update, but I can't tell any difference.

typesix

It is not the ignition switch, likely the brake light switch. There is an interlock that releases the shift lever so you can move it from Park only when your brakes are depressed(unless you use override). The fact that at the same time your brake lights do not come on indicates that the brake light switch may be faulty or sometimes stick.The interlock likely also uses the same brake light switch.

jim112

Thanx Typesix... Looks like a brake light switch. Now if I can just get the new one installed - it is a very tight fit..

peterpan

Hi Mcgirl,

 

You are so sweet.

 

A 16 year-old Camry is definitely a good car for someone to learn to drive and to keep it running.

 

However, you should spend more time and energy taking care of your baby, as unlike babies, the Camry can take a lot of abuse and neglect and keep on trucking

 

Any problem with the car, the folks in this forum will help you solve them quickly to avoid any headaches.

18fan

Congrats, MCgirl!! Best wishes to you and your family!

cwo4

Driving on I-95 home from work tonight and my 2004 Camry XLE lost power. I was in the far left lane doing around 50, which is fast for DC rush hour, and it was if I let off the accelerator. Nothing, no power regardless of how much I pressed the gas pedal, but the engine was still running at around 1000 RPM. I managed to pull over to the left hand shoulder and proceeded at 5 MPH to the nearest exit. The police came and escorted me across the road to a safe area. I called the dealership and luckily found someone in the service department. They gave me the phone number of their approved towing service. I called, they came around 30 minutes later and towed me to the dealership. That's where the car is now. I know that the car is a drive by wire so I'm guessing that a computer component failed. I'll let you know tomorrow what it turned out to be. The good thing is it is still under warranty.

cwo4

Today I was told by the service tech that the Throttle Body had to be replaced. According to the code readout, not enough air was getting to the engine and the computers went into a "safe" mode. The new throttle body is now on order, due to arrive tomorrow, and will be installed tomorrow. Since it is under warranty and won't cost me anything, I really can't complain. I wonder though, am I the only person this has happened to?

210delray

'04 Camry LE 4-cylinder automatic, 12,500+ miles, purchased 2/6/04.

 

Great car!

18fan

Sorry to hear of your experience, Cwo4. In DC rush hour, I'm sure that must have been a scary incident!

 

Do you have the I4 or the V6 engine?

peterpan

http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/24270/story.ht- m

 

TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp is likely to sell a hybrid version of its best-selling Camry from 2006, a newspaper reported last week, a move that would shift hybrids from their niche position in the car market into the mainstream.

 

The Nihon Keizai business daily said that Toyota, the world's second largest car firm, was aiming to sell 100,000 eco-friendly, gasoline-electric Camrys a year, mainly in North America.

cwo4

In addition to scary, it surprised me how many people were irritated because the police and I had to block traffic for a moment to get off the Interstate. Many gave the V for victory sign, but only used one finger. I guess they though I deliberately broke down just to torment them. Oh well, to answer your question 18fan, I have the I4 and really like it. Plenty of power and good fuel economy, especially now that gas prices are creeping up again. To finish my saga, I picked the car up from the dealership today with the new throttle body. It runs fine, so I'll chalk it up to one of those fluky things, and go back to being a lurker on this post.

210delray

...Commuters are nasty in the DC area; they won't cut anyone a break. Glad I'm out of that rat race now (lived in northern VA from 1979-92).

dekester

After 10,400 miles, I replaced the crappy Continental tires today. My wife told me she was tired of the tire squeal leaving the parking lot at work getting into traffic.

 

Researched TireRack.com and went looking for the #1 and #2 best sellers - #1 was the BF Goodrich Traction T/A #2 the Yokahama Avid H4T. Prices were within $6, so I went to my loal tire shop to see what was available.

 

The BFGs would have to be ordered and might be in on Tuesday. The Yokohamas were in stock. Since the main complaint with the BFGs were increased noise, I went with the Yokos..... Dealer gave me the Tire Rack price and since the tires coming off were practically new, deducted $15 each for them (he'll sell them as used for $20 each).

 

Yokohama AVIDs are a performance tire; they're uni-directional with a more aggressive tread than the Touring series. Well, let me say that I went out to see if I could get them to break loose like the Contis....no way! Handling is much improved, no noise and I can't wait to get in the rain with them.

 

If you're looking to replace the factory rubber - and the dealer won't swap them out for you (ours wouldn't) - check these out.

 

I don't work for TireRack, Yokohama or any other tire concern....

 

Deke

andrelaplume

Ahhh, another who had to replace the Craptinentals that Toyota uses on the Camry. You'd expect this tire on a domestic but not on a foreign car. I replaced mine at 10K too. The new tires are indeed better in the rain but the Camry is still one of the worst FWD cars I've driven in the rain/snow. No doubt I'll have to replace these at around 20K miles. It gets better mileage than its domestic counterparts likely because it weighs less...but then you pay a price in safety I guess when you are in the rain.

mjday1972

I can't believe what Toyota puts on the Camry as original equipment tires, they are just crap. I have a 2002 SE and had to replace the stock bridgestones after only 26K miles. I replaced them with Kumhos from Tire Rack, they were a great deal and ride very nicely.

 

P.S. I am not in the employ of a tire concern either.

dougb10

How does Toyota consider which tires are used on their cars? On my '03 XLE, I have Michelin MXV4's.

The car handles great. It ain't a sports car and won't plow through the snow like our Subaru Outback, but the Toyota tires are just fine so far.

The origin of manufacture may dictate somewhat however...my Camry was made in Japan.

Doug

petl

Had the same tire on our 2002 XLE (also made in Japan and equipped with the Michelin MXV4's). The winter traction was terrible. My brother-in-law feels the same way with his 2003 SE that is also equipped with the same tire. This fall I replaced them with Ultra Tour LS' from Wal-Mart. Originially tried on my 1994 Camry(in 2000). They were better than the Dunlops that came with the car (the 1994). The Ultras lasted longer, were just as quiet and winter traction was superior. The Ultras are manufactured by Goodyear. Hopefully these Ultras will last as long (to date they perform better than the Michelins ever did in ice and snow conditions). Toyota seems to equip Canadian vehicles with a different brand of tire. However, the result seems to be the same on both sides of the border... winter traction is not very good.

dan19

The Camry has as an option "adjustable power pedals" (plural) or "adjustable power accelerator pedal" (singular) depending on where you read. Toyota's own brochures are inconsistent. The salesmen can't agree. So my question is: does the brake pedal also adjust? If someone who actually owns a Camry with this option would reply, it would be appreciated. Thanks.

210delray

It applies to both the gas and brake pedals, as is true for every other car that I know of that offers them (automatic transmissions only).

carterz

Hi guys. I am interested in putting a body kit on my toyota camry and was wondering if anyone knows of a place in australia that has them? If anyone does know could you please email me at upppa_69@hotmail.com and let me know. thanks

pat

This is a message board where we share thoughts and opinions to the benefit of our entire membership, so private email responses are not encouraged.

 

(And it isn't a good idea to post your email address - you will soon be inundated with spam. The thing to do is make your address public in your profile where the spam bots can't get it.)

 

Thanks.

mcgirl0730

http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4021893&sr- c=LP%20new

 

Camry was top 3, Accord was top 5 best-selling vehicle of 2004

citrigno

Irecently leased a Toyota Camery SE.This is probably the best car I have ever owned.I own an auto repair shop and repair and drive many different types of cars dailey.The Camery is by far better built than most domestics.Repairs on these or other japanese built cars are far and few in my shop or any other shop in my area.I strongly recomend these vehicles.

bklynguy

Since the 05 Avalon is out with its new 3.5L V6, when will Toyota make the 3.3L V6 standard for the LE/XLE ? (I read a few months ago that Toyota will make the change when the 3.0L runs out)

xbbuster

Your '04 XLE, is that a V6? Have you had any other problems that you may believe were caused by the 'drive by wire'? I have an '02 LE V6 that has several problems that the dealer denies. The car will gradually accelerate from 40mph without additional pressure on the accelerator and there is also a vibration felt between 38 and 43 mph. The tires have been balanced and checked as have the brakes.

fredvh

Can one special order a XLE and, if so, how long would it take? I am thinking about a I4 XLE with the VSC/Side Bags package. I am in the Midwestern region.

carcruiser

I have a 01 camery and the dealer told me I can purchase an extented toyota warranty for 36k or 3 yrs $1080. it not the same covarage as the original. the first was the platiumn this one a gold I think it picks and chose certain main things I fell you are rolling the dice or playing the odds what do you Guys think. Thanks

rubberman

My dome light with a three position switch works only on the "door" setting (with any door open). The "on" position doesn't work. I replaced the switch assembly and it still doesn't work. I'm guessing it's somewhere in the wiring (I know, good luck). The are two wires that feed into the switch. If anyone has some insight on where to troubleshoot I would appreciate it. I have a multi-meter but am not sure where to test.

r-man

jjnikk76

Not too long ago Richards38 was helping someone decide on what new car to buy(Accord or Camry) so he pointed out that Toyota was raising the prices on their cars. The best advice is for people to test drive both of them and then pick. If they still can't decide, maybe they can flip a coin or something. Afterall, they're both nice cars!
Anyway, it's even now check this out:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Articles/articleId=104754

solara00

Hi all:
I asked in the Avalon forum, but no one has seen Cliffy1 there I guess. He was always helpful and answered many questions on this and other Toyota forums. Did he get tired of answering all the questions?

210delray

alpha01

Honda just raised prices on the Accord by $100 as well.

~alpha

patricd

I just bought a 05 camry XLS loaded except for the nav system.It has the JBL stero system sat ready, but the dealer wants $450 to install the reciever and antenna.Are there any other less expensive options?

solara00

Thanks for the info. Hopefully, Cliffy is on a long, well-deserved vacation. He was very good help in this forum.