Toyota Camry 2006 and earlier

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Comments

  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    I never said that the *overall* space in the Galant is on a par with a Corolla or Civic. My point is about the Galant's small back seat, so your overall roominess numbers have limited relevance. They don't speak to the fact that the Galant's rear seat is non-competitively small for its class.

    Referring to this C/D report, they have a rating of rear seat accommodations for the tested models. With 5 being best, here are the Galant's numbers:

    With 2 passengers: comfort 3, space 2
    With 3 passengers: comfort 2, space 1

    By comparison, here's the Accord's numbers:

    With 2 passengers: comfort 4, space 5
    With 3 passengers: comfort 4, space 4

    The Camry had similarly high numbers (4's across the board).

    Also, one of the "Lows" listed for the Galant was "cramped rear seat". In the report, they commented "And this sedan's rear seat forces non-consenting adults to explore one another's body parts in a most ungallant fashion."

    All of this tells us much more than total passenger volume... the Galant's rear seat space and comfort fall far short of the leaders in its class in that category. Sit in the back of a Camry or Accord, and then sit in the back of a Galant. There is a *major* difference...

    Sorry about the off-topic stuff... I didn't think that a simple remark about the Galant would stir up this much debate.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    and your points are well taken, and understood. I just would have like to have seen the Galant and Passat, as well as a more competitively equipped Intrepid (and why not a Stratus as well?!!) in the comparo. To restrict the comparo, especially when the cover of the magazine reads : "We pick the best family sedan" (or similar, I dont have the mag in front of me) to only the largest models in the vast class of family cars is a disservice.
    Thats all.
    ~alpha
  • randy821randy821 Member Posts: 2
    I recently took delivery of a 2002 Camry LE, Phantom Gray Pearl with Stone interior. Love the car and the dealer. I decided to go with the Toyota floor mats. The trunk mat looks great. A dark gray that matches and enhances the carpet. The interior mats look like a cheap after market. They are light gray and look cheap.

    Any body else have these thoughts?

    Randy
  • jimxojimxo Member Posts: 423
    I ordered my 2002 SE (V6) with cloth interior on September 5. Delivery will be around Dec 20-25. I paid $700.00 over invoice, however my sales rep told me today the new orders or dealer stock will not be sold for less than $1,200.00 over invoice-no exceptions (XLE, SE or LE). I'm glad I bought when I did.

    One additional item worth mentioning is the "summer tire's" standard on the SE are not good in the snow. This according to the Toyota factory rep who trained the sales people at this dealer. They were told that the tires are softer and wear more quickly than the all season tires found on the LE & XLE. However it being a performance tire handle better and stick to the ground when cornering. If you prefer the all season tires vs the summer tire, Toyota will do an even exchange.
  • lsclsc Member Posts: 210
    Is that deal already etched in stone or can you negotiate a little more?
  • jimxojimxo Member Posts: 423
    My salesmen who is a personal friend, said they were told by the GM that under no circumstances can they sell ANY Camry for less than $1200.00 above invoice. This is just my dealer here in Chicago area. I would not assume that this is the case everywhere. Honda is getting MSRP on all 2002 Odyssey, CRV, and Acura MDX, so maybe 5% over on a new Camry is not that bad.

    Good luck!
  • talon95talon95 Member Posts: 1,110
    But what is?

    So let's say they include the Passat and the Galant and the Stratus. Then someone else complains that they didn't include a Mazda 626. Someone else, a Subaru Legacy. Then a Kia Optima or a Hyundai Sonata or a Daewoo Leganza. And if Dodge can have two entrants, then why can't Chevy have a Malibu? And a Pontiac Grand Am? And if the Passat sets the stage for the more premium level mid-sizes, then how about an Avalon? And Nissan could bring the Maxima in. And so on, and so on.

    To make the test manageable, they have to set some criteria to limit the pool of test cars. Otherwise they'd have such a huge stable of cars to test that they couldn't do a decent job of reporting on any of them. While I understand your point, we could second-guess their choices for eternity. And someone else would second guess them with different results. All they could do was come up with a set of cars that they thought would be representative of the kinds of cars purchased for families, and go with it. Bottom line is, they'll never make everybody happy.

    The one change that I think would have made the most sense would be to include a Stratus in place of the Intrepid, since the Stratus is new and hasn't been in such a comparo yet, while the Intrepid has. But that's just me.
  • agentmittenagentmitten Member Posts: 2
    Hi all! I'm a recently divorced mother of two, and I'm looking for a reliable, cost-conscious used car to get me around town. I drove a '89 Toyota Camry (120K miles) last night, and really liked it, especially the fact that it has a V6. If I decide to buy it, I will have it looked over by a mechanic first, but I thought I'd ask if there are any well-known problems with this model (or if anyone knows where I might look elsewhere to find out about this).

    The car I'm replacing is a '93 Saturn, whose timing jumped. I found out after the fact that this is a notorious problem with Saturns of that era, and if I can help it, I'd like to know ahead of time if there are any notorious problems with Camrys.

    Thanks for your help!

    Laura
  • canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    I find that the "beep beep" sound when you lock and unlock with the key fob quite feeble and hard to hear when there is any sort of ambient noise. Does anyone know if you install the Toyota VIP alarm does the system make a different (hopefully louder) sound?
  • flavolvoflavolvo Member Posts: 8
    We have a '96 Camry LE (with cloth bucket seats)and have been very disappointed with the front seat comfort. We bought the car used and did not notice it so much at first but it is quite noticeable on a trip of any duration over 30 minutes. At first I thought the seat was somewhat crooked but after hearing others complain about the seats I suppose it is just an issue with firmness. At any rate, I think it is inexcuseable on Toyota's part to use seats that are this uncomfortable. Beware before you buy a used Camry - the seats are the PITS!!
  • storytellerstoryteller Member Posts: 476
    Agentmitten: any car that old could have problems, especially with electronics, although Camry has an excellent reputation. Have the car checked by a reliable and inexpensive mechanic. Don't know a good mechanic? Go to the Car Talk site, http://cartalk.cars.com and then to their Actual Car Information button and then to Mechan-X Files. You can find a great and reasonable mechanic to check out your Camry.
  • sebring95sebring95 Member Posts: 3,241
    I think seats are a very personal issue which is why test drives close to an hour should be the norm on a vehicle you are seriously considering. I've found Camry seats to be the most comfortable of any vehicle I've driven (couple trips of 28 hours without leaving the seat except for fuel/food). I took my grandfather on a few hour trip awhile back in our 4th gen camry and he complained about the seats. However, if I ride 1/2 hour in his Buick my lower back is killing me from being mushed down. Some people need soft seats, some people like firm seats. Some could probably care less:)
  • MULAWYERMULAWYER Member Posts: 24
    Nope, same sound when locking/unlocking. When the alarm goes off, it uses the horn.
  • rward99rward99 Member Posts: 185
    I have a '91 V-6 with ~75,000. I believe that they are the same basic model. Toyota had a major model change in '92. Ours has 4-wheel disc brakes, standard on the LE V-6 in '91. We get ~22 MPG highway and the only downside has been the wearing of the front tires if we do a lot of in-city driving. We bought Michelins and I have a 4-wheel alignment about once a year. That seems to have resolved that problem.

    My wife *loves* this car and even though I bought her a '99 Sienna XLE, she still drives the Camry and refuses to let me sell it.

    We haven't had any problems with ours since we've had it, and we're the original owners. I'd suggest you do these things:

    1. Compression test to make sure that all 6 cylinders are within tolerance.

    2. 4-wheel alignment and brake inspection (including the calipers and rotors.)

    3. Change the plugs if you don't know when they were last changed. They are probably the platinums and they are good for 60K miles. At 120K you are due.

    4. Have the struts and CV joints inspected. (I think they call them CV joints, but they are the boots at the end of the front wheel drives. If they are broken it could mean some expensive work needs to be done.)

    I think that you will enjoy the way it handles. They practically drive themselves. :-)
  • quangtranquangtran Member Posts: 8
    Would it be save if the Camry tow an Honda-Accord coup with a tow bar around town? It is not going be more than 15 miles each time at 35 or less miles per hours. I know the Accord is about 2900 lbs. and the Camry is rate 2000 lbs towing. I think, towing with a tow bar is not as much critical as towing a trailer. The only concern I have is the breaking power on my Camry. Since I would only tow the Accord around town, it would not be too bad. right? input would be appreciated. Thanks
  • canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    Audi was almost got wiped out because of that. :)
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    Right! And for calling it "driver error"!
  • canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    If I dare ask, especially since it sounds like you intend to do this more than once!
  • canccanc Member Posts: 715
    would be a funny site to see, and have the Honda guys fuming. LOL!

    Anyway, to do this in Ontario is completely illegal, and you should have that Accord towed by the local garage shop. This would probably be illegal where you live too, so be careful.
  • canccanc Member Posts: 715
    Do any of you have a 2002 that could comment on the seat comfort? I have back problems, and I'm a bit tall, but I'd like to know if the Camry has supportive seats before considering one.

    Thanks
  • todd60todd60 Member Posts: 4
    I am looking at the XLE V6, but am concerned that, unlike the Nissan (timing chain) and Honda/Acura V6s (105,000 miles before first tune up), Toyota's belt must be changed every 60,000 miles. Also, what happens when your belt/chain goes bad while you are driving the car? Old Toyotas could be repaired, but Honda/Acura product could not (dead engine). Anyone have any inside insight?

    Thx
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    On the 4cyl there is a timing chain, If it breaks, you are ok as it is a non-interfering chain. Meaning the engine just stops and nothing is harmed (as opposed to our competitor (Honda))The timing belts on the V6 2002 Camry, and previous generation Camry are good through 90k miles (recommended interval) or more.

    As for the posters (postees) asking about the comfort of the seats my question is this: Why don't you go and try them out yourself? for all you know the poster answering your question might be of a different size and build than you are, so what good is their opinion going to be?

    : )

    Mackabee
  • canccanc Member Posts: 715
    Does the new 4-cylinder in the Camry employ a timing chain? Also, is it a non-interference engine?

    About what you said about seat comfort, it's true that nothing beats trying it out yourself, yet if most people say that it's uncomfortable, then chances are I'd be uncomfortable as well.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    REread post 2425. mackabee directly answers your first two questions.
    ~alpha
  • canccanc Member Posts: 715
    I thought so, but since I believe he was referring to someone asking about the earlier 4-cylinder engine, I wondered if the engine design still applies to the modern VVT-i engines. If so, that's great!
  • ravvie4meravvie4me Member Posts: 110
    Is all relative. Most seats are firm on a car with only a few miles on it. Seat comfort can be an acquired taste as the seats are broken in to the contours of the person who's going to be driving for a while. I thought my Highlander's seats were a little firm at first, but after the 1st 2-300 miles or so the seat gets accustomed to the driver and feels more comfortable than when new.
    You can't necessarily say that a car is "uncomfortable" after only a 5-minute sitting at a dealership or auto show at a local venue.

    -RAVvie4me
  • lasher5lasher5 Member Posts: 22
    The seat comfort on the 02 Camry is much improved over the previous seats. I'm 6'4" and I find the seats rather comfortable. However, The seats rock slightly on their tracks and the lumbar adjustment knob only seems to firm up the left side of the seat back so it's worthless. The dealer offered to replace the seat but a quick test of other Camry's on the lot proved that they all did this so a new seat would not solve the problem. Also, if you move the seat all the way back you will lose the use of the driver's door armrest as it does not extend to the edge of the door as was the case with last years model. The center armrest feels a bit flimsy and shifts side to side when in use. Has any 02 Camry owners noticed that the HVAC knobs feel a little disconcerting. I realize that they are electrical connected rather than mechanical but they feel weird when turned, like they are not connected to anything. I'm sure I'll get used to it in time. These are nit-pick complaints in what is otherwise a superb automobile. Now if the car's grill would just stop looking as if it were grinning I would be happy. It sure beats the awful front of the new Lexus ES 300.
  • canccanc Member Posts: 715
    Thanks for the comments about the seats. On another note, I completely agree with you about the Lexus' front grille. It's definitely a head turner, but I'm not sure if it's for the right reasons!
  • ficklefickle Member Posts: 98
    I'm glad you mentioned that about the "sliding" seat, lasher5. The driver's seat doesn't move on my car but the passenger's seat will move slightly but only when I have it at a certain position. I was going to bring it in also but once I slid the chair to a different position, it stopped sliding.
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    Just out of curiosity, are those of you experiencing shifting seats referring to the standard mechanically adjusted, or power seats?
  • ficklefickle Member Posts: 98
    My driver's side power seat is fine. It's the mechanical?/non-power one that "slides".
  • mackabeemackabee Member Posts: 4,709
    slide. You will notice this after driving off. If the seat was not "seated" in its track it will slide to the forward detente when you get to your first stop light. The best way to adjust the seat is to move to where you feel most comfortable, then "rock" your body back and forth until you hear the seat click onto the track. This morning was unusally slow at the dealership so I spent about an hour sitting in the front and the back seat of a Camry. What a comfortable car. Would've taken a nap on the back seat, but a mechanic came by to take the car into PDI.

    : )
    mack
  • canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    Since you seem to have some time on your hand :), may I ask you another question on the dealer-installed alarm? (yes, I am borderline paranoid) In the accessories brouchure, under security systems, it says various options available, or words to that effect. Are there more than one alarm available for the Camry? And do you know if many of your customers install after-market system without any problems? As you probably know, some manufacturers who shall remain nameless (one starts with H and rhymes with Rhonda) warns that all sorts of electrical catastrophies will befall your car if you dare install anything aftermarket.
  • ahossaahossa Member Posts: 152
    When will the SE 4 cylinder automatic will be available in the New York Region? I asked a couple of dealers here in NYC and they told me that Toyota doesn't disclose production schedules.I know this is not so as I have seen such info on this board many times. I remember reading that Nov will be XLE production. Can you find this out, please. I've made many attempts to find one in the CAT region but they are always gone. Seems lots of out of towners are snapping them up.One of the salesman in Delaware told me that most people from NY buy the seI4 auto.
  • canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    Or were you just pointing out my question to him? If that was the case, thanks!
  • cncmancncman Member Posts: 487
    Someone asked earlier about decontenting, from what I have read and seen, here's what I know of, toyota switched to single galvenized steel on one side instead of both, this helps with corrosion resistance, the weatherstripping around the doors was cut down. And if you look at the gap in the front of the drivers door (with the door open) on the inside where the door meets the fender you can see the foam sound insulation padding. Other than that, I am not sure.
  • lsclsc Member Posts: 210
    If you go to the Carmax website, you'll see that they are selling the Camry for $400-500 over invoice. Also, Northbrook Toyota told me $500 over invoice about a month ago for the Camry LE.

    I was all ready to buy it until I saw that the LE came with rear drum brakes. I didn't want to order a car so I went over to the Nissan dealer and checked out the Altima 2.5S and 3.5SE.

    I thought the 2.5S wasn't powerful enough and decided that if I was going to buy a 4-cylinder car, I'd get the Camry SE. But after driving the Altima 3.5 SE, I knew that this was the car that would keep me happy for at least 3-4 years. Sliver 3.5SE.
  • mike366mike366 Member Posts: 3
    Does anyone have experience with the effectiveness of the electrochromic (auto-dimming) rearview mirror (standard on XLE; otherwise optional)? Does it provide any anti-glare enhancement as compared to the standard day/night rearview mirror?
  • raybearraybear Member Posts: 1,795
    They switched to single side galvanized steel to help with corrosion resistance? Seems that would make it worse.
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    Saw a V6 SE in Phantom Gray with gray leather, sunroof, and navigation. What a heavenly car! It would be only better with black leather.
  • MULAWYERMULAWYER Member Posts: 24
    I don't have it now, but my parents have the auto-dimming mirror in their Avalon. I love it! It makes everything a bit darker and a green (I think) tint, and I didn't have any problems with glare. Much better than the flip day/night mirror!
  • cncmancncman Member Posts: 487
    sorry, that was worded poorly, double sided galvenized steel helps with corrosion resistance, the inside is not, providing less corrosion resistance.
  • minsterminster Member Posts: 5
    Hey Macanbee or other toyo expert...what's this about car and driver picking on the se tires as only good for summer only... is this true? also can't believe they picked the current accord over the 2002 se... what are they smoking!
  • canccanc Member Posts: 715
    To me, Car and Driver adopts the "performance is better" attitude, and seems willing to sacrifice comfort over sport-tuned suspensions, brakes and tires. They don't talk about having to drive a car in real-life conditions, such as driving it on a bumpy highway as a commuter car, or on holiday trip with a destination a few hours away. The Accord is a nice car, and I'm eager to see the next generation, but I'd take the Camry over it because it still offers a better ride than its Honda rival.
  • aftyafty Member Posts: 499
    Um, that's the exact opposite of what the Altima people are saying. C/D rated the Altima lower because the ride was too firm and was just overall too sporty for the test. I think they picked the Accord because it was a happy medium between the two.
  • canccanc Member Posts: 715
    I guess I just don't understand C&D anymore. Fortunately I unsubscribed from it and picked up Automobile Magazine.
  • sebring95sebring95 Member Posts: 3,241
    are meaningless beyond hashing out the non-objective issues such as power, features, etc. Saying they just liked one more than the other means nothing to me. I usually look at some basic comparisions (0-60, g's, HP, Torque, etc) but you have to drive em all to be fair. They have praised the Accords for years (decades?) and I've yet to drive one I really gave a darn about. Don't know why, but I've always driven an Accord when testing and never liked them. The main reason for years was you couldn't get a V6 and the 4 bangers remind me of wind-up toys, but even when the V6 came out they still didn't feel right to me.
  • jhchangjhchang Member Posts: 1
    Today I just called a dealer in San Jose, and
    was told that XLE V4 is not available to SF
    bay area. I think he was lying because another
    dealer just emailed me saying that they will
    sell their XLE V4 in stock for $300 over invoice.
    Haven't seen any price this low so far. BTW
    invoice is $22499 in SF bay area, with leather
    + CD changer + moon roof + wood trim except
    nav..
  • maxamillion1maxamillion1 Member Posts: 1,467
    Let me just say from the hop, that I am a big time, I mean BIG time 2002 Altima fan. BUT I have to say that the Accord deserved to win the comparison. Why?

    Well for one thing it cost less than a comparably equipped Camry, much less when you compare the top of the line Accord EXV6 to the XLEV6 without the Navi.

    It also has a lot of refinement, not to say that the Camry doesn't, because it does, but for the price, it clearly should be the winner.

    It not stylistic are anything, neither is the Camry when you think about it. It also packs a lot of standard feature which are optional on the Camry and some items that aren't even available. For example steering wheel radio controls. I no, the Camry has the optional Navi, but look at how much it cost.

    For the comment about performance, if that were Car and Driver's main reason for the comparison, the new Altima would have beaten them all, It was the fastest and probably handled better than any of them. Even though I want the new Altima, I can clearly see why the Accord beat it and the Camry. It's a comparison for people who need good dependable transportion for a set sum of money, the Accord was cheaper than the other two Japanese makes, while having compariable features and a lower price than both. For the sake of arguement, I believe that even if they had used the Accord EXV6(I think they should have) the Accord still would have came out on top.

    This BTW is just my opinion.
  • canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    maximillion: you are wise beyond your ears, or years, or both. That was a very astute commentary.

    Jhchang: Is it possible the dealer was answering you literally word for word? Because there is no such thing as a XLE V4. There is no V4. Ask him if there is a XLE 4 cylinder. But if the above was the case, then I wouldn'tnbuy from this guy because he's either a jerk or an idiot.
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