Toyota Camry 2006 and earlier

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Comments

  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    "To reproduce it, your vents must be open, you must be a consistent "heavy accelerator" type of driver, accelerating from any speed to high speed aggressively, with occassional interruptions."

    Who drives like this? I consider myself a very aggresive driver, but even I would not say I drive like this. Consistenly accelerating to high speeds from any speed aggressively, with interuptions is a great way to put excessive wear on your tranny (kickdowns), and brakes (you wouldnt need to speed up if you never slowed down). Please dont post when your rotors are warped prematurely, I will not care to read about it.

    Now, I live in NJ and completely understand the necessity of merging on to highways agressively and safely, and passing vehicles on two lane roads and starting and stoping from stoplights on highways and thoroughfares. BUT even those situations, if you did stuff like that 10 times a day, would require the driving you outline, castleowner.
    I'm perturbed.

    ~alpha
  • castleownercastleowner Member Posts: 42
    I stand corrected:

    To reproduce a sulfur smell, your vents must be open, you may occassionally be aggressively accelerating from any speed to high speed, with occassional interruptions, for example, driving on a freeway during high traffic rush hours.

    I usually notice it during heavy acceleration between 90kmh and 140kmh, while downshifted and between 3000-4500 rpms.

    alpha01, IF the rotors warp on this camry due to my digital driving, I will be dumping this car. I have a 12 year old lumina that has had rotors changed ONLY once, even though it goes through the front disc pads every 2 years due to heavy stop and go usage. AND the chevy tranny has not required any work at all - keeps on shifting despite frequent kickdowns even at 120kmh over 12 years. I should hope that the Camry will match or beat that, even if it is driven hard.

    I have no comment on "who drives like this?". Thats for a different forum, however, ever been to Toronto? The speed enforcement just isn't there and some big rigs are going at 140kmh. It never used to be that way.
  • lilybeanlilybean Member Posts: 18
    Ya know; I've heard that over & over about the shopping around for warranties, etc...but when all was said & done, I got one phone call from a Toyota dealership and one frome Warranty Direct and an offer from my long-time insurance broker. I got zero responses (of any value) from multiple eMails. So hear's what I ended up with: The "street value" of the Toyota 7yr/100,000mi. 0 deductable plat. warr. was $1445 & I wheedled 'em down to $1150. Hubby didn't want to play the game any more by the time we finally picked up the car, & frankly I was pooped too, so we cried & whined a little but took it. I guess I'm OK with it...at least it's a done deal & we can move on. I surely don't know how people managed to get better than that, but I'd love to hear how! The people I talked to were tougher than nails! Think they've been tuning into the net on the sly? They were tough! Well, heck...I'm so tired I called in sick...and I NEVER do that!!! But I LUV that Camry! (I'd design a couple of piddlely things differently, but no one has appointed me Empress just yet!) LOL!

    "Lily" who's plum tuckered out from all that hagglin'!
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Empress. There you go. Now, what would you design differently?
    I'm excited about taking the 'rents 02 Camry on a 480 mile trek out to the university this wknd.... Its such a great car for RT. 80 in Pennsylvania! This will be the first time that I exclusively will be on an extended trip- I'll definitely post my observations, and make comparisons to MY 00 Camry. And when I get back from the wknd, we should have hit the 10K mark... so its time for servicing! (we take it in every 5K)
    ~alpha
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    watch out for the cops on I-80 in New Jersey first.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    I actually get on I-80 in Pa near "The Crossings" outlet mall, and I'm hopin my radar detector lives up to its claims. But dont worry, I speed safely.
    :)
    ~alpha
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    not many cops after Tannersville.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    Congrats on the purchase. I'm a bit surprised other dealerships didn't respond to your e-mails. I always answer mine when a customer inquires about one.
  • john345john345 Member Posts: 6
    Anyone have one of these? I purchased the nose mask for my '02 Camry SE, and have noticed the small part that goes over the front of the hood doesn't fit well. Over 40mph, the edge flaps and flutters like mad and I'm afraid it's going to damage the hood. After one trip with it, I took it off and noticed a faint black line across the hood where obviously it had been hitting, and just washing didn't remove it - I had to use some cleaning polish to get the mark off. I've checked all the straps, and there doesn't seem to be a way to tighten it up so I haven't used it since. Has anyone else had experience with the nose mask and have a suggestion to keep it from fluttering like it does? I'm thinking I should return it to the dealer if it's not going to fit right.
  • jdeibjdeib Member Posts: 70
    DON'T use it. Take it back. I had the same problem on my 2002 SE. I took it off after the first time and noticed some faint lines, so I washed and waxed the area and re-installed it. Then, the lines got worse and it wore four tiny spots on the front where the velcro strips go through the grill. I went to my dealer and they repaired the four spots slightly buffed the hood to remove the line, and refunded my money. They then recommended a local person who installs the 3M nose masks and I got that instead.

    I'm very pleased with it and the guy did a great job. It's a little funky looking at first but no more strange than the mask is to some people. One nice bonus is that it dosn't have to be removed in the rain/snow.

    The reason that the mask is fluttering is that the front grill is part of the hood. Thus you can't get a complete seal on the mask like you can with a hood that doesn't have a grill attached to it.

    Good luck,

    Jayme
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    As over time the bra will do two things:

    1. Scratch the paint
    2. Paint fades differently

    A 3M Clear bra, while more expensive than the typical vinyl bra, although it's permanent, allows the paint underneath the fade with the rest of the paint.
  • bartalk2bartalk2 Member Posts: 326
    Check the Accord site. New Accord will offer 240hp V6, voice actuated NAV, sporty handling, telescoping steering wheel, etc.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    honda mo co lied to me....still resembles a Camry, especially the body lines of the 1997-2001 generatiom.
  • wolverine_xwolverine_x Member Posts: 54
    the new 2003 accord resembles nothing like the new camry except that they have both high belt line. Have your eyes check, I beg you.

    Accord used to be a benchmark for this class of car. But it was taken away by Toyota or VW, I am not sure. But I have strong gut feeling that the next generation of accords will set standards once again.

    Dont you just love it? When car manufacturers tries to up one another, its the consumer who wins?

    Happy motoring! PEACE.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    I mentioned the 1997 to 2001 Camry -- not the new 2002 Camry.

    Look at the body crease that runs along the car, from the front, pauses at the windows (still very 1997 to 2001 Camry-like), and continues at the C-pillar (very Camry-like) to the trunk-lid....still very Camry-like.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    So, what's your point?

    you don't see the body crease and the c-pillars I speak of?
  • bklynguybklynguy Member Posts: 275
    Honda had to increase the HP with the V6 to keep up with the Altima. I don't think the magazine is wrong with the HP number. The 4 cylinder number could be higher , we'll have to wait for the big 3 car magazines in the first week of August to confirm the HP number for the 4.

    The new Accord looks good from the side, the rear could be a little better but I have a feeling that it will grow on most of us. I think that the interior will look even better than the exterior. I wonder if Toyota will respond with changes to the 03 Camry ( 5 speed auto, more HP with the V6, etc. )
  • 4apexs4apexs Member Posts: 36
    Anyone know if it possible to order, install the fog lamps (that come on the SE) onto the XLE?
  • john345john345 Member Posts: 6
    Jayme, thanks for the comments. Now back to the dealership to get a refund!! And I may look into the 3M mask.

    John
  • paul29paul29 Member Posts: 178
    Who manufactured the bra you had installed ? I am in the process of ordering a Colgan brand, maybe I should hold off.
  • jdeibjdeib Member Posts: 70
    john345: Good luck to you. I think you will be happier with the 3M.

    paul29: The mask was a genuine Toyota part. I'm not sure who makes them for Toyota. I do think that you will have the same problem with any of the manufacturers due to the drawback of the grille being attached to the hood. It can't form a complete seal to prevent air from getting underneath and causing the flapping. I have to say, the mask itself was quite nice, I had a Toyota mask on my previous Camry since new(1992) and had great luck. Likewise, my father has one on his '98 Avalon and my brother has one on his 2000 Camry with no problems. Thus, I personally believe that the hood/grille design is the problem.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Quick Question: The maintenance manual that came with our 2k Camry recommends service intervals of 5K miles or 7500 miles. Does it really make a difference? Theres just something about 7500 miles that seems too long... The 5K service schedule is supposed to be for "severe" use, which, under Toyota's specifications, we really dont fall under, but for my family's first vehicle PURCHASE in long time, one which we would like to last us at least 10 years, I feel better about the 5K inteval... is this silly?
    On my lunch break I hope to post my observations on regarding a 500+/-mile trip I made this weekend in our 02 Camry LE 4.
    ~alpha
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    Baxsed upon the sludging problems some people have had with the Camrys, especially the V6 you may wish to consider 3000 mile intervals or use synthetic. 7500 way too long using dino.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    Sludge or no sludge, I personally wouldn't consider the 7500 interval for any driving conditions. I just think the whole car benefits from more frequent service.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Yea, I'm not really worried about sludge (since the family relating to the 2.4L in our Camry shows no history of such). I just wanted to make sure the 5000 mile interval was a good decision. Cliffy, if the whole car benefits from more frequent service, why does Toyota provide an entire manual outlining 7500 mile service intervals? I think its a pity that everything is so damn confusing. Taking this another step- should I really be doing service every 3750 like the Service Dept. recommends (mainly because they charge a ludicrous $27.50 for an oil and filter)?
    ~alpha
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    One word... Advertising. Unfortunately, the politics of advertising is figured heavily into maintenance schedules on all models. If Brand X and Brand Y both have similar cars, with similar features at similar prices, but one had half the "reccomended. maintenance intervals," that brand can advertise a lower cost of ownership. When the other brand notices this, they change their schedules to match or beat it. Believe me, it happens more than you would think. This is a very competitive market.
  • armtdmarmtdm Member Posts: 2,057
    You do not have to use the dealer, but, based upon Toyotas history of honoring a warranty get a receipt that shows everything, oil used, mileage date etc. You can get it done cheaper.

    I have a 92 Camry and go 7500 between changes with synthetic, 146,000 now.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Regarding servicing- I have decided to have my parents follow the 5000 mile service interval. In the maintenance brochure that comes with the Camry, there is a very visible statement from Toyota regarding the Factory vs. Dealer recommended servicing. It says that if you elect NOT to perform maintenance recommended by the dealer, but are still in compliance with the guidelines from the manufacturer, you will not in any way void the warranty. With 5000 miles on the oil in the car now, it is still very clean (to my eye). Enough of that- its boring. Back to the car.

    What a great long range driving vehicle this car is! On I-80, this car fairly sails down the road. The 4 cylinder offers refined power, and the 4speed auto delivers it seamlessly. The car is simply cut rate luxury. I feel old beyond my years saying so, but the composed, serene ride and peppy four clyinder make this car a treat to drive-no hassles, no annoyances, just a great ride. No constant downshifts like to make up for a lack of power such as in our 2000 4cly. The V6 can only be better, I imagine, but I question if it is now really worth the extra cash. Best yet, I got 28.9 MPG over the first 370 or so miles of the trip. Our 2000 Camry NEVER posted that figure on the same drive. I can understand the criticsm about the seats- the front cushion is short, but then so am I (at 5-7), so I really didnt have a problem. The car handles well, though not sportily- less body roll than the previous Camry. And I think our car looks great with its alloys and Stratosphere Paint.
    BUT
    The Continental tires on this car are horrible-no grip. I can't wait until its economically sensible to change them for Pirelli P400s or some other good, reasonably priced tire. I REALLY MISS the auto-on headlights, and the C-pillars are still a bit too wide for my liking. The temperature gauge isnt accurate for the first 5 mins of operation, I feel the speedo is a bit optimistic, and I'd appreciate a firmer brake pedal (though the brakes themselves feel strong). Nigglings issues, but issues nonetheless. No rattles though-very impressed with this US built Camry.

    Is this the perfect family car for $22K MSRP? Perhaps not for all, but for our family, its damn near close. Can't wait to sample a comparable 2003 Accord.

    ~alpha
  • cjtscjts Member Posts: 13
    I have, sadly, being advised by the service manager and the DSM (District Service Manager) to file for arbitration for REPURCHASE of my 2002 LE V6 Camry. I really LOVE this car but there is a serious problem with it and Toyota DOES NOT have a fix for it. Has anyone ever being through the arbitration process? Do you have any idea of how the repurchase is done? The service manager said that they buy the car back subtracting depreciation. Do I get the sales tax back? Would they return the whole cost of the extended Warranty (Platinum 6/100K $0 Deductible)? I would really appreciate your help. I have already started the process with Toyota, have a case number and I am just waiting for some paperwork.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Wow. Sorry to hear about this issue. What is the problem with the car? Interesting that you still LOVE it, despite the fact you will have to enter arbitration over the vehicle.
    Cliffy- can you help this guy out? Its probably information that we all should know.
    Good luck, cjts.
    ~alpha
  • cjtscjts Member Posts: 13
    Hi Alpha, I would rather not discuss specifics of my problem in this forum, as I know it will be a big issue for EVERYONE that owns a 2002 Camry. It is related to the ECM. The Master Service Manager at the Dealer and the DSM spent more than an hour explaining to me what the problem is. Toyota knows that ALL 2002 are affected and they cannot find a way to fix it. Replacing the ECM is not an option as all of them are programmed the same way and they do not have an alternate way to program it. I know that all of this sounds very tragic and unsettling. Well, IT IS! I do not, however, want to start a revolution. At least not yet. As I said previously, I do LOVE the car. It has the best ride (this is my second Camry), it is quiet, powerful (enough) and looks great. Sadly, it has the bugs inherent to a new production model. Hopefully it will get better. If I get my money back (I payed cash), I'm heading straight to a Lexus dealer.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    Well said. Thanks for the info. Sorry things didnt work out with your Camry.
    ~alpha

    PS-Does anyone know of any (most likely) minor changes to the 2003 model?
  • joedbobjoedbob Member Posts: 27
    I have a 2002 Camry XLE V6. Please, what's the ECM?
  • cjtscjts Member Posts: 13
    Cars have various ECMs, the main engine and transmission board (computer) is the one involved here. I know that a lot of you will be concerned about this issue but I would not like to bias you in any way. Maybe you have not noticed the problem, and telling you about is not going to help it. Toyota doesn't know how to fix it and it will only turn into a headache for you. I go crazy every time I drive my car. If you haven't notice it, you are better off.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    Since the DSM suggested the arbitration and has already committed to a buy back, you are in very good shape. I can't tell you everything you want to know but I'll give you as much information as possible. If you are replacing the Camry with another Toyota, they will do an "equity transfer." This means they pretend you bought another car from the beginning. It is a paperwork nightmare from their perspective but works quite well for you. I *think* taxes are rolled to the new car on these but I'm not positive.

    If you paid cash, the procedure is much more simple and they just give you a new car and buy yours back.

    If you are not purchasing a new Toyota, I honestly don't know how they handle things like the payoff (on a financed car) or the taxes.

    The huge advantage you have right now is that you know the outcome of the arbitration. They have already told you they are going to buy the car back. Most people don't have such assurances before hand. I believe they still must go through the motions of the arbitration to make it legal, but you should be in good shape. Ask the DSM about the specifics of how this will happen.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    BTW, I appreciate the way you have approached this. Would you mind sending me an e-mail at sclifford@kjtoyota.com
  • whothemanwhotheman Member Posts: 169
    With this new 3.3L V6 coming out in a year, the Accord matching Altima's 240HP, conservative Toyota will drop the ball on HP for one more year, then come with 220-225 in 2004. I'm surprised no one at 'Yota saw this coming.

    They'll say people don't buy Camrys for HP, but we'll see in 2003 how the new Accord, and it's newfound muscles, changes their perception of our market.
  • alpha01alpha01 Member Posts: 4,747
    If you enjoy your Camry, then don't worry about anything. One of the problems with message boards such as this is that those who have trouble come seeking help (as well they should), but sometimes, this leads others among us (such as myself) to scrutinize over a possible flaw or perhaps what amounts to a personal issue (such as dissatisfaction with seat cushion length). I prefer not to find out what the problem with the ECM is- if its Camry wide, then so be it. Our 02 LE 4 has been awesome, and we expect it to be for a long time to come. We will maintain it, and if in some way it fails to meet our expectations, then we just wont be back to Toyota, but I can't see that happening. Read my post #3981 for my review of a recent trip I took.
    ~alpha
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    Can you clarify the ECM issue..we are all adults and I know that people hear an issue from one person and suddenly they have it too. Cliffy, can you elaborate in a politically corrcet manner as well. The only odd this I have noticed in the first 2000 miles with my 4cylinder automatic is it SOMETIMES abruptly downshifts around 40 mph...it's enough that you can feel it in your stomach...it does not always do it though. I just assumed this is how the car is to behave and so long as there is not any harm to the car...

    I would like the issue cleared up though. American cars generally are up front with recalls and problems...but with the foreign cars it can be like pulling teeth...who just thought: SLUDGE!
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    What is this? How much is it installed? What are the positives and negatives. There was some discussion is posts above but I have never heard of this 'invisible' protector....
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes, we are better off not knowing exactly what bothers others. I'll give you a real example of this. On another board, a person was complaining about a clicking noise he heard on his Tundra whenever he hit the brakes. As the owner of a Tundra, I wasn't sure what he was talking about until I drove home that night. Sure enough, I too could hear an audible click each time I hit the brakes. It happened every time but I had never noticed it before. It became distracting. This noise that had never bothered me suddenly became a huge problem for me.

    I asked my shop guys about it and was assured that it was a normal sound and only happened on trucks with ABS. I never got a complete answer on what caused it but am now certain that it doesn't affect the functioning of the vehicle.

    After several months, I forgot about it and it stopped bothering me. That is, until another poster complained about the problem. I began thinking about my truck. I told the poster something like "I too had that clicking noise, but it seems to have disappeared. I was told that it is normal and it is now gone. I wouldn't worry about it." I really believed the noise was gone because I hadn't listened for it in months.

    Well, that night on my way home, I thought about it again. Sure enough, it was still there! I began listening for it. It drove me nuts AGAIN. It had been there all the time but I had stopped listening for it. AAARRRGGGGHHHH!!!!

    The moral of the story is that you shouldn't go looking for trouble. If you do, you'll surely find it.
  • ficklefickle Member Posts: 98
    I have noticed the abrupt shifting (mine is around 50 mph) and I've asked my service department about it and they said there is no TSB out on it that they are aware of. But an article had mentioned the shifting also. (Can't remember for sure where the article was. MSN Cars or something.) Anyway, that is my one and only PET PEEVE about this car. But since it doesn't happen all the time it's not enough for me to go through the trouble of getting it "fixed" or going through arbitration.
  • bweavebweave Member Posts: 16
    Is this about the abrupt shifting or the "shudder" in the transmission when cruising between 30 and 50 mph? I have made a few comments about this about 500 posts ago so it's nothing new to me. My 02 Camry SE V6 does the same thing, but as long as it keeps running and doesn't affect long-term reliability then it won't even concern me.
  • hemihead1hemihead1 Member Posts: 5
    Does anyone know where one can get a front license plate holder/bracket for an 02 Camry. I've seen them on a rental car, but none of the new cars have them.
  • guevinjguevinj Member Posts: 15
    I am the second owner of a 1998 Toyota Camry LE 4 cyl. with 37,000 miles. On my last service, I asked the dealer to perform a state inspection. They told me the emergency brake was not holding, and that the brakes would need to be adjusted to pass the inspection. The brakes and the emergency brake are now very "tight". I also had them rotate the tires. The tires had never been rotated by the first owner at all, and I did not have them rotated until 30,000 miles. My steering wheel now vibrates at around 70 mph. I've noticed that my gas mileage has gone down noticeably since this service, and I wonder if either the brake adjustment and/or the tire rotation could have affected it. Should I go back to the dealer and have them readjust the brakes? Does the wheel shake from rotating the tires come from uneven wear, or do they need rebalancing? Should I have them rotate the tires back to the way they were? I checked the tire pressure and it's correct. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.
  • taurus2taurus2 Member Posts: 63
    Check out this link of a Camry, I like this one better then the one sold in the U.S.


    http://motioncars.com/autobuzz/articles21/toyota_camry.html

  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    They sell that one in Thailand. Let's keep our fingers crossed that it gets that for its refreshening in 2005. That Camry looks very upscale albeit the stereo unit.
  • andrelaplumeandrelaplume Member Posts: 934
    I am interested in installing the Toyota brand mud flaps. They come only in grey which I think would look fine on my 2002 White LE. Has anyone instlalled these themselves? Is it easy? How do they look? Are they worth it?

    I am still interested in the 3M invisible nose guard mentioned several posts ago. Again, I am looking for pricing and general info as to what it looks like?

    Finally, We finally got some rain up our way in PA and I have found the rain drips in quite a bit when the door is opened. How do those rain guards work? What brand would I buy? What do they cost? Do the stay put? Do they create wind noise? How do they look?

    Any input is appreciated!!!
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