Toyota Camry 2006 and earlier

billmahan

One more thing. I know that 3 of 4 Camrys are sold with the 4cyl. engine. I rent them all the time from Hertz and they have plenty of get up and go for the type of driving I do on business. Acceleration is sufficient and I have no complaints at all about the 4 cyl.

However, in my opinion, if you can spare a few extra dollars the V6 is definitely worth the price difference. I don't know about retaining dollar for dollar, but I just think the V6 is the better value. I also don't know which engine requires more maintenance over a period of time, but I can say that all three of our V6 XLEs have never had an engine problem of any kind. We do change oil every 3,000 miles vs. the Toyota recommendation of 7500, but that is the only additional maintenance that we have done.

I hear that the Accord EX will have a really nice look in the '03 model, but after after 3 excellent Camrys it's just too hard to switch for looks alone.

bugnetting

Hi,

My mom is looking at the '02 Camry LE V6. The '03 lists at about $500 more. We're on a budget, so is there all that much difference in the 2003 model to make it worth spending the extra cash?

Thanks!
Bug

fredvh

No. There is virtually no difference between the 2002 and the 2003. If she will be keeping it for several years she should buy the 2002. It is a good time to buy because of the model year close-out and the incentives. Good luck!
BTW, are the 2003s on the lot now?

bugnetting

Thanks for the info Fred :-) We purchased an '02 V6 Camry LE today.

No, there weren't any 03's on the lot. I got the prices from Toyota's website.

Cheers,
Bug

carrelman2

If you go on the Toyota website you will see that the price for the 2003 Camry will be the same as for 2002. You probably got your information of a $500 increase from some stupid salesman looking to sell you a 2002 model. Don't you know that automobile salesmen are the lowest form of people on earth?

cliffy1

"Don't you know that automobile salesmen are the lowest form of people on earth?"

What a horrible thing to say about another human being. So tell me, who is the highest "form of people on earth?" How did you come to these conclusions? Where did this hate, bigotry and intolerance come from?

coolguyky7

It was a bit overgeneralized but I'm sure he refers to those who are ignorant of the products they push. You on the otherhand are always kindly willing to provide accurate information to all those who desire it.

cliffy1

You should have read the post I deleted. It really gets my goat when people look down on others for nothing more than their chosen profession. I see little difference between this and all other forms of bigotry. I have always been a believer in judging the person after allowing them time to demonstrate who they are.

coolguyky7

Cliffy you're right.

bartalk2

On the other hand, people who lie, cheat, and swindle do not deserve our highest regard. That is not bigotry.

diploid

The profession of selling cars isn't exactly held with the highest respect to begin with. I don't see why people get upset when the profession is attacked - this is a car site, and people will talk about their buying experience - both good and bad. I've dealt with some nice car sales people before so I know the broad generalization doesn't apply to everyone.

cliffy1

...and priests who molest children should similarly be held in low regard, as should residents of low income communities who rob banks, world leaders who kill their own citizens with poison gas and doctors who bilk insurance companies. The quote I was objecting to was the one that said "Don't you know that automobile salesmen are the lowest form of people on earth?" The poster did not say to be careful about accepting advise from a salesman because some have proven to be dishonest. He said sales people are the lowest form of people on earth. I am a salesman. He was talking about me. There was no qualifier, just hatred for a class of people. That is bigotry.

It may come as a complete surprise to some of you that salesmen are fairly normal people. In my store, we have several with college degrees, we have recent immigrants, we have retired government workers, former military, a refugee from Afghanistan (from the Soviet occupation) and a host of other unique individuals. Most of us have families and mortgage payments. We have hobbies and interests outside of the dealership. Many of us view this as a career and not a job. The quote in question was VERY offensive to me. I don't care to be sent to the back of the bus just because of the misdeeds of others in my industry.

pat

Cliffy, you make excellent points.

The Town Hall is fortunate to have a number of good salesfolks such as yourself hanging around helping us all out presumably just for the fun of it.

Anyone who knows you here knows that and appreciates you as a good, fair and helpful person.

It's time to move on now, though.

Thanks.

dog2wolf

Had driven a 94 Camry LE, I somehow get a little disappointed to this new 2002 LE 4cyl. Since bought it two months ago, have put over 3k miles. It runs better than my Mazda 626, but still felt the car is not as quiet as it suppose to be, compared with 94 LE in my memory anyway. Also the steering is heavier.

Not sure if this is common, or just happen to me.

BTW, I like the car in general. The service department of the dealership in Boston downtown sucks.

parnola

Is anyone aware of a website that lists the standard equipment and option packages for older Camrys? I'm in the market for a used Camry and would like to know what was standard on the XLE, for example, in several different years. An online version of the brochure would be great! Thanks.

cliffy1

A lurker sent me an e-mail last night but my reply came back as undeliverable. I just wanted to say thank you for the nice note and explain why I have not replied. Feel free to contact me any time James.

yanker

Somewhere there is a post that states the 2003 Toyota XLE will have a six disc stereo instead of the cheap one disc version. Is this true? Any other changes?

bartalk2

Yes, plus fog lights, I believe. No price increase, as I understand. They'll be giving them away when the new Accord arrives.

8u6hfd

SE and XLE only...as standard equipment.

Didn't check if LE gets it as an option.

sam_beaver

I have a 2002 XLE, naturally without fog lights. I've never had a car with fog lights. Are they actually useful in the fog? Or is it just a pretty little extra that makes a car look different?

If they aren't useful now, perhaps they were once, just as the glove compartment may once have been used to hold (gasp!) gloves, and the cigarette lighter to, um, I dunno, my 2002 XLE doesn't even have one.

8u6hfd

I believe in fog lights, in the fog and rain, but they have to be yellow, I prefer the contrast of of yellow fog lights.

billmahan

I've been out of the car market for a couple of years. Waiting for the '03 XLEs to arrive. We have 3 Camrys, and although a few minor problems here and there, we've enjoyed each one. Reliable they have been. Sexy, maybe not, but certainly reliable.

So Bartalk, tell me why I should wait to see the new Accord before getting my '03 Camry? Looks will be important, but other things matter too.

And I know the dead horse has been beaten enough, but in my several years on this forum, Cliffy has been like a lighthouse. Not necessary on a sunny day, but sure nice to have there when it gets foggy. Which it often does when speaking of cars. I'd say Cliffy is Camry-grade reliable.

bartalk2

New Accord out next week. Big increase in V6 power (240hp), faster and sportier than the Camry, designers used Passat as the model, dual zone climate control on the EX, less expensive than the Camry, many other features, etc., etc. Should give the Camry a run for its money.

andrelaplume

It is coming from a little piece of hard rubber/plastic that runs on the inside of the top of the door area that the window closes into. The rattle/crackle occurs with the window up or down or when you push on this little piece with your fingers. Some have said to spray silicon in this area but I do not see how this would help unless the silicon got up underneath this piece. I probably did not do a great job describingg the part but if you look in the area on the inside of the car and follow along the portion where the window goes when fully closed you will see it. It is the same way on the passenger side which explains why I get the same noise there.
Is there a fix? IS there a bulletin? If I could get rid of these (and the one behind my radio) my car would be almost perfect!!!

bklynguy

Prices were just released today for the new 03 Accord.

MSRP
DX 5-speed auto - $16,600
LX - $20,000 most popular model 2002
LX V6 - $23,000
EX - $22,400
EX & leather - $23,700
EX with navi - $25,700 includes leather
EX V6 & leather - $25,800
EX V6 with navi - $27,800 includes leather

additional features available ( dealer installed ) :

XM radio ( 100 digital channels ), you subscribe for about $10 every month , available Oct.1

MP3 CD player ( 6 Disc in-dash changer ), you can burn between 130 & 155 songs on one CD , I have 2 CDs with 284 songs on them, ID3 tags supported ( name of artist, song title on display ), ability to navigate over 100 songs in a few seconds

DVD entertainment system - 2 flip back 7" LCD screens behind the front seats with video camera & video game input ports / wireless headphones

hands-free cell phone

andrelaplume

So much for the 'Cheaper than Camry' assumptions! That TV option sounds good!

diploid

The new Accord is only more expensive by 1.37%, or $293, than the outgoing model.

anonymousposts

Isn't a Camry XLE V6 upwards of $29,000? Why yes it is. By almost $3000. Base MSRP on a XLE V6 Camry is $26,000 then you have to add navigation, leather, moonroof, and side curtain airbags. A LE Camry optioned like an EX 4 cylinder Accord is the same MSRP. And there are a couple of options on the Accord that aren't available on the Camry.

andrelaplume

You likely can not go wrong with either...like the prior post said the LE and EX (bread and butter models) are about the same price and comparably equipped. My guess is that the Camry may have a few options that do not appear on the Accord too...though I would expect the Accord to better the Camry slightly...after all it came out a year later and thus has the opportunity for one-upsmanship! Has Honda increased it's power train coverage to 5/60? See, an argument can always be made either way until one of these suckers starts to have a poor mechanical history--- God forbid!

PS: I bet you could spend 29K on the Accord too!

cliffy1

Thanks for post #4222. That was extremely kind of you to say.

cliffy1

They are both great cars. I don't think a bad decision can be made between the two. It really comes down to personal preferences. Traditionally, the Camry has been a bit quieter, smoother and has a more refined interior. Historically, it has had better torque at lower RPM. It has a longer power train warranty and doesn't gear hunt. Ergonomics has always been better for most people. The Honda tends to be less expensive, sportier and not as... ummm... stodgy I guess. Honda usually has more HP than the Camry.

Both are reliable, comfortable and great values. There is no need to get mad at those who disagree with your individual preferences. Neither is there a need to force others to agree with your personal tastes. This is a Camry topic, not a comparative one. Perhaps listing Accord specs is better left to other topics.

bodydouble

Yes, in Canada.

cliffy1

Is that miles or kilometers? LOL

KThomp100

Typical with Honda, you only get ONE interior color choice for a given exterior color. Toyota, even in the Corolla offers two different choices on most of their models. This would be enough swaying power right there for me to choose the Camry. Honda has always been that way though and I hated it when I had my 98 Accord coupe. Wanted red exterior with charcoal or black leather...nope...just ivory interior was available. Of course I wrote to Honda with a suggestion of more color choices for the interior and got no response.

bodydouble

Actually 100,000 km, or did you know that already and were just being facetious?

billmahan

I was looking at Edmund's pricing vs. Kelly Blue Book and noticed a $410 price difference on the '03 XLEs. It is in package #8. Edmunds says MSRP is $2530, while KBB lists it at only $2120.

Other than that, all other prices (base, opt. #7, etc.) are exactly the same.

Can someone explain the difference? I know the dealer will probably want the higher price and if KBB is incorrect....so be it. But if not, I'd sure like to keep the extra $410.

Thanks.

cliffy1

Stupid joke I know. I was just trying to get off the whole Honda issue here in the Camry topic by asking an absurd question.

anonymousposts

A guess a Toyota salesman would like to get people off the subject of an Accord.

cliffy1

Please refer to post #4231 before making an innuendo like that.

ecvc03

I wonder what makes some people like Japanese cars over American cars. I didn't feel the Camry was much better than the Taurus. Could anyone tell me why they chose over the Camry? And what do Toyota owners think of Ford.
thx

ahossa

Yu Really want an answer to that question?This board will light up like a xmas tree on a topic like the one yu're suggesting. Just test drive the new Accord and you will see for your self.

maxamillion1

Well, for starters, let us look at the overall picture.

The Camry has better interior materials, than ANY FORD, quote that, "ANY FORD" Also, the ride of the Camry is much nicer and less floaty. The Camry is still floaty compared to the Altima and Accord though. The exterior panels have fewer gaps and are better composed and put together. The Camry's drivetrain is much better. The materials, as mentioned before, are better in the Camry compared to the Taurus. In the Camry you don't have those cheaper looking plastics, and those small look-a-like buttons.

I do like the Taurus though, and I think it's the best built and most refined Domestic Brand family car, but it still cannot touch the new Camry nor the Accord. But it's right on par with the new Altima in interior refinement and in someways better.

maxamillion1

Resale value is very important as well. This is where the Camry and especially the Accord shine. The Taurus is sold mostly to fleet buyers, so resale will suffer greatly.

black_tulip

I like the Taurus. In fact, when I have to rent a car, I always rent a Taurus from Hertz. I like the ride, handling and comfort. The reasons I do not buy a Taurus are:
1) Poor resale value
2) Not sure about long term reliability(100K+)

hawks1

I got my first look at the new Accord today. I'm sure it's mechanically an excellent car, particularly with its new engines, tranny, build quality, etc. But since I was interested only in the 4 cylinder, I'm certainly glad that I purchased my '02 XLE Camry instead. The engine size for the 4-cylinder Accord and Camry are very similar (160HP vs 157 HP). The new Accord just doesn't look as roomy inside as the Camry nor is it as attractive on the exterior. Also, the trunk is almost 20% smaller than the Camry, and certainly this would be a deal-breaker for me as I need a larger trunk. The front end of the Accord is rather attractive but the rear end is not - somewhat of a cross between a Saturn and a Buick Century. Again though, perception is certainly subjective and I'm sure others will view the new Accord differently. It no doubt will be a big seller for Honda.

maxamillion1

I agree with just about everything you say, to me the new Accord does look smaller than the new Camry, a lot smaller. That's a good thing for me though. The styling is definately bulkier to me, and looks shorter than the current version, but it's actually longer this time around. The Honda dealership in the Spartanburg, South Carolina area had a 2003 LX model parked right beside a 2002 Black EX, and from a distance, you couldn't tell the difference between the two, but from the front, the new Accord looks very different. I like the styling overall, but I think the VW Passat new Mazda 6 and Nissan Altima are the trend setters for this segment. The Camry looks much better than the previous model though. The tough decision for me will be deciding between the Camry SE, Accord EX, Mazda 6i, VW Passat GLS and Altima 2.5S....it's amazing how far along the competition has come in 5 short years.

8u6hfd

Having, really no interior color choices is one of the reasons why the Accord is less expensive (another is the lack of optional equipment).

silvercrown

I was initially hesitant to respond to this question, but in the end, I couldn't help myself. :-)

Why buy a Camry instead of a Taurus?

Here's a few R's:

1) Reliability
2) Refinement
3) Reputation (for high quality)
4) Resale Value

Toyota has long since acquired and maintained an excellent reputation for making high quality vehicles that run forever. That reputation is well deserved. The Camry, specifically, is a great example of this. It is very reliable, refined and has much better resale value. Maxamillion makes some excellent points above that further illustrate my viewpoint.

I say this as a former Ford loyalist, former Sable owner and current Camry owner. I come from a "Ford family" and drove nothing but Fords until I broke away from the fold and started choosing my own cars without a family consensus. I bought a few GM cars, 2 of them Saturns, which I was very satisfied with until I felt I needed something larger.

This is when I let blind loyalty, family influence and a rock bottom price lure me away from buying a used Camry (my original plan) to buying a demo Sable against my better judgment. I never liked the styling of that car and I had a number of problems with it during the short time that I owned it. I had to replace the windshield due to a huge water leak on the driver's side, had it serviced for a rough idle/start and stall, rattles in the dash and the driver's door, replaced the airbag and diagnostic monitor, and replaced the radio/cassette player. All this happened while the car was less than 2 years old.

I now have a Camry LE V6, that is nearly 3 years old and I have had ZERO problems with it. Only regular maintenance has been done on it. I have taken great care of it and it still looks and operates like new. My friends are always amazed at how immaculate it is and the smooth, quiet ride it gives. Almost like a more expensive luxury car. And it gets decent gas mileage for a V6. While it is not the flashiest car on the block, it is still much better looking than the 97 Sable that it replaced IMO. (I sold that car at a loss just to get rid of it and get something better). And I do believe that I bought something better. Time has already shown me that much.

Never again will I buy anything, especially something as major as a car, out of blind brand loyalty only. I'm sure my Dad was happy that I bought a Ford, but he didn't have to drive it or take it to the shop so often. I was never happy with that car. Lesson learned.

When it comes down to it, I have total faith in my Camry that it will take me where I need to go and back with a minimum of fuss. That I can count on it to do what it was designed to do with reliablity, refinement, and quality. And that when it's time to sell/trade it, I won't get gouged so badly. These are some of the reasons why people (such as myself) would buy a Camry over a Taurus or other Ford product. Even though I wish Ford did make a product that I'd want to buy so I can use my discount. LOL

When I do decide to get another vehicle, it will be mostly to get something a little more stylish. That is the only thing that my Camry doesn't have in spades. However, the car I buy will still need to have the "4R" attributes that I listed above in order to be seriously considered. Other than that, I'll stick with my Camry for the duration.

cedarpark

Hi,

Test drove a Camry XLE (4 cylinder) with essentially the HE package (leather, 6 disc changer, aluminum alloy wheels) and thank god no sunroof (I'm 6 foot five and every inch of head room is important to me).

I liked the vehicle, and decided to see what the salemsan would offer. The color was this neat blue/green (hard to tell--it was raining) that I'm hoping is what they call the aspen green.

Edmunds states this car should be $22,289. The car already had 250 miles on it, which to me, combined with the fact that its a year 2002 model, should lower the cost. As well, I noticed that instead of putting the HE package as one cost, they had itemized it, and it made it much more pricey.

Well, salesman said invoice (which he printed out), was 22696, and no way they were going to sell the car under invoice. He would make no adjustment for the mileage at all, and stated that maybe this was "too much car for you." He implied I could offer $100 over invoice, but I left.

This seems to be my experience anytime I try to get near TMV for the Austin, TX area. Am I nuts for trying? Should I just give up? I enjoyed the car and the ride a bunch, but another will always come along. I just wonder that since these cars have such a great rep., and just a few dealers in town, if they'll ever be reasonable.

cedarpark

2nd dealer on this car has told me that their invoice on the car I described in post 4249 is 22686. He quoted me an "internet offer" of 22,986.

Only extras were glass etching, and wood grain (not researched those, don't know what those mean/worth) which added 278 to the cost of vehicle?

Any opinions, please?