Toyota Camry?

[elmaso]

dunno if this is where this should go, any way.
my mum needs a new car (i suggested a commodore but she has a vendetta against the for some reason) so we were thinking a Camry (2003-2005 model) and i was wondering if any one has one or if they are good or not?

any info is appreciated
cheers in advanced.

[Astranomical]

They're an alright car, though you definitely want a V6 if possible (though I wouldn't get your hopes up - if your Mum is anything like mine her reason for having a vendetta against Commodores is that they are a 6) - 4 cylinder Camrys are as gutless as Hell.

[ari666]

the toyota camry is the mainstay of australian driving. they are bullet proof and will last and last and last. the newer camrys are pretty pricey as far as parts go, but servicing is really straight forward, very cheap to run and maintain.

i have a mate with a 93' camry, 500k kms on the clock with the original engine, not rebuilt, timing belt never changed, oil rarely changed. thing runs like its done 100k kms. only problem with it is the interior plastic is crappy and interiors fall to bits after 2kms.

other than that camrys are one of the best run-arounds you can buy IMO.

edit* i disagree with the V6 comment^^^ their V6's are no way near as reliable as the 4's

[wraith]

If it's just for around town then a decent example will be all she needs. Fuel efficient and reliable. What else could you want for a daily.

[elmaso]

sweet thanks all, it might do some towing (probably once in a blue moon). so we where think the 6, but dosent really matter. and she hates commodores because she drove a VC and hated it, i explained to her they've rebuilt the commodore 4 times, but she still says she hates them, might be my grandpas fault, because in hes book if it isnt a shitty yellow XE falcon its not a good car.
i swear he thinks that thing can fly......

[hwy747]

My grandma has a 1994 model 4cyl. They have replaced the alternator in it, and other than oil, fuel and brakes, nothing else has needed to be fixed. It also has towed their boat several times. It doesn't like towing but does the job ok. Personally I don't like them but when it comes to reliability, they are pretty awesome!

[VYMAD]

Have to agree with the above, Toyotas have been generally very good cars, and if I didn't hate anything other than a Holden, would probably go a Camry myself. Reliable, plenty of them around (good for parts and mechanics know all about them)

[a1k3m1]

yup ill have to agree with what everyone else has said so far, at work our whole fleet of about 7 cars are all camrys.. very rarely have any problems with any of them, and the other drivers drive them around like rally cars, smash into curbs rev the guts out of them and they still keep going strong, no rattles or anything.. only thing ive noticed is as 'ari666' said the interiors are a bit shabby, and the dashboards dried out and started to crack..

as far as the 4cyl goes, i dont think they lack in power at all, for the size of the car i think its pretty powerfull for a 4cyl .. wouldnt recommend it if you were to tow stuff alot, but you said that wouldnt happen often. and you could always use your car :P

but yeh their unstoppable IMO, even the land cruisers basically can drive underwater lol

[JSTCOZ]

mum has one and it's got 150,000km and never had an issue what so ever, great car to buy for a daily mum

[calais24/7]

yeah my grandparents had a 94 or thereabouts 4cyl and it had high kms due to living out in the country on a farm, it never had an issue becuase old people dont flog there cars and they run forever if taken proper care of. The sold it for a newer corrola automatic because of arthritis or something like that

[eddyinau]

Why would you suggest you mum to but a commodore? which is totally not necessary, i recken. besides camry is one of most economical cars , it is definitely a good choice.

[jujibelly]

We have an 05-06 Camry 4 banga I could honestly say that it's a perfect car. Cheap, unbelievably reliable, fast (no I'm not talking about racing) handles brilliantly, smooth, comfortable the list goes on. Very reccomended.

Although servicing is problem, farkers at Toyota roughly charge, your first born.

[elmaso]

alrighty, thanks all, our other option is a TJ magna (2003), so if theres any info for me on them i would like to hear it.

cheers all.

[ari666]

tj magna DONOTWANT

mitsubishi charge BUCKETS for spares. mitsubishi's DO NOT turn, literally. we had a convo about mitsu turning circles and the best comment was something like:

there is a sign on all the exits at mistsubishi which reads "last one to leave, please remember to turn off all the lights, power points and design the steering rack"

everything is plastic, everything WILL break, they are gutless for the engine size, they are thirsty and just horrible pigs of cars.

IMO

[elmaso]

haha, well the car my mum has now is a 240 volvo with no power steering, so she's familiar with harsh steering. thanks
also i think its cheaper t run an LS9 than it is that volvo....

[Blown V6 Hatch]

Camry for sure....LOL at a Magna, Toyota runs rings around Mitsubishi in every possible way.

[Pub247]

My mum has a 98 toyota veinta (luxo camry) V6 have to say excellant car quality interior (compared to commo and ford of same period) fully optioned. Never had a major issue drives well excellant economy and has got enough power to overtake. My only downside is front wheel drive. it has understeer problems and prolly chews the front tyres up too much for my liking.

But for your mum she wont care

[Shearer]

I don't think TJ Magnas are a bad car; smooth, quiet, they drive well and the 3.5 V6 have plenty of go too. Reliability may be questionable, especially compared to a Camry.

[DAVIDC]

Just on the Mitsubishi turning circle note, They are shiiiiiiiit. Dad had a 2005 Triton, The standard U-turn was turned into a 3 point Turn. He now has a 78' 351 F100 with 33x12 inch tires, no power steering and reckons it turns a lot better.

[supahot1!]

mate do not get the magna bloody ridicioulous turning circle caused my fathers life.

Do not go magna

Camry altise sport all the way

Very good car me secretary drives one from the company fleet and its great

awesome speakers!!!

[Bizmark]

How about the older camrys? late 80's to mid 90's, how are they as a runabout? May need one while i take the commo off the road to sort out some issues with it.

All i need for it is to be reliable (which the commo hasn't been lately), cheap to run/maintain (especially cheap to fill up) and quick enough (i won't it expect it to pick up as well as the commo if its a 4 cyl version, but i'd like it to keep up with traffic without flogging the living daylights out of it)