Used Toyota Camry Saloon 2001 - 2004 review
Boring but capable
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Executive
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What's the used Toyota Camry like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Reliability
Stuart Milne
Updated: 1 January 2006
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What's the used Toyota Camry like?
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Overview
Boring but capable
Pros
- It's well equipped, spacious
- incredibly reliable and cheap
Cons
- It's hard to imagine a car with less image
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Toyota Camry
2.5 VVT-h Design CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr
£10,489
Toyota Camry
2.5 VVT-h Design CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr
£17,495
Toyota CAMRY
2.5 VVT-h Design CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr
RRP £30,074
£17,990
Toyota Camry
2.5 VVT-h Excel CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr
£22,500
Toyota Camry
2.5 VVT-h Excel CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr
£22,610
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2.5 VVT-h Excel CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr
£22,985
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Look past the fact that the Camry has none of the image or prestige of almost any other car in the executive class and there's a huge bargain to be had for canny used buyers.
It also comes loaded to the gills with luxury goodies, especially the 3.0 V6 model. However, what that model doesn't have much in the way of is performance, because it's better suited to relaxed cruising. The 2.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine - the only alternative - is quite happy to rev hard, but it becomes a bit too noisy for comfort when it does. There are Sport versions of the Camry, but the firmer suspension does little to cure the car's tendency to lean in corners and it also causes more lumps and bumps to be felt in the cabin.
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Ownership cost
How much does cost to run a Toyota Camry?
The 3.0 V6 engine drinks fuel at 24.0mpg, while the 2.2 improves this to 30.0mpg, but both will drop drastically if the engines are made to work hard on the motorway or mooch around town.
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At least Toyota's servicing charges are notably cheaper than for more mainstream executive rivals', and independent dealers will cost even less. Replacement parts are not as pricey as they once were because Toyota now looks on the Camry as an older model. Insurance will be one of the biggest costs, even though the car costs relatively little to buy. Insurers look on the Camry as an oddball and charge accordingly. The other significant cost to bear in mind with the Camry is depreciation - regardless of what you pay for one, it will continue to lose money at a faster rate than most rivals, especially on newer cars.
Our recommendations
Which used Toyota Camry should I buy?
The 3.0-litre V6 engine is not as easy on fuel as the 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine, but we can forgive this when you consider its ample and relaxed power delivery. It's also whisper-quiet in normal driving and comes with an automatic gearbox as standard.
The 2.2 is ideal for those racking up more miles, thanks to its better economy, but the pay-off is that it's less refined than the V6. Overall, we prefer the larger engine, especially because you'll get all the kit you can dream of on V6 models, including electrically powered leather front seats, cruise and climate controls and alloy wheels. You may also find Sport models, which have firmer suspension. But, the Camry could never be considered a sporting option when the likes of the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series exist, so stick to the standard car.
How reliable is the Toyota Camry ?
Toyota Camry
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Toyota Camry
2.5 VVT-h Design CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr
£10,489
Toyota Camry
2.5 VVT-h Design CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr
£17,495
Toyota CAMRY
2.5 VVT-h Design CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr
RRP £30,074
£17,990
Toyota Camry
2.5 VVT-h Excel CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr
£22,500
Toyota Camry
2.5 VVT-h Excel CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr
£22,610
Toyota Camry
2.5 VVT-h Excel CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr
£22,985
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Stuart Milne
Title: Digital editor
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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.
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