• Our Opinion

• Buy with Confidence

• Legal Disclaimer

Our Opinion

Our Opinion

We Like:

Space, comfort, quietness, family-friendly design, big boot, good dynamics, usual Toyota reliability and durability

We Don't Like:

Bland styling inside and out, 2.2 engine works hard to haul heavy body around

The Australian-built Camry, released in February, 1993, was a much larger car in all directions than previous models. It was based on a widened Lexus ES300 floorpan, hence the "wide body" tag which Toyota used so effectively in the Camry advertising campaigns. In reality, the Camry's interior space is roomy and almost matches its main four-cylinder rival, the Magna. Toyota used the extra size to good advantage and equipped and marketed the Camry to compete for sales in both the medium and full-size sectors. Holden also sold the Camry, rebadged as the Apollo, through its dealer network. But the Apollo was not anywhere near as popular as the Camry because model sharing confuses buyers and they tend to shy away.

There were 14 models in the Camry range which included sedans and station wagons in three equipment levels with four and six- cylinder engines. The Executive equipment level was aimed at fleet buyers, followed by the mid-level CSi and the luxury level Ultima. The CSi has power steering, central locking and a four-speaker AM/FM radio/cassette. Air-conditioning and anti-lock brakes were available as options. Inside, the Camry's front bucket seats are well shaped and supportive. The rear-seat back is split 40/60 and folds down for interior access to a big boot. The interior is trimmed in woven cloth.

Toyota improved the safety and security of the Camry in mid-1995 with a remote control anti-theft system, belt lockers on all seatbelts and a lap/sash belt for the centre rear-seat passenger. A package of ABS brakes, airbag and air-conditioning became available as an option. The CSi level comes with a 2.2-litre, four-cylinder engine delivering 95kW at 5200rpm and 185Nm of torque at 4400rpm. Toyota used some clever engineering to produce a smoother four- cylinder engine. Two balance shafts are gear driven directly by the crankshaft, instead of using chains or belts which eventually wear out. The Camry's good fuel economy and large capacity fuel tank gives it a better than average range. Reasonable driving on the highway can stretch the distance between fuel stops to more than 750km. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual, which has synchromesh on all gears including reverse, but the optional four-speed automatic was the most popular choice. The Camry has independent suspension all round using MacPherson struts and coil springs with anti-roll bars at the front and rear. The steering and handling are much better than previous models while the ride remained good even if it did not quite match the Magna.

The wide-body Camry has established a reputation for being reliable and trouble free. Running costs per kilometre are one of the lowest for a front- wheel drive car. This has helped retain value and hold prices up. The Camry is an excellent choice of transport for the family with a combination of almost full size interior space, good quality and ample power for most people.

Buy with Confidence

Buy with Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Australia and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Check the car's value and determine how much you want to pay. Use the Completed Listings search option to get an idea of how much a similar model has sold for recently.

• Check if the car is covered by eBay Australia's Vehicle Purchase Protection.

• Ask for a test drive or consider getting a History Check or a Vehicle Inspection if you can't inspect the car yourself.

• Read the description carefully. If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Australia (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Australia are not covered by eBay Australia protection programs. Classified Ads are not covered by Vehicle Purchase Protection.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• Cars listed by Sellers with a feedback rating less than 0 are not covered by a Vehicle Purchase Protection program.

• Some car dealers may have a low feedback rating because classified ads do not generate ads. But they will have a icon next to their user name.

• Depending on the car, some car dealers provide a limited warranty. Do they offer a warranty on the car you are buying? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, you may be covered by the Vehicle Purchase Protection program

• Vehicle Purchase Protection: When you buy a car online through eBay Motors, you may be covered for up to $20,000 of FREE Vehicle Purchase Protection insurance*.
  
  * Terms and conditions apply.

eBay Australia Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay Australia's quick and efficient resolution tools.

Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.

The content of this guide is licensed from GoAuto © 2006