• The Car

• Seat Plan & Seats

• Dash & Controls

• Wheels/Tyres & Luggage

• What's Changed

• Features

• Our Opinion

• Other Opinions

• Mechanical

• Safety

• Data

• Buy with Confidence

• Legal Disclaimer

The Car

The Car

Camry is routinely criticised for being bland but the Clark Kent appearance has not deterred buyers. Understated, inoffensive, well screwed together - is there a problem here? The overall look is smooth and integrated with a relatively short overhang to give it a sporting edge. Sporting? You bet, for while the driving experience itself - particularly in the V6 - is first rate, Toyota has shown that a few simple body enhancements can turn a stock-standard Camry into a real head-turner.

Seat Plan & Seats

Seat Plan & Seats

Seat Plan

The current generation of Camry/Vienta increased front legroom by 8mm and front headroom by 5mm. The 50mm increase in wheelbase results in more interior legroom.

Seats

Camry seats - notoriously flat and unsupportive - were designed with input from Japan, the US and Australia. All models have vertical seat height adjustment, now extending to 45mm. There is also a lumbar support adjustment lever positioned on the outer side of the driver's seat. A double-locking fore-aft adjuster is operated by a full-width bar across the front of the seat. Greater use of fabric on the door trims is designed to enhance continuity from the instrument panel rearward. The seat runners are set at a seven-degree angle from the floor so the seat rises as it slides forward and lowers as it moves back.

Dash & Controls

Dash & Controls

Dash

While somewhat bland, the dash presents the major controls in a simple, user-friendly format. The one exception is the fiddly radio head unit in the CSi. Camry CSX and Vienta models improve on this situation, and also provide convenient items such as an automatic transmission shift indicator in the instrument panel.

Controls

Power mirror and (where fitted) window switches are positioned close to hand. The power windows have a 45-second delay, enabling them to be closed after the key is removed from the ignition. The revised dashboard has brought the heater and audio controls closer to the driver's left hand. The gearshift and park brake are now positioned closer to the driver. Cruise control (standard on all but CSi) is operated from a switch mounted to the steering wheel. The steering wheel is adjustable for height.

Wheels/Tyres & Luggage

Wheels/Tyres & Luggage

Wheels/Tyres

The tyre design brief for Bridgestone requested improved - noise vibration and harshness - characteristics, with equal or improved handling, ride comfort and durability. Final constructions chosen - which were tuned for the vehicle - are branded Bridgestone RE92 for the P205/65 R15 95H (V6 models) and B249 for the P185/75 R14 89H (four-cylinder models.

Luggage

The rear seat split-folds 60/40 allowing easy expansion of Camry's 518-litre luggage capacity, which was claimed back in 1997 to be the largest in its class.

What's Changed

What's Changed

The revamped interior had Toyota claiming improvements in appearance, ergonomics, safety, comfort and convenience. The current generation introduced a new all-alloy quad-cam V6 that delivers 141kW at 5200rpm and 279Nm at 4400rpm.

Features

Features

Stand Out Features

Toyota's reputation for building excellent quality cars remains in tact with the current model Camry. The CSi grade has a good level of equipment for its low entry level price, but misses out on some important standard features - especially a driver's airbag. It might be bland and uninspiring to look at or sit in, but the balance Toyota engineers have found in ride and handling is nothing short of superb. While the four-cylinder engine is adequate, the V6 is a highlight of the Camry package.

Climate Control

Camry CSi and Conquest models use a combination of rotary dials and lever controls for temperature adjustment. SX and Vienta grades have a factory-fitted automatic climate control air-conditioning unit, with push-button controls and an LCD display. Air-conditioning remains an option on the CSi grade.

Sound System

The audio controls were relocated above the heater control panel for greater ease of use, but the standard CSi/Conquest system has small buttons which are fiddly to use. The standard CSi/Conquest stereo features a 25-watt security coded CD-compatible four-speaker electronic touch tune AM/FM radio cassette. The stereo has six AM and 12 FM presets, as well as seek and scan functions. Camry CSX and Vienta VXi have a 30-watt six-speaker radio/cassette stereo, and are hard-wired at the factory for the optional CD multichanger. A CD becomes standard equipment at the Vienta grade. Camry models have a manual telescopic radio antenna, mounted in the right-hand rear fender.

Security

All cars come with a transponder-type engine immobiliser. The system has a micro chip in the key, relaying information the engine EFI and ignition computer via the immobiliser computer using a "rolling" or changing code. All Camry and Vienta models have remote central locking, illuminated entry and exit, and owner-programmable two-turn door unlocking. Camry VSX and Vienta models have a programmable auto lights-off extension timer, which can vary the time delay between zero and 60 seconds. The doors automatically relock after 30 seconds if the car remains unlocked and the doors unopened.

Our Opinion

Our Opinion

We Like:

Reliability, handling, roomy interior, practicality

We Don't Like:

Dull design inside and out, adequate only four-cylinder engine's performance, short equipment list

Executives from Toyota Australia promised a cheaper Camry with the launch of the current series in August, 1997 - and they delivered. The base four-cylinder model, the CSi, is one of the lowest-priced cars in its class. The CSi does miss out on a few of the bits and bobs that come standard on other models, such as a driver's airbag, but the Camry does represent good value.

Apart from having a bigger body than its already wide-beamed predecessor, the car comes standard with remote central locking, an engine immobiliser, driver seat height adjustment, split/fold rear seat, cupholders and a radio/cassette. The audio system produces good sound but the control buttons are too small and fiddly. The car's exterior looks are pleasant if not inspiring. The same can be said of the square-shaped dashboard which even looks a little old-fashioned in the blandly generic grey interior. The ergonomics are generally fine and the seats firm and comfortable, although the front seats could do with a little more thigh support. Adjusting the seat back is a simple process with the latch providing infinite control via one lever. Rear-seat passengers will find plenty of leg and elbow room - in fact the Camry and its arch-rival Magna are by far the biggest models on sale in the medium market. The rear seat, like those in the front, is firm but comfortable and head room is fine. The car's longer wheelbase (up 50mm) and higher roof have given front-seat passengers more space with front legroom up 8mm and headroom improved 5mm. In terms of suitability for family needs, the Camry scores over its rivals by having the largest boot of any locally-made model. Getting into the car is not as easy as it should be with the exterior door handles difficult to grasp. Everyone who drove the car found their hand slipped awkwardly on the cheap-looking plastic handle. 

Four-cylinder models make up the majority of Camry sales and are powered by a slightly modified version of the 2.2-litre engine used in the previous model. Modifications to the engine have produced more low to mid-range torque while a direct ignition system has helped reduce exhaust emissions. The engine now develops 94kW and 187Nm of torque. Start the car and the familiar Camry four-cylinder whine is still in evidence but once on the move this engine is quiet and subdued. Performance is good rather than outstanding but no doubt it will satisfy most Camry buyers. Only near the top end does it get loud and a bit breathless, but it is never too harsh. The manual gearbox is mated to a well weighted, progressive clutch although the shift itself is rather notchy.

Overall, the new Camry is more wieldy than the old model. At any speed it impresses with rock-solid stability which makes it an easy car to point down the highway. The steering is firm and feels just right. Handling is biased towards understeer but it is well controlled and the ride, while on the firm side, is comfortable and controlled. But it is the lack of road and suspension noise that impresses most. Build quality is also at the top of the locally-made tree. Yes, this Camry is a very good car. It sits at the top of the medium market and yet there is still a question mark over its desirability. It again misses out on that almost inexplicable, intangible quality that stamps it as a car for enthusiasts. Perhaps it is just too efficient.

Other Opinions

Other Opinions

Which Car: "The (dash) plastic passes our soft-to-touch test but the seats - as we've said time and again - are as flat and lifeless as the styling inside and out"

Sydney Morning Herald: "Toyota's 2.2-litre four must work hard to deliver reasonable performance, though the superb soundproofing between engine bay and cabin means the driver is seldom aware of how busy things are beneath the bonnet"

Wheels: "Even the standard Camry now reasons with bumps instead of bludgeoning them"

Mechanical

Mechanical

Plan View

The Camry's engine - inline 4-cylinder or V6 - is transversly mounted and drives the front wheels.

Engine

The 16-valve twin-cam 2.2-litre engine is carried over but re-engineered to reduce NVH and improve driveability and fuel economy. It develops 94kW at 5200rpm and 187Nm at 4400rpm and is claimed to be quicker than before - 0-100km/h improves by seven percent to 12.2sec. Camry's new all-alloy 3.0-litre engine weighs 40kg less than the previous iron-block V6 and upped the ante 5kW and 15Nm to 141kW at 5200rpm and 279Nm at 4400rpm. Quick? Independent 0-100km/h tests put the CSi V6 auto at 8.5sec.

Suspension

Camry suspension is by MacPherson struts front and rear, with an L-shaped lower arm at the front end and dual lower links at the back. A new mounting system for the front anti-roll bar has increased roll control by reducing the period of uncontrolled body movement before the stabiliser bar is activated. The changes have allowed Australian engineers to reduce spring rates and front damper compression rates, and hence improve ride comfort.

Transmission

The fourth generation introduced a new four-speed automatic and five-speed manual transmission for V6 variants, and minor revisions to the four-cylinder's four-speed auto. Those included new gear ratios, which are claimed to reduce close to a second in the 0-100km/h burst. The revised V6 brought with it an intelligent, electronically controlled auto that eliminates the need for driver-selectable "power" and "normal" shift modes. Instead, the transmission monitors how much work the driver is giving the accelerator pedal and chooses the optimum shift strategy.

Brakes

Front brakes comprise 255x28mm ventilated discs with single 57mm piston floating callipers. The front brake calliper piston diameter has been increased on V6 models from 57mm to 60mm. Rear brakes on both engine variants are comprise 269x10mm solid discs with single 35mm piston floating callipers. The fourth generation Camry/Vienta introduced a new lightweight, faster-acting anti-lock braking system, which is standard on Camry Conquest and Vienta and optional on all other models.

Steering

Toyota made improvements on the Camry's power-assisted rack and pinion steering system for the fourth generation in 1997. The rack ratio has been changed and the power assistance characteristics retuned, giving greater ease of parking and increased on-centre feel at highway speeds. The new locally developed and manufactured steering gear has engine-speed sensitive power assistance. Turns lock to lock measure 3.06, while the turning circle is 10.8m.

Safety

Safety

Like many recent Toyota models, Camry was subjected to the company's Global Outstanding Assessment program for crash performance. A driver's airbag is optional on the CSi and standard on other variants. Three-point seatbelts are fitted to all seats in the sedan. The body features a side impact absorbing structure, with reinforced rocker panels and door surrounds and strengthened underfloor and roof crossmembers. Anti-lock brakes are optional on the CSi grade. Only Vienta models have adjustable rear head restraints. Impact absorbing pads are located in the door trims and pillars. The front seatbelt buckles are mounted on the seats and the upper anchorages are adjustable, improving the fit of the seatbelt.

Data

Data

Engine:

• Twin-camshaft, 16-valve four-cylinder

• Capacity: 2.164 litres

• Power: 94kW at 5200rpm

• Torque: 187Nm at 4400rpm

• Bore/stroke: 87mm/91mm
  

Transmission:

• Five-speed manual

• Four-speed automatic
  

Suspension:

• Front: Independent, MacPherson strut, L-shaped lower arm, dampers, stabiliser bar

• Rear: Independent, MacPherson strut, dual lower links, dampers, stabiliser
  

Steering:

• Power-assisted rack and pinion

• Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0

• Turning circle: 10.8 metres
  

Dimensions:

• Length: 4755mm

• Width: 1780mm

• Height: 1420mm

• Wheelbase: 2670mm

• Track, front: 1545mm

• Track, rear: 1520mm

• Kerb weight: 1350kg (1370kg auto)
  

Standard Equipment:

• Power door mirrors  

• Power steering 

• Seat height adjustment

• Split/fold rear seat  

• Remote central locking 

• Immobiliser  

• Cupholders

Buy with Confidence

Buy with Confidence

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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.

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