Used 1997 Toyota Camry Consumer Reviews
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Old Reliable!!!
D. Hill, 03/06/2016
1997 Toyota Camry CE 4dr Sedan
20 of 20 people found this review helpful
I bought this car in 2003 and still have it today. It had 51,000 miles when I bought it and it now has 290,000 miles. It has been in a few accidents, the body it beat up but the engine is a diamond. No noise and run perfectly. Door handles broke off, inside and out. Old Reliable still has more life let in it. I'm keeping this car forever, until the wheels falls off. This car will give you your money's worth. Low maintenance costs in the 13 years I've had this car.
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Way better than the 07 XLE V6
SJTim, 03/21/2010
1997 Toyota Camry LE V6 4dr Sedan
15 of 15 people found this review helpful
Bought new in 6/97 and have been extremely happy since. Been to the garage only twice for the steering leak and suspension. Still running strong at 155K as of 3/10. Got rear- ended in 07, legally totaled but mechanically perfect. Hoped a repeat experience and bought a top-of-the- line 07 XLE V6 w/Nev from the insurance money, but the 07 is no where close to this one in terms of build quality and had it traded in <3 yrs. Fortunately, I've kept this one. I'll keep it until it dies, if it ever happens. Too bad and sad, Toyota is not making Camry the same way any more. ATTENTION CURRENT OWNERS: Do yourself a favor, don't trade this 97 with a latest model of Camry. This one is unbeatable.
Teddy 1997 Toyota Camry LE
Sheila, 11/16/2015
updated 11/18/2019
1997 Toyota Camry LE 4dr Sedan
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
Car was bought in 2001 had 64k miles at purchase, now has 171, 110 miles on it and so far still going strong. Car is now 20 years old and counting. I'm still driving it. Totally reliable and dependable strong. Will definitely buy another Toyota whenever this one stops working. That's my Teddy he is strong and smooth runs like a champ. STILL RUNNING STRONG NO MAJOR PROBLEMS LOVE IT. Would love a new Camry if I could afford it. But I will keep this one. Still looks great.Teddy still going STRONG NO MAJOR ISSUES😍😍😍😍. No longer own it was sold
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Pleased
Pleased, 06/16/2009
1997 Toyota Camry LE 4dr Sedan
12 of 13 people found this review helpful
Bought this LE with 63,000 miles on it and now have 173,200 and counting. Got nine years on original battery. I use synthetic oil and grease. Best MPG was 39.3 interstate out of Texas. Replaced timing belt @ 100,000 and all four struts @ 160,000. Ceramic disc pads and new rotors @ 150,000. Basic maintenance and this car just will not give up. My '90 Camry was @ 348,000 miles & was still running last year! Test drove a 2007 LXE & it isn't near the car my '97 is.
Old Reliable!
Pete Barrett, 04/30/2018
updated 05/02/2023
1997 Toyota Camry LE 4dr Sedan
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I’m on my second Camry. I’d still be driving the first one (‘92 w/299k) if my daughter hadn’t rear ended someone with it. My current Camry is a ‘97 with the 4 cylinder engine; has 233k on it. What a machine! Here’s the things to know about these cars. You WILL be replacing the door handles. You must change the oil regularly, swap out brakes, batteries, tires, the usual stuff. My first Camry needed the rear strut bushings replaced (I’m told this is common; listen for the rear end to making bumping noises at speed). Don’t replace the struts; replace just the BUSHINGS. I replaced the radiators on both of the Camrys; easy job. Perhaps this would have been avoided with regular flushing by the previous owners. On the newer Camry I’ve also replaced the alternator. AC units can be a bit touchy; my first one had to be replaced ($1,400); my second one has also needed a new compressor. I also had brake lines rust thru right under the drivers seat on the ‘97. Again I’m told this is not uncommon. Cost very little to replace. Parts are as cheap as can be for these cars, as is maintenance. Haven’t heard of a trans going; I have heard of engines being blown, but that could be a lot of things. Keep up on swapping out the timing belt! Don’t let it overheat!! Update: she's still plugging away in Chicago with my daughter. She had some front end work done ($650). Everything else keeps on working just fine. I think she's at 277k. (BTW, these cars ride and feel more solid and heavy than they really are. Plus they are like mountain goats in snow). With these basic tips, and buying wisely out of the gate, you will drive these cars until you can’t stand them anymore. They will be handed down to at least three family members...assuming your daughter doesn’t rear end anybody! Update: Car now has 240,000 on it. Replaced power steering pump (yea, don't try this yourself). Also had all lights in trunk fail; this is a common problem. There is a wiring stalk in the upper left of the trunk lid that is bends when you open and close the lid. Over 22+ years it caused the ground wire to break. It's actually not that hard to repair if you can find it in the flexible casing. Side issue it caused; the gear indicator on the dash lit up "reverse" when you were in "drive." Ground wires being broken can cause a lot of weird things, yet they are inexpensive to fix. Update: Camry has 250k; just the usual maintenance. Brake pads, tires only changes. Runs like champ. Update: car is closing in on 280k. She’s got to re-align the front end (vibrates a bit over 65mph), and the front passenger exterior door handle has broken…again! Other than that, she keeps on being old reliable!
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