Used 1997 Toyota Camry LE 4dr Sedan Consumer Reviews
Used Camry for sale
Old Reliable!
Pete Barrett, Champaign, IL, 04/30/2018
updated 05/02/2024
Toyota Camry LE 4dr Sedan
8 of 8 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! Update 4/24. Well, I guess at some point you have to say goodbye. Old Reliable was finally done in by frame rust so pronounced I had to send it to the junkyard at 276k. RIP.
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Pleased
Pleased, 06/16/2009
Toyota Camry LE 4dr Sedan
13 of 14 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.
1997 Toyota Camry for sale near you
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Teddy 1997 Toyota Camry LE
Sheila, Cincinnati, OH, 11/16/2015
updated 11/18/2019
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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Love it
Matthew Thomas Brodsack, Santa Monica, CA, 02/11/2015
Toyota Camry LE 4dr Sedan
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
Ive had 2 camrys, a 99 and a 97. both are extremely reliable but ive had a couple of quirks with mine. i dont know if anyone else has had the problem. The starter wouldnt engage on either one from time to time, quick fix just tighten the cables on the starter. The other is the flex exhaust coming right of the headers burns out. Both of the issues happened to both of them. cheap quick fixes. Looking for a new one because the previous owner left my 97 sitting for over 2 years and it rotted the seals (would happen to any car) and i seem to pouring money to fixing seals here and there. My cars are just bad luck though, these have a record of going 300,000+ and i just wish my car was maintan
Resurrected Joy
Speedy, 02/19/2010
Toyota Camry LE 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought the '97 Camry in 1999 with 49000 miles on it. It always burned oil. The car drove great, never let me down for 8 years straight. In 2006, I had to get the front and rear seals replaced but was expected after 140000 miles. In 2007, we had a bad snowstorm in Cleveland. I floored the engine to get over a big snow bank in my driveway. Two days later the engine started knocking. It sat in my driveway for nearly three years before I finally replaced the engine. I am very happy I did. It is better to have an old car with great performance and gas mileage than a newer guzzler.