I'm considering what to buy for my daughter to drive. She's a new driver, so I'm looking for reliability, a little size, and ABS. Looking at the FAQ it looks like I need to watch out for sludging. Anything else? Are there any really problem years? Or really good years? Is ABS a common option? Any comments would be appreciated. Any other web sites to check out other than this one?

I drive an '82 RX-7 with 200K miles, and an '85 RX-7 with 110K miles. I just replaced my wife's 95 Windstar (135K miles) with a 2003 Windstar. I've got jack stands and I'm not afraid of using them. I just don't want to use them on the side of the road.

Eric

I recommend the Camry for a new driver. It saved my life in a major accident. I walked away without a scratch but my 96 Camry was technically totalled (My insurance allowed my friend to repair it for less than what a garage would charge).

It's easy to drive. It's not too big but not too small. It gets good mileage and it's safe safe safe.

I've only had to replace my timing belts and my radiator.

yeah, like everyone else has said, they are very safe cars. i have a 98 camry le myself. other than the timing belt i havent had to do any major work to it. '97-'01 camry's have problems with engine sludge, but there is an article posted on this site that talks more in detail about the problem. it's not as serious as what people have made it out to be. toyota has made a few over 3 million camrys in those particular years, and only 1 in about a 1000 have had a major problem due to oil sludge.

personally i like the camry. just keep good maintenance on it, and it will last you way over 200,000 miles.


I recommend the Camry for a new driver. It saved my life in a major accident. I walked away without a scratch but my 96 Camry was technically totalled (My insurance allowed my friend to repair it for less than what a garage would charge).

It's easy to drive. It's not too big but not too small. It gets good mileage and it's safe safe safe.

I've only had to replace my timing belts and my radiator.

I just bought a Camry as a choice for myself. An Accord might also be a good choice for a new driver. It's a little bit smaller so there's more room for error in tight spaces. They make a good standard shift, which new drivers need to learn. On the accords, some previous years had break problems. But...that's all in the margin. You cannot go wrong with a Camry...get a two door so it doesn't become the party wagon.

as far as safety goes i have to say my '99 Camry LE V6 has been in a few hit and runs and that thing is a rock.. but from my experiences, the new camry is a little bit underpowered, or at least not up to competitors.. i'd have to agree with beaker777, accord is definately worth a look, i also own a '98 accord and it has much better driving dynamics and control of the car with a much nicer, easier layout for the interior.. personally i would recommend the accord but if you're sure about the camry, i have to say my camry has been awesome.. all of what you listed, reliability, maneuverability, managable size, abs, and a lot more.. camrys are much more comfortable and refined than the accord, so go for it.. hope this helps.. --michael

My current 93' V6 LE is my first car (I'm 17). I've had it for almost a year and cannot complain. As far as first cars go its easy to drive, should get decent mileage with a V6 (i get horrible mileage the way I drive with over 170,000 miles on the clock) and pretty good with an I4. But speaking of mileage, the car wont blow up until atleast 400,000 miles :). The quality of the car is up to Lexus spec as any Camry owner who has sit in a same model year IS300 would notice. Even though I have a 3rd Gen, I would suggest a 4th gen so you get passenger side airbags.Good luck!

If you like doing some general maintenance work yourself then go with a Camry. The difference in time and difficultly it takes to replace brake rotors on Camry versus an Accord will make you a believer in Toyota.

If you are considering a Camry, which I would recommend highly, I assume you would want a used one. One thing to keep in mind is in 94 Toyota went with dual front air bags and the a/c is 134a from the factory. I had almost 200,000 miles on my 94 when I traded it and it was a great car--best I have ever owned. These cars are well built! We bought my wife an 04 last year and I don't think the quality is as good--IMHO.

Good luck,

Mitch

i just bought a 93 with the 2.2L , wich i highlly recamend, instead of the 3.0 v6. the v6 takes up WAY too much room in the engine bay, and its not that much faster anyhow. the 2.2L 4 cyl is pretty darn peppy anyhow, and its WAY WAY WAY easier to get parts for and to work on, if you do your own maint and work. toyota laid out the 2.2L very thoughtfully.

great car, mine has 115K on it and it drives great!

id get another and recamend another in a heartbeat!

If you like doing some general maintenance work yourself then go with a Camry. The difference in time and difficultly it takes to replace brake rotors on Camry versus an Accord will make you a believer in Toyota.
What's the story on replacing the Accord rotors? What makes them more difficult? I think I read somewhere that they also have to be turned(surface cut) while mounted on the car. Thanks for any info.

The rotors are between the hub assy and the steering knuckle, and the hub assy must be removed before the rotors can be taken off.

When looking at used cars I would have it fully inspected. It wouldn't matter how good a model's reputation is if someone abused the one you're looking at. A carfax report will not tell you if a car has been in an accident unless it had frame damage or was considered a total loss (salvaged title). Besides having the mechanicals inspected, I would run my fingers along all the body lines (all the gaps between panels like the hood, doors, trunk etc.) to see if the car has ever been wrecked or had paint work done to it. Any difference in gaps or roughness in paint is a sure sign that the part was replaced or repainted. Also beware late model cars with 10-20k miles on it... those are usually rental cars being resold.

Camrys are pretty good cars, from what I have seen. Sludging could be a problem, but if the car is well-maintained, it shouldn't pose too much of a threat.

Mine's got 225k miles on it, and has needed a fair deal of maintenance, but it's still running with few problems.

I highly recommend a Camry newer than Gen3 for their safety features. I'm a proud owner of a '93 which currently had 281,000 miles. I've had the Camry for about 2 years now, and haven't had any problems with it at all.

Posted by Goldenblade - 07-29-2005 at 03:09 AM

Posted by jeffery_too - 11-02-2005 at 02:47 AM



Dude... Don't dig for gold.

I have a 2000 toyota camry le v6. Now with 85k.

Bought it brand new. Ive had minor problems. Such as the main seal leaking at 60k. But besides that the car has never left me stranded anywhere. Starts up everytime like clock work.

Although I said you should get a camry. If I where to buy an auto now. Id go for the nissan altima. Nice auto!

I got a '98 Camry, 250 000 Kms, still running great despite a few minor glitches.

I effing love that car.

FOUR MONTHS OLD people... Quit posting damn LoL!

Aren't you like...5 months old?

I think this thread is a moot point. Since you won't take the hint, I will lock it.