Though i'm not aware of all the issues with that gen camry, one that I know of (cuz it got me) is that the VSV (vaccum switching valve) goes bad, or starts sticking. This will end up costing a few hundred. This issue is not all that common, and I think they might have changed the VSV in the mdidle of production, so an 00 or 01 might not have the same problem (i have a 98, with 142k on it).
Not sure if ABS is standard, but i'd definately want it.
You can definately tell that there are no more than 4 cylinders under the hood, but it's not the slowest of cars. I have no problems accelerating onto highways and such. Sometimes the noise of the motor reving to 4.5k+ and staying there for a few seconds while it tries to get up there can be annoying, but such is the curse of an i4. I wouldn't worry about the numbers so much. The car has enough power to get you onto highways without a problem, and I've had to take some pretty unforgiving onramps before.
Solely Highway driving (I drive fast~82mph average) is about 32mpg, can get it up to about 34-35
if i keep it below 75...yea, that doesn't happen much. Only city i get at least 25. Mixed i typically get about 27. Just maintain it, keep using fuel system cleaner every oil change, works like a charm.
I think the soundsystem is pretty damn good for a 4 speaker car. I was quite impressed. Plenty of bass if you want it, speakers are nice and clear. You gotta remember though, it is still only 4 speakers. Sometimes I can feel different amplitudes of sound from different directions, but that's when I know I need to get some more sleep.
Its a good sized economic car. It does its job, and it has enough of everything, including safety. Just don't expect it to sweep you off your feet with any one part of it, but everything put together makes a damn good affordable package.
Hope I helped