These problems aside, the previous generation Camry is a superb buy for the used car shopper. 
Mind you, you'll need to discard any inklings of getting a bargain. Owners and dealers alike know they can ask an extremely high price and close a quick sale without much haggling. Case in point, when I first did a review of this model in September of 2002 the lowest price for a 1997 model was $3,900 and the highest, about $13,000, rounded off. Now, almost three years later, the lowest price for a 1997 model is $5,900 and the highest is close to $14,000. That's an increase of $2,000 at the bottom end and $1,000 at the top end, despite the same car aging and racking up more kilometers than it had three years ago! Say what?! Rarely do run of the mill family sedans increase in value, and I wouldn't go buying up a bunch in speculation of this trend continuing, but the anomaly called Camry is a hot commodity and hot commodities demand higher prices. The same situation occurs for 1998 through 2001 models, by the way.
So, expect to pay a premium price for what many used car buyers consider a premium ownership experience.
Specifications:
** Mileage averages based on approximately 15,000 to 20,000 km travel per year (calculated in 2005 model year)
Mind you, you'll need to discard any inklings of getting a bargain. Owners and dealers alike know they can ask an extremely high price and close a quick sale without much haggling. Case in point, when I first did a review of this model in September of 2002 the lowest price for a 1997 model was $3,900 and the highest, about $13,000, rounded off. Now, almost three years later, the lowest price for a 1997 model is $5,900 and the highest is close to $14,000. That's an increase of $2,000 at the bottom end and $1,000 at the top end, despite the same car aging and racking up more kilometers than it had three years ago! Say what?! Rarely do run of the mill family sedans increase in value, and I wouldn't go buying up a bunch in speculation of this trend continuing, but the anomaly called Camry is a hot commodity and hot commodities demand higher prices. The same situation occurs for 1998 through 2001 models, by the way. So, expect to pay a premium price for what many used car buyers consider a premium ownership experience.
Specifications:
- 1997 Lowest-Highest Price*: $5,900 - $14,000 (120,000 to 160,000 km**)
- 1998 Lowest-Highest Price*: $6,900 - $15,000 (90,000 to 140,000 km**)
- 1999 Lowest-Highest Price*: $7,900 - $16,000 (75,000 to 120,000 km**)
- 2000 Lowest-Highest Price*: $9,900 - $21,000 (60,000 to 100,000 km**)
- 2001 Lowest-Highest Price*: $10,500 - $22,000 (45,000 to 80,000 km**)
- Body Type: 4-door sedan
- Layout: front engine, FWD
- Base Engine (97 - 99): 133-hp, 147 lb-ft of torque, 2.2L, 16-valve DOHC I-4
- Base Engine (00 - 01): 136-hp, 150 lb-ft of torque, 2.2L, 16-valve DOHC I-4
- Optional Engine: 194-hp, 209 lb-ft of torque, 3.0L, 24-valve DOHC V6
- Transmission: 5-spd manual (optional 4-spd auto)
- Curb Weight (min - max): 1,360 - 1,465 kg (2,998 - 3,230 lbs)
- Acceleration (0 - 100 km/h): 7.2 seconds (V6)
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/drum (optional rear discs, ABS)
- Cargo Volume (trunk): 399 L (14.1 cu ft)
- Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 10.0 / 6.8 L/100 km
- Direct Competitors:Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler Cirrus/Sebring, Daewoo Leganza, Dodge Stratus, Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 626, Nissan Altima, Saturn L Series, Volkswagen Passat
- Web Site: www.toyota.ca
** Mileage averages based on approximately 15,000 to 20,000 km travel per year (calculated in 2005 model year)
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