Pros
- Superb value for money.
- Excellent reputation for reliability.
- Huge support network.
- Relatively inexpensive to maintain and repair.
Cons
- Lacking in terms of safety, tech and equipment.
- Many are showing enormous mileage.
- Many have not been cared for.
- Overall reliable, although they aren’t without their gremlins.
Verdict
We wouldn't...
We'd be cautious
We would...
The Camry’s popularity has never been forged through performance, or a sexy image, or a luxury experience, the Camry has sold in the millions because it is a no nonsense, rugged, reliable and dependable car and if you’re on the tightest of budgets, this generation Camry is simply the one...
Publish: April 14, 2023
The 1997 to 2002 XV20 Toyota Camry was available as a sedan or wagon, packing either a 4 or 6-cylinder engine with a manual or automatic transmission and although all Camry’s in Australia powered the front wheels only, select markets did receive all-wheel drive variants.
Speaking of variants, depending on the year model and if it is a sedan or wagon, before the mid-life update you’ll generally have three specs to choose from however, there was a whole different Camry that wasn’t technically a Camry, but it was and that was called the Vienta.
The Vienta existed from 1997 to 2000 and was simply the fancy schmancy V6. It too was available as a sedan or wagon in two trim specs.
After the mid-life update in September 2000, the Vienta was discontinued and the Camry range increased to five variants like most updates, it included a subtle facelift, some mechanical changes and the levels of equipment increased.
The 1997 to 2002 XV20 Toyota Camry was available as a sedan or wagon, packing either a 4 or 6-cylinder engine with a manual or automatic transmission and although all Camry’s in Australia powered the front wheels only, select markets did receive all-wheel drive variants.
Speaking of variants, depending on the year model and if it is a sedan or wagon, before the mid-life update you’ll generally have three specs to choose from however, there was a whole different Camry that wasn’t technically a Camry, but it was and that was called the Vienta.
The Vienta existed from 1997 to 2000 and was simply the fancy schmancy V6. It too was available as a sedan or wagon in two trim specs.
After the mid-life update in September 2000, the Vienta was discontinued and the Camry range increased to five variants like most updates, it included a subtle facelift, some mechanical changes and the levels of equipment increased.
The 1997 to 2002 XV20 Toyota Camry was available as a sedan or wagon, packing either a 4 or 6-cylinder engine with a manual or automatic transmission and although all Camry’s in Australia powered the front wheels only, select markets did receive all-wheel drive variants.
Speaking of variants, depending on the year model and if it is a sedan or wagon, before the mid-life update you’ll generally have three specs to choose from however, there was a whole different Camry that wasn’t technically a Camry, but it was and that was called the Vienta.
The Vienta existed from 1997 to 2000 and was simply the fancy schmancy V6. It too was available as a sedan or wagon in two trim specs.
After the mid-life update in September 2000, the Vienta was discontinued and the Camry range increased to five variants like most updates, it included a subtle facelift, some mechanical changes and the levels of equipment increased.
Exterior:
Commonly found on examples that have been left out in the harsh Australian sun, never ever garaged, parked regularly near salt water or that have never ever been cleaned or cared for, the paint and clear coat can fade and degrade heavily.
The good news, with even the bare minimum of care, like washing it once every 2 years, the paint can handle harsh conditions very well.
There are reports that the tail light harnesses are known to wear out or break overtime due to the wiring routing through the hinges of the boot lid which it rubs against, resulting in the brake lights or reverse lights not working.
In very rare cases, and on automatics, this can prevent the transmission from deselecting park.
Interior:
There are complaints of centre consoles being flimsy and fragile, with latches and hinges breaking which then causes the console lid to come off.
Headlining commonly looses its adhesion with the roof.
The plastic or vinyl steering wheels have a habit of basically biodegrading.
There are some reports of the fan for the air con and heater only working at certain speeds, this is usually due to the blower resistor motor failing and therefore needs replacing.
Exterior:
Commonly found on examples that have been left out in the harsh Australian sun, never ever garaged, parked regularly near salt water or that have never ever been cleaned or cared for, the paint and clear coat can fade and degrade heavily.
The good news, with even the bare minimum of care, like washing it once every 2 years, the paint can handle harsh conditions very well.
There are reports that the tail light harnesses are known to wear out or break overtime due to the wiring routing through the hinges of the boot lid which it rubs against, resulting in the brake lights or reverse lights not working.
In very rare cases, and on automatics, this can prevent the transmission from deselecting park.
Interior:
There are complaints of centre consoles being flimsy and fragile, with latches and hinges breaking which then causes the console lid to come off.
Headlining commonly looses its adhesion with the roof.
The plastic or vinyl steering wheels have a habit of basically biodegrading.
There are some reports of the fan for the air con and heater only working at certain speeds, this is usually due to the blower resistor motor failing and therefore needs replacing.
Exterior:
Commonly found on examples that have been left out in the harsh Australian sun, never ever garaged, parked regularly near salt water or that have never ever been cleaned or cared for, the paint and clear coat can fade and degrade heavily.
The good news, with even the bare minimum of care, like washing it once every 2 years, the paint can handle harsh conditions very well.
There are reports that the tail light harnesses are known to wear out or break overtime due to the wiring routing through the hinges of the boot lid which it rubs against, resulting in the brake lights or reverse lights not working.
In very rare cases, and on automatics, this can prevent the transmission from deselecting park.
Interior:
There are complaints of centre consoles being flimsy and fragile, with latches and hinges breaking which then causes the console lid to come off.
Headlining commonly looses its adhesion with the roof.
The plastic or vinyl steering wheels have a habit of basically biodegrading.
There are some reports of the fan for the air con and heater only working at certain speeds, this is usually due to the blower resistor motor failing and therefore needs replacing.
Body Style:
4-door sedan (CSi, CSX, Conquest, Advantage, Intrigue, Touring, Vienta VXi, Vienta Grande, Azura)
5-door wagon (CSi, CSX, Conquest, Touring Vienta VXi)
Engines:
2.2 litre 4-cylinder petrol (CSi, CSX, Conquest, Advantage, Intrigue)
3.0 litre V6 petrol (CSi, Conquest, Touring, Advantage, Vienta VXi, Vienta Grande, Azura)
Power:
95kW – 2.2 litre 4-cylinder petrol
141kW – 3.0 litre V6 petrol
Torque:
187Nm – 2.2 litre 4-cylinder petrol
279Nm – 3.0 litre V6 petrol
Transmission & drivetrains:
5-speed manual, front wheel drive (FWD)
4-speed automatic, front wheel drive (FWD)
Fuel Consumption:
8.2 – 9.3L/100km
Length:
4770mm (sedan)
4775mm (wagon)
Width:
1780mm
Height:
1420mm (sedan)
1445mm (wagon)
Kerb Weight:
1355 – 1480kg
Towing (braked/unbreaked)
1100/500kg – 2.2 litre 4-cylinder petrol
1200/500kg – 3.0 litre V6 petrol
Body Style:
4-door sedan (CSi, CSX, Conquest, Advantage, Intrigue, Touring, Vienta VXi, Vienta Grande, Azura)
5-door wagon (CSi, CSX, Conquest, Touring Vienta VXi)
Engines:
2.2 litre 4-cylinder petrol (CSi, CSX, Conquest, Advantage, Intrigue)
3.0 litre V6 petrol (CSi, Conquest, Touring, Advantage, Vienta VXi, Vienta Grande, Azura)
Power:
95kW – 2.2 litre 4-cylinder petrol
141kW – 3.0 litre V6 petrol
Torque:
187Nm – 2.2 litre 4-cylinder petrol
279Nm – 3.0 litre V6 petrol
Transmission & drivetrains:
5-speed manual, front wheel drive (FWD)
4-speed automatic, front wheel drive (FWD)
Fuel Consumption:
8.2 – 9.3L/100km
Length:
4770mm (sedan)
4775mm (wagon)
Width:
1780mm
Height:
1420mm (sedan)
1445mm (wagon)
Kerb Weight:
1355 – 1480kg
Towing (braked/unbreaked)
1100/500kg – 2.2 litre 4-cylinder petrol
1200/500kg – 3.0 litre V6 petrol
Body Style:
4-door sedan (CSi, CSX, Conquest, Advantage, Intrigue, Touring, Vienta VXi, Vienta Grande, Azura)
5-door wagon (CSi, CSX, Conquest, Touring Vienta VXi)
Engines:
2.2 litre 4-cylinder petrol (CSi, CSX, Conquest, Advantage, Intrigue)
3.0 litre V6 petrol (CSi, Conquest, Touring, Advantage, Vienta VXi, Vienta Grande, Azura)
Power:
95kW – 2.2 litre 4-cylinder petrol
141kW – 3.0 litre V6 petrol
Torque:
187Nm – 2.2 litre 4-cylinder petrol
279Nm – 3.0 litre V6 petrol
Transmission & drivetrains:
5-speed manual, front wheel drive (FWD)
4-speed automatic, front wheel drive (FWD)
Fuel Consumption:
8.2 – 9.3L/100km
Length:
4770mm (sedan)
4775mm (wagon)
Width:
1780mm
Height:
1420mm (sedan)
1445mm (wagon)
Kerb Weight:
1355 – 1480kg
Towing (braked/unbreaked)
1100/500kg – 2.2 litre 4-cylinder petrol
1200/500kg – 3.0 litre V6 petrol
Warranty:
3 years/100,000km
Servicing:
12 months/10,000km
Model range, pricing & features
The Camry’s popularity has never been forged through performance, or a sexy image, or a luxury experience, the Camry has sold in the millions because it is a no nonsense, rugged, reliable and dependable car and if you’re on the tightest of budgets, this generation Camry is simply the one to get.
But, remember it’s not all that safe, it is absolutely critical that you have a pre-purchase inspection carried out and make sure you have some money left over to maintain it as well as you can but, even when the very worst examples are still pretty bloody good, what a car.
The Camry’s popularity has never been forged through performance, or a sexy image, or a luxury experience, the Camry has sold in the millions because it is a no nonsense, rugged, reliable and dependable car and if you’re on the tightest of budgets, this generation Camry is simply the one to get.
But, remember it’s not all that safe, it is absolutely critical that you have a pre-purchase inspection carried out and make sure you have some money left over to maintain it as well as you can but, even when the very worst examples are still pretty bloody good, what a car.
The Camry’s popularity has never been forged through performance, or a sexy image, or a luxury experience, the Camry has sold in the millions because it is a no nonsense, rugged, reliable and dependable car and if you’re on the tightest of budgets, this generation Camry is simply the one to get.
But, remember it’s not all that safe, it is absolutely critical that you have a pre-purchase inspection carried out and make sure you have some money left over to maintain it as well as you can but, even when the very worst examples are still pretty bloody good, what a car.
Get the Ultimate Used Cars Buyer's Guide FREE!
To help make buying a used car just that little bit easier, we’ve created the Ultimate Used Car Buyers Guide. Get your copy for FREE, just by signing up to our monthly newsletter.
Plus, by signing up, you’ll be updated on all of our latest content — from our latest video reviews, top 5s and exclusive deals!
Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of April 14, 2023.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
Read our full terms and conditions here.
Cheat Sheets for similar Cars Latest Cheat Sheets
redriven.com
We wouldn't...
We'd be cautious
We would...
