One of the most popular midsize cars on the market, the Toyota Camry is known for its longevity. With regular maintenance, you can expect to get between 200,000 and 300,000 miles out of your Camry.
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Does the 2005 Camry use little fuel?
In fact, the Camry has topped the sales charts in seven out of the last eight years, with the only exception coming in 2001 when it came in second to the Honda Accord.
Since Camry most definitely isn’t the industry leader when it comes to flash or dash, the success of its operation is undoubtedly due to its reputation for being dependable, dependable, and of high quality.
When it comes to performance and appearance, Camry is the traditional front-runner. Fun is subordinate to function. Owners need vehicles that can travel there and back repeatedly without requiring many stops for maintenance.
Although it’s safe to assume the competition doesn’t take much pleasure, perceptions and expectations are high when it comes to Toyota’s midsize sedan due to its long history of sales supremacy in the sector.
Although the Chevy Impala has been a Consumer Reports recommended buy for five years and finished ahead of the Camry in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, opinions do not shift overnight, according to Jim Campbell, marketing manager for Chevrolet automobiles.
Despite Impala’s popularity among new-car purchasers, Camry won the award for having the most sales in 2004 with 426,990, a 3 percent increase from 2003 and a significant lead above Impala, which came in fourth with 290,256 units, a record high.
We tested the 2005 Camry in XLE trim to find out what makes it unique among midsize cars.
According to Toyota’s five-year development cycle, the 2007 model year would mark the next significant redesign of the current-generation Camry, which made its debut in 2002.
These exclude two features supplied by the rivals: a gas/electric model, like the Honda Accord has for 2005, and optional all-wheel drive, like Ford offers in the midsize Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego sedans.
Ford estimates that 40% of Five Hundreds and Montegos are sold with AWD, which it hopes will entice customers away from Camry.
Toyota did offer all-wheel drive (AWD) in the Camry starting with the 1987 model year, but after the 1991 model year it removed the option because only approximately 3% of customers requested it.
It should be noted that the 2006 GS300 car from its Lexus luxury business, which includes an AWD option this fall, suggests that Toyota is once more testing the waters.
To boost the ante, the hybrid Accord has cylinder deactivation so it runs on only 3 cylinders when all 6 aren’t needed to save gasoline. Honda is hoping the gas/electric Accord (Transportation, Feb. 6) will help it restore the sales lead it lost to Camry in 2002.
Apart from those factors, the 2005 Camry’s biggest distinction is that it has larger taillamps, more fashionable jewel-like headlamps, and a new grille. None of these features will make the car stand out in a crowd, unless the crowd is made up of Camry enthusiasts who are quick to notice small differences from one model year to the next.
The majority of the modifications are geared toward 4-cylinder model buyers, who now receive a new 5-speed automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes as standard equipment, and vehicle stability control as an optional feature.
Both the 2.4-liter, 160-horsepower 4-cylinder and the 3-liter V-6 engines are available in the Camry. The 3-liter V-6 produces 210 hp and 220 foot-pounds of torque.
The only model with a 3.3-liter V-6 that generates 225 horsepower and 240 foot-pounds of torque is the sports edition Camry SE.
One has to question why Toyota doesn’t use the more responsive 3.3-liter V-6 in all models given that it is a newer engine and achieves 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, which is 1 mpg better than the 3-liter in all categories.
It’s in keeping with its function-over-fun nature that the 4-cylinder is traditionally the strongest seller in the Camry line, accounting for roughly 60% of sales.
The 3-liter V-6 and 5-speed automatic in the tested XLE are rated at 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
But the popularity of the 4-cylinder demonstrates that most who choose a Camry aren’t wanting to break away from the pack. The V-6 is more fuel efficient than it is energetic, and most of the test drive was spent glancing at the exhaust pipes of those ahead.
Head, leg, and arm room are acceptable, sightlines are good, there are many containers and compartments to store or hide stuff, all controls are simple to see and operate, the trunk is roomy, and the rear seat backs can be folded down if you need to transport more. The Camry doesn’t do anything offensive.
The suspension smooths out the ride so that passengers in the cabin aren’t bothered by road imperfections. The steering is accurate, the handling is competent, and there will be some body lean in turns, but not enough to make you uneasy and force you to reduce your speed.
The SE sports version includes a sport-tuned suspension with higher spring rates for a stiffer ride and summer grade performance tires for more nimble handling for individuals who demand a car has to be more than just transportation.
The $1,300 stability control package, which also includes seat-mounted side-impact air bags for both front seat occupants and side-curtain air bags to safeguard the front and rear seats, helped the XLE prevent unwarranted movement.
It should be the first thing added when reviewing options because the package promotes stability, minimizes slippage when starting from a stoplight or making a sharp curve, and includes the side curtains in case someone should run into you.
You ought to have the melon inspected if you use the $1,450 navigation system without opting for stability control or curtains.
Camry doesn’t offend, but it also doesn’t make an effort to surprise and please either, so when it comes to stand-out features, you’d be hard-pressed to find any in Camry.
One complaint is that the seat bottom cushions are too short to provide adequate thigh support for long-distance travel.
The base price of the XLE is $25,405 and comes with a number of features as standard, such as power, heated, and color-keyed outside mirrors, power leather seats (heated leather seats cost an additional $315), automatic climate control with air filtration, cruise control, a JBL AM/FM/cassette/CD player, a power moonroof, 60/40 split rear seats, power windows and door locks, and a rear window defogger with a
Price as tested: $27,206; includes $1,300 for stability control, $315 for heated driver and passenger seats, $186 for carpets and a cargo mat, and $540 for freight.
It has stylish headlamps, front- and rear-end design modifications, anti-lock brakes that are standard, vehicle stability control with traction control and side-curtain air bags that are optional, a wide trunk with plenty of storage space, and it gets good gas efficiency.
Negatives: All-wheel drive should be rethought, seat cushion bottoms aren’t long enough for adequate long-distance thigh support, and gas/electric hybrids aren’t yet available.
Jim Mateja is heard on WBBM Newsradio 780 at 6:22 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 11:22 a.m. on Sundays. He writes for the Business section on Wednesday and Friday.
What year of the Camry should you avoid purchasing?
The Camry has experienced some difficult times, from engine flaws to recalls that caused owners and manufacturers alike much stress. The years you should avoid and the explanations for why are coming up.
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Toyota Camry
Simply because it has the most issues, the 2007 model is at the top of the list of Toyota Camry years to stay away from. RepairPal lists problems with the automatic transmission as one of the most common complaints. The problem starts when the transmission lags when attempting to accelerate; this can cause it to heat up and may necessitate replacement before owners would want.
The 2007 Camry also has issues with a malfunctioning check engine light, missed shifts, and power steering issues. Even though the complaints are not as severe as those for other models, prospective buyers should nevertheless be aware of them.
Toyota Camry
Although there were significantly fewer complaints, the 2008 Camry didn’t show much improvement. Similar gearbox problems were reported by drivers, who also observed that the check engine light frequently created issues. After the car had traveled 100,000 miles, the ignition coil would start to break, which was one of the more noticeable problems with the 2008 model.
Toyota Camry
The 2009 model continued to have transmission and check engine light issues despite a number of concerns being documented throughout the years. Another minor issue with the 2009 model was the accumulation of muck near the engine, which was caused directly by using the same oil.
Which Camry year is the most dependable?
Consumer Reports gave the seventh generation Camry’s full production a perfect dependability grade. The most dependable and reasonably priced used Camry sedans can be found in this area. In particular, the 2015 Toyota Camry is inexpensive. These versions are among the top used Camrys, according to Consumer Reports. The Camry is currently in its best generation to date during this run of model years.
How long does the transmission of a Toyota Camry last?
The Toyota is absurdly inexpensive to operate, with an annual maintenance cost of of $388.
The Toyota Camry actually has the lowest maintenance costs of any midsize car.
Only approximately 11% of issues with the Toyota Camry, according to RepairPal, are severe (the average is 12 percent ).
The Camry’s lower-than-average rate of severe repairs is a good thing because severe repairs cost three times as much as the average.
The cost of some typical Toyota Camry repairs is listed below:
- Replace a blown motor for $265 to $278.
- Replacement of the clutch slave cylinder: $126-$186
- Replacement of the ignition lock cylinder: $288355
- Replacement of the timing chain tensioner: $980 to $1,225
- Replacement of the headlamp control module: $587-$599
How Long Does the Brakes Last?
The lifespan of the braking rotors and pads can range from 30,000 to 70,000 kilometers.
The brakes will age more quickly if you brake frequently, as in stop-and-go traffic.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
With the right care, the tires on your Toyota Camry can last up to 60,000 miles.
The life of your tires will be extended and uneven wear will be reduced with routine wheel alignment and tire rotation.
How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?
According to studies, a Toyota Camry’s spark plugs should last 70,000 to 100,000 kilometers.
However, they may wear out too soon due to factors like often stopping and starting your car.
Is the 2005 Toyota Camry a good car?
reliablest vehicle The Toyota Camry XLE V6 from 2005 is a roomy, refined, and potent vehicle. Driving it is quiet and comfortable. It is also a very trustworthy and reliable vehicle.
What type of engine powers the 2005 Toyota Camry?
Base, LE, SE, and XLE are the four trim levels available for the 2005 Toyota Camry automobile. The Camry LE and SE versions all come standard with a 2.4-liter, 160-horsepower four-cylinder engine. A five-speed manual transmission is also included; the new five-speed automatic transmission is a $830 option.