5
ADVICE
Buying a used Toyota Camry (2002-2006)
Convention wisdom says that large front-wheel-drives don't sell well in Australia. Toyota's hugely-successful Camry begs to differ.During the 25 years since Toyota’s Australian-built Camry was introduced, more than 1.5 million four and six-cylinder versions have been produced. Most of the recently-made models have been exported but local sales typically reach 40,000 annually.
Often criticised for bland packaging and indifferent dynamics, the Camry and derivatives suffered minimally at the hands of their detractors. The market segment into which these cars were pitched placed simplicity, easy maintenance and value for money above glitz or handling prowess. The Camry delivered just what the customer required and as a result spent decades at the top of the Medium car sales charts.
As market expectations shifted to focus more strongly on performance, safety and convenience, Toyota responded with a design that ensured the Camry’s continued dominance.
HISTORY
-- Stung by criticism that its previous Camry looked old and boring, Toyota probably overcompensated when styling the enlarged and improved ACV36R model. Built and to a large degree designed in Australia, the new Camry was longer with a strengthened structure, attention to sound-deadening and significant suspension improvements. Angled headlights sat above a brave new bumper, with double-deck air-intakes supplementing the small upper grille. Upmarket versions got side-skirts and a rear spoiler.
The principal engine was new as well; a 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft four-cylinder that, with 112kW, was 16 per cent more powerful than the 2.2-litre it replaced. The Australian-made four-cylinder was standard in the base-model Altise, with four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. It was also fitted to the base-level Sportivo and Ateva.
In fleet-fodder form, the 2.4-litre Altise automatic was priced at $28,490 and ticked enough boxes to slot into many company and car-rental parking spots across the country. Standard inclusions ranged from power mirrors and windows to Toyota’s excellent air-conditioning, dual airbags and a CD player.
Stepping up to an Ateva cost $3000. It delivered no more performance than the Altise but did add the security of antilock brakes, plus alloy wheels, cruise control and a better-quality sound system.
V6 versions used the long-serving 3.0-litre, 24-valve engine with a conservative 141kw – 145kW in the Sportivo. Camry V6s entered the market via the $30,900 Altise manual, followed by the automatic Ateva which cost $5000 more. Five-speed Sportivos cost almost $39,000 and then the range took a $10,000 leap to the leather-trimmed Azura.
An update late in 2004 smartened the front-end styling with a revised bumper, bold new headlamp clusters and enlarged rear lights. Interior upgrades included an improved centre console and door trims, with cruise control now fitted across the range. A new Grande version priced at $46,000 bridged the gap between the Ateva V6 and Azura.
Bigger news though was Toyota Link; a security-cum-cellular phone system that provided access to remote unlocking if the keys were locked inside and could also locate a stolen car. More significantly, the system would activate if one or more airbags deployed, allowing base-station operators to alert emergency services in case the car had crashed and the occupants were incapacitated.
Further tweaking of the range and equipment levels during 2005 added Altise Sport and Limited models. Trim and equipment upgrades saw leather and electric seat adjustment become standard in the Ateva.
ON THE ROAD
--Test-driving a late-model Camry means aligning expectations to the attributes of your chosen version.
The big-selling Altise is the car most likely to appear on the nation’s used-vehicle lots and deliver performance that will be perfectly acceptable to the vast majority of potential buyers. These cars were criticised when new for indifferent steering feel and lack of cornering precision but their deficiencies only surface when being pushed harder than most owners will ever contemplate.
Basic models suffered from a lack of rubber on the road and indifferent tyre specification. Information coming through the steering wheel was accordingly confused and a Camry without the more sophisticated ‘sports’ suspension and 16-inch tyres could feel nervous when entering a high-speed bend.
Despite its improvement in power over previous versions, the smaller Camry engine struggled to deliver anything more than adequate performance. Throttle response, unless the driver absolutely mashed the pedal, could be hesitant and driving the automatic car smoothly took concentration. A five-speed manual transmission was optional and is a little notchy, with gears sometimes reluctant to slot home.
Fuel economy from the 2.4 averaged 10.2L/100km; an acceptable but not outstanding figure for a car in this category.
Camrys with the 3.0-litre engine delivered a level of performance that might have been expected from a properly-sorted 2.4-litre. Highish gearing in pursuit of decent fuel economy was a major culprit.
At 100km/h the engine was turning at just 2200rpm but the automatic trailed more than a second behind a 4.0-litre Falcon in the 80-120km/h overtaking range while still returning similar fuel consumption figures to the bigger Ford. V6s with five-speed manual transmission manage 0-100km/h in under nine seconds and are more effective than the automatic on winding roads.
Sportivo and Altise Sport models offer firmer suspension settings and higher-quality tyres. Toyota could have followed trends and chosen lower-profile rubber but went with 60-series tyres that deliver plentiful grip while still absorbing bumps .
Unless price is absolutely critical, look for one of the higher-specification cars that were standard with antilock braking and additional airbags. In the used market they cost only marginally more than a basic model.
The Sportivo body kit won’t contribute significantly to stability unless the car is running at highly-illegal speeds. Its aero-effect might make a slight difference to fuel consumption but that too can be offset by the components’ extra weight. Marginal savings can turn into major outlays if a low-slung bumper or side-skirt is damaged by a steep driveway or speed-hump.
Camry seat trim is generally robust and a car displaying more than minor interior wear might be suffering abuse in other areas as well.
The seats could be a little narrow for larger drivers and some controls on early versions, including ventilation and power-window switches, awkwardly placed. Post-2004 cars have an improved and easier-to-use dash.
Better-equipped cars also come with a range of convenience features such as leather seat trim, a dash display screen, trip computer and electric sunroof.
The Camry station wagon had been discontinued in 2002 but MCV36R sedans compensated to a degree by offering a massive and fully-usable boot.
CHECK POINTS
>> Many Camrys were sold new as fleet vehicles and should have been routinely serviced. Check the service book to ensure that oil change and other required maintenance intervals have been observed.
>> Ticking or clattering from the front of a four-cylinder engine suggests a problem with the timing chain adjusters. A loose timing chain can cause serious engine damage if neglected. V6 engines use belts which must be changed at least every 150,000km – 120,000km or every five years allows a security margin.
>> The extended front air-dam and side-skirts fitted to Sportivo versions are susceptible to kerb and speed-bump damage. Look for grazes, cracks and misaligned front panels that can be caused by even minor impacts.
>> Cars that have travelled fewer than 120,000km should not yet need front constant-velocity joint replacement but check the rubber boots on the axle units to ensure they aren’t torn and allowing dirt to contaminate the joint.
USED VEHICLE GRADING
Design & Function: 15/20
Safety: 14/20
Practicality: 16/20
Value for Money: 16/20
Wow Factor: 12/20 (Sportivo)
SCORE: 73/100
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Written byCliff Chambers
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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