2004 Toyota Camry Reviews

The Camry has long struggled to gain any real traction with Australian families, most of whom dismissed it as bland and boring.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 1999, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2015 Toyota Camry & Aurion as a used buy.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 1999-2014 Toyota Camry and Aurion.

The Toyota’s Camry and Aurion are built in Melbourne and have many changes from the original Japanese design to suit them to our local driving conditions and Australian drivers’ tastes.

Toyota is generally regarded as setting the industry benchmark for build quality, reliability and durability, and it's the Camry that is often held up as the car that best illustrates Toyota's high standards.  Beyond those admirable qualities, though, there isn't a lot to write home about with the Camry.Like all Toyotas it gets the job of providing reliable and efficient transport done with little or no fuss, but it falls well short of the benchmark when it comes to excitement.  But most buyers who stump up the cash for a Camry couldn't care less about the thrill of motoring; they're perfectly happy with a car that doesn't cost the earth to own and rarely if ever lets them down.  Above all else the Camry is a safe and sound motoring choice.MODEL WATCHThe Camry is a much-maligned name. Over the years it has come to be the very definition of boring, at least in motoring terms.  No passionate car person would be seen dead driving a Camry, but to heaps of people the Camry is the best car in the world.  They're the people who value reliability, durability and low cost of ownership above all else. They couldn't care less that petrolheads sneer at their motoring choice.Toyota has worked hard to inject some character into the Camry of late, to make it more appealing to those who value their motoring experience, but its efforts have really come to naught. The Camry has been regarded as boring for too long, and nothing will change the perception.The Series 30 Camry that was launched in 2002 was a much more attractive car. Its lines were much tauter, its shape more aggressive, it was a far more appealing car than any of its predecessors.  Buyers could choose between a 2.4-litre four and a 3.0-litre V6.The double overhead camshaft four-cylinder engine was packed with up-to-the-minute technology like Toyota's VVTi variable valve-timing system that gave it decent flexibility from low speeds right through to high revs.  At its peak it would deliver 112 kW at 5800 revs and 218 Nm at 4000 revs.The V6 was also a double overhead camshaft engine and produced 141 kW at 5200 revs along with 279 Nm at 4000 revs.  Most Camrys were sold with a four-speed auto, but it was also available with a five-speed manual gearbox.Underneath, the Camry was conventional. It had struts at the front and rear, but work by Toyota's local engineering team ensured it was well tuned to our roads. As a result its ride and handling were widely praised.Its power steering was well weighted and precise, and the combination of ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes, backed up by ABS, was solid.  One thing the Camry has always been noted for is its roominess, and the Series 30 was no exception. It was designed as a family car and fits a family of five nicely.There is a plethora of models in the Camry range, starting from the Altise and working up through the Ateva, sporty Sportivo, Azura and finally to the luxury Grande with all the bells and whistles.IN THE SHOPThe Camry does it tough so be careful when choosing a car.  If they've been a family car they've been put to the test in the supermarket parking lot and the school run.Alternatively they've been a company car and driven by people who couldn't care less about their cars.  Check for a service record and make sure the engine oil has been regularly changed. Nothing kills an engine like a lack of fresh oil.The four-cylinder engine has a cam timing chain so there are no worries about replacing it, until it rattles. The V6 does have a belt that requires changing at around 150,000 km.IN A CRASHA capable chassis, powerful brakes with ABS make for a strong level of active crash protection.  A solid structure, dual front airbags, plus side airbags add a solid layer of secondary protection.  ANCAP gave the Camry four stars in its crash testing.AT THE PUMPWith a full-sized body the four-cylinder engine has to work hard, hence the fuel economy suffers. Expect 10-11 L/100 km round town, and single figures out on the highway.  The V6 will consume a little more; expect 10.5-11.5 L/100 km around town, and seven to nine L/100 km on the open road.OWNERS' SAYEric Deakin bought his 2005 Camry Ateva V6 seven months ago having done 97,000 km, and reckons it's the best car he has owned in more than 60 years of motoring. He says it is a well built, well appointed and very roomy car, which has excellent performance. So far he has found no faults at all with it and would happily recommend it to anyone.Rex Manuel bought his 2003 Camry Ateva four-cylinder second hand in 2005. He is happy with the Camry's roominess and its generous boot, but misses the performance of the Ford Fairmont he owned previously.LOOK FORReliabilityHigh build qualityRoomy interiorSmooth drivabilityGood resaleTHE BOTTOM LINEWell engineered and well built, with renowned reliability and good resale, the dull-as-dishwater Camry is a good choice for family transport.RATING72/100COMING UPDo you own a Ford Focus? If so tell us what you think of it by sending your comments to Graham Smith at Cars Guide or e-mail to: grah.smith@bigpond.com.

The Camry has often been the subject of derision and scorn, rarely has it been an object of desire. It has come to be the car we know deep down we should own, but could never bring ourselves to buy.Toyota has built an enviable reputation, and market leadership, on the back of the reliability and durability of its cars, but those things alone are not enough to entice buyers into dealerships. For anyone with petrol running through his or her veins it also takes a healthy measure of emotion, something Toyota generally lacks.The Camry has reliability and durability in bucket loads, but there’s not a lot about it that gets the juices flowing. It’s the safe bet, one you probably won’t regret, but it’s not the car you want to talk about when standing around the barbie.The wide-bodied Camry was a popular car in the 1990s, but did little to endear the badge to buyers looking for a car they could brag about. It was a frumpy four-door, one you parked out of sight rather than in your driveway. It seems that Toyota got the message as the 20th century steamed to an end and began to take more interest in styling.Perhaps there was a realization that they had to appeal to a broader range of buyers if they were to conquer the world as they hoped to do. Whatever the reason, today’s Camrys are much more attractive, with bold flowing lines and nicely balanced proportions.The Series 30 Camry was launched in 2002 and brought with it a tighter look with well-defined lines and an aggressive front end that included wildly sweeping headlights. It was a bold statement from the company that tended to lurk out of sight in the shadows when it came to automotive styling.The Camry’s power choices were a new locally-produced 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft four that was packed with plenty of technology, like Toyota’s VVTi variable valve timing system that gave it smooth pulling power right through the rev range. When stretched to the limit it would produce 112 kW at 5600 revs and 218 Nm at 4000 revs. The alternative was a 3.0-litre double overhead camshaft V6 that produced 141 kW at 5200 revs and 279 Nm at 4000 revs.While most Camrys would have left showrooms with the four-speed auto in the tunnel, it was also possible to have a five-speed manual gearbox.Underneath, the suspension wasn’t earth shatteringly new, with struts front and rear, but worked very well. Local tuning by Toyota’s engineers ensured it handled our roads well; with admirable ride comfort and reassuring handling even over rough surfaces.Likewise, the power steering was well weighted and accurate, and the brakes, a combination of ventilated front discs and solid rears, with ABS oversighting the action, were positive and powerful.There’s plenty of room inside the Camry for a family of five, it’s well equipped and comfortable.The Camry does duty in the toughest arenas, the non-caring world of the fleet car and the school and supermarket runs of mum and the kids, so look for collateral damage from the bump and run of daily life. Bumps and scrapes on body extremities are commonplace, it’s part of the Camry’s natural environment. Nothing looks worse than body scaring and it’s costly to repair. They also tell a tale of how well the car has been treated. If it’s scarred on the outside there’s a good chance it’s scarred on the inside.Check for a service record and make sure the engine oil has been regularly changed. There’s nothing nicer for an engine than fresh oil, sludge build-up is the engine’s natural enemy. The four-cylinder Camry engine has a timing chain so there’s no servicing required until it starts to rattle, but that won’t happen until way into the upper reaches of the odometer. The V6 does have a belt that requires changing at around 150,000 km.Build quality is high, all parts fit together well and stay together over the life of the car, so you don’t tend to find things fall apart or off the Camry in service.The capable chassis with precise steering and powerful brakes presented a convincing primary safety argument for the Camry, and with dual front airbags, plus side airbags there was plenty of protection when the metal started crumpling.Size hampers the Camry when it comes to pump performance. The four-cylinder cars will do 10-11 L/100 km around town and a little better on the highway, while the V6 models will consume on average 1.5 litres more.Ron Flint bought his 2005 Camry in 2007. He had hired a Camry while on holiday and was so impressed with its performance, economy, easy handling and features that he bought one when he got back home. The Camry had done 5000 km when he bought it to replace his 200,000 km Falcon, which had blown a head gasket.Eric Deakin bought his 2005 Camry Ateva V6 seven months ago having done 97,000 km, and reckons it’s the best car he has owned in more than 60 years of motoring. He says it is a well-built, well-appointed and very roomy car, which has excellent performance. So far he has found no faults at all with it and would happily recommend it to anyone.Rex Manuel bought his 2003 Camry Ateva four-cylinder second hand in 2005. He is happy with the Camry’s roominess and its generous boot, but misses the performance of the Ford Fairmont he owned previously.• Sharp looks.• Reliable mechanical package• Good performance• Smooth drivability• Good resale valueWell-engineered, well-built, the Camry is robust and reliable, great transport for families.

"Proceed to the highlighted path and the route guidance will start," says a very proper, English voice. All righty then, ready. Don't you just love GPS navigation?I do. Now, it's not that I don't know how to find my way home, but there's something novel about a computer that tells you where to go.I'm in the Toyota V6 Azura, the top-of-the-line sports model Camry. I know, it doesn't look like your average Camry.The sports suspension and aero body kit with its length, cool spoiler, radiator grilles, 16in alloys, new bumper and fog lamps make this sharper, sexier, sportier . . .When those six-cylinders kick in, you know about it, and the Quad Cam multi-valve three-litre engine takes off with gusto.This four-speed automatic is a smooth operator. There's none of those annoying surges as it powers up the gears.Being a sports model, the suspension is quite firm, but don't worry. It doesn't affect the comfort factor one bit.And comfort has to be the Azura's forte. The power-operated driver's seat has three lumbar controls to ensure your lower back is well supported.The seats are covered in luxurious alcantara (like brushed suede) and stitched leather in a light tan colour. This is understated class at its best. That elegance flows through to the uncluttered dash with its gadgets compactly situated around the GPS screen.The CD unit is cleverly tucked behind the screen and this car doesn't just have one six-stacker CD/MP3 player, but another eight-stacker in the boot. You've gotta love that.On the safety side, it's got the lot. Driver, passenger and side curtain airbags, safe-T-Cell, ABS brakes, engine immobiliser, panic alarm, remote central locking, child locks, doors that chirp when they aren't shut properly.Safety comes in other avenues, too. At night, the ignition is illuminated, interior lights don't go off until the car is locked, audio controls are on the steering wheel and even the GPS darkens so you are not distracted by its glare.But the Azura's best feature has to be the new Toyota Link system. This intelligent electronic communication system connects the driver to an external operator who can alert police or ambulance to your location in times of crisis, such as an accident or when your security is at risk, like a carjacking.Touching an SOS button/mayday alert on the rear-vision mirror connects you, but if the car is in an accident and the airbags deploy, the alarm is automatically activated.It even offers roadside help, so if you lock your keys inside the car, they can remotely unlock your doors.So don't think this is just a Camry. It's far more than that.LOVE IT LEAVE ITToyota Camry V6 AzuraPrice: $49,100 (auto)LOVE ITThe rear-vision mirror adjusts to "night vision" so there are no headlights blinding you.LEAVE ITI couldn't work out how to preset another radio station.Be gentle closing the boot, otherwise you'll slam it without meaning to.

One thing's for sure, if you're thinking of forking out for one of the big swoopy sedans – the athletic Sportivo is the one to get.While other models seem to sit too high on the road, particularly with that big, rising rear deck, the Sportivo's aerodynamic enhancements serve to give the car a much needed lower profile.Toyota has just upgraded the entire Camry range, with minor cosmetic changes and increased equipment levels.But if you're a current Camry owner, don't go reaching for the keys, because none of the changes are major enough to warrant an update.Front, seat-mounted side airbags are now available on all models and standard on Ateva, Sportivo V6, Azura and Grande.All Camrys now also have cruise control, aircon- ditioning and an alarm, and V6 models get a power- operated drivers seat as standard.Sportivo V6 acquires a three-spoke leather steering wheel with audio controls, brushed aluminium pedals, Sportivo front scuff plates, front upper console box, new suede leather sports seats and new all-black interior.Our test vehicle was the Sportivo V6 finished in a striking brittle new blue called Rhapsody.Larger, funkier badges complement the flashy new colour.It certainly looks fresher and more upbeat than the previous metallic gold which has not aged well.Camry's 3.0-litre DOHC V6 is good for 145kW at 5200rpm and 284Nm of torque at 4400rpm.Our test car was the five-speed manual which will accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 8.3 seconds – the auto is a second slower.That's pretty quick for what is basically a family sedan and the manual shift is relatively easy to use, with throws that are reasonably short.The words "relatively" and "reasonably" keep cropping up with this car because that's what it is, a car that offers the average buyer reasonable bang for their buck.Toyota promotes the Sportivo as a real driver's car, a car born to conquer the mythical mountain roads featured on the TV ad.The car acquits itself well in the handling department, pointing and sitting securely in corners.But the heavy steering and front-wheel drive configuration take the edge off performance.The whisper quiet interior and blast of icy air from the climate controlled air conditioning offer are welcome haven from the heat of the day.However, for a sports model, this car is crying out for an audible exhaust note.Sportivo still looks woefully under-tyred, with 16 inch 205/60 series wheels and tyres (almost passe these days) and plenty of room to move inside the guards.Lower the suspension, stick on some chunkier rubber and add a sports exhaust system and you might be onto something.Inside, the Camry has oodles of room for driver and passengers with some of the best rear legroom in the biz.We really like the combination suede leather and cloth insert sports seats.The boot too is absolutely cavernous – best in class.Fuel consumption is rated at a combined 9.9L/100km, but the trip computer reported 12.1L/100km during testing from the 70-litre fuel tank.With an upgrade normally comes a price increase, or does it?Camry Sportivo V6 is priced from $37,500 for the manual ($1490 less) and $38,500 for the auto ($490 less).

Things that in the short term were bearable (even quaint and amusing) become untenable irritations with the passage of time.Motor vehicles are no different. Things you thought you couldn't live without – or so the salesman told you – can become a burden while the silly little bit of frippery you found annoying becomes a godsend as you grow to appreciate it.A motor vehicle will be the second-biggest purchase most people will make in their lives, a decision usually based on a preconceived desire, an advertising campaign and a short drive. Reviewing and test driving cars can have similar pitfalls.Hopping into a spanking new auto every week is certainly not all bad – in fact it is pretty good – but the truth is that an impression quickly gained can colour an opinion long held. From next week The Daily Telegraph will expand its road-test coverage to include a series of longer-term tests where the cars are assessed closer to the manner they would be by the average buyer.Over the months we will report on what's good and not so good about the car you may be contemplating buying. There will be reports on what it costs to run and service; what makes it a pleasure to own; and the things that make you wish you had spent a little longer looking around before signing on the dotted line.ONE MONTH LATER09dec04A month into our first long-term car tests and it's time for the CARSguide team to report in.There is no doubt the Camry grows on you. It's unlikely we'll ever be passionate about it but what a reliable thing it is. A fairly moderate usage this month saw just 1268km under the wheels around town at a pleasing 9.3l/100km.There were no performance dramas but the Azura will soon be visiting a service centre following a recall for Camry to check the fuel overflow chamber.High on plus side is the quietness of the Camry and the touch-screen functionality of the navigation system.A sat-nav system would not have ordinarily been a priority item for a family car but it has shown its worth on more than one occasion when venturing into unfamiliar areas, particularly at night.While the Camry may not be the most exciting card in the pack it does provide a pleasant, smooth environment in which to wend your way through Sydney's traffic.The engine is strong and has enough punch to handle most situations.Less pleasing has been the height of the driver's seat. The high position has made it difficult to find a comfortable driving position. It could yet prove an issue on a planned interstate drive.TWO MONTH UPDATEKevin Hepworth15jan05It's a situation that was unforseen and certainly unexpected.The Camry is to move on to a new home... and the wrench of parting is palpable.Day in, day out for the past couple of months the Camry has gone about its business unfussed, unflustered and largely unnoticed. Certainly, it has the mark of a car that you can live with.There are still some unresolved issues: the high seating position is a personal dislike one will probably never come to terms with. A bit more travel in the seat's electric height adjustment would be a welcome addition to the generous luxury trim of the car.However, the experience has overall been a positive one.The styling is something that you just have to get used to...or at least learn to ignore.While never likely to get a "Wow, look at that!" out of any passing member of the public – or from the driver – the Azura is comfortable, classy in its own quaint manner, and as reliable as an old friend.Fuel economy from the 3.0-litre V6 has risen a little this round, to a still reasonable 10.9l/100km, but that is a function of lots of town driving and the discovery that if you give it some right foot it will get away nicely.The biggest impression made over the Christmas period was how much space there is inside the cabin and the cavernous boot.A family of five and all their varied Christmas loot was happily swallowed. That is unlikely to be the case with the Mini Cooper S that is to take up residence in the garage.