63K Original Miles: 1996 Toyota Camry
Is the Toyota Camry one of those cars everyone has either owned or spent time in? I would venture to say yes, and outside of the Chevrolet Cavalier or Honda Accord, it has to one of the top 3 of most frequent vehicle encounters. The third-generation Camry was perhaps the era in which it truly became part of the mainstream landscape, as it became a much more robust offering with meaningful differentiation in the trim lines, healthy V6 power, and bulletproof reliability. This Camry has survived in impressive condition for a driver, and is offered with no reserve.
I can remember at least three very close friends owning a Camry from this era, with almost all of them a base trim spec. There was one V6 in the mix, which I recall being surprisingly powerful for what was obviously a very humble output rating by today’s standards. The XV10 chassis also had a wagon option, which has become a bit of an item today in enthusiast circles who long for the return of more wagons to modern-day vehicle lineups. The Camry had clearly matured, becoming a significantly more robust offering than appearing to simply be the Corolla’s big brother, as it had in prior years.
What’s even more amazing about cars like this is that you could still commute in it today and likely be more than comfortable using it in modern traffic. Sure, it will be touch gutless, but you’ll be able to merge onto on-ramps without too much drama. The interior of this particular Camry is in incredible shape, and it reflects the fact that it has just under 64,000 miles. Though you won’t find much in the way of richly-appointed interior trimmings or leather surfaces everywhere you look, I guarantee you that the windows and locks all still work and the transmission still shifts perfectly. And yes, it still has cold air conditioning.
The 2.2L four-cylinder produces 130 horsepower and 145 lb. ft. of torque. In looking at the standard horsepower on the V6, I was a little surprised to see 185 – that’s decent grunt for a mid-90s Camry, and helps explain why I have memories of my friend’s V6 pulling away nicely. This Camry could be preserved as a future classic survivor, or you could simply put it to work as a daily driver and save a boatload of cash in the process. Which option would you choose? Find the Camry here on eBay with bids sitting at $3,000.
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Comments
Probably a future classic, really
Far into the future, but right now it looks Like it’s ready to be for sale at Crazy Jimbo’s Used Car Emporium.
More likely a ’94 only TWO door camry, tho it too is as plain looking & unexciting as this 4 door.
Anything is possible, look at the love being shown the the wrecked 1974 4 door Plymouth Valiant listed a few hours after this. It’s at least as plain and unexciting as this Camry.
Steve R
These cars were designed at the tail end of the Japanese bubble economy and were absolutely dripping with fat, a sense of quality and solidity you could feel that was not far off the W124 Mercedes’ for less than half the Benz’ price. Honda and Nissan’s offerings of the time were similar – and closer to collectability since Toyota sedans were tuned for comfort while they were a bit sportier.
probably the most reliable car ever built IMO and im a honda guy.
They were grocery getters. Ford did battle with Toyota in this era to get the badge of most sold and ultimately Toyota won. However, for folks buying either of these cars they were crazy-low priced: I remember the Taurus being less expensive than the Contour.
The 4 cylinder was the engine that could go 3-400k miles, the V6 had issues with head gaskets and just did not last as well.
Not me, but that should come as no surprise. Sales figures don’t lie, and Toyota made a killing selling cars to people that don’t care about style, or generic gray plastic interiors, they want gas mileage and no maintenance for 200,000+ miles, period. Camry was a good car, still is, but in my usual demeanor, it’s no ’63 Grand Prix, and while I realize my time is getting shorter, I can say quite reliably, for the rest of my life, you’ll never see me in one, right dad?
“Toyota made a killing selling cars to people that don’t care about style, or generic gray plastic interiors, they want gas mileage and no maintenance for 200,000+ miles, period.”
Both Toyota and the people who bought them seem pretty smart to me. The folks who made the Grand Prix are out of business. Hmmm.
And best of all, it can be driven another 163,000 miles with basic maintenance. I had dinner last night with a friend who owns a Pontiac Vibe, which is a Toyota Matrix. The Vibe has 350,000+ miles on it and is used as a daily commuter here in the Rust Belt.
The Vibe was likely build here in the (San Francisco) bay area. If the VIN begins with “1N” it was. In the old GM San Jose plant. Now, they make Teslas there.
Was that the “New United Motors” plant? I attended the College of San Mateo in the mid-1970s. Probably the last, best time in the Bay Area.
They were known as NUMMIs.
Yep. I’m one of the few that never owned, road in, or knew anyone that had a Camry. And I’m fine with that. I did know a guy with a Z24 Cavalier. That got a tow into the dealer, just about every month in the first year he owned it. And my wife owned an Accord when I met her, which we rectified soon after. I drove it a couple of times. I felt like the Jolly Green Giant in a Tonka Toy. Her ’94 Thunderbird V-8 was a great replacement.
“Road” pretty much sums up this entire comment.
That’s a great car for $3K. My 2004 V6 has over 200K miles and runs like a top. I have several older cars, but that Camry is awesome.
My last Camry was a 98, 4 cylinder with 437,000 miles on it. Sold it and got one with a V-6. It now has 305,000 miles on it. I drive it 100 miles round trip every day to work and back. No reason to think this one would not do the same.
Toyota and the Toyota Production System are the best thing that ever happened to the US automobile industry no matter what the dinosaurs think of them.
For the same reason Americans bought domestic intermediates in the sixties and seventies people bought these in the eighties and nineties. Thoroughly pleasant and reliable to drive. However these are as exciting as dry toast in appearance. Fortunately better looking than the wagon which was beaten senseless with the ugly stick. An exception to the rule that wagons are typically better looking than sedans, IMHO.
WOW! This Camry is super clean inside, outside and underneath! Obviously a very well cared for Toyota. If this beauty goes for under 10k, someone is getting one helluva deal on a one helluva machine!!
I’ve owned one exactly like this in white and a 2000, also white. Buy it and love it. As reliable as your granddad.
Actually, the ’60s Chevy liquid cooled powerglide & straight 6(no timing chain OR belt) combo is even MORE reliable – practically indestructible – especially in its smaller cars, such as nova or camaro. The problem was the
prone-to-rust-&-leaks bodies that drivetrain was put into back then.
My friend’s ’68 nova is still kickin with no internal drivetrain repairs & has so many miles on it that the gears inside the steering column are worn out.
He dislikes wrestling with “power?” rack & pinion steering & prefers GM’s effortless optional quick ratio power steering & power 4 wheel drum brakes from back then.
Luckily for the body, the car has not seen much bad weather driving & is always garaged.
I bought a 1995 Camry, manual transmission. I loved the car at first, but got into a minor fender bender within a few months. All caused by an old man driving with dementia and panicked and stopped suddenly for no reason. The brakes were sloppy and didn’t respond well with me pushing on it full force. I was going less than 20 mph. The brake were never adjusted properly.
After that, I had troubles with two windshields cracking due to bad struts and gasket leaks! I think the car was telling me that I should have bought an automatic transmission. All my prior cars were manuals. I felt more in control of the car while driving them.
This didn’t stopped me from buying another Camry. The next was a hybrid that I truly loved! I am now driving in a Toyota Avalon Hybrid. So far, THE BEST car I have ever owned.
This Camry listed will be a pleasure to drive and own! GLWTA!
Sold for a high bid of $4,950.
Steve R
A fair sell and a fair buy.