Toyota Camry (5th Gen)
02-06 · Toyota Camry
The XV30 Camry gave you a reliable 2.4L with a timing chain and nothing to worry about, just watch for the oil consumption on the 2AZ-FE above 150k miles.
Score breakdown
Our take
What it really is
A midsize sedan that defined "appliance car" for a generation. The 2AZ-FE 4-cylinder is chain-driven, makes 157hp, and is widely serviced everywhere. The V6 option exists but the 4-cylinder is the right buy. No ESC on any trim.
Why it's on this list
Under $8k for a clean XV30 is still possible. The 2AZ-FE is known, cheap to fix, and will run past 200k with basic maintenance. Toyota parts pricing is reasonable.
The honest trade-offs
No ESC, a real safety gap for a car this age. The 2AZ-FE has a documented oil consumption issue on high-mileage examples. No available manual transmission on the 4-cylinder. Interior feels dated even for its era.
What to buy and what to avoid
05-06 LE or SE with 4-cylinder automatic. Check oil consumption carefully above 120k miles. Avoid V6 unless you want higher insurance and fuel costs. No manual available.
Annual cost of ownership
Key specs
Safety
Rust vulnerability
Reliability data
Repairability
References
Sources used to research and score this vehicle. Superscript numbers in the sections above link here.
- [1]datasetRepairPal
Annual repair cost, visit frequency, and severe issue probability. Used in the reliability formula.
- [2]governmentNHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Federal crash test star ratings and rollover percentages. Used in the safety formula.
- [3]governmentNHTSA Technical Service Bulletins
Manufacturer-issued service bulletins flagging known defects. Used in the PPI checklist generator.
- [4]datasetIIHS Safety Ratings
Insurance Institute crash test ratings (small overlap, side, headlight quality). Used in the safety formula and the repairability headlight benchmark.
- [5]governmentEPA Fuel Economy Guide
Official combined/city/highway MPG figures. Used in the true annual cost formula.
- [6]forum threadCarComplaints
Owner-reported defect patterns by mileage and year. Used in the known-issues list and PPI checklist.
- [7]datasetiSeeCars Long-Term Reliability
Probability of reaching 250,000 miles by make and model. Used in the reliability formula.
- [8]publicationBankrate / Insurify Insurance Estimates
Full-coverage insurance estimates by driver profile (25M, 40F). Used in the true annual cost formula.
Looking to buy a Toyota Camry?
Start with our fully customized pre-purchase inspection checklist for you or your mechanic. Three versions: one for buyers who are not mechanics, one for enthusiasts with tools, one for handing off to a professional. Print or save as PDF.
Modernize this car
CarPlay, backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, TPMS, and dashcams. Researched picks and honest watch-outs.
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