Toyota was on top of the world in the early ’90s. The 1989 launch of Lexus had exceeded all expectations. The Camry and Corolla were selling like gangbusters. It didn’t matter that Toyota’s then-current bread-and-butter models were good sellers; Toyota had tasted success, and they wanted more.
Introduced to America in 1983, the Camry (from the Japanese word kanmuri, which means crown) was a large, boxy compact that blended nicely into the background. It was boring but extremely reliable, and quickly earned a reputation as a sensible choice.
The gen2 1988-91 Camry sold quite well, and Toyota intended to keep their successful medium-priced model competitive.
With the Camry’s reputation now established, Toyota decided it was time to have some fun. The Organic look was on the horizon, and Toyota wanted to be on the leading edge. Toyota spared no expense when it came to engineering the new gen3 1992 Camry, even using triple-sealed doors and asphalt body mounts to make the car incredibly quiet.
Power came from either a 2.2-liter, 130-hp four-cylinder or optional 3.0-liter, 185-hp V6 engine. Most Camrys came with an incredibly smooth-shifting four speed automatic transmission, but a five-speed manual was available with the 2.2-liter four.
This Camry generation marked the introduction of the incredibly luxurious XLE, a sedan as nice as any Lexus, as well as the sporty SE model. There was a basic Camry DX , but the vast majority of these cars were mid-range LE models.
Toyota’s tag line for the 1992 Camry was “We Just Couldn’t Leave Well Enough Alone.” My dad wanted one of these so bad. We test drove several of them, but at the time they went for roughly $21K (well over $30k adjusted)–just a bit outside my family’s budget.
This generation spanned 1992 to 1996, during which both Camry sedan and station wagon models were available. The wagons’ styling was unusual, with an oddly-shaped D-pillar and two windshield wipers on the backlight.
image: edmunds.com
The Camry wagon left the U.S. market after 1996. The rarest today? A 1995-96 V6 XLE with leather. I wonder if any are still around.
The biggest change came in 1994: The Camry family got a new two-door coupe body style and dual airbags throughout the lineup. The following year saw only minor changes to front and rear styling.
I’ve pegged today’s CC as a 1994 model: It sports dual airbags and is painted in Silver Taupe, a color that debuted on the Camry in 1994 (I had a 1995 Corolla this color, and I remember the dealer telling me it was new). This car has well over 200,000 miles on the clock and has held up rather well, considering it lives in the upper Midwest.
image: edmunds.com
1996 was your last chance for one of these Camrys–perhaps the best Camry ever. By 1997 the party was coming to an end. The Camry had lost much of its style and engineering excellence (and complexity) in the name of cost cutting. Although some of the 1997-2001 generation with V6 engines had issues involving engine sludge, it maintained its reputation as a smart choice, and continued to be a best-seller in the U.S. for several more years.
Today’s Camry is still considered a safe and sensible choice as a family car, but it can never quite compare to the 1992 edition, and that’s too bad. There aren’t all that many left, making them a fine choice for collectors of ’90s cars–but they were just so good that most owners simply drove them until they couldn’t be driven any more…and then went out and bought another Camry!
When I was a boy, my parents had three Toyota Camrys. The first was a 1985 Toyota Camry. As far as I can tell, it was Toyota’s first front-wheel drive car.was too young to drive at the time, but I remember finding the car to be quite attractive to look at.
The second Camry was a 1989 Camry V6. While I can’t remember the engine displacement, my guess is that it was a 2.5 litre V6.
All Toyota Camry’s are excellent values and have bullet proof reliability to match. Unfortunately this type of car falls in the noncollectable classic car class, becacome grocery getter status symbol.However the early Toyota Corona’s Celicas, Corrolla 16 Valves rear wheel drive GTS, or mid eighties early nineties Supra, and Turbo models are more of the enthusiasts car crowd which has more of a bad boy street cred that the Camry will never have. Camrys just don’t have the style that these other Toyotas have, unfortunately Camry’s are stuck with grocery getter Mommy and Daddy status!; that makes the Supras and Celicas and even the rear wheel drive Corrolas of the eighties like the GTS so much more desirable than a front wheel drive grocery getter, like the Camry.
Back in October of 2015 I was looking around for a decent used beater at a reasonable price. I went to a garage in the town I live in and the owner showed me a 1995 Camry LE that someone had brought in and traded for a newer used car. One spin around town was all it took to convince me to buy it. Got it for $600.00. Since then it’s been a daily driver for me and my wife. The engine runs fantastic, and it burns absolutely no oil. The tranny also shifts smoothly and surely. This car will cruise at 75 MPH all day long without a hitch or a hiccup. Now I’ve had to spend some money on it for routine stuff like new tires, a new exhaust, brakes, battery, and so on, but that’s stuff that one would expect to have to replace eventually anyways. The body is a bit rough looking, having been through 22 New England winters, so I’ll be doing a bit of body work come summer. The one thing I noticed right away was that everything in the car worked – power windows, rear defroster, all the controls, everything but the AC, probably because there’s no coolant in it. Another thing I noticed is how cavernous the trunk is – perfect for transporting a dead body around (just kidding!). All in all a great car, even after 22 years. With some TLC and routine maintenance I expect to keep this car for at least another five years or more. If you find one, buy it, no matter how it looks. You won’t be sorry!
I have to disagree with some of the posters here. I have a 2001 Camry LE and have loved that car from the day I first saw it. I consider the design of the vehicle to be understated and tasteful. The driving experience is comfortable but otherwise nondescript, as it should be for an “appliance” car. It’s stable, safe, comfortable, and far better looking than the recent efforts that have come out of Toyota, or most other car makers for that matter. The only real fault I can give to the car is that it sucks in the snow, and I’ve had it long enough to be on my third set of snow tires, these Michelin X Ice are the best I’ve had, but still it’s not a car to drive in the snow at all.
After looking around at new cars for a year, and seriously considering only a Subaru, I have decided to attempt to make this vehicle last whatever time I have left on this plane.
My 92 never had a problem in the snow. I’m sure that is due to a weight difference or balance. I never even used snow tires. This also could be to driving experience. varying your speed and complete stops are not good when driving in snow. steady speed and complete alertness to your surroundings are key in snow travel. Plus anti lock brakes I find to be extremely dangerous in snow I will never own a car with this feature, You lose complete control of steering when applied, let alone the noise and shuddering of the steering wheel would scare the crap out of most people & into releasing them. You want to be able to steer when you start to slide.
I picked up a used 1994 Camry wagon in 2010, really clean shape with 164,000 miles, as the cheap mountain bike hauler. It wound up being the daily driver, still rolling with 220,000+ miles on it today. Besides oil changes, replaced brake rotors and pads, and 1 set of tires so far. It’s been the most insanely reliable vehicle I’ve ever owned – boring, but reliable – at least the wagon version is weirdly more cool then the sedan.
It’s been the mountain bike hauler, great for hitting races with, lots of room for gear. I’ve also hauled 7 people around on occasion, the rear passengers getting a kick out of the old school rear facing seats. With the rear seats folded down, room to sleep/camp in the rear. The very versatile car indeed.
It currently leaks a fair amount of oil, could also use a timing belt change (last recorded change at 75,000 miles). Otherwise, it’s still crazy reliable, motor quiet and smooth. Interior has held up fantastic, and when washed/waxed, looks decent. The check engine light mysteriously appears every few months, but always goes out after a few hours (at most). It appears to be the self healing car.
I’m debating to have the oil leak and timing belt changed, since almost the worth of the car itself ($1200 or so). Though in this day and age, dirt cheap to keep transportation rolling.
Aloha. I have a 1994 classic Toyota Camry Wagon LE that needs repair, and I’m not sure what it will need to get back up. But the stuff you’ll need for your wagon that you mentioned, gave me a pretty good idea of where to get started. O bought mine in 1094. Ot was a showroom car and had only 124 miles on it then due to transport from shows and shipping. I lugged 3 kids in it for 15 years to school and games then played chauffeur uo until 2013. It then had the anttenna up while going through a carwash.. and it all went downhill from then when my ex tried to fix the antenna he broke the anrenna motor then the taillight connections then he had to reset the modulator because he disconnected the battery and then he took apart something else
Eventually the wagon sat there and was never re started. Im thinking of getting a mechanic to gove me an estimate. So thanks for sharing the basic problens like new tires and belts that im sure ill need to change too..
I own a 93’ Camry V6 LE, 145k on the odometer
Almost a year of ownership and not a single problem although I do need to do some maintenance such as brakes and a coolant flush
I always wonder how Toyota packed such a big engine into such a small engine bay
I have a 2001 Camry with 90,000 original owner miles. It has some dents and dings and some rust spots on it, and I’ve been debating in my mind whether or not it’s worth it to spend the money to have the body restored to like-new. This is an excellent automobile, not an enthusiast’s car by any means, but dead flat dependable, reliable and comfortable. It is also a very good looking car as well, imho, much better looking than the new models which are designed to appeal more to kids.. I wonder if this car might someday be a collectors’ item. The only knock I can make on this car after 17 years is that it’s not very good in the snow. The last set of snow tires I have had, Michelin X-Ice are the best I’ve had on it, but it still is not a “snow in the country” vehicle. 23 MPG overall for me is not great, but acceptable. When I lived in CT, there wasn’t much highway driving. Now in upstate NY, open roads are common, but they are very hilly, so that plays into gas mileage.
Wow, I just noticed I posted most of this stuff here once before.. forgot all about it. As far as the vehicle’s performance in the snow, I am, and was in 2001 a very experienced driver, in all conditions, and I can assure people that this is not a good vehicle in snow. Maybe the V6 has a heavier engine, and that makes them a little better, don’t know. Never considered a six for this car, and never needed one, either.
I’ve got a 93 Camry 5 speed stick with 95k miles on it. Trying to sell it. The car drives fabulously for its time. The funny part is these youngsters have no idea what kind of a vehicle this is and how long she will last. All they say is “she’s 25 years old”. LOL
I think the ’01 Camry definitely deserves contention as a great one.
I still have a 96 with a 92 se v6 5sp I drive daily. My brother wrecked the original body so I transplanted the rare drivetrain into another body. I have had 4 gen 3 camrys and have loved every one but this 3vzfe 3.0 and 5sp is fun in a family car with all the sport suspension of the se under it.
I bought my 1993 Camry LE V6 new and it has been very reliable and comfortable, it still is my daily driver. I have maintained it regularly and replaced parts as they age and even before they stop working. Some parts such as the coolant temperature sensor and engine knock sensors need to be Toyota OEM parts otherwise they won’t work.
Also, I would like to add that if you are keeping a car for many decades, it would be good to regularly replace any rubber parts such as gaskets, seals, o-rings, hoses and belts since they deteriorate due to age and temperature variations resulting in leaks and ruptures.
The only daily I will consider is a 92-96 Camry. It’s the product of Lexus development and is one of the most over engineered cars of all Camrys. Ford bought one to blow apart and realized the Taurus was far behind in the midsize segment and Toyota bought a Taurus and realized people were willing to accept less and they cut $1700 in factory build costs with the 1997 Camry introduction.
I have a few different cars and they include XV10’s. I recently found a 96 LE at an auction with 260,000 miles. The bidding started at $600 and I got for $700. Did some homework and found out it was a one owner and that explained why the interior was showroom new. It has the missing clear coat on it’s 6L3 Silverleaf Metallic and super clean grey cloth interior.
Even though it showed recent maintenance I went ahead and changed the harmonic balancer, premium Aisin timing belt kit with water pump, motor mounts, hoses..etc. Brand new tires were on it. I put new OEM Lexus ES300 rear brake shoes on it, new OEM fuel pump and filters, installed new headlight housings with top of the line Sylvania Bulbs and all new LED bulbs in the interior and instrument cluster. LED bulbs outside as well. New windshield went in since the original one was heavily pitted. Ordered a dash cover and I had my local upholstery guy make a rear deck cover. In case it stays outside I didn’t want this Palm Springs sun to kill the interior.
There are two 96 XLE’s for sale out here I want to buy but the owners know what they have and want a pretty penny. I just recently sold my 94 LE to a guy on Craigslist…he was happy with his purchase.
Is there a rare 93 Toyota Camry wagons they’re all wheel drive with a 3.0