Toyota's Turning Point - '92 Camry
04-02-08, 01:49 PM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
Count me in with those who think the 92-96 were the best Camrys ever built. They not only had quality, but also had the ride of a luxury car for thousands less..........I don't agree with the comments about the suspension and tires being too soft.
And, ironically, this Camry WAS a turning point for Toyota. Each succeeding generation since, starting with the '97, has had cheaper materials inside, tinnier sheet metal/doors, and poorer fit/finish. The newest one, in some versions, is at the point where Consumer Reports no longer recommends it.
And, ironically, this Camry WAS a turning point for Toyota. Each succeeding generation since, starting with the '97, has had cheaper materials inside, tinnier sheet metal/doors, and poorer fit/finish. The newest one, in some versions, is at the point where Consumer Reports no longer recommends it.
04-02-08, 02:35 PM
#20
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That gen Camry is definitely one of the best Camrys. Style-wise, IMHO it's the 2nd-best looking Camry after the current 6th gen. The 3rd gen Camry really was a turning point for Toyota. Most people will agree the 3rd gen was almost a Lexus, but branded as a Toyota.
04-02-08, 02:47 PM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
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Great article, and I agree that was a HUGE turning point for Toyota. Whenever I saw one of those Camrys I thought "that's a nice looking, decent sized car." 
A co-worker had one which was very quiet, comfortable, and roomy. Another co-worker had the original ES300 which I was BLOWN AWAY by. Too bad the newest ones are really not that special.
A co-worker had one which was very quiet, comfortable, and roomy. Another co-worker had the original ES300 which I was BLOWN AWAY by. Too bad the newest ones are really not that special.
04-02-08, 03:35 PM
#23
A great read! My aunt had a 96 LE V6 Pkg "B" (or XLE V6 with leather/moonroof for you US folks). Comfortable and smooth and my favourite combination is the dark green on the 92-94 versions with the wrap-around rear taillight combination.
04-03-08, 01:01 PM
#25
Pole Position
The facelifted 95 & 96's were where it was at. 
This generation Camry was surely the best. I work on a lot of Toyotas and sadly, as the years progressed, the cars got worse and worse. My own mother had a '97 and while the drivetrain was perfect, the plastics, trim, and rubber was completely inferior.
There's a notable quality difference between Japanese-built Toyotas and the ones built here. I love the design of the current Camry but without even having to take it apart, I know it's a car I don't want to buy.
Now a Black 1996 Camry SE 5-speed coupe... Yes, please.
This generation Camry was surely the best. I work on a lot of Toyotas and sadly, as the years progressed, the cars got worse and worse. My own mother had a '97 and while the drivetrain was perfect, the plastics, trim, and rubber was completely inferior.
There's a notable quality difference between Japanese-built Toyotas and the ones built here. I love the design of the current Camry but without even having to take it apart, I know it's a car I don't want to buy.
Now a Black 1996 Camry SE 5-speed coupe... Yes, please.
04-04-08, 04:41 AM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
Thank You.
That is EXACTLY what I noiced also....beginning with the '97s. The sheet metal also got thinner.
04-04-08, 04:55 AM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
That's what's missing from almost all of today's cars...even the new Camry, to some extent. Even "luxury" cars, in the rush to make sport sedans out of everything today, have firmer and firmer underpinnings and lower and lower-profile tires. There is a place, of course, for sportiness and firm suspension/tires, but it is getting increasingly difficult to avoid them, no matter what you buy.
04-04-08, 09:18 AM
#29
Agreed with everyone that the 92-96 Camry was the best. I had one with 306k miles and recently had to sell it because a family member was going out to college and she needed (and couldn't find) a car.
The interior quality was almost on par with my GS400, and the car I had was an LE with cloth interior! The panels and plastics were solid and it really felt like it belonged on a much more expensive vehicle. Noise level rivals main luxury nameplates. If someone thinks they won't ever drive it because of reputation, just try driving around in a bread and butter domestic sedan for a few years and you'll appreciate the Camry. I had a Ford Tempo before upgrading to a Camry. Now that was a boring car. And you didn't know which day it was going to break down on you either.
I now drive a 1st gen Solara SLE V6. Although the Solara (based on the 4th gen Camry) is faster and handles better, the build quality is still a notch below the 3rd gen Camry.
The interior quality was almost on par with my GS400, and the car I had was an LE with cloth interior! The panels and plastics were solid and it really felt like it belonged on a much more expensive vehicle. Noise level rivals main luxury nameplates. If someone thinks they won't ever drive it because of reputation, just try driving around in a bread and butter domestic sedan for a few years and you'll appreciate the Camry. I had a Ford Tempo before upgrading to a Camry. Now that was a boring car. And you didn't know which day it was going to break down on you either.
I now drive a 1st gen Solara SLE V6. Although the Solara (based on the 4th gen Camry) is faster and handles better, the build quality is still a notch below the 3rd gen Camry.
04-04-08, 11:17 AM
#30
You know, the 92-96 Camry was the best Camry hands down, however... the best model of Lexus ES, which is very closely related to Camry, was the previous gen ES330. The ES model which was based on the 92-96 Camry was a vast improvement compared to ES250, but it doesn't hold a candle to the ES330.
But noawaday, both Camry and ES are, well, perhaps the worst in their respecive classes.
But noawaday, both Camry and ES are, well, perhaps the worst in their respecive classes.