Overview & Reviews

Toyota plays the market conservatively with the all-new Camry, giving consumers exactly what they want; a roomy, attractive, feature-laden car with available V6 performance and the promise of excellent reliability as well as resale value. The 1997 Toyota Camry is the new standard for midsize sedans.

• Lower price than last year, contemporary design, Toyota dependability, future resale value, ultimate family sedan

• Cheap-looking front fascia detracts from otherwise rich styling, still priced slightly higher than main competitors

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 119.00

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  My Camry - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By Gus Clemens - November 14 - 10:00 am

  My 1997 Camry is my second Camry. I drove my first Camry for seven years, then passed it to my son who drove it three more, even after it got caught in hail storm. Transportation is transportation -- I want reliability and quality. Both my Camrys delivered. I expect my third one will do so too when I buy it in another year or two.

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  Great Car - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By Ilya - July 24 - 7:33 am

  Ive driven about 33K over the last 3 years and the Camry now has 105K and running strong. There are a few minor problems (small leakage of power steering, shocks need to be replaced), but that would be the case for any car with this much mileage! Either way, still runs great! Ive worked on upgrading it myself over the years and this car has survived my trials & tribulations!

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By evo - June 13 - 8:06 pm

  My only complaint is the suspension... its terrible and so expensive to replace, but unless its done, youll pay on brakes. Very comfortable and great on trips, a little gutless these days through mountain passes and at 170000 Im ready to move on... definitely replacing with another toyota. Ive loved my camry.

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  Mixed Feelings - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By camrydriver - January 15 - 11:06 am

  I bought this car with 80,000 miles and now it has 190,000. Started having problems about 2 years ago. Key wouldnt turn in ignition, $200 to fix. Now I have multiple oil leaks in the front & back of the engine. Radiator is cracked and timing belt needs to be replaced. Woodgrain is cracked and peeling. Rear door handle doesnt work from inside. Struts/shocks are bad. With all problems, its never broken down and has taken me many miles. Not sure if I need to spend the $$ to get it repaired as itll be more than its worth right now. Im torn b/c this is a good car. Moms is 1 year newer and never any of these problems.

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  toy - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By tracy - December 25 - 12:36 am

  Interior design only problems Ive ever had. Back of driver seat weak and carpet never has fit perfect but thats being picky. Trunk interior liner piece and loose and wont stay in place. Highway noise has increased with age but still acceptable. Normal maintenance of timing belt and CV joints only large cost incured. Engine and transmission still plenty strong with not a single leak. Still get over 30 mpg hwy and even gets better 35-40 with increase in speed. Cant explain that one. Absolutely no buyers remorse and no plans to sell this one for many years.

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  200,000 and still going strong - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By jason1974mgb - October 10 - 4:02 pm

  As a car guy I never thought I would buy a normal commuter car, but this car rocks, I bought it at 150,000 last year and have put 50k on it so far, at about 190,000 the original shocks finally gave out. for what it is (4cyl manual trans) its actually quite peppy, handles well enough to not be boring, and still gets 31mpg combined city / highway, and only uses about 1/2 quart of oil between oil changes. the only problems I have had with it are the prior mentioned shocks, and the actuator that selects where the air should go inside the car has stopped working. I will run this thing until the wheels fall off then buy another one, hopefully a convertible.

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  Good Old Lady - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By Sunday Driver - November 12 - 2:00 am

  It has been a reliable vehicle. Ive been good about maintaining it according to the owners manual. Had to replace the radiator a couple of years ago; has almost 110,000 miles on her. I was thinking about selling her cause little cosmetic things are breaking like the bezel on the drivers side cracked (had to open the door from the outside)and the center console lid hinge is cracked all the way down. Clear coat on hood is starting to peel. Thinking about buying an American made hybrid vehicle this time around. This good old lady has been a good ride.

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  Still going strong - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By toyota - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought my camry new in 97. The V6 is smooth and still very strong with over 130k miles. Its been in the shop once in 6 years for a small repair. This car handles great in the snow, the traction control helps.

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  97 Toyota Camry = Bored Mechanic - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By Michael - June 6 - 8:23 pm

  This car has been in the family since day one in august of 1997 being my Moms, then my Sisters and now its mine. With 173,000 miles on it still running purrrrr-fect, still riding like a new cars this car has with- stood the test of time and still have lots more life in it. Repairs made have been typical maintenance, rear strut assemblies, a few light bulbs, an egr sensor, a battery, a power steering hose, and.... thats all I can think of being done in a 173,000 miles so we have 1 bored starving mechanic. Its a great ride high quality even used pick one up put about a grand in it and enjoy timeless reliability!!!

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  Old Reliable... - 1997 Toyota Camry
  By sgarland85 - May 27 - 3:21 pm

  I wrote a review awhile back on here, which was positive, but I think I need to re-iterate. Ive had my Camry for 5 years and put on 65,00+ miles and it has not left me stranded once, period. Ive had to replace a few things here and there, but mostly just routine maintenance is all shes needed. After 17 years her metallic paint is still shiny.