Performance - acceleration, braking, handling -5 star Build Quality - has it needed repairs? squeaks/rattles - 5 Star Appearance - both interior and exterior styling - 5 Star Cost of Ownership - gas mileage, maintenance - 5 Star Fun Factor - is this car fun to drive? hell yeah

It is my Belief, that this is an Outstanding Vehicle to Buy! Thank you!

This is my first car that I got for my sweet 16 & I'm now 22 and this car still works like a charm. This car has truly been my partner in crime [figuratively speaking, of course ;)] I go thousands of miles without oil changes and it still runs smoothly. Although its not the sexiest categorized sports car, my Solara SLE packs some pep! Being an over zealous new driver my friend who drives a 2008(?) VW Jetta put her car into Sport Mode and we raced to see which car was faster, and my car was faster. This car has lasted through a high school graduation and a college graduation with no major breakdowns. In between those two graduations its lasted through running over curbs, backing into paved walls (yes, multiple times), commuting twice weekly to downtown LA, avoiding mysterious objects in the middle of the 5 and 405 freeways-- all while being a smooth comfortable ride. All in all, this makes an EXCELLENT first car if you're looking for reliability, pep and comfortable. It could be a little more stylish, but I've definitely seen uglier with higher price tags.

My cousin in Los Angeles let me test drive his new stickshift Camry a few years back, and it was one of the best cars I have driven in my life. It really ticks all the boxes: Roomy, comfortable, reliable, fun to drive, cheap to buy, cheap to run. Here is a quick rundown: Roomy: There is copious legroom front and rear, and the trunk is big enough for three or four medium-sized suitcases. Comfortable: The seats are supportive, and the ride is more cushioned than I would expect from anything less than a luxury car. Toyota have done what was once thought impossible: Great ride comfort with no accompanying compromise in handling. The interior is well-insulated from road and wind noise, which is still audible, but muffled. Reliable: Nothing has gone wrong with this car yet, and probably never will. It's a Toyota. Enough said. Fun to drive: Steering is precise and direct. The power assist provides just the right weight. This, combined with the poised handling, gives me the confidence to push the car a bit closer to the limit than I would normally be comfortable doing in a large family car. The Camry I drove was equipped with the standard 5-speed manual transmission. With an automatic, this car would actually be as boring as it looks. The gas, brake, and clutch pedals all feel linear. The clutch has a particularly long travel, which is great for smooth shifting. Cheap to buy: My cousin bought the car in 2007 for 17 grand. It was an incredibly good deal, partly because he haggled the price down, knowing the dealer was desperate to get last year's models off the lot. Even under normal circumstances though, the Camry is a great value, with better standard features than almost anything else in its class. Cheap to run: EPA mileage figures are 21 city, 30 highway, but my cousin claims he gets significantly more than that. Wow. Now for the downsides: The best way I can describe the 4-cylinder engine is "adequate". It's not going to knock your socks off, but it gets the job done. That's fine by me--I get more of a thrill from saving money at the pump than racing between the lights. Seen on its own, the Camry is pleasant to look at, but it doesn't stand out from the crowd. It is so common that you can't drive a mile in most towns without seeing at least twenty of them. It has become the quintessential boring car, in the eyes of the public. And yet, I find myself drawn to its unassuming image. Maybe I just like the idea that no one will ever suspect how much fun I'm having!

The car was one of the most reliable cars I have ever owned. I brought this car used with 23,000 miles. After 5 years of road trips I put about 130K miles on the car. The car runs just as smooth when I brought it. I have had no problems with the car. All I did was change the fluids and tires (the factory tires wear quickly. I suggest replace them with Yokahamas). The 2002 Camry is as smooth operator on the highway and quiet to boot. The car engine is so quiet at idle that I've cranked the starter only to find that it was already on. The the ride is as luxurious as any luxury car out there. The 4 cylinder is adequate for most driving situation thought not a power house. My Brothers Altima (4 cylinder) is much faster. The interior is top notch with good materials (much better than Altima). Fuel Efficiency is great with the 4 cylinder. I averaged around 31 on the highways and around 23 mph in the city. The thing about the 2002 Camry is that it is definitely not tunned for sport. Comfort is it's strong suit. The steering gives no feedback and the brakes are a little on the mushy side but have good stopping power when you need it. The handling while secure feels a little square on turns. If you are looking for sport feel this is not the car for you. However if you are looking for a honestly Good Car that is comfortable, fuel efficient, and will keep going for miles then this is your car. You will not be disappointed. Trust me on that.