MotorWeek Review | 2002 Toyota Camry

[@NFSMAN50]

That ain't a car, thats a military tank disguised as a ordinary sedan lol. These Camry's never die lol, they can easily go for 300k miles with everything serviced and updated. I still see this generation Camry on the roads today. They are a true testament to Toyotas reliability.

[@nosah8415]

I have a neighbor that has an 04 I believe. We'll over 200K, but looks pristine. I wish I could buy it from her😂

[@RobertDooley-sl7cp]

It's true, the only thing that killed my Camry was a Saturn.

[@mr_mhg91]

That's very true, but the problem is that it isn't safe. A lot of weak points in the car crash-wise

[@marcelpatel9017]

​@@mr_mhg91 It only did poorly with side crash testing without the optional side airbags. The frontal scores are great.

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

@@mr_mhg91Actually it’s probably safer than a new Camry if you crash into an SUV. I saw an F150 rear end a Camry of this Generation and whole truck folded up like an accordion. The Camry had a dent in the bumper.

[@whiskeytango1744]

Right after Corvid, had to relocate and prioritize life and did not want to go back to paying a loan on a new car. Came across a used Camry 05 by chance of the previous owner not wanting to drive it anymore. I put in the time to get the car in for inspection to see what was needed. They did the fluid changes and new oils. Today, this Camry runs smooth and is a joy to drive daily. So glad to have paid outright for a second hand car that seems to withstand the test of time.

[@davidott744]

Same situation here. Bought an 02 2 years ago out of necessity and now I choose to keep it. A wonderful car

[@lobsterbisque7567]

In '20, I bought an '02 equipped with the 4cyl. engine and For the next 9mos. I used it as a delivery vehicle for my job as a courier. 80mi. of city driving, and 50 mi of freeway driving everyday. And having 200k mi. on the odomter, it handled the work like a champ! Since it was neglected by the previous owners, I did all the routine maintenance plus a major tune up as soon as I got the car home. By the time I had finished flushing all the fluids and all the repairs, It drove like new again. It is a boring car, but it's comfortable, & smooth. One of the best daily drivers I've ever owned.

[@Aaron-fb6mb]

Does it burn oil excessively?

[@Doobie1975]

I liked how the 4 cylinder power of this era of the Camry has a lot more power than the previous Camry, I personally find the 2002-06 Camry's to be the last truly great era of the Camry's.

[@lifesucks3835]

I had one I hated it so much i practically had to floor it everywhere. I bought a Volkswagen jetta 5cyl after less than a month of driving the camry and im glad i did. Now I have a 2018 vw passat 3.6v6 and I love it as much as I loved my jetta.

[@retiredsnowbunnyhunterx5106]

I'm not really a Toyota fan but I definitely like the new ones xre.

[@YourMom-vl2sp]

The 4 cylinder has bad oil rings 😂🤣

[@YourMom-vl2sp]

@@lifesucks3835 how you like those valve and transmission problems? 🤣😂

[@acadianfever]

@@YourMom-vl2sp Just the '07 -'09 years! And even then, only a very small percentage of them. Other years are fine!

[@marksmith4582]

My very first Camry was the 2002 XLE 4 cylinder with leather interior. I was very happy with it and have owned 4 more since. Mark in Iowa.

[@ditiprel4]

You got the best trim of that gen with the best engine. Toyota used to do leather so well. The new leather equipped toyotas are fake, cheap, and just plain uncomfortable. I have an 04 lexus es330 that is amazing.

[@Aaron-fb6mb]

Thanks Mark

[@pilgrim8853]

I have a 2003 Toyota Camry LE with 155,000 miles. It runs very good.

[@davidcarder6364]

I also have a 03 camry LE V6 with 125,300 miles and it too runs like a champ.

[@jams1533]

Low miles for the year!

[@hakeemsd70m]

I just got a 2005 Camry XLE with 246K miles on it. I call it the Japanese Buick.

[@automotivetv9861]

it took forever for someone to finally upload this!!

[@DANNYN224]

I have 98 Camry with 365,000 miles only one issue rear main seal but I put heavier oil and it stopped the leak no issues with the vehicle

[@nicolasisquithcarreno9692]

Honestly this design with the spoiler and the specific rims that came with the sport trim looked very sharp

[@Royal_G80]

I have a 2002 Camry XLE with 300,000+ miles on it. Still runs really well!

[@fernandorocha8459]

Very nice this Toyota Camry. Confortable and resistent

[@DTD110865]

That's more than mine. As of this writing, I only have 271,768 miles. And I know people who'd never believe I could say ONLY 271K on the thing.

[@marcelpatel9017]

Have a 2005 Camry LE with leather, sunroof and wood interior. Over 18 years old with over 350,000 kms. Solid as a tank. I could easily fit 4 snow tires in my trunk no problem. Toronto Canada

[@cameronb3834]

I miss these with the rear sunshades on XLE’s.

[@ajsoli12]

I feel like this design aged well. I sometimes see some pristine fifth gen Camrys and think it still looks like a new car. This Camry and the generations succeeding it have been pretty much the same overall in its design and shape.

[@DamianHunterJohn]

I remember being able to put my brother in law's mountain bike in the trunk with the lid shut.

[@RoadCone411]

First, I cannot believe this generation of Camry is now old enough to drink (and thankfully John has weaned himself off calling the car the "Cam-ray" by this time). Secondly, this car may not have stirred excitement but can we take a moment to remember what a great vehicle this was for its day? The styling has aged well, the cabin looks very inviting in top level trim, there are decent materials used throughout, lots of space and comfort, and performance that was better than it needed to be for a car in this class. I've generally preferred Accords over Camrys across the decades, but this generation was different - in full XLE trim with a V6, this car was more of a rival to the period Maxima yet cost thousands less. Toyota hit this Camry out of the park; I have been far less impressed with the subsequent Camrys that have followed, although the current (2023) Camry has what it takes to drum up some interest once again.

[@PeterGriffin-kb2hf]

I have a 2002 XLE. It’s an excellent car and I still see them around on the roads. The leather interior is absurdly comfortable, and that little 2.4 has some decent top end

[@MarcoAutomobilePassion]

I do agree. I was a teen and I remembered my parents fell in love with the 2002 XLE at the showroom, and yes, interiors rivaled the Maxima. It was a great, reliable car for 17 years…I still miss it. I now own a 2024 HEV Camry and I love it.

[@ddk80]

I had an 06 XLE V6 with only 90k miles, which was totaled in November of 2020 by a yahoo not paying attention pulling out of a strip mall. I miss that car dearly. It was the poor man’s Lexus ES.

[@brytonmassie]

I actually drive one of these my family got off the showroom floor in 02 for a discount because it was the first 2002 model the dealership had sold, thing drives without issue, no major repairs except the bumpers and headlight assembly from minor crashes, and the biggest repair I've done so far was replacing the catalytic converter cause it wore out. This car is indestructible, has a efficient engine without lack of displacement like modern cars which means it can haul ass when need be, and doesn't have any really annoying "features", sure it's missing modern tech but not anything that special which you can't get on Amazon. I keep it in such clean condition that I've had people ask to buy it, and it's my fault that 2 people I know bought the same damn car! Although the biggest thing I've had to do as of late is the springs in the door lock cylinder, window motor, and the car key needing replacement from wear.

[@ecymbura31]

Most reliable generation if you ask me

[@2007NissanAltima]

These still are on road and are bulletproof while looking modern

[@jams1533]

Happy with my 2011 I’ve had no issues so far sitting at 114k

[@maxseed4730]

My grandparents bought 2 of these in 02 both v6 le's

[@texan903]

Do they still have them?

[@maxseed4730]

@@texan903 1 of them.. other was donated with 243k

[@texan903]

@@maxseed4730 so cool!! Amazing to not need a new car for 20 years.

[@Sunmoon-gj9gy]

I just found one with 40k miles on it for $3,800

[@AdamWild572]

I miss this car

[@tetsmon]

2002 Toyota, official first car from 2002-2024 and counting

[@brianwong745]

My first car

[@stephenleone2375]

Everyone talks about how great and reliable these cars are, but what I can't find out is how are these cars in the snow??? No one ever talks about the FWD Camry, Avalon, ES models and how they perform in the snow with all season tires.

[@DANNYN224]

Fwd Camry for snow it's ok but deep snow not recommend it you have to drive slow when It snows it ok

[@6mtzhp55]

Why do you copy and paste this comment on multiple videos. Bot?

[@stephenleone2375]

@@6mtzhp55 - yes, I'm a bot and now that you've replied to my comment, I've taken control. Seriously? Have you ever heard of getting a second opinion, or multiple points of view?

[@mcfragger2605]

Hi, im currently living in BC canada and we just had a back to back snow dumps lasg week. With BC not well prepared to salt everywhere I had the unfortunate experience of climbing up a steep hill with my 4 cyl 2002 camry xle (with all seasons). My exerprience was that the car's front wheels can pull the car up but expect fishtailing effect, because thats exactly what happened to me as I basically drifted uphill (car was going up but my steering wheel was hard left to compensate). Going down hill isnt that bad if you keep your speed below 40km/hr!

[@stephenleone2375]

@@mcfragger2605 - Thank you for your real-world experience. I greatly appreciate! For a long while now I've been driving Buick LeSabres in NJ's wet slippery snow, which even with all season tires, the cars have been amazing in the snow and give me such confidence. I could swear that I was told by a tow truck driver once that he had to help an elderly lady move her Camry that was stuck on a road (going up a steep mountain here) where the rear bumper was against the guard rail and that the car didn't perform too well in the snow, but I don't know what the condition of the car tires were, which has had me wondering for a while now. Thank you again for your input.

[@user4136_]

Not enough power not even the v6. Good reliable cars though

[@GameArmorGameplay]

The V6 had a TRD Supercharger as an option, but I know what you mean. The 2GR that came after the 1MZ and 3MZ was much better.

[@vasquezy692]

God. It's the same scp 3707 XD. Look for it and you'll see it

[@yudhabagaskara98]

Officially sold shortly after 9/11

[@pontiacGXPfan]

If it wasn't for its little brother Corolla this would literally be the most vapid, no personality having car in existence

[@FerrariCarr]

I agree. I had 2 friends in college who had this car, both in plain white. I remember the steering feeling very numb and I hated how the car smelled on the inside because of the very cheap leather. And the raised rear-end made backing up a complete nightmare.

[@brytonmassie]

It's why I like the car, if you get one in the correct green color it's almost completely invisible to cops!

[@derkommissar4986]

I respect your opinion but its a Camry bro it's made to be a basic normal and dependable sedan which it excelled in. It's also my first car right now

[@marcelpatel9017]

The leather ain't cheap my friend. I still own my 2005 with leather and it's perfect not a tear and not sagging . Over 18 years old. The seats for this car were taken from Lexus ES 300 Toronto Canada

[@pontiacGXPfan]

@@marcelpatel9017 the 2020 is different......all the money went into the platform