1998 Toyota Camry Review - Not My First Pick, But The Best One!

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DISCLAIMER!
The thoughts, feelings, and opinions expressed in this video are the sole thoughts of Zack and no one else. The thoughts expressed in this video do not reflect the owner, dealership, or organization that owns the vehicle featured. The purpose of this video is to provide entertainment with the hope that you will take what you see and formulate your own opinions. DO NOT make a financial decision based off of this video.
#Toyota #Camry

Timecodes:
0:00 - Intro
1:25 - Drivetrain
3:13 - Interior
4:44 - BFB Test
5:11 - Interior
5:36 - Back Seats
7:26 - Trunk / Cargo Space
7:48 - Exterior
8:35 - Final Thoughts
11:18 - Outro

[@soulhandler2227]

I can't believe you found a Camry that doesn't have a dented bumper. Very rare find!

[@Alloyd876]

Lol 😂 I have a 2001 version

[@Hunter-hb4gd]

@@Alloyd876 same here

[@hattag3399]

It’s probably been fix maybe that guy went to a body shop that does a good job

[@camryuser]

​@@Alloyd876 These will still be running when all cars go electric. 👀💪😎

[@2xjhits149]

My 99 front and back was messed up

[@WarthogRacer]

This is my favorite generation of Camry, I just love the way they look.

[@kobayashiharuno]

i saw a clean '98 Camry with the exact same color as Zack's review car near my neighborhood here in Manila, Philippines and it just looks so clean and handsome. not to mention that Camry is all-stock, so it really looks nice

[@drewzero1]

I always wanted one of these but was sad they discontinued the wagon from the 3rd gen. I had a few friends who had the 3rd gen, one was a wagon and we used to fight for the way back seat. I had a 2nd gen for my first car and it was the perfect car to learn to wrench on.

[@sirsardine1]

I saw a nice black '98 Camry with a rear spoiler and gold badges yesterday... I kind of wanted it lol

[@DTD110865]

​@@drewzero1 In placed like Australia, they had wagon versions of this generation.

[@Just1American1966]

I had a Gen-1 (1986) for a while. I thought it was quite handsome with its sharp lines, but it was a bit small. These Gen-4 models are pretty sleek and one would probably be my first pick if I needed a knock-around and had to pick a Camry.

[@azeez8399]

The simplicity of this generation is quite charming. My friend's Dad had a similar Camry fully loaded with leather seats and it was comfy to drive in and classy looking. The gauges are also very easy on the eyes.

[@producer.james1]

Anyone else actually like the interior despite it being boring? It’s starting to feel classic now and it carry’s the warmth from its generation and the 90s

[@gertstolk]

I bought a '98 in '98 and drove it for two years. Then I drove BMWs until last march when my 2008 5 series died. I now drive a 2001 2.2 LE with 110,000 miles and couldn't be happier. Thanks for shooting this car 😊

[@paulblackman8159]

When I moved from Australia to America in 2002, I used the Toyota Camry as a measuring post to work out how large vehicles in America were compared to Australia. It is probably the only vehicle that was equally ubiquitous in both countries and next to a Suburban or a even a regular F-150 they looked positively tiny despite being the exact same size in both countries.

[@bwofficial1776]

The ultimate high school car. Cheap, reliable, cheap to fix, efficient, not fast enough to get into danger but not slow enough to be a hazard. It's been the best-selling car for decades because it just works. The gold/tan is iconic Camry transportation appliance. The late 90s/early 00s was peak Toyota. We don't have Squirt soda out East. I don't understand tinting the front windows or windshield. Why would you make it harder to see out of your car on purpose? Just wear sunglasses if it's bright, that way you can take them off when it gets dark. Don't do stuff you don't want people to see if it's for privacy or don't drive a car you don't want to be seen in. Crack a window if it's hot.

[@E.R.Schnaben]

I have a 1999 Camry. Bought it new in November of 1998. It is the best car I’ve ever owned. 396,000 miles and purrs like a happy tiger.

[@runforit4203]

My mom had two of those. The headlights looked a bit better in 2000 and later when Toyota switched to a multi-reflector design. The 2.2 was a torquey motor, though. As another commenter wrote, it was fast enough not to be a hazard and slow enough not to get you into trouble. The suspension tuning reminded me a lot of my grandmother’s old LTD Crown Victoria.

[@davinp]

When the Toyota Camry was redesigned for the 1997 model year, it became the #1 selling car, beating the Ford Taurus whose 1996 redesign wasn't liked due to its weird oval design despite Toyota's boring design.

[@robertfleming5829]

I had a 99 Taurus, what an ugly hunk of junk. If i had the Camry instead, I'd probably still have the Camry

[@marcelpatel9017]

I love and still own my 2005 Camry. I bought it used and it's almost 19 years old with well north of 200,000 miles & is an absolute tank of a car. Toronto, Canada

[@moeanthony9308]

Shout out to the 6ix y’all

[@shanetyler9391]

It's cheap when bought used and very reliable!!

[@winstonmiu]

I wish Toyota made cars like these again: focused on simplicity and comfort rather than trying to be sporty.

[@thersanothersidetome]

I grew up in this car and I still keep it running. Love it and will keep it forever

[@jefferysmith3930]

I love this generation Camry. I worked at a Toyota dealership when these were new. Very few things ever went wrong with them. I have never heard anyone else mention this before but I always thought these looked like a dumbed down version of and Alfa Romeo 164 which is a gorgeous car.

[@orthopraxis235]

haha...i had a 1991 164 l in red...awesome looking and handling car. I still drive a 1998 Camry as well, 386,000 miles 5sfe and going strong.

[@cassette_elk]

99 Camry V6 here! It can survive on modern roads better than some modern cars. Never selling mine, and I'm gonna get through college with it just fine. Only thing I'm worried about is the rust... as always.

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

move to the south, rust is just a myth here

[@cassette_elk]

@@fortheloveofnoise9298 yeah but so is a white christmas lol both types of snow are addictive, it turns out

[@TheoPhilpot]

just sold my 99 v6 a few months back - perhaps the worst decision ever haha... keep the underside washed!

[@cassette_elk]

@@TheoPhilpot What's the best way to do that? A little new to this.

[@TheoPhilpot]

@@cassette_elk if it’s very dirty in the winter just spray the bottom thoroughly

[@shanetyler9391]

me and my wife have a 2000 Camry and it has a v6 its a 4 door been Bullitt proof since February 2013 and then it was at 153k now at 198k and still runs like a clock love these cars thanks Toyota :) the v6 makes 196hp and about 200lb feet of torque and i use it often and it rocks:)

[@aenoymotors]

I used to have a 1998 Camry LE in that same color over 10 years ago. It had 250,000 miles and was stupendous. Unfortunately, a tree fell in a storm and smashed into the roof. I still kinda miss that car.

[@baddriversoftennessee]

My mom had one pretty similar to this, I’m so glad to finally have a good review of one that isn’t a racecar

[@wilsonreyes7258]

Try the v6 is a different story, great review as always 😎

[@KayakTN]

I had one of these. It was great. Drove it for years.

[@kaitlynnicastro9267]

This was my first car!!! My 98 XLE V6 Is hands down the best first car I could’ve asked for. I had driven my mom’s SUV to work, But when I bought my lil Camry from my sister, it was a game changer. Leather seats, power seats and sunroof. It needed some work done but nothing out of the ordinary tbh. New EGR valve at one point, new vapor Canister needed at another. Basic emissions stuff you know? But this car has ran so smooth, and has never left me stranded (although that rough idle from the bad EGR valve kinda scared me a bit 😅). I’m gonna be super emotional when it’s time to get a new car. But that’s gonna be so long from now, 187,000 miles on that car and still going strong! Wouldn’t have it any other way. Mine is also in decent condition cosmetically. Few scratches and paint scuffs on the front and rear from previous owners but hey, still nice and shiny everywhere else!

[@davinp]

Someone made a video of the Toyota Camry with the late Tina Turner's The Best. Toyota Camry is simply the best, better then all the rest

[@walker787878]

where is it!?

[@davinp]

@@walker787878 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYDKZYl6pb-Nh5I

[@suchabigboy9324]

I have a 5 speed manual 2000 Camry and it is great. Never want to get rid of it.

[@marqushio2752]

Don't give her up. I gave up my 5 speed Camry at 265k. Only thing wrong was the paint and a broken passenger door handle. I really wish I still had it.

[@shanetyler9391]

5 speed manual transmission were rare in these. Honda made a 4 door accord in the early 2000s that was a 5 speed also pretty rare.

[@scoobiedude]

had a 98 Camry and a 98 Avalon.. always kept an eye out for the Camry in a v6 manual.

[@mauriciocastillo2344]

In Puerto Rico you see them everytime! especially the 4 cyl ones, is one of the best Toyotas ever made, reliable and comfortable at his best👌🏽btw, big fan of your channel😎💪🏽

[@nickparkin8527]

I got a 2002 accord which is the same generation as these Camrys and I think just about all Japanese cars at this time were amazing. I have 110k miles and it drives like it’s brand new. Runs perfect every day and it’s actually kinda fun to drive. 21+ years old and everything is original and works.

[@alpaljl]

I love my '99 V6. New owner loves it too. I miss that car.

[@ejstreasurehunting6627]

While these have definitely disappeared a little over the years, I still a ton of 3rd and 4th Gen Camrys where I live in Illinois compared to other cars of there age. If you need reliable transportation you can’t go wrong with a Camry. Got a 2013 as my first car back in September, and not a single problem besides an oil leak when I got it so far.

[@vincentblouin5882]

Your analogies are so great!

[@Gibson99]

I had a 98 Camry CE V6 5spd... With the TRD supercharger, smaller pulley for 8psi, injectors, fuel pump, flywheel, hd clutch, LSD, full exhaust, coilovers, and 16x8 BBS basketweave wheels... And it was this same color. Sleeper. 😁

[@sethfranklin8079]

This review rebuilt my love that i had for this generation of the camry

[@marqushio2752]

I had a 98 about 6 years ago. 5 speed, hand roll windows, and cold ac. Traded it at 265k miles because of the terribly faded paint. Wish I hadn't. One of the best ever.

[@paradisopaul]

Back in 2018 I was still living in Venezuela and I was looking for an older and comfortable car for roadtrips (I used to travel from my town to the city in road known for violent carjacking in those years). So I was looking around this gen of Camry and I had two options (a pristine condition facelift 2000 Camry 2.2 with 69.000 km or a pristine condition 1997 Camry 3.0 V6 with 98.000 km) and I ended getting the 1997 because the owner of the 2000 regretted selling the car. Dude, I loved that thing because of the smooth ride, comfiness and I felt like you said, in a time capsule and thinking about everything that happened in those cars and the historic events of the world and my country, the music back then, etc. When we decided to move to America we sold our way newer SUVs first and we left the Camry for the last, I was so sad of letting go my boring but loved old-new looking fully loaded Camry. Now I live in Wisconsin and I see some of this around but they're beat up, rusted and I can't find a pristine one like the one I had, and not even the XLE V6 is as loaded as the Euro Spec made in Japan that I had.

[@bilalsyed8088]

When I was a kid, we used to borrow this gen Camry from a family friend to go on road trips.

[@ingemarrydberg3045]

I had a 98 back in 2008 with the 5 speed manual. Great car! I remember when the model came back in 97. I really liked the slick rear lights and I still do

[@LightningLeo85]

this generation of camry and es300 are my favorite ive seen some nice jdm builds with this gen of camry

[@nightmareaccomplice5816]

I love your video!!!! My mom left me her 1997 camry and I'm fixing it up to be show room condition. I'm in the process of painting it right now. 😮

[@lambirging]

finally a review of this xv20 since I'm considering getting one but still waiting to see if there will be a wagon version in the market , thanks Zack

[@tdt2296]

Reminds me of my aunt’s 1997 Gold LE with silver package, standard hubcaps, cloth interior and no spoiler. Loved that thing unlike my dad’s (black LE, gold package, spoiler but same hubcaps and interior). She got rear ended in the mid 00s and ended up getting a Honda Odyssey.😢 This model will always be in my heart and admired because it looks so beautiful especially in gold and driving in the rain!! You are right, of all the events these 25 years, you can imagine how it was being in it (car). I’m 27 these were one of my childhood cars specifically infant days which I’ve seen very often later on in the years!! Last, great video, got me in full of nostalgia!!

[@aidenweaver3940]

Awesome Video Mr. Cars!

[@Blabus5]

I still drive 1995 V6 camry (3rd gen). It's got 450k km and a few oil leaks here and there but still rolls. It's one of the most comfy cars I've ever driven. Personally I prefer 3rd gen looks over 4th gen because 3rd gen design felt consistent while 4th one had rounded front and boxy rear.

[@davinp]

Looks like the upgraded the headlights to LED lights as there wasn't LED lights in 1998

[@parkersilver8611]

My grandmother bought one of these when they were new and I grew up in the backseat of it, happy to say that I’m still driving it today after all these years. Only 151,000 on the odometer as well

[@Obamaisgey]

Great work Zach

[@Metalodeath]

Man these cars I got good memories my dad had one it went a longgggggg time I just loved the way older Camrys looked there’s a reason it’s still americas best selling sedan and I wish I had one! 🤪

[@earthsperfectphotos9765]

Everyone seems to review every camry, accept the 3rd and 4th gen camry. Glad this one is getting some light shined on it!. Just sold my 98 camry XLE 4 Cylinder. Was a great car and got great mpgs. Overall, just simply good cars. Seems like this camry is an XLE but with the 4 cylinder, leather , xle rims , electric seats with SRS side airbags but no sunroof!. Mine was XLE as well with rims , 4 cylinder, electric seats as well as the side airbags , factory security system although cloth interior and no sunroof.

[@Sonata9405]

My mom had one , she bought in Dec 1997, I was almost 15 that time , I still can forget that day , it was a cold windy day , and I just came from my math private lesson , I still remember the smell , and how smooth that car was , it was one of the best cars we have ever had , we went to see the titanic movie with that brand new baby .

[@rahmatshazi883]

Owned an '88, a '98 and an '04, love how this gen strikes the best balance between ride and handling. The later ones' ride tend to be on the soft side.

[@sreginkc]

Had a dark green 1998 XLE with sunroof and a V6! It was so much more fun to drive than a 2.2 4 cylinder. Thanks for the review.

[@hoopty.]

Best car ever made.

[@bradleymeyer9775]

I bet those seats are more comfortable than the ones in my 2015 Toyota Camry.

[@thegoodstick3985]

I grew up with this generation of the Camry. I am a early 2000s kid and these were all over the place and they had the best ride out of any car I have ever ridden.

[@danboi2842]

I fucking love old cars in very good condition, mostly stock. Nice video Zack!

[@alexlarson2466]

Do a video on the 3rd gen sedan, they have the Lexus bubble styling to them.

[@mercboy111]

In Australia we had the equivalent of the XLE V6 called the Vienta Grande. Hope you can find an equivalent one. Biggest regret in getting rid of our XV20 V6.

[@426envy]

I’m still driving a ‘99 (5S-FE) with 334K. Cold AC, still running great! Same color too, Cashmere Beige Metallic.

[@user-ws9jj6ts3s]

How about fuel consumption bro?

[@426envy]

@@user-ws9jj6ts3s 25-26 MPG around town (city/hwy driving).

[@GTStrane]

Nice Review! Bro still has the plastic peel on the radio screen!!!😂🤦‍♂️

[@levithrasher7417]

You should find a v6 5 speed to review. Maybe one with a factory TRD supercharger too

[@msmarshall854]

The good old days when cars had glass, and creamy colored interiors (instead of nasty all-black and hard plastics!)

[@damilolaakanni]

The only generations of the Camry left for you are the 1st and 3rd generation. I'm not a fan of the 3rd generation though, I still think this 4th generation was much better. Also, there was a wagon of the 4th generation sold in Asian markets (Japan in particular), and they look really good.

[@z7a0c7k]

I honestly love my Camry. I have a v6 version and I think it’s one of the most luxurious Camrys they made that year with the leather seats and wood interior. My car only has 66k miles on it.

[@stevemoskowitz5960]

I had a 99 which is identical. Had many good times. Got in 2005 for $4k at about 60k miles and sold in 2011 for $3k with 103k mikes.

[@robertdiehl9003]

The greatest car everrrrrrrrr builtttttttttt ..

[@kint3300]

I am in illinois and have a 99 V6 manual camry, I actually was thinking of submitting it for a review, then this came out hahaha

[@ShootingCars]

I’m still interested! Submit away!

[@bradjohnson2273]

I rock this same color and gen of camry It's a 1999 LE with the 3.0L v6 paired with a 5 speed manual. bought it for $800 in 2016 and It's nuts to think that something like this was even possible.. for 800 dollars I've had a reliable car for 6-7 years. tires, brake pads, oil changes and a couple fuses here and there. some whipers and a couple headlights recently.. the amount of work I could do to it is a ton but... It was $800 7 years ago... Its saved me an insane amount of money.

[@jaidee9570]

I live in Thailand, so no rust problems but faded paint is after 25 years of hot sun. To be honest, leather is an unwanted option, 30 minutes of hot sun and it's melting the skin on your legs! However there are lots of these cars around and although the second hand car market is strangely expensive, the recent increases in fuel costs and the large engine capacity has pushed these down in price. Generally speaking annual mileages here tend to be lower than the UK, where I'm from, so it's not too difficult to find "house cars", the term used to describe a woman's school run and shopping car, in good condition with low miles for not too much money. We have two cars so don't need anything else, but I'm considering buying one of these or a same generation Corolla (Corona, Soluna, or Vios), because spares are plentiful, they just keep going and given the type of driving I mostly do now, I'm more interested in having a nice place to be than how flat it is through the bends.

[@JuCarlos-ex8ip]

Just found out about your channel great content. Thoseb90s toyotas camry are almost bulletproof if well maintained

[@peterbrook329]

I have a 2000 Camry and love it!

[@2xjhits149]

Do a review on the v6 camrys

[@tylerh8116]

Oh how I miss my camry this model here was my very first toyota buy and I'm hooked.. also she sat in a field for years and started and drove first try and would've lasted way longer if my mechanic didn't choose to do coke sadly only had her for a year until another mechanic screwed her up worse me being broke had to scrap the car. Will definitely buy another once I find one worth buying. Honestly one of the best cars I ever had and the only car I installed a aftermarket system in because of the trunk space.. please toyota gods send another camry my way I'm in need lmao

[@xinx-fn8973]

My family has an 01 Camry, it’s been sitting in our driveway with a spun bearing for the 2nd time, 2nd engine only lasted 2-3k miles before it spun a bearing

[@hx.925]

very random but any idea on what percentage it's tinted to?

[@jbverges22]

All of mine have been V6 cars. I love my 96, but my favorite car ever was a 97 XLE.

[@jpsyoda82]

I had a 2000 LE, v6 with a manual transmission. Total sleeper. I loved that car. Sadly she got reposessed in 09.

[@82_KID]

You heard it here first.. I MIGHT be buying one of these.

[@histubeness]

What year is that Toyota Celica coupe at 1:50?

[@propermods2849]

Oh man "hearing aid tan" got me off guard ngl 😂

[@nunyabizness9045]

I bought my daughter a 1999 Toyota Camry with 61,000 miles on it. It's super smooth... Love it so much I want to take it from her

[@dennisv7970]

I still have my 1998 Canry but LE. Not leather seat. 296K miles and it still runs strong

[@SVAsianPhilippinesGo6858]

I have this car! I was 16 in 2000 but 14 in 1998. Great car, love it till you know.. 😛. ❤

[@MMCknowledge]

Hearing aid tan. My favorite color.

[@carloscuevas9129]

What percentage tint is that all around?

[@heiseirider2602]

did the cargo space can fit 2 baggage size 28 inch ???

[@deanvoss7098]

My 1994 Toyota Camry station wagon has been my daily driver for almost 6 years... I should probably just keep it cuz it won't die and how many Ford Tauruses and Chevy cars from that era do you see on the road still driving and looking good??

[@tylerwhoisafanoffanstrains9246]

My grandma has a Toyota Camry LE 1998 and it is really a great car. Shes had it since 2001 and everything is just really great about her good car. Id give it 5 out of 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@felixfinck4701]

I have a 2000 Lexus ES300, it was definitely neglected but it still goes along like new

[@noble20xx56]

Aye same here. It's a nice cruiser, and I don't plan on giving it up.

[@limbogt747]

@noble20xx56 how's the gas? I think about getting a 2001 lexus es but since it used premium gas shit gets expensive

[@ChickenGaming-er2dy]

@@limbogt747it should use regular gas and get 20 mpg combined

[@TheoPhilpot]

We recently retired our XV20, a 99 XLE V6 with 200k. Original family from new to death. We got every ounce of life out of that car. After the third accident rebuild, suspension clank, brakes were shot, struts were shot, and every single body panel had significant damage, Carmax bought it for a thousand bucks. The engine was still running smoothly and the V6 never gave us any problems... ever. I cannot remember one instance where the Camry broke down or left us stranded. I think the engine probably had another 100k in it even as neglected as it was.

[@Tammy9990]

Beautiful car an absolutely workhorse !! for sure

[@scott8919]

I had a 99 just like this. Mist states had 133 horsepower but if it was a California emissions compliant car like mine, it was 130 horsepower. They are objectively too slow for the weight. I once took mine to Mt. Washington in New Hampshire with my mother and sister and it lost so much power by the time we got to the top that I had to floor it to get the car moving up the last little climb into the parking lot.

[@histubeness]

What happened to the "Toyota" (left) and "Camry" (right) logos that should be on the edge of the back trunk? At least the center emblem is there.

[@RAFAEL199O]

Man I really love those cyclops Style tail lights

[@EvendimataE]

mine has the same door sidings super easier to clean than cloth

[@Aschoolbusandsimulatorfan2219]

One of the best cars!

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

Do you ever come to Georgia or Alabama? If so, I got a 1998 Nissan Sentra with a manual transmission.

[@ShootingCars]

I do! I'll be in Georgia later this year. you can submit your car to Zackpradel.com/submit

[@hoomanAdnan]

Beautiful car 😍🏆 ❤ From Bangladesh 🇧🇩

[@Ce2O]

I have myself the '99 camry LE 2.2L w/manual gear. It's soon at 280K Km (don't know in miles) Has the same paint color, but with more rust on the standard locations. It's a great daily driver car here in Norway. Tho, people ask why i have an car form the 90's as a daily commuter. In my own opinion it's more fun to drive the camry than the 06 VW Passat 2.0 TDI wagon that i had before. Gasoline over diesel XD

[@hugnroll]

Had Silver One 1997 And Have Now 1999 Black One ( Now In Carage Waiting Crank Chaft From U.S. 1997-2000 Camry Rules! 👍🙂👍

[@sethaddo1909]

I have a 1998 Toyota Camry C, with 345,000miles still drive very smoothly I bought it in 2000 I love it and guess what everything in the car is the original, all the car needs is regular maintenance thank you Toyota!

[@tommitchell2055]

Interesting to see the base engine on a car with leather and alloy wheels

[@doug6191]

Nah...not back then. This was common for the segment.

[@gob7116]

Kinda feel that this was the peak of Toyota reliability. Sure, the xv10 was the first 5sfe ultimate bulletproof reliable engine that paved the way for Japanese reliability, but it was this that sold like hotcakes and are still running flawlessly all these years. I’d say they would be sought after, if they were actually rare. But I’m guessing the rarity is not in quantity but finding a car that’s over 20 years old that still runs like it did when it was new. Minor maintenance like oil changes is all it needs and you have a functioning and relatively modern car for life.