1993 vs 1994 Toyota Camry

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Nothing that 1994 lacks.

Nothing that 1993 lacks.

Oil leaks All years One source so far

What to check: Look under the car and around the engine for oil, and ask what has been resealed.

In the comments under Curbside Classic's 1992–1996 article, an unofficial source, two owners of wagons report oil leaks and a third an oil leak with timing belt and check-engine light work; ten of the 38 owners report a problem of some kind, among them engine mount failure and a failed 2.2L.

Owners' reports (unofficial)
Worn CV joints and boots All years

What to check: Look at the drive shaft boots for tears and thrown grease, and listen for clicking on full-lock turns.

Jalopnik's writer needed new CV joints on a 1996, and a commenter under Curbside Classic's article reports a torn CV boot.

Jalopnik, owners' reports (unofficial)

Nothing that 1994 lacks.

98V155000 1994
The steering wheel nut may be loose, causing steering vibration and play. NHTSA

After 1993, up to and including 1994.

1994A coupe joins the range, a passenger airbag becomes standard, and an aluminum 1MZ-FE V6 replaces the 3VZ-FE. The automatic gets fuzzy-logic shift control, and the SE gets standard power windows, locks, mirrors and cruise control. Edmunds, a published reference

Engines: 2.2L four-cylinder A published reference
Transmissions: 5-speed manual A published reference, Automatic Edmunds, a published reference
Drivetrains: Front-wheel drive A published reference
Body styles: Sedan A published reference, Wagon Edmunds, a published reference
Trims: DX Toyota, Edmunds, LE Toyota, Edmunds, XLE Toyota, a published reference, SE Edmunds, a published reference
Packages: Leather seats Toyota, Edmunds, Anti-lock brakes Edmunds, Third-row seat A published reference

Silvermist Metallic 176, 1992–1993 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Almond Beige Pearl 4J1, 1992–1993 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Wineberry Pearl 3K2, 1992–1993 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Blue Haze Pearl 8J6, 1993 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Frosted Sapphire Pearl 8J4, 1992–1993 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Platinum Metallic 1A0, 1994–1996 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Cashmere Beige Metallic 4M9, 1994–1996 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Rally Red 3J6, 1994–1996 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Silverleaf Metallic 6L3, 1994–1996 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
Nightshadow Pearl 8K0, 1994–1996 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Nothing that 1994 lacks.

Nothing that 1993 lacks.

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Nothing that 1994 lacks.

Nothing that 1993 lacks.

Sought after: The 1996, and the V6 All years

Jalopnik calls this the best Camry ever, tough and roomy, with about 190 hp in the V6. Curbside Classic, an unofficial source, suggests the 1996 may be the best Camry of all, and singles out the V6, the wagon, the 1994 coupe and the rare 1995–1996 V6 XLE with leather. Jalopnik, Curbside Classic
Sought after: Long-lived, by owners' accounts All years One source so far

Owners in the comments under Curbside Classic's 1992–1996 article, an unofficial source: of 38 commenters who owned one, 22 praise how long theirs lasted, with cars past 390,000 miles. Owners' reports (unofficial)
Watch for: A bare base car All years Less sought after One source so far

Jalopnik calls the base model sparsely equipped, with little more than seats, air conditioning and a cassette player. Jalopnik