1996 vs 1997 Toyota Camry

1996

• 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)

1997

• Engine oil sludge All years Walk away if found

  What to check: With the engine off, look under the oil filler cap for sludge, and watch the exhaust at start-up for blue smoke. Ask for the oil change records.

  In 2002 Toyota offered cover for sludge damage on 1997–2002 Toyota and Lexus models with the 3.0L V6 or 2.2L four, for eight years from first sale. A 2007 settlement covered Camry fours of 1997–2001 and V6s of 1997–2002, among about 3.5 million vehicles, for eight years and 120 days from purchase, ConsumerAffairs reports. Both have long run out. Samarins, an unofficial source, says to pass on a car that shows any blue smoke, and CarComplaints.com, another, lists a seized engine as the 1999's worst problem.

  Work Truck Online, ConsumerAffairs, Samarins.com, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Knocking from the front struts All years

  What to check: Drive over bumps and listen for knocks from the front, and look at the strut mounts and the anti-roll bar links and bushings.

  Samarins, an unofficial source, says worn front strut mounts were common. An owner commenting under Curbside Classic's 1983 article reports a 1997 whose struts knocked against the body at about 100,000 miles, cured with new struts.

  Samarins.com, owners' reports (unofficial)

1996

Nothing that 1997 lacks.

1997

• Rare TRD supercharger kit Package

  A TRD kit for the V6, 1997 to 2000 A published reference

1996

• 96V037000 1996

  The tail lamp bulb holders can deform from the heat of the bulb. NHTSA

1997

• 97V156000 1997

  Moisture can freeze in the brake vacuum hose after long use in extreme cold. NHTSA

• 97V213000 1997

  The key interlock can jam so the key comes out with the automatic not in park. NHTSA

1996

Engines

3.0L V6, aluminum (1994–1996) Edmunds, a published reference

Body styles

Sedan A published reference, Wagon Edmunds, a published reference, Coupe (1994–1996) Edmunds, a published reference

Trims

DX Toyota, Edmunds, SE Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

Anti-lock brakes Edmunds, Third-row seat A published reference

1997

Engines

3.0L V6 Edmunds, a published reference

Trims

CE Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference

Packages

TRD supercharger kit (1997–2000) A published reference

1996

• Diamond White Pearl on Soft Gray Metallic 28Y, 1996 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Platinum Metallic 1A0, 1994–1996 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Silver Taupe Metallic 923 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Rally Red 3J6, 1994–1996 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Shadow Plum Pearl 927, 1996 An owners' registry (unofficial)
• Silverleaf Metallic 6L3, 1994–1996 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Nightshadow Pearl 8K0, 1994–1996 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)

1997

• Antique Sage Pearl 1B2 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Sunfire Red Pearl 3K4, 1997–1998 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Frosted Iris Metallic 931, 1997–1998 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Blue Dusk Pearl 930, 1997–1999 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
• Blue Velvet Pearl 8L3, 1997–1999 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)

1996

• Oak Cloth, 1993–1996 Toyota, Edmunds

1997

Nothing that 1996 lacks.

1996

• 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

1997

• Avoid: Cheaper made than the 3rd gen All years Less sought after

  SlashGear finds this one of the least troubled Camrys, with few complaints, investigations and recalls, but says owners don't praise it much and does not recommend one used. To Curbside Classic, an unofficial source, Toyota's savings left it plainer than the 3rd gen in both looks and build. SlashGear, Curbside Classic