The Toyota Camry is proof that some things don’t travel well. In America Toyota has sold 7m of them since the early 1980s, making it one of the most popular cars built. Yet when the company launched the latest Camry in November 2001 its European sales objective was a modest 6,000 cars per year, with just 500 destined for the UK. Even so, the Camry still struggled to find buyers and in early 2004 was withdrawn.

But the Camry should not be dismissed. In virtually every respect it’s a fine car and its lack of desirability when new makes it a used car bargain.

Marketed as an executive saloon to rival Mercedes and Audi, the Camry is a perfect example of refined Japanese engineering: comfortable, functional and smooth. The problem is that it is also anonymous and neither the car nor the marque possesses the style and status to make it a hit in the corporate car park.

The latest Camry is available with a choice of two engines: a 3 litre V6 producing 184bhp and a four-cylinder 2.4 litre with 150bhp. Both engines are whisper-quiet and offer better than average fuel economy — about 25mpg from the 3 litre with its auto box and about 29mpg from the 2.4 litre.

The GLS base model boasts alloys, automatic wipers, power-fold mirrors and a CD player as standard. Pay about £500 more for the top spec CDX and you add leather seats, electric sunroof and cruise control. It puts German rivals to shame and is one of the reasons why American drivers love the car.

It’s not all good news. The Camry may be well built, generously equipped and great value second-hand but it does not have the same kind of driving dynamics as a BMW or Audi. The Camry loves long smooth roads where it can settle on its soft suspension and stretch its legs, but point it at some curvy bits and the car starts to feel unsettled.

However, Toyota has a reputation for quality and reliability and it is difficult to find many areas of the car that don’t convey a sense of lasting a lifetime.

Servicing is due every 9,000 miles and it’s important to insist on a full Toyota service history with original invoices. Maintenance costs easily undercut rivals from BMW, Audi and Mercedes. In fact the Camry should cost little more to run than a Honda Accord, Mazda6 or Toyota Avensis.

Model Toyota Camry 2.4 CDX auto Engine 2362cc, four cylinders
Power 150bhp
Transmission Four-speed automatic
Fuel 29mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-62mph: 10.2sec Top speed 124mph

THE ONE TO BUY

Toyota Camry 2.4 CDX auto 2001 51 with 50,000 miles. Pay £8,675 from a dealer or £7,895 privately

OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY

2001 Y-reg Peugeot 607 3.0 V6 S auto
2002 51 Vauxhall Omega 2.5 V6 Elite auto
2004 53 Citroën C5 V6 Exclusive auto


















Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; ‘Retail’ is what you would pay a dealer