Americans have a love-hate relationship with domestic cars. Patriotism prompts car buyers to support domestic automakers, but more in theory than in practice.
The Toyota Camry is one of the best selling cars in the country with other foreign model cars close behind. It’s hard for domestic cars to compete with the long-lasting Camry and Corolla who are both highly ranked in safety features.
But how long do Toyota Camry’s last? If you’re wondering whether to choose a Toyota Camry as your next vehicle, here’s an overview of its overall life expectancy.
The Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry outperforms dozens of car models year after year. The Toyota Corolla is said of the top-selling cars in the world.
A Toyota Camry is a larger version of a Corolla with upgraded amenities for drivers. Under the hood, both cars offer strong fuel economy and engine performance.
One major difference between Toyota and other automakers is that updates to new models are simple. This allows automakers to perfect small changes at a time rather than introduce a wide range of new tech that demands debugging.
How Long Do Toyota Camrys Last?
The average car lasts 8 years. This has no bearing on the Toyota Camry.
With regular maintenance, Toyota Camrys can last more than 200,000 miles on the road. According to Consumer Reports, the Camry is the top-ranking sedan to drive if you need a high mileage vehicle.
Vehicle mileage can get significantly higher depending on the type of miles put on the car. Highway miles tend to be easier on cars than city miles.
When you go to sell a Toyota Camry with high miles, buyers are less likely to be wary of its driveability. This doesn’t mean a high resale value, but it does extend the car’s shelf life.
After 100,000 miles any car will be leaning towards its minimum trade-in value. The benefit of owning a Toyota Camry, however, is that there’s only so low a car will depreciate.
You will find buyers at any mileage as long as the interior and exterior of the car is well maintained.
Reliability
The Toyota Camry ranks high in reliability. Auto review studies from Consumer Reports measures reliability as the absence of major mechanical issues.
These mechanical issues range from serious to minor. The most serious areas take a car out of service and are expensive to repair.
Here’s an overview of those areas.
Engine Problems
Major and minor engine repairs are at the top of the reliability scale according to Consumer Reports. Issues like having to completely rebuild an engine are the worst possible scenario.
Transmission
The next most important factor in reliability is transmission problems. Failed transmission computers, sensors or the presence of leaks over time affect a vehicle’s reliability.
Drive System
Driving components like CV joints and traction control are next. These ensure safety on the road.
Toyota consistently ranks high in driving systems from driveshaft to electronic stability control.
Fuel System
If you live in a state that requires annual emissions checks, you understand the value of a good fuel system. Failed O2 sensors mean failing an emissions inspection and paying costly repairs.
Bad fuel systems can you unable to register your vehicle. When your registration lapses, most insurance companies will terminate your policy.
The Toyota Camry not only has a well-built fuel system, but great gas mileage to back it up.
Electrical System
The electrical system is another important part of the safety components on a car. With technology driving many safety features on a vehicle, you need reliable wiring to ensure your car responds properly to a collision.
Airbags deploying at the wrong moment because of an electrical glitch can be fatal. Vehicle stalls on highways due to alternator failure lead to dangerous conditions for all drivers around you.
When to Buy New vs. Used
Toyota Camrys are reliable as both new and used vehicles. In keeping with the Toyota brand, changes by car model are slight meaning a vehicle upgrade won’t likely include a complete mechanical rebuild.
Getting a used vehicle with low miles ensures you can drive the car longer. With any used car, you need copies of the maintenance records to ensure the car is in good condition.
No car can survive constant neglect. The Toyota Camry is forgiving in that it won’t require serious, expensive repairs in order to keep running in good shape.
An entry-level maintenance routine is enough to keep the car on the road for hundreds of thousands of miles.
How to Get a Good Deal
You’re likely to get the best deal on a Toyota Camry with high miles driven mostly in the city. These cars are great options for local driving or as a second vehicle.
Look for deals from private sellers. Dealerships often have high markups on reliable cars like the Toyota Camry.
A private seller might be more willing to negotiate as they have fewer available buyers than a dealership.
A new Toyota Camry is also a great deal if you’re looking for a car with the latest technology. The benefit of buying a new Toyota is enjoying the most up to date safety and tech features while still having the assurance that the car will last for decades to come.
The Ticking Clock
No vehicle lasts forever. Your Toyota Camry will die one day but only after its lived a full life.
How long do Toyota Camry’s last? It’s safe to say a minimum of 8 years with drivers reporting mileage well over 250,000.
Did you know? The Toyota Camry is one our highest paid for cars. Want to see how much yours is worth? Get an instant quote here.
