Interesting Camry

I stumbled upon a 2002 Camry SE model fitted with a 2.4L DOHC four-cylinder and a 33 mpg five-speed manual this evening. These 'Sport Edition' cars have stiffer springs/shocks/anti-roll bars, a strut tower brace, higher-effort power steering, 4 wheel disc brakes and 215/60VR16 performance tires on BBS RK1s. The engine has a timing chain and makes 157 hp & 162 lb-ft of torque, and the car was made in Japan.

I could probably pick it up cheap, do any members have experience with these?

 

It’s a standard Camry except some stiffer suspension. The 2.4 in that generation is a good little motor. The body style after it went to 5w-20 oil and burned like no other.

Very rare to find a manual Camry these days. Good little commuter car for sure. Don’t expect a sports car though

 

cannot offer much in regards to experience w/ that model / engine / tranny combo.

but... holy cow do i miss manual transmissions. imagine this... i have THOUGHT about trading DOWN to a tacoma TRD PRO just to get back into a manual.

great theft deterrents, and a blast to drive, even if it's only a 4-banger.

cross thread points w/ the "Do You have any Weird or Unusual Quirks?" thread below.

i ALWAYS drove my manual transmission vehicles in absolutely nothing more than socks; and preferred bare foot. i could "feel" the clutch engagement / disengagement better. and, if i kept my foot (just resting) on the clutch pedal while doing highway speed, the vehicle would "speak" to me.

my first 3 of 5 vehicles were manual transmission; i miss 'em, even fighting the concrete circus rush hour traffic of houston.

if i could score that camry at a good price, i'd be tempted to pick it up as a backup DD.

what does the mileage look like on that '02?

 

212,000
The body is great, the AC blows cold, but the interior could use some TLC.

The seller has had 3 individuals look at the car before me, and all 3 walked away because they realized it was a manual transmission.

 

2002 Thur 2006 best built yrs , plenty of spare parts on Craig’s list

 

But, but... it has a rear spoiler.

Yeah, 157 hp & 162 lb-ft of torque doesn't make a 3100 lb. car a sports car.
But it should handle pretty well.


French Vanilla Takes On Cherry Vanilla In This Four-Cylinder Camry Comparo

 

It sold before I could get back to it and make my offer... it wasn't meant to be.

 

There’s an old 2-door Camry 3.0 V6 down the street from me. Never even knew they made a 2-door. Looks like its a mid ‘90s model. Not a Solara. I’ll get a pic next time I walk the dog that way. I’d go now but it’s 108*.