1997 Toyota Camry 2.2 Sport by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
Bought late 2009, used it as my sensible/daily car for the last 18 months but now I’ve bought an older Camry estate (and I have another 3 Camrys on the driveway) this is somewhat surplus to requirements.
Sold new by local dealers down in Suffolk, now done 75k miles which is nothing on these. This model is basically a standard Camry 2.2 with a bodykit, lowered and uprated suspension and a Connolly retrimmed leather interior. It should also have 17” alloys but it doesn’t drive so nicely with them on, they’re susceptible to damage (I bent one on a pothole) and I want to keep them for trackday use on another Camry so it’ll remain on the 15” steels I’ve been using for over a year.
1997 Toyota Camry 2.2 Sport by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
Drives very nicely, the 2.2 is quite torquey so it pulls well but being a 4-cyl gives decent economy (easily in excess of 30mpg). Much simpler than the V6 model and plenty of room under the bonnet for maintenance. Handling is excellent, even on the 15’s. Quiet, comfy and roomy inside too, with fold-down rear seats for long loads.
1997 Toyota Camry 2.2 Sport by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
Good toy count, with climate control, leather, twin airbags, electric sunroof and the like. It’ll be sold with a standard Toyota radio/cassette unit, but with a reasonable head unit the speakers sound good.
1997 Toyota Camry 2.2 Sport by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
Since purchase I’ve had new OE brake pads fitted all round and the discs skimmed, new plugs and leads, a battery, a windscreen and a couple of services (should still have receipts for everything). Front tyres were new about 4000 miles ago.
Tax expires end of December 2011, MoT mid-way through December from memory (17th or something).
Bad points? Driver’s door must’ve had a knock way back, there’s a bit of corrosion on one corner and the filler is starting to crack. There’s a few other minor dings and scratches commensurate with its age. The splitter has a single crack in it, which I’ve taped-up for now but a proper GRP repair would sort that (often these come up for sale with the splitter missing). Rear section of exhaust knocks a bit, tried a different rubber on there but it just changed the noise. I just live with it. The electric aerial is broken, I bought a replacement insert as the motor still works but never got round to fitting it as I chucked a fixed one into the hole and it picks up a signal fine. There’s also a bit of trim loose in the boot.
In summary, a very capable, reliable, competent car which won’t cost the earth to run but is a bit different to the norm. I’d jump in and drive it across the country tomorrow if I needed to, and it pains me to have to let it go but even I don’t need 5 Camrys...
Price £650ono. These are often up for £1000-1500, with higher miles too, but I'm after a quick sale.
PM me for more info or contact details. I’ll try and get some better pic’s up soon.
1997 Toyota Camry 2.2 Sport by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr
Edit: Mileage updated.
