Before you run over me with your Maxima, let me explain.

I'm still shopping for a car and I thought these two are comparable. They have similar horsepower and although the Maxima is more luxurious, I think both are appealing. At least, to me, they are.

The car models or years I'm considering is the '99 Maxima and the '00 Camry.

Is the 2000 Camrys not made in Japan anymore, though? I think those ones are then made in U.S.A (Kentucky)? Anyway, should I prefer the MIJ car or does it matter?

I suppose the comparison could also be same years, 1999 v.s. 1999. I want to stick to the 4th gen. Max. The gen. Camry goes to 2001 but I probably can't afford anything past 2000 and even then that's probably a lot. I want a V6 car so I'm only considering Camry V6 versions.

Maybe someone can convince me to go with the Maxima? Am I justified comparing these cars? It's not apples and oranges, right?

They are older cars and I thought since they are 10 yr old cars, they are somewhat comparable. I am concerned about the engine and alleged 'cheaper components' or design of the Camry but it's still considered a reliable car. The Maxima of the last 4th gen. models have the ignition coil and EGR issues? Can those coils be bought at a junkyard to save money? Would they still be good? What about the EGR issue? These repairs can be done DIY style, right?

I'm also wondering about the rust and quality of the paint with the Maxima. The Camry might have similar issues but I think the Maxima has the worse rep for paint/rust issues, perhaps? The 'rad support' area, for instance. Comments?

I am wondering if someone can give me some feedback and their opinion(s). Is this a good comparison and do you agree with my choices? I was looking at the Accord, too, of similar years but I think there's way too many automatic tranny issues to worry about. Right? In my area, there's way more automatic tranny vehicles of either of these makes, Nissan, Toyota, Honda... it doesn't matter...chances are, it'll be auto. So, although a 5spd Maxima might be more fun to drive, I'm finding mostly automatics.

My budget isn't too high, unfortunately. I'll look at buying at a car lot or dealer if I can make a deposit and then finish off with a few payments but other than that, I am looking at a private sale as well. My budget is around $2000-ish with some possibility of going to $3000 to $3500 depending on whether a car lot accepts deposit/payments and whether I can save a bit more. ;-)

Please recommend and comment?!?

 

I was debating between a honda accord and a maxima when i was shopping. fortunately i drove the accord first, and liked it ok. but then i drove the maxima. i knew right away that was the car i should get. I would recommend driving the cars you are interested in and making the decision yourself. im pretty sure the max will prevail and as far as the coil packs on a 99, just do what i did and get a 98...probably be a little cheaper too. 2000 for a 4th gen will be a good start, but you might need to do some work. i paid 3500 for my 98 with 117000 miles and no major issues. sorry for the rant. good luck

 

No need to apologize for the rant! I need rants and subjective opinions. Objective opinions are invited, too! I appreciate any and all replies!

I am just wondering how I can test drive these cars unless you mean go to a car lot. Or do I go to private sellers and sound really eager?!? I went and saw a couple of Accords before narrowing my choice and one was full of dents, rust and damage while another one had a very noticeable full paint job. I can't know for sure the condition until I check the car out in person, right?

I'm going by pictures for now. My area sucks for vehicles especially these. Therefore, I need to know for sure if the car is worth the time and expense to go there. Well, I guess I need to have some idea. Do you guys just go to test drive anyway?

 

I would never buy a car without driving it first. I understand if its a pain to go to the dealer or private seller, but thats the only way to be sure that car isnt just painted up nice for the picture. Narrow it down to 2 or 3 that you like and go drive em. take them to a mechanic you trust also for a second opinion. Also make sure you check for leaks and engine sounds, popping/creaking sounds when turning, and check for rust too. Im sure theres more but thats a good start

 

On this site, opinions are going to lead you down the road to a Maxima.

Go out and see which "better" vehicle is available in your area. And by better, I mean less miles, best condition, overall best bang for your buck. That's how you should shop for an older vehicle. Test drive them, ask for maintenance records ect.

Good luck with your search. There is a lot of on line support for both the Camry and the Maxima which will help you with either purchase.

 

Camrys have valve seal problems (blue smoke) major sludge problems on the 97-01 models and I believe the later models still had some issues.

I bought a Camry I assumed it was reliable and bulletproof- (hey its a toyota camry right?)

2001 4cyl 120k miles
charcoal canister bad($300 or so insane the Maxima on is $49), cat bad (main cat on the manifold $1000 replacement), egr bad, valve seals bad, calipers bad.... not to mention timing belt replacement vs the maxima's chain.

Overall- give me a used Maxima any day.... screw Toyota (except for Supras and Lexus )

 

I forgot to mention the timing chain. That was a major part of my decision.

 

camry all the way. 190k, no problems what so freaking ever

 

camrys are for people who hate driving, it has no soul

 

You are asking that question on a site called Maxima.org?


You do realize half of the members on this site think their cars are god's gift to man?

 

My car wasn't MADE it was sent down from heaven.

However, I used to work in a Toyota dealership and I drove almost everything that is Toyota and the 2010 V6 Camry is really quite a beast, I wasn't too impressed with any Toyota to be honest, the Corolla was "okay" the Scions felt "slow" and the only thing that really felt as fast as a Maxima was the V6 Camry.

 

i will say that the v6 camry is faster then a 4th gen maxipad.

hell i raced a 6th gen, and we were dead even.

all this on a 1999 camry with 180k (now 190k)

 

This really depends on what you want.

I've driven Camrys (Camries?) and they are, as has been mentioned, boring. They're also dead reliable and even more common than Maximae. I've also driven Accords. They're less tepid in the handling department, but pretty much the same thing.

An optioned-up Maxima feels more like a fifteen-year-old luxury car than does an optioned-up Camry or Accord, both of which feel like fifteen-year-old midsize sedans with leather interiors. If it's a Maxima GLE vs an Accord EX V6 or equivalent Camry, I'd take the Maxima any day.

For the stripper models, I'd still take the Maxima, but it's a closer contest. This is what the Accord and Camry are built to do and they've been doing it for decades. Sometimes I drive quickly and sometimes I turn around corners in a spirited manner. The Maxima is (relatively) good at this. You, however, might place your priorities elsewhere.

None of these three will leave you stranded in the desert with the rattlesnakes closing in - the Honda and Toyota don't have their reputations for nothing, and the VQ30 is unkillable. Some people (ie maxima.org) are willing to put up with a few rattles and squeaks in exchange for handling and an entertaining motor. This will be what nudges you towards or away from a Camcord. Otherwise, they're all the same.

 

My first car was a 2000 Camry.

It's only saving grace in my opinion was it was very easy for me to shift the weight around and handle the car well beyond expectations in corners. It's more because I drove the car a good 500 miles a week I got very used to it.

Other than that, endless problems, many of which I can't think recall right now. EGR, oil consumption, EGR, Electrical issues up the hoo-haa, EGR again.

I drove that car for 2 years, I'd never buy another one.

I'll stick with Nissans.

 

11 years of normal driving can be a big equalizer when comparing cars. Both of your options are pretty much the same if they're both equally maintained (or not) and stock.

But if you're looking to modify this old car, get a Maxima.

I think that's the most simple answer. $3K isn't going to get you much car, regardless of the make and model. So if you're not going to mod, just get one that's clean and mechanically solid.

 

i can't speak for the 2000 camry, but my parents had a 95 camry that thing was a tank. 148k miles i sold it for em. suspension was shot but that engine n tranny were beast. just get a maxima though...where else you gonna get the support you get here, plus parts availability out the ****.

 

Also when it comes to modding such as putting rims and lip kits on it, when people see a modded Maxima they will think wow, didn't know that car would actually look that good. Its like the stock 240SX compared to a modded one.

For a Camry however, its a Camry.

Modding it will make it look better but everyone is going to think that you are trying to make a old person's car look like a sport car.

 

i agree with njmax, asking on here which car to get will get you a biased answer to get the maxima. do your own test drive. are you looking to modify, if so, the camry aint it. not much support for modifying camrys. but the camry is a smoother more comfortable riding car, with much better resale value if you decide to sell. maxima ventures more on the sport side. both vehicles have their flaws, but overall, very reliable.

 

You will find the Maxima for less money, you can find them all over junkyards so replacement parts are easy to come by any weekend and the VQ30 is very reliable and powerful. Go Maxima, especially if you do your own work.

I paid $2k for my '96 Maxima w/150k miles a week ago. Only needed brakes, tires and other small misc stuff. Looking back on it I should have offered $1850..I forgot how expensive new tires are ;/

-G

 

I beg to differ...my 98 se with 117000 miles was like a new car after driving my 90 subaru legacy for 6 years. its all in how you look at it. a run down 95 max with 200,000 miles will be awesome if you have been, say, riding a bike everywhere. but test driving a few different cars is the only way to see for yourself what you like and want to drive

 

Some great points and responses in this thread. Thanks! I have some concerns, though. First, I would like to respond to the modding ideas. I would LOVE to mod! Is a '98 or '99 okay for that? Secondly, I am not sure I could do much regarding modding. I would have expenses, bills and if there's any maintenance to be done, I would need some cash for that. Even if I do some repairs myself. The junkyard comment is a good point. I was actually looking at those options. I understand Nissan/Maxima parts can be expensive when OEM at the parts dept. at the dealer. So, there might be times I'm a bit low on cash and will need to resort to a junkyard. I was comparing costs of parts at a junkyard inventory online with Accord/Maxima/Camry parts. I haven't been able to make any solid conclusions, though. 'Harder than I thought!

One concern is the oil (which oil does it take?) and the premium fuel. It will cost me more to fill up a Maxima than Accord or Camry? Even the V6 Accords and V6 Camrys take reg. unleaded, right? But, every Maxima takes the premium fuel. As long as there's not constant repairs or troubles, I think the compromise is acceptable. But, I felt that might be something to think about.

I just want the cleanest/NO (or little) RUST/NO or little dents / car I can find for the money I'll have. I know that is asking a lot for the condition to be near perfect for the year and low budget I have but I still have hope. I don't think I'll be able to save more than $3000 so this car probably won't be in the pictures thread or in car shows! But, I'm not a harsh driver and I will rust-proof it as soon as it's bought. I'll read up on all the tricks and tasks one can do to preserve it and try to keep it in good condition. I'll probably drive it until it's done, too.

The reason I was considering the Camry and Accord is obvious but also because I thought cars in that year range, 1998 to 2000, are comparable although maybe not as luxurious. I looked at the Acura RL and TL, also, but I think parts will be harder to get and/or more expensive. I figure parts for a Camry, Accord or Maxima will be easier to find in a junkyard. Right?

Anyway, the plan is to buy the car near the end of December. Any thoughts on that? It will be winter here and I'm not sure if that becomes a factor. It will mean I'll want a car sooner rather than later because I really don't want to be walking/busing around these parts when it's colder. Anyway, I would like to pull the trigger around there but that's when I'll have the most saved up, I figure. I am suspecting about $3K since that would mean if I have any more, I'm not overestimating and I'd have some left over for repairs or to put towards the car.

Does any of that make sense? I know I'm overanalyzing but whatever I get will be my car for a while and I'd have to save up again to switch anytime later.

 

You can run a 4th-gen on regular.

If you're just looking for a clean car in good shape for $3k, you might be better off with a Maxima. Camries and Accords hold their value quite well compared to the Nissan, but not for a proportionately better ownership experience. I bought my '97 for $1500 with no rust and no accidents - quite good for Chicago, because the car spent most of its life in suburban Virginia. I think the manual transmission actually makes it cheaper, despite being much less common.

I also bought it at the end of December; dunno if that made any difference.

You mentioned that you'd be looking for a '99. I'd recommend a '98 or earlier, since they haven't got the same issues as the '99. They also haven't got the chipped key; you can decide for yourself if greatly reducing the cost of key replacement is worth the added risk of theft.

 

Maxima, just because the driving experience is better IMO and you may get laughed at if you mod a camry.

 

Maxima>>Camry any day any year. And btw nice question to ask in a Maxima forum since most of the answers are going to be biased. But real talk you wouldn't catch me dead in a Camry unless it was the most recent generation. Both my dad and one of my friends have owned camrys and IMO they are reliable but are ugly looking, drive like a POS, and dramatically lack power.

 

Also this.

 

wich one you drive? cause i drive a 1999 v6 and that thing is as fast as a 2005 maxima

 

I really doubt that.

 

I drove the 95, 97, 99, and 01 before and IMO they all lack power.

 

If you're looking to save money, you'll probably find the maxima for cheaper than the camry. If you're looking for v6 models, all 3 of the cars you mentioned are recommended by the manufacturers to take premium. In terms of depreciation, at this point in the car's life, I think you should use it to your advantage and for that reason the maxima will be cheaper. Also, if you know a mechanic or someone who knows what to look for in cars, it's usually cheaper to buy from an owner than a dealer or a lot. As for replacement parts, I'd go to the junkyard for just about everything, not just when I'm short on cash, because if you buy new, you'll start seeing that parts are pretty much costing a big chunk of what you bought the car for itself. A website I used when I was looking for cars was carcomplaints.com. It'll tell you what common problems are for each car or you can look them up in forums like this so when you take a look at a car, you know what to look for. For 3 grand, you might not have all the options in the world, but it's not a bad start. While I was looking, I saw a 2001 maxima for 2400 with about 140k. I called the guy and he said someone's lookin at it soon and it got sold right away. What area are you in anyway? prices vary depending on area.

 

i sooooooo disagree with this statement.... maybe the maxima may have an edge when it comes to modding or speed, but the max is nowhere close to a camery when talking about reliability.... if you want speed then i say the maxima< for longevity and less problems then hands down the camry

 

Maxima.

I own a 00 maxima and a 94 corolla. My mom just recently got rid of her 95 camry with 200k miles on it with it burning oil.

Maxima is fun, corolla is a gas saver. I got both lol

 

Funny you should mention all that! I have visited the 'Carcomplaints.com' website. Geez, there's a lot of reports on Accords, another car I'm considering. Mostly with auto transmissions especially with the V6 engine. I won't choose a 4cyl. car unless it's an Accord.

The Camry and Maxima have low numbers of complaints for the model years I'm looking at, mostly '96 to '99 for both although I am considering Camrys of '94 to '96 as well as they're more recommended but I would like a newer car.

The Camry engine is the biggest question mark for that car especially for the 1MZ-FE version. You are correct that the V6 requires premium fuel! That's even more vital considering the oil gelling or sludge issue! I was only considering V6 Camrys anyway. So, the premium fuel comparison is nil as they both require it. Score one for the Maxima since there's no fuel consumption advantage now. I doubt either one have a speed advantage, however, and even if there is one, I believe it's slight. That wouldn't be a reason to pick one car over the other. I'm not risking speeding tickets or racing.

Good point about the junkyards. I probably would be visiting them for parts more often than going to the dealer. As long as the part is clean and in good shape, that is. Also, if there is a good savings to be made. So, yeah, it would be good to know which car is more readily available there! I was trying to find that out but perhaps, they're in comparable numbers? Still lots of those on the road! Ditto, Accords.

For those readers who think I am crazy to post asking for a comparison as answers will be biased: naturally, I was expecting that but I plan on posting a similar title in Camry forum(s). I think the biased posts are crucial to obtaining good feedback. I want some posts to be SUBJECTIVE. It will be hard to get a good idea if posts are neutral and objective! If I wanted that, I could post in a generic cars or even 'import cars' forum. Makes sense? Am I using acceptable logic here? I hope so. I'm hoping some opinions/perspectives give me something to stick with or something jumps out at me as 'hey, never thought of that!' Anything that provides intriguing feedback I can use when I look at cars and compare pros/cons etc. Perhaps, the cars are too close in those but that's why the objective/biased points should be helpful. It's good to get the neutral perspectives, too, and posts which point out the pros/cons of both cars. Some owners might have had both cars and liked both for various reasons. Those perspectives are also good, don't misunderstand!

I know it sucks, that my budget is so low. Tell me about it! I doubt I'll be able to do much modding right off the bat. That's why I'm looking for a clean car with as little rust/defects as possible. That way, if I can ever save the money, it would be worth it to mod or add upgrades. If I don't mod, I would still have a car that is a decent investment, it will be worth it to rust-proof and keep it clean. Most of my cars have been 'emergency purchases' or ones that were convenient. They weren't cars I 'chose' but I didn't have a car at the time and it was convenient to buy them plus cheaper. I am hoping I can compare and choose this time.

I'm in Ontario, Canada, so I'm mostly looking at cars in Toronto. That's not even where I am. But, that's where most of the (Camry/Maxima/Accord) cars are. It's horrible to have to look here (in this area), imho, but I have little choice. Prices are high and mileage is high. Salt has done it's toll to many cars. I have to hope some owner was meticulous in maintenance and rust/proofed/oil-sprayed the car. Also, the low mileage you guys seem to find, I DON'T find very often. Such cars are usually out of my budget. However, I will keep looking.

 

You're really overthinking this.

If you want the most maintenance-free car, buy the Camry. If you want a more fun car, buy the Maxima.

Neither is unreliable by any metric - quantifying the difference is splitting hairs. At this age, between these two well-built cars, an individual car's ownership and maintenance history will have a much greater effect on its reliability than will the badge on the trunklid. Your decision should be based on the car you're sitting in, not the car that came out of the factory fourteen years ago.

And remember, the more you agonize, the more you'll regret whichever one you purchase.

 

There's a Camry forum? You got to be kidding...

 

You say you disagreed but you actually agreed by restating what I just said . Drink some coffee and wake up man.

 

You guys agreed on some points and disagreed on others?!? But, you said the Camry lacks 'serious power.' You probably mean the I4 and I'm not looking at 4 cylinder Camrys. I agree that the 4-cylinder lacks power. I read that it does and some drivers have complained about the acceleration. I've even found some decent condition 4-cylinder cars and I was tempted because of the condition but I would like to get an engine swap, then!

I find various other cars way more ugly than the '97 to '01 Camry. I'm only looking at V6 Camrys so the power difference shouldn't be a problem. I just to avoid issues and have a car I enjoy driving. The Camry is the base for the Lexus ES300 so it should be a nice cruise! The Maxima I'm sure will be a sportier drive. Therefore, I'm looking at which is easiest/cheapest to maintain. If I have to buy ignition coil/packs and/or MAF/O2 sensors, I hope I can get these at a junkyard. OTOH, the Camry might have an engine issue and a swap means the Maxima issues are moot (since, way cheaper than a swap!).

 

I've made that mistake before. The ES300 isn't a Camry, it's a Toyota Windom.

 

Yeah?

Btw, you are probably right.... agonizing about it too much but the thing is, I can't easily check out cars because I have no car to go to the seller's place. Most of the cars are in the big metro city and there's almost NONE in my local city. I might have one choice (ONE!) whether it's a Maxima, Camry or whatever. It's bad! So, I will need a friend, perhaps, with a car who is willing to drive me around or B) I need to bus to the location. Hence, I want to be extremely informed and know what to look for. I am going to try to be extra picky in which car I consider and will get it checked by a mechanic of course.

Btw, how do you pay for these $3K cars? I can't believe I didn't ask that yet!

The over analysis is because I don't have a convenient or easy way to look for cars (my reasoning, anyway).

 

How do you come on a site about Maximas asking about Camry's

 

Do you want the abbreviated version or the long version?