2004 Toyota Camry Review: One of the Best Deals on the Used Car Market Today

The 2004 Toyota Camry is one of the best values you’re going to find on the used car market. A capable, comfortable mid-size that’s built to go the distance, this is your best bet at reaching 300,000 miles for less than five grand.

Is the 2004 Toyota Camry a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – The only knock against this car is that the Accord’s V6 has more impressive specs.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Not only is the Camry spacious and comfortable, the interior trim materials are more luxurious than you expect to find in this price range.
• Reliability 9/10 – Unless the previous owner was competing in destruction derbies, you’re probably going to get somewhere between 250,000 to 300,000 miles before the transmission goes out.
• Safety 7/10 – Grading the car on a curve, this would have been a 9/10 back in 2004, with excellent crash test scores and cutting edge safety tech. But, it’s a bit dated by now.
• Gas Mileage 8/10 – The V6 averages 20/29 miles to the gallon, city/highway. There are new cars that struggle to hit those numbers.
• Value 9/10 – Simply one of the best deals on the market today. The Sentra may be a couple thousand dollars cheaper, but it also feels a couple thousand dollars cheaper.

What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Toyota Camry?

Consumer Reports had nothing but praise for the 2004 Toyota Camry, noting the car’s quiet, comfortable ride, roomy interior, smooth inline-four engine, and cutting edge safety features.

Kelley Blue Book users give the car a strong 95% recommendation, praising the car as a reliable, comfortable, low-maintenance ride. The few negative reviews report issues with the transmission at under 200,000 miles, but you could count these complaints on one hand.

Edmunds found the Camry comfortable and roomy, they praised the high-end luxury and safety features, and note that the car is notoriously reliable. Their biggest complaint: The V6 models are outclassed by competing mid-size cars.

What Common Problems Does the 2004 Toyota Camry Have?

Vehicle speed control issues have been a recurring problem for 2004 Camry owners. Drivers are reporting the car suddenly accelerating while in cruise control, and cruise control failing to disengage when pressing on the brakes. Drivers have also reported sudden unintended acceleration while driving at low speeds.

Steering issues often accompany these problems with speed control. Drivers report the power steering failing to engage, or going out mid-turn, forcing them to put their whole weight behind the turn.

Transmission issues have been relatively scarce, but there have been some reported problems with the powertrain pertaining to the throttle body and control modules. One driver reports that the gas pedal simply stopped working while in traffic.

In total, the 2004 Camry has just 3 recalls and 794 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Both of these numbers are well below average for a car of this age.

How Long Will the 2004 Toyota Camry Last?

Toyotas are famous for their longevity, and if any used car is going to pass 300,000 miles, it’s likely to be a Camry. But, since you can’t be sure how well the previous owner maintained the car, you should expect to hit 250,000 miles on the odometer with the original engine and transmission.

RepairPal report that a Toyota Camry should cost you around $388 a year in maintenance. The most expensive common repairs include replacements for the ABS control module, starting at around $1,123, and the HVAC air door actuator, starting at $928.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is pretty good for 2004. The entry level LE includes a cassette and CD player with six speakers, and the top-of-the-line XLE comes with a couple extra speakers and a six-disc CD changer.

Safety technology is excellent considering the car’s age. While the 2004 Camry launched before things like lane keep assist and rearview cameras became commonplace, it does feature full anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, traction control, and advanced airbags.

Is the 2004 Toyota Camry a Good Value?

The 2004 Toyota Camry is one of the best deals on the used car market today. An entry level model with under 160,000 miles on the odometer typically lists at around $5,076, about eight hundred dollars less than a comparable Accord. In fact, the high-end XLE sells at around the same price as an entry level Accord, at $5,889.

Taking the car’s longevity into account, the 2004 Camry would be a fair deal at nearly twice the going price. With 160,00 miles on the original transmission, you’ve probably got about 90,000 left to go before the major repairs start to pile up, and, if you can find one in great condition, you might fly right past 300,000.

What are the Different Models of the 2004 Toyota Camry?

The 2004 Camry is offered in four trim levels, from the base Standard and entry level LE up to the high-end XLE. All models besides the Standard are available in a V6 variant.

The base Standard includes:

• Cloth seat trim
• AM/FM stereo with CD and cassette player and six speakers
• Manual air conditioner
• Cruise control
• Power windows and door locks

With the entry level LE you’re adding:

• Remote keyless entry

The mid-range SE adds:

• Premium cloth seat trim
• Fog lights
• Power sunroof

At the top of the line, the XLE features:

• Heated mirrors
• Automatic air conditioner
• Power-adjust bucket seats
• Premium JBL sound system with six-disc CD changer
• Wood grain style interior with chrome accents

What Engines Come In the 2004 Toyota Camry?

• All trim levels come standard with a 2.4L inline-four delivering 157 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission and configured in front wheel drive, and averages 23/32 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
• Available in all models but the Standard is a 3.0L V6 delivering 210 horsepower and 220 lb.-ft. of torque. Like the i4, this is set up in front wheel drive with a 5-speed automatic. Expect to get around 20/29 miles to the gallon out of this one.

What Colors Does the 2004 Toyota Camry Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2004 Toyota Camry?

Reviewers have had nothing but praise for the Camry’s interior. The ride is smooth, the seating is spacious, and the decor is even a little classier than you expect to find in an affordably-priced mid-size.

Given the car’s age you will want to be on the lookout for any suspension issues on the test drive. Complaints to this end are few and far between, but you never know. Make sure to take the car over a few speed bumps. If it’s still wobbling a minute later, you might want to call the next seller on your list.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Toyota Camry Have?

The 2004 Camry offers 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s enough room for three large suitcases. The car is somewhat inflexible in this regard. You can’t fold the seats down and the Camry isn’t built for towing so you can forget pulling a small trailer. But you’ve got all the room you need for grocery shopping and cross-country drives.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2004 Toyota Camry was the fourth in the XV30 lineup, or the 3rd Generation.

2001: Toyota unveiled a larger sedan style Camry for 2001, and they dropped the station wagon.

2002: The Camry got a modernized restyling in 2002 with an inch or so added to the length and height.

2003: The 2.4L inline-four engine made its debut in 2003.

2004: 5-speed automatic transmission was added for 2004.

2005: Subtle visual tweaks gave the Camry a narrower grille and sharper edges along the head and tail lights.

2006: No major changes for 2006, but the interior was subtly redesigned to add a little extra legroom.

How Does the 2004 Toyota Camry Compare to the Competition?

Year after year, the Camry goes head to head with the Honda Accord, and 2004 is no different. The Camry typically lists as much as $1,000 cheaper than the Accord in the Blue Book, but the Accord’s V6 is thirty horses stronger than the Camry’s, so it’s a question of whether a little extra oomph is worth a little extra money.

The 2004 Nissan Sentra wins hands-down on price, with an entry-level sedan typically listing at around $3,291, barely more than half the cost of an XLE Camry. Unfortunately, the Sentra lacks a V6 option, the interior is a bit cramped, the car’s crash test ratings are pretty bad, and the ride is a bit stiff. You can save a lot of money with a Sentra, but you’ll get exactly what you pay for.

Naming the best mid-size car of 2004, it really comes down to the Accord and the Camry, and you could just about flip a coin and be happy with the purchase. Put it this way: If you’re going with a V6, get the Accord. If you want the best overall value, get the Camry.

Do Owners Recommend the 2004 Toyota Camry?