'03 Camry "has serious design flaw" -- consumer review

Found the following review on the MSN Auto website on the '03 LE. I was particulary interested in it since it mentioned "outside edge wear" on tires. I have noticed the same and of course attributed it to alignment....any comments? BTW, the MSN auto review site has some very good information. Highly recommended.... _______ Not recommended due to serious design problems"

08/07/2004 By: An MSN Autos Consumer. Exhaust hangs too low. Seems poorly corrected in 04 models by raising entire rear end of car (raising center of gravity). Poor handling, must pay constant attention, or won't stay in straight line. Problem especially severe in cross wind.

Wears outside of front tires extremely fast even with tow-in correctly set at zero and camber set toward negative end of spec'd range, i.e. at -1.1 degrees (should reduce the problem but doesn't seem to). Evidently, tire wear and handling problems are due to engineering design flaws built into this model. The handling especially could be a safety issue. Toyota shop does not acknowledge the problem. Oil filter in awkward position to change easily. ________More to it at the website, but that's the basics....the website is here:

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Reply to
Tim J. Johson
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I was NOT able to reproduce your results on the MS auto website?????? I don't see where you are permitted to enter model (LE/SE/XLE). And I could not find any mention of the tire wear? How did you find that info?

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DrWho
Reply to
DrWho

my 2002 Camry had no tire wear on the outside edge. I suggest people get their alignment checked every 25,000 miles and make sure the tires are properly rotated, balanced and inflated.

Tim J. Johs> Found the following review on the MSN Auto website on the '03 LE. I

Reply to
Car Guy

Click on the hyperlink in my message, at the very top of that page is a spot to pick your make of vehicle....it's "drill down" from there....

BTW, the 2002 CAMRY is not recommended by MSN because of "severe engine problems."

Not sure I agree given what they say are the problems....but check it out for yourself....

Reply to
Tim J. Johson

MSN and CNN have a common short coming. They overstate, lie, and omit to generate readership.

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  -Philip
Reply to
Philip

OK - I found the text that you posted. That "review" was submitted by some anonymous guy, and carries no more weight than the posts in this newsgroup. That text was NOT an "official" review by MSN Auto.

OTOH, the "significant problems" that you mention for 2002 engines IS "official" from MSN Auto. Seems to me though, that the engine problems that they detail are not that serious.

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DrWho
Reply to
DrWho

Replaced the original front tires on my 03 today after only 17,000 mi because of outside wear on the front tires. Like a dope, I kept the tires at 29 psi as toyota recommended. My new Michelin's now all have

32 psi >Found the following review on the MSN Auto website on the '03 LE. I
Reply to
Sparkey

Did you ALSO get the front end aligned? Otherwise, you're just gonna have the same experience again.

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  -Philip

Sparkey wrote:
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Reply to
Philip

3 psi will not have any impact to speak of on tire wear.

Outside shoulder wear on the front tires can indicate mis-alignment, but may also indicate the need for less speed when cornering.

In terms of alignment, there maybe too much toe-in,..but frequent oversteer as corners are negotiated can produce the same thing.

Jason

Reply to
Jason James

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