Camry SE: Gen3 vs. Gen5?

[chasman]

Per Wikipedia:

• Gen3 - 1992 "... saw the addition of an XLE and the SE sport trim."
• Gen4 - "In the United States, the old sport model (SE) was dropped..."
• Gen5 - 2002 "SE sport model was reintroduced."

So what are the most significant pros & cons between the Gen3 & Gen5 Camry SE?

Thanks,

[CamNub]

Gen 3 is old and it'll probably be highmilage.

Gen 5 is new and you can get onefor pretty low milage...

[Eye8Pussies]

but more importantly though...

the gen3 se was only available with the v6 3vzfe, and could also come with 5spd

the gen5 se can be a 4banger or the 1mz, or the 3mz- all auto

[chasman]

Originally Posted by Eye8Pussies

but more importantly though...

the gen3 se was only available with the v6 3vzfe, and could also come with 5spd

the gen5 se can be a 4banger or the 1mz, or the 3mz- all auto

So, the Gen3 was not available with 4-cyl w/5-spd MT? Is that correct?

[DOHCammer]

Originally Posted by chasman

So, the Gen3 was not available with 4-cyl w/5-spd MT? Is that correct?

Incorrect. Any Camry with a stick is fairly rare. but you could get a Gen 3 stick with either a 4 or V6. You're more likely to find a 4 cyl 5-spd than a V6. You can also get a Gen5 4 cyl with a 5-speed, which I happen to own. Very nice combo indeed!!

[chasman]

but more importantly though...

the gen3 se was only available with the v6 3vzfe, and could also come with 5spd

the gen5 se can be a 4banger or the 1mz, or the 3mz- all auto

Originally Posted by DOHCammer

Incorrect. Any Camry with a stick is fairly rare. but you could get a Gen 3 stick with either a 4 or V6. You're more likely to find a 4 cyl 5-spd than a V6. You can also get a Gen5 4 cyl with a 5-speed, which I happen to own. Very nice combo indeed!!

So which is correct?

Thanks,

[DOHCammer]

Originally Posted by chasman

So which is correct?

Thanks,

Trust me, I've been a Toyota parts man since 1981 and a manager for the last 5 years. I know my product. 'nuff said.

[chasman]

Originally Posted by DOHCammer

Trust me, I've been a Toyota parts man since 1981 and a manager for the last 5 years. I know my product. 'nuff said.

Hi DOHCammer,

Excellent! So what are the most significant pros & cons between the Gen3 & Gen5 Camry SE other than side- & side-curtain air bags?

Thanks!

[CamNub]

More space.
More modern styling

[DOHCammer]

Glad to help, but I muffed. It was bugging me so I called a buddy who has the model book and you could NOT get a Gen3 SE 4 cyl. They all had V6's. Sorry about the confusion. That said, the differences between a Gen 3 and a Gen 5 are numerous. You're talkin 10 years of extra Toyota engineering. The Gen 5 handles much better and has an overall more solid feeling. The side airbags you mention is an option only in Gen 5's and was not very popular becuase of the expense. Pros and cons? It's tuff to find a lo mileage Gen 3 and even harder to find an SE. Gen 5's are just a more modern car, but you have to pay dearly for that. All depends on what the wallet says. Either way you can't go wrong.

[WhiteRabbit]

def gen5, no brainer

[CamNub]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

def gen5, no brainer

Yeah. Unless you have a very small budget, the gen 5 is the easy choice.

The gen3 is a piece compared to the gen5.

[Tom 2000]

Originally Posted by Eye8Pussies

but more importantly though...

the gen3 se was only available with the v6 3vzfe, and could also come with 5spd

the gen5 se can be a 4banger or the 1mz, or the 3mz- all auto

Toyota made Camry SE (Gen 3.5) from 94 to 96 with the 1MZ-FE engine available only with an automatic transmission. They are very rare, but they are out there.

Gen3 and Gen 3.5 4-cylinder stickshifts are available, but only in the DX model trim. My dad had one.