Triple rubber seal/insulation on doors - interesting..

[islandboy57]

I was Googling for something Camry related and stumbled upon a thread where someone was asking about a gen 3 Camry. One person mentioned that the gen 3 was a 'turning point' for Toyota and they may have overspent on content and materials - but it was obviously worth it because the Camry is now one of the most popular cars ever.

Anyway, someone else mentioned that the gen 3 was the last to have a triple rubber seal/insulation on the doors. I never paid attention to that so yesterday when I detailed the gen 3.5, I looked. Sure enough, there are three layers of rubber seals! Impressive. No wonder it's so quiet in the cabin! I of course got curious about my gen 5.5 - and there are only two rubber seals.

I don't know if this has been brought up before but I just found it fascinating. Made me like the gen 3 even more! I am still amazed that after 13 years, the car is rock solid and the transmission still shifts smoother than my '05 and like my '05, there's zero vibration at idle. Part of that is of course the silky smooth 1MZ . You know the car is good when it compares favorably with one that is 10 years and two redesigns newer.

I'm just feeling some love for the gen 3 at the moment, hope you all don't mind

[Eye8Pussies]

I never knew that little tidbit, but....absolutely

the gen3 was the pinnacle of the camry evolution quality-wise. I have my gen3, a gen1 solara and gen1 sienna (gen4 camry equivalent) as well as a gen5.5, and the gen3 is a lot more solid and of better build quality

[mtmx46]

Funny how your post comes just as I was bragging to a co-worker this morning about Lexus/Toyota quality in that particular generation. My gen 3.5 5SFE is now approaching 350,000 kilometers and on the highway it's one of the quietest cars I've driven in my life and I've driven quite a few.

And it's no wonder that Toyota used it as the platform for the ES300. As far as that smooth shifting tranny, it's got to be one of smoothest around. I haven't driven the newer generations but it sounds like I'm not missing much, even though I think there have been improvements.

[eurohazard]

I agree the 1992 Camry was extremely impressive for the day...perhaps the best sedan available that a real family could afford. But triple seals aren't needed there days because better wind tunnel testing and computer aided designs more effectively shape the modern cars. Extra seals were a bandaid almost.....but again, at the time, it was terrific.

I think the gen 3 Camry was darn competitive with a lot of cars up until ~2002 or so IMHO. And that is mighty impressive.

[cmjohnson]

I know all about those seals, having taken all of them off my car and replaced some of them, in the
process of restoring my '92 V6 LE. I stripped everything and did a full repaint including in the doorjambs,
so I know how it's built, and I must agree, it's a very well built car. Practically nothing is left to chance,
the engineering is spectacular, and it drives and runs better than most new cars, and IS quieter, too.

The triple seals...there's the sill seal, the door gaskets, the window gaskets, the lower door gaskets...
I could argue that there are at least three, possibly FOUR layers of gaskets. I've never seen as many
layers of sealing on a car other than this one.

My only sealing issue is with one of the window gaskets. It doesn't seat right and I'm going to replace it,
and may end up replacing more than one just because I like to swap out sets rather than just one piece.

But even though it's not perfectly seated, it doesn't leak. I can take the pressure washer at the local
carwash to it as long as I want to, and not one drop of water leaks through.

I think this car is built better than any Cadillac I've ever been in.


CJ

[shajbot]

I love my gen3! Once I was driving with some friends on the freeway, doing 80+mph but it was smooth, comfortable and quiet as a baby crib. The sound system was just incredible, pumping out great bass with proper settings. Nowadays, people gotta pay $25K+ for that at least. So proud of "her".

[cykaaro]

'Fell' into my gen 3 after totalling my lifted jeep. I've really grown over the past several months to love this car. Rides great, engine is unbelievable quite, not bad on gas as well. Just been fixing a few little things here and there on it. Just seafoamed the engine, and amazing how much power I've gotten back from doing it. Only big issue still to go is the oil leak from the oil filter assembly, but an easy fix with a new o-ring. Pushing past 325,000k and no signs of stopping anytime soon. Plus AC I just had retrofitted and it still works! Only had to change out the low side valve as it was corroded to the point it wouldn't come out.
I'm really happy with it! Now to find a strut bar and TRD rear sway bar for it for better handling! hehe

[islandboy57]

Dang, some of you have a lot of miles/km on your Camrys! And you're all still happy! That speaks volumes about the gen 3 for sure. I drove the gen 3.5 tonight and for no particular reason I gunned it on the on-ramp to the freeway. RPMs got to ~4.5K.. I never get tired of listening to that slight growl while I'm almost pushed into my seat . Have I mentioned the A/C system (R134a obviously, since it's a '95) is original? I still find myself turning the temp up a bit from the coolest setting even on hot days because it's so cold. Meanwhile friends/relatives with Hondas have all replaced their A/C systems at least once, if not twice.

Anyway.. I'm glad to see my love for the gen 3 is not at all uncommon. I LOVE my gen 5.5 but I'll always have a soft spot for the gen 3.5. I call it "my" gen 3.5 because I'm the one who puts gas in it, details it, maintains it, and babies it in general - which I am happy to do. All my mom has to do is drive it .

[islandboy57]

Originally Posted by mtmx46

I haven't driven the newer generations but it sounds like I'm not missing much, even though I think there have been improvements.

I really like the gen 5, I'm sure it will be a worthy upgrade when the time comes for gen 3 owners. They're just as quiet, just as smooth (the 5 speed auto transmission is a bit quirky sometimes, but it seems my transmission fluid drain/refill has helped), with a much smaller turning radius and DRLs + auto lights on the gen 5.5.

That said, I wouldn't ditch a gen 3 for a gen 5 unless it was necessary. The improvements are there but as I've mentioned, the gen 3 keeps up with the new kids on the block just fine

[tran.man48]

yeah, my parents have an '05 Avalon, and within 3 years, the interior has shown really bad wear and scratches. My 16 year old camry still looks showroom fresh

btw, islandboy, I take it you live on Oahu... where at?

[Silent Shadow]

i certainly share all your guys enthusiasm. even in light of all recent developments in my car. but i still love it. even when its not running. like now...

[islandboy57]

Originally Posted by tran.man48

yeah, my parents have an '05 Avalon, and within 3 years, the interior has shown really bad wear and scratches. My 16 year old camry still looks showroom fresh

btw, islandboy, I take it you live on Oahu... where at?

My friend's family has an '05 Avalon and the interior has gone to crap too! 12K miles on it. Warranty is ending in November so I'm debating whether or not to take it down to Motor Imports and have them replace the door panel - the clear part of the vinyl over the doors is peeling. Looks gross!

My mom's 13 year old Camry has held up much better than that in 5x as much time! My Cam is holding up well too but it's only a few years old.

I live in the Kaimuki area.. You? Good to see some fellow TN'ers from Hawaii!

[islandboy57]

Originally Posted by Silent Shadow

i certainly share all your guys enthusiasm. even in light of all recent developments in my car. but i still love it. even when its not running. like now...

Ah, true love . I hope you get it back on the road soon!

[cruisn76]

Originally Posted by islandboy57

Have I mentioned the A/C system (R134a obviously, since it's a '95) is original? I still find myself turning the temp up a bit from the coolest setting even on hot days because it's so cold. Meanwhile friends/relatives with Hondas have all replaced their A/C systems at least once, if not twice.

Your A/C is old??? Mine is still original from 1992 and blowing blizzard cold!!!!

"I thank you previous owners for taking care of the A/C, especially on this day when the humidex is +40 Celsius

[tran.man48]

Originally Posted by islandboy57

I live in the Kaimuki area.. You? Good to see some fellow TN'ers from Hawaii!

oh nice... I'm over in Hawaii Kai