Newbie needs advice on V6 Camry purchase

[44rbs]

Newbie to this site and Toyota. I am in the market for a used V6 Camry maybe 06 or 07. I hear there are V6 or transmission problems. Can someone summarize the issue and how to avoid.
Thanks Randy

[geoff5093]

Well the V6 transmission problem is with the newer generation (2007+), although in reality people make a bigger deal of it then what it really is, and not everyone experiences it.

If you are trying to decide between a 2006 and 2007 model, the 2007 year was a re-design, and it received a new 3.5L engine and 6-speed transmission, whereas the 2006 model only has a 3.0/3.3L and a 5-speed transmission.

[moeharri]

geoff, do you have the flare? I can tell you it IS a big deal, a safety concern, and very, very irritating when hard earned money is spent on an obviously flawed car that Toyota has no intention of fixing. While I do think the engine is nice, if you get a bad transmission, it sure spoils the fun.

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by moeharri

geoff, do you have the flare? I can tell you it IS a big deal, a safety concern, and very, very irritating when hard earned money is spent on an obviously flawed car that Toyota has no intention of fixing. While I do think the engine is nice, if you get a bad transmission, it sure spoils the fun.

Yes I have the flare, however it only revs up between 200-400RPM's. I've seen a few members who have it up to 1K RPM's, and I can see that being a problem, but how can this really be a safety concern? It still drives great and after that initial flare on startup it doesn't happen again for a while. I guess since I drive my car so much (already 16K+ miles), you just get used to it.

I don't know how the flare will effect the transmission long term, however if the only effect is the current 200-400RPM flare on 3rd to 4th shift, I can easily live with it.

[moeharri]

Have you had the TSB done? If not, I'd recommend not. I thought about living with the 3-4 flare, but decided to TRUST Toyota and get it applied. Now I have the flare (about 500RPM) on every shift, all day long (instead of only on the 3-4 shift when the car wasn't warmed up). Toyota using its customers are guinea pigs for testing their fixes is ridiculous. They should BUY back every single car that has this problem and use them to fix the problem. If it's really so few cars, they shouldn't have any problem buying back these cars and developing a real solution.

[geoff5093]

Originally Posted by moeharri

Have you had the TSB done? If not, I'd recommend not. I thought about living with the 3-4 flare, but decided to TRUST Toyota and get it applied. Now I have the flare (about 500RPM) on every shift, all day long (instead of only on the 3-4 shift when the car wasn't warmed up). Toyota using its customers are guinea pigs for testing their fixes is ridiculous. They should BUY back every single car that has this problem and use them to fix the problem. If it's really so few cars, they shouldn't have any problem buying back these cars and developing a real solution.

Thats what I heard. I havent had it fixed yet, however I did bring it in for them to check and have it documented. I thought that if it did get worse, the car would be worth less if I had to get the transmission replaced.

[44rbs]

Thanks Geoff . So the issue is 2007 with 6 speed auto (V6) have a surge or flare of 400 to 1000 rpm in the 3-4 shift. That it? And apparently Toyota has issued a TSB which doesn't fix the problem.

Does the Avalon share the same 6 speed as the Camry?

[fdexclpl]

Originally Posted by 44rbs

Thanks Geoff . So the issue is 2007 with 6 speed auto (V6) have a surge or flare of 400 to 1000 rpm in the 3-4 shift. That it? And apparently Toyota has issued a TSB which doesn't fix the problem.

Does the Avalon share the same 6 speed as the Camry?

Not all V6 Camrys have the "flare"
The Avalon uses the same transmission.

[silverSEV6]

I have never had the flare, and alot of us dont. For Avalon, only the facelifted 2008 has the 6-speed. 2005, 2006 and 2007 have the 5-speed.

[clarkgrizwald]

flare or no flare the new camrys are good cars. BUT dont believe the hype! get a gen 5.5! the last of the mohicans!!!

[dirtrat]

I've had my Gen 6 for over a year and a half and have no flare with my 6 speed.

[marc780]

i own two V6, a 2001 solara and a 2002 camry. They are the best cars i have ever owned (10 in all over the years - 2 sentras, a nissan pickup i still own, a VW rabbit - ugh - etc.). The 2002 just ticked over 100k, no problems whatsoever with either of them.
But if i were buying now, i'd avoid the 2007's and later, i have read posts from many people here about all the problems with them. I'd pick a 2006 model or older unless and until they get the Camrys unf^cked. If it turns out they never do, then my next car will be Honda or Nissan.

[geoff5093]

Both years have great Camry's, some may say the Gen 5.5 2006 is better while some say the 2007 is better.

As I already mentioned to you however, the 2006 model (except SE) only has a 3.0L 210HP or so engine and a 5-speed automatic. The 2007 has a 3.5L 268HP engine and 6-speed automatic, just something to consider.

[Stangar]

Sooo, . . . . has the "flare" problem of the 6 speed transmission been fixed in

the 2008 model year? Thanks for your response.

[kendallKICKASS]

it really depends on ur personal likes in a car i have a 1999 camry 4cyl and i think they the best u can get for lasting forever. my mom gave it to me when i got my dl's and when she got it it had 44k miles now it has 220k and only been in the shop for mods that i have put on it. but the 2007 camry's totally kickass they faster then the other gens and just like all camry's reliable just make sure the dealer tells u if it is one that have a tranny problem