Best years to buy a used Toyota Camry for $20K?

I’m looking to spend around $20K on a used Camry. Which model years should I focus on? I’ve heard that the 2015-2017 models are some of the best, but I wanted to get more opinions.

Yeah, 2015-2017 is considered one of the best generations.

Arlen said:
Yeah, 2015-2017 is considered one of the best generations.

I’ve owned both a 2015 and a 2017. Honestly, both were great cars.

Taj said:

Arlen said:
Yeah, 2015-2017 is considered one of the best generations.

I’ve owned both a 2015 and a 2017. Honestly, both were great cars.

Any major differences between them? I’m specifically looking at these years too, but the 2015 is a bit cheaper.

The only years to be cautious of are 2006-2012 with the 4-cylinder engine. Some of them had oil consumption issues, but Toyota did issue a recall for engine replacements. If you’re considering one from that period, check if the recall was done or be ready to top up oil frequently.

The 2018 models had a fuel pump recall and a transmission software update, but if the car has been serviced at a dealer, those should already be taken care of.

@Tristan
Just to add, even the worst oil-burning years were still reliable overall.

I have a 2007 with 250K miles, and while it’s burned oil for the last 100K, everything else is solid. But yeah, if OP is looking for the best years, it’s better to avoid that generation.

@Tristan
I’ll second that. I have a 2012 SE that just hit 215K miles, but I have to add oil about once a month. Other than that, it’s been great. If you want something without that hassle, go for the 2015+ models.

2015-2017 is the safest bet for your budget. I checked recently, and those models are still holding at around $18K for low-mileage examples.

I bought my 2017 for $19K in 2021, and it’s crazy that they’re still selling for about the same price now.

If you’re considering a 2018-2022 model, you can find them for around $20K with 60K miles, but keep in mind that 2018 was the first year of a redesign. The newer transmissions had some issues early on, so if you go for a 2018-2020, I’d recommend getting the transmission fluid changed as soon as you buy it or negotiating to have it done by the dealer.

If you have $20K to spend, you might be able to find a well-maintained 2018+ model with higher miles. They have better tech and a nicer driving experience overall.

I rented a 2018 Camry for a few days, and it was really nice. My mom owns a 2015 and has had it since new—she loves it.

If you want a V6, the 2013-2017 models are great.

We have a 2012 V6 with 120K miles, and it’s been solid. When you hit the gas, it moves.

My son has a 2017 Camry—no issues, great car.

Following this thread. I’m also looking for a Camry and would like to stay in the $20K-$25K range but prefer closer to $20K.

If you want something super reliable and old-school, the 1993 Camry was a tank. Simple, nothing to break, and it just runs.