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VERDICT · SIDESTEPS THE 2.4L'S OIL CONSUMPTION ENTIRELY

Toyota Camry 3.5L
is it a safe used buy?

The V6 option on this generation of Camry — shared with the Lexus ES350 and RX350 — avoids the four-cylinder's well-documented oil consumption issue entirely, at the cost of a bit more at the pump.

GENERATION6th gen (2007–2011)
ENGINE3.5L V6
POWER268 hp
USED PRICE$9,500–15,500

How the engine fits this car

The Camry's midsize sedan body is an easy, unstressed load for this V6 — the same genuinely strong engine covered in detail on the related Lexus ES350 and RX350 pages, here offered as the performance-oriented option on this Camry generation.

If the 2.4L page's oil consumption checklist gave you pause, this is the direct way to buy the same generation of Camry while sidestepping that specific engine entirely.

Toyota Camry-specific pros and cons

This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.

WHAT HOLDS UP WELL

  • Engine has an exceptional long-term reliability reputation, shared with related Lexus applications
  • Avoids the 2.4L 2AZ-FE's well-documented oil consumption issue entirely
  • Genuinely strong, confident power delivery that outpaces the four-cylinder noticeably
  • Toyota's broader reliability reputation and resale value strength carry through to this generation

WHAT TO WATCH

  • Fuel economy trails the four-cylinder option on this same generation
  • Purchase price runs somewhat higher than equivalent 2.4L examples, reflecting the V6's stronger reputation
  • Interior material quality, while decent, trails some rivals from the same era
  • V6 examples are less common on the used market than four-cylinder Camrys of this generation

Pricing on the used market

Mileage band
Typical price
What to expect
Under 70,000 mi
$13,000–15,500
Still worth standard maintenance checks regardless of mileage
70,000–120,000 mi
$11,000–13,000
Sweet spot, no engine-specific concern to screen for
120,000+ mi
$9,500–11,000
Still a confident buy with documented maintenance

The engine itself

This Camry shares its 3.5L V6 with the related Lexus ES350 and RX350. Full detail on this engine's exceptional reliability track record lives on the shared engine page.

FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNLexus 3.5L V6 (2GR-FE) — Reliable or Not →

Pre-purchase checklist for this generation

Beyond general maintenance history, there's genuinely little engine-specific risk to flag on this combination.

If cross-shopping against the 2.4L version of this same generation, that engine's oil consumption checklist is worth reading before deciding between them.

Check that infotainment and comfort electronics function correctly, more relevant to overall satisfaction than any mechanical concern.