You can’t go wrong buying a used Toyota Camry, right? Not exactly. Not every Camry model year is a winner, despite the nameplate’s stellar reputation.

However, we have an easy way to identify which used Camry models are surefire winners and which ones are duds. All you have to do is purchase one from a specific year or newer.

Why should you buy a used Toyota Camry?

The answer is somewhat simplistic. People recommend buying a used Camry because Toyota manufactures reliable sedans. And thanks to the car’s already-affordable starting price, you won’t have to shell out a fortune to get a dependable pre-owned vehicle.

Best of all, you can purchase a used Toyota Camry and resell it down the line for a decent chunk of cash. According to data from iSeeCars.com, Toyotas have the best resale value compared to cars from all other automakers, beating the national depreciation average by 7.3%.

Avoid this Camry model year (or older)

Sometimes it’s easy to point out why you should avoid certain used cars. For example, you can buy a decade-old Toyota Camry for dirt cheap, but it’s not the best idea. 

The 2007-09 Camrys are maintenance nightmares. It appears that Toyota fixed the issues that plagued these vehicles in the following years. However, you’ll still want to avoid buying one of those versions – albeit for different reasons.

Consumer Reports lists all Camrys from the XV50 generation (2012-2017) as “recommended” vehicles. 

However, Consumer Reports’ reviews of these models prove you shouldn’t purchase a 2014 Toyota Camry or anything that came before it.

Unlike much older Camry models, these iterations don’t face mechanical troubles. Instead, its problems consist of little annoyances that might drive you crazy.

Consumer Reports criticized the 2012-2014’s loud cabin. This problem also extends to the Toyota Camry Hybrid, in which road and wind noise are even more noticeable.

The publication stated, “Road noise is somewhat louder than past models, particularly in the V6 XLE with its 17-inch wheels.”

Notably, there are other models on the road that are even noisier. And some people won’t be terribly offended by the 2012-2014 Camry’s cabin. 

However, newer models will deliver an infinitely more enjoyable experience, and it won’t cost you too much more cash.

These used Toyota Camry model years are well worth the money

If you’re in the market for a reliable used midsize sedan, you can’t go wrong with a 2015 Toyota Camry. This model year, along with newer ones, eliminated the issues that plagued previous versions.

Toyota gave the car a mid-cycle refresh for 2015. Doing so provided the sedan with better noise insulation, resulting in a more peaceful driving experience.

Additionally, the manufacturer adjusted the car’s suspension system for even better ride quality. Plus, it gave the Camry a fresh, more modern design.

According to Consumer Reports, a used 2015 Camry’s average retail price is $12,000-$14,825. That’s only $1,325-$1,700 more than that of a used 2014 Toyota Camry.

Meanwhile, these newer models also have a more comprehensive lineup of standard and available safety features. 

If protection is your top priority, you may want to consider buying a used 2018 Toyota Camry. The Japanese automaker completely redesigned the sedan for this model year, and it made features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control standard.