I have a 1995 Toyota Camry..I loved this car. I took it to my mechanic because it wouldn't start. the engine would turn rapidly but it wourldn't fire, I assumed it was something simple, maybe major....but not what I was told. I just found out today that the mechanic found metal shavings in the oil. He says that I have to get a new engine or rebuild one. I am very dissappointed as you can guess. Are there any suggestions?

Sounds fishy to me. Have you been to this mechanic before? If the engine turns over and won't fire, is there a spark? Perhaps the camshaft broke, but there would be some bad noises I would think. Somehow this seems like a sham and I would want the car immediately to take somewhere else for a second opinion. I am assuming that you experienced no problems and it ran fine until one day it would not start. Likely a spark problem or fuel problem I would guess.

run a compresion check. If the timing chain breaks you can brake a valve or piston, causing these symptons

Had this happen to me on a Honda. Snapped timing belt engine turned over quickly with no throaty sound. Zinnnng...

Get timing belt/chain checked. Hope the engine is not an "interference engine" = piston whacks valves when engine turns over and valves don't reciprocate.

good luck...