1986 Toyota Camry 2.0 gas from North America

Summary:

If this car ever dies I will try to get another 1986 camry

Faults:

Rear brakes were grabbing from sitting so long. Easily fixed by pounding with a large hammer and then driving a few hundred miles.

Parking brake cables rusted in place.

Exhaust fell off 2 weeks after I got the car, but that was expected- lots of miles on the car.

General Comments:

What an amazing car! It has gobs of power- once it hits 85mph it really starts moving.

Incredible fuel economy out of a 4 door sedan- 35-38mpg on the highway while going considerably above the speed limit.

A bit noisy inside and a crummy factory stereo.

Cruise control still works after 180,000+ miles!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th November, 2004

29th Jan 2005, 15:47

I had 1986 camry, but crashed it in a very bad accident. I seen your comment and that exactly my feeling is. I am looking for exactly same car again.

8th Feb 2006, 16:51

Ditto. Best car I ever owned. An occasional minor repair and it just keeps running and running and running. I've got 185,000 miles on it now, I change the oil every few months and that's about it. I let my kids drive the car mostly, only thing currfently busted is the cruise control, and I'll get that fixed one of these days. Whatever they did to build this car should just be done over and over again, no improvements are possible.

16th Feb 2006, 21:51

My father purchased his 1986 Camry new then and stopped driving (due to age) in 2000. The car sat for two years before I started using it. I put new tires, battery, brakes, and tuned it up. I can honestly say I would drive it any where and not worry. My older daughter used it in Alabama for 8 months last year,I drove it down and back. I plan to get another 100,000 miles out of it. AT LEAST. Paul in N.J.

1986 Toyota Camry LE 2.0L EFI from North America

Summary:

Stone-cold reliable with proper maintenance

Faults:

L.Rear power window ceased operation.

Power door locks inoperative.

Fuel filler pipe seeping gasoline when fuel tank is filled to capacity (corrosion related).

General Comments:

I was dubious about buying a car with 300000 K's on it, but the previous owner had oil-sprayed the vehicle frequently throughout its tenure so the body is in amazing condition. The underside needs touch-ups to arrest some forming rust spots. The a/c had been serviced by the previous owner and was recharged with r434 (?) never heard of that refrigerant, but it must be a Japanese thing. However, it the a/c is still operating quite efficiently. Canada requires emission testing on all vehicles up to 20 years old (drat!) but the old Toyota passed without a hitch, and well within the parameters. The original cruise control still works!!!) This car was purchased to get me from A-B, it does highway speeds without complaining and has plenty of "giddy-up" when required. It has some little quirks, but they are small and are consistent with the car's are and mileage.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 29th June, 2004

1986 Toyota Camry LE 2.2 liter 4 cylinder OHC from North America

Summary:

Toyota at it's best

Faults:

All 4 struts and coil springs.

Wiper/washer arm jammed up.

Speedometer needle fluctuates all over the gauge at higher speeds.

Brakes failed (pads, rotors, drums, shoes) Three times in 30,000 miles.

Engine piston cracked at 110,000 miles (dealer claimed incorrect spark plugs which they themselves installed).

Piston rings failed at 123,000 miles.

Entire exhaust system failed at 100,000 miles.

Muffler failed again at 115,000 miles (genuine Toyota muffler).

General Comments:

This car is borderline useless in the area of reliability. Any car can go hundreds of thousands of miles, but a Toyota requires a lot more to reach those high miles than it's competitors.

This car is as stylish as a green polyester leisure suit, as much fun to drive as a push lawn mower, and has the performance qualities of a street sweeper.

I would recommend Honda over Toyota, as I now have seen the light and purchased one.

Wrecking this car was the best thing that ever happened to it since the day it was glued and pop riveted together.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th November, 2003

15th Nov 2003, 13:35

OH-OH-O0H-OOOH What a feeling! (Jump) Toy-yota!