1988 Toyota Camry Standard 2.0 I-4 16v from North America
Summary:
A reliable bargain
Faults:
At 91,000 miles I bought my Camry, deemed "a total loss" by my neighbor's insurance company. I bought it for $200 and the only thing wrong with it was the left headlight, fender, grill, hood, and that little piece between was bashed in. The radiator was pushed back, so we bent it back, no harm no fault. After $2,000 of body work it was back on the road with some new paint mixed with the nice paint it still has from the manufacturer.
It now has vibration in the front end, but it's probably just the front wheel bearings.
At 121,500 miles the timing belt, which has never been replaced I found out, deteriorated into grated cheese. This little problem left me stranded on the median of the interstate for about 4 hours, no biggie. It was towed back to my house, I replaced the timing belt myself, started it up and worked fine, runs just like it used to, thank god.
General Comments:
This is the best beater on earth. It gets great gas mileage. It heats up in the winter fast, and cools down in the summer just as well. It is a very comfortable car to drive, and has no major computer electronic controls and crap that you will have to replace, just good old manual control.
I don't really like the big black go-kart bumpers, but it's not another thing you have to pay for if someone bumps into you, just laugh at them and say have a nice day. I've hit so many things ha ha ha, but you can't tell. It's age is showing a little bit, but damn I have beaten the hell out of this car and it still bounces right back.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th May, 2003
9th Sep 2005, 01:48
I have a 1988 Toyota Camry Wagon. Only 60,000 miles on it! Motor runs great! My only complaint is the transmission. Had to have a solenoid replaced. After that it was fine till now. My OD light on the dash blinks on and off after about half an hour on the highway. Still runs good, but the light drives me crazy and I don't know what it means!!!