1992 Toyota Camry CSi (SV21) review from Australia and New Zealand

A few things -

Replaced starter motor, alternator, fuel rail, 1 radiator fan motor, rear wheel bearings, power steering fluid leak, has used several pairs of front tyres all in 8 years.

To elaborate, a fuel leak prompted the fuel rail change. Shame the car didn't burn to the waterline.

Rear wheel bearings replaced at 190000km, front bearings OK.

Leak occurred where hoses clamp to tubes emerging from body of power steering pump. Pump replaced by second hand unit - 205000km.

Despite the car having never been in an accident (it's metallic light green so a partial or total respray would have been noticed after 8 years), the front wheel geometry chews tyres. They've been aligned by 3 different workshops and they've each assured me that everything is per-factory. Tyres used were Dunlop (soft compound, short life) and Good Year. Front tyres are currently rock-hard Korean rubbish to maximise their life, but the handling has become somewhat 'nervous'. The car isn't thrashed, by the way.

Fuel economy is terrible; it drinks like a V8. Typical consumption is 13L/100km (22mpg) in outer suburban driving. A country trip, with me feather-footing the accelerator and coasting wherever possible returned about 10L/100km (28-29mpg) and this with overdrive selected full time. Plugs, coil, compression, etc, all checked OK - engine runs sweetly, but has a lusty thirst.

Handling is compromised by the need to use rubbish tyres on the front.

Fuel economy does not reflect the way the car is gently driven.

Yes, it's an old car and only ventures 10km to work and back these days, but I expected better from Toyota, especially as its stablemate is a 2003 Ford Falcon which has run without fault since new.

I'd still buy another Toyota as I feel this particular car was probably assembled on a Monday morning.