Faults:

Grey window tint has turned purple.

Clear coat is flaking.

Several patches of minor body rust.

Hood latches a bit low.

Hatch is hard to open.

Interior hatchback release handle is questionably functional.

Interior fuel door release lever does not work.

Pulls left.

Engine smokes.

Several oil leaks.

Replaced both electric radiator fans.

Replaced thermostat.

Radiator clogged.

Dash light dimmer knob shattered. (Flush mount style knob, plastic broke into slivers inside the dash)

Two speakers do not play.

Transmission slips.

Transmission shifts very slow (i.e. 8-10 second shifts)

Sometimes skips second gear. (sometimes not)

Drivers side power window does not work ($10 relay)

Power door locks do not lock. (Unlocks fine)

Center console lid hinge broken.

General Comments:

This car was extremely reliable, somewhat fast, and rather nice in its time, unfortunately at around 200,000 miles the other shoe fell. Since the 200K mark, everything has been meeting its doom on the vehicle. Some things are normal with age (i.e. thermostat, clear coat, tint changing) but others aren't quite so (radiator, dash knob, remote latch levers, transmission)

By the way, as a side note, this car comes equipped with the coolest thing ever. The drivers side door lock keyhole is lighted so you can lock and unlock your door at night.

I like the ECT (Electronic Controlled Transmission) With the Economy, Normal, and Power modes, it provides an owner with the option of suiting the car to their own preference, as opposed to having to buy a new car because the mileage isn't good enough, or because you want something faster, a person can press the button, and change the shift pattern of the transmission, and effectively modify the power band, and mileage of the car. The overdrive is also helpful on trips.

Unfortunately the cooling system has been a constant annoyance, as something or another always fails. Considering that the Japanese motor car engineers have a reputation for precision, it stands to say that the radiator was no exception. There is absolutely *no* more cooling than required. If one fan goes out, the other cannot keep the car from overheating. If the thermostat sticks, the bypass cannot flow enough coolant to keep the car from overheating. If the coolant is low, it will overheat, as opposed to running a bit hotter than usual like other vehicles I have driven. If a few of the radiator tubes get plugged, it will overheat. That is the biggest complaint I have about this vehicle, is that the cooling system was designed with no room to spare.

The transmission has also become a source of trouble, with very slow, sloppy shifts, it is difficult to keep the engine speed at a regular pace, and with the clutch-packs slipping, not much of the engine power is going to the wheels any more. Occasionally it will shift to second only long enough for the valve body to pressurize for third. Other times it stays in second as it should until the speed of the car is appropriate for third.

The body also seems to attract more rust than other vehicles. I'm not to sure about this one.

If, however, I catch it on a good day, and it shifts firm, and holds power, the car is relatively quick for its engine class.

The only other complaint I would have is a poor suspension system, the back end of the car is bouncy, and the tires squeal too easily going around corners.

But despite all this, It served very well for the first 200,000 miles, and I would expect a similar car with fewer miles to be a good investment to anyone looking for a low cost, reliable, very functional vehicle.

Faults:

First the radiator cap stuck, resulting in a blown up radiator.

Internal rust from everything steel inside the cooling system, from the previous owner's service.

Blown head gasket, leading to warped head and leaky valves.

Broken timing belt right after valve job.

General Comments:

The car was great for the first four months I owned it. No real problems for about a thousand miles. Then it started to burn oil and the ish hit the fan.

Head gasket, valve job, head milling and now a new timing belt all went within ten hours of driving it.

I have seen here and there that it's a non interference engine, so it will live to screw me again.

The good times I had with Mr Butler tron, as it was called, were quite good. As far as I know it's a pretty fast car. Mine, with the five speed manual, will lite up the tires all the way through first gear. Gets to 60 in roughly 8 to ten seconds. Good handling and reasonable gas mileage make it highly drivable.

The bad about the car isn't bad enough to make it a bad car, but little things like the lack of a tachometer, front wheel drive, very poor servicability and the ever shallower "oasis of parts" nag you from time to time.

As for modifications, the Camry is a very good platform to start with. First of all, the stock stereo system isn't even funny. You can shoehorn 4 by 6's in the front speaker holes, up to 6 by 9's in the back dash and as much sub as you want in the trunk. I have four 4 by 6's and a 200 watt sub in the trunk and it works quite well. You don't need any more than that in such a small car.

The motor is also begging for attention. It can take as much as 22 degrees of advance for much more punch and the intake can be opened up for better sound and performance in, at most, ten minutes. The five speed manual is a must for go fasting, but that's about all you have to look for.

All things considered, the 1984 Camry is a good car as long as you don't step on any cracks, carry your rabbits foot and stay clearly away from ladders.