1990 Toyota Camry LE 2.0L 4 cylinder. from North America

Summary:

Fabulous in every way

Faults:

Antenna bent by garage door.

Throttle plate periodically gets dirty, resulting in sticky accelerator pedal.

One CV boot broken.

General Comments:

I have not had any serious repair needed for this car. Only maintenance items, i.e., oil changes, replacement of batteries and brakes, flush and refills of transmission and radiator, replacement of hoses and belts.

My gas mileage has been extremely good; in one trip in November 2001 from Los Angeles to Tucson at about 63 mph I got 44.1 mpg.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th January, 2003

15th Apr 2003, 12:17

Help!! My 1990 Toyota Camry has had problems with hesitation upon acceleration for one year now (since April 2002). I have had the car into several repair shops and am told that they cannot diagnose the problem because the "check engine" light has never come on during hesitation, only when the engine has occasionally died upon hesitation. I don't know what to do with this problem. Please help!

24th Apr 2003, 21:39

Reply to the hesitation problem. I too had the problem for a long time. I took it to the dealer, and found the problem to a leak of engine oil? (can't remember at this time) take it to the dealer. they might be able to find the problem.

1990 Toyota Camry DX TRD 2.0L 16v DOHC from North America

Summary:

Reliability & Power Cleverly Disguised!

Faults:

The radiator had 3 huge holes in it at about 153,000 miles. I replaced it for $80 at a wholesale radiator shop. This was the ONLY nessesary repair that needed to be done to the car besides routine maintenance. All other repairs were to prevent problems or boost performance.

I replaced the timing chain just to be on the safe side.

Replaced the water pump.

I installed an Automecca Cool Air Intake System instead of the stock air filter assembly. This increased horsepower by a facor of 10 bhp.

I replaced the front and rear struts just to tighten up the suspension system because the car was bouncing like a basketball on bumps.

Replaced stock exhaust system with a Dynomax Performance Exhaust. This car is LOUD!

Custom designed and painted the interior myself to White/Red/Silver. Instead of the stock and boring Black/Grey.

Replaced stock steering wheel with an American Products Company all black/chrome sport wheel.

The list can go on... This is not your normal looking or normal power rated 1990 Toyota Camry!!

General Comments:

This car is the greatest. I can take long road trips and be comfortable and also beat most street racers on the urban side. The car is extremely reliable despite it's high mileage, however it is because I maintain it very well. These cars are known to be wolves in sheep's clothing. The horsepower is up to 215, up from the stock 170. It is an Automatic Trans. which can be boring however the Power/Normal feature on the Electronically Controlled Transmission is very fun to use. This little button on the center console instantly changes the gear ratios and valve timing to allow for maximum torque and rpm for take-off and acceleration on the road. The down side of course is that this wears down your transmission quicker due to all the stresses and also minimizes the fuel economy considerably

The car won't shift into 2 from 1 until 40mph with the Power button depressed and the pedal to the metal. These cars were built to last forever. If maintained properly you can take this car to the next incarnation!!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th December, 2002

24th Apr 2003, 19:46

Hey man, I have a Camry to and I am look for a cold air intake for it. You say you have one. Where did you get it.

I have a muffler and new plug and wires and 2 MTX subs in the back. Its quick, but I want it quicker. Thanks.

20th May 2003, 14:34

Actually, the ECT PWR button changes the Camry's limiter. When the button is depressed, the car changes gears at higher RPM's. In normal mode, when you floor the engine, it shifts gears at around 5600 to 6000 RPMs. In PWR mode, the engine shifts gears close to, if not at, redline.

The PWR button is actually supposed to help our car's climb steep grades. But of course, we have found different uses for the button :D.

Ronaldo

2VZ-FE.

21st Jun 2003, 19:50

According to Toyota the 2.0L 3S-FE DOHC has 119@5600 BHP 130@4400 FPT. I wonder where you and how you got 170 HP let alone 215 without an Engine swap.

E-mail at ringo_234@hotmail.com.

2nd Jan 2006, 20:56

Hey man nice description. I have 90' 3sfe motor 5 speed and I was wondering how do you install a intake knowing that the diagnostic portion is there. can I get your help Eckopimp03@earthlink.net.