1987 Toyota Camry LE review from North America

I bough my 87 Camry for $850 with a safety as I needed a vehicle for a few months. The day I bought it I had to replace the alternator (this was done for free by the seller) as the old alternator was crap. Other that it leaked oil. I knew this at the time of purchase. I believe it was a gasket from the engine. I never had it looked at as I bought the car super cheap and wasn't willing to put the money in to fix the oil leak, I calculated it would just be cheaper to put new oil in regularly (plus I didn't need any oil changes). Once and a while the key would stick in the ignition and wouldn't turn on but this was solved by simply putting the car in neutral and then back into park.

In the end while driving (perhaps a bit quick) the connector rod snapped and punched a whole through the engine block effectively ending the life of the vehicle. Something like was inevitable given the amount of wear and tear on the car and the fact that I have no clue whatsoever how to fix something like that (or prevent it for that matter.)

The 1987 Toyota Camry LE is an absolutely fantastic car! I was incredibly saddened as they towed it off the other day.

It never had problems starting even after 21 years of the Canadian climate and harsh winters.

Totally reliable never had any issues with it. In the 9 months I owned it I put on 20,000km and other than replacing the block heater and transmission pan cover and gasket (both which I did myself with zero mechanical experience) I never once had to take it to a garage.

The car was roomy and had all the top line amenities for an 87 (air, power everything, tape deck etc). The interior had held out quite well having no holes or discolouration and even the fabric on the roof hadn't come close to drooping.

Fuel economy was great. I was getting between 600-700 a tank with the car stuffed wall to wall with stuff.

It handled incredibly well. For perhaps 18k of the 20k km's I put on I had it loaded to the max and it took the load every time. Not a lot of clearance at that point but it worked.

I was quite hard on this car and gave it TLC to the best degree I could without mechanical knowledge. If you have the opportunity to get one don't pass it up. It was an incredible car and almost brings tears to my eyes to think that it is done now :)