Comments: 1-15, 16-22
Too many problems to list!... but I will anyway.
The head-gasket and alternator were already replaced when I bought the car at 118,000 miles (those parts obviously don't last very long)
Numerous oil leaks... well over $1,000 worth!!!
Numerous brake problems including severe pedal pulsation and terrible squealing/groaning noises... loud noises!!!
Sunroof not only stopped working, but the glass shattered uexpectedly one day!!!
Water-pump failed, resulting in the car stalling and not restarting, which left me stranded at a busy intersection one morning!!!
The lock to open the truck broke!!!
Timing-belt has been replaced 3 times in 20,000 miles of driving!!!
The timing of the timing-belt was thrown off trying to jump start another car...yes, that can happen with these stupid cars!!!
Excessive engine pinging and black smoke pouring from the exhaust...that's what the car is in the shop to get fixed now!!!
The interior has an ridiculous amount of loose and squeaking/rattling pieces!!!
The transmission is starting to shift weird as if the computer is messing up... aaahhh!!!
I will definetly never ever again by a Toyota Camry! What a hunk of junk! Far too many things have gone wrong with the car, as listed above. It's simply an unreliable car! The reputation far exceeds what the car delivers. I've heard and read that older Honda Accords are the same way.
The insurance is also absolutely ridiculously high! Again, Accords are the same way. I almost bought a used Accord instead of my Camry but when I called for an insurance quote, the lady said "Oh, you don't want an Accord. The insurance is outrageous." It would have been several hundred dollars per year more that my previous vehicle, which was newer.
Repairs are also quite expensive. I've had to spend over $1,000 on fixing just oil leaks! Not to mention all the other various repairs made to the car.
If you want a reliable car, DO NOT CONSIDER ANY OLDER TOYOTA CAMRY!!! That's just a warning, but you don't have to listen to me. There are plenty of similarly sized American cars out there that are more reliable and much cheaper to own.
Man, you need to learn how to take care of your car or find somebody that does!
88 Toyota Camry All Trac- 5 speed.
121000 miles, no leaks, excellent interior, stock ORIGINAL CLUTCH, NO RUST, starts perfectly, car functions like it has since I got it 2 years ago, only maintenance was timing belt (done at Toyota), brake pads and oil.
Purchased with 60000 miles so it is driven daily everywhere, also my struts work perfectly (excellent rebound and no bouncing), handles well when we go on dirt roads for fun!! And my interior still smells like a Toyota.
Have never had a belt fly off (how is that possible?)??
The car is the most rugged thing I've owned and I am pretty amazed at how it keeps bouncing back after all the times we go dirt drifting (4 wheel drive!!)
Anyways, sorry to hear about your bad experience.
I love mine!!
I think this guy might have mistaken his Camry for a Volkswagen.
I have never had any problems with my 1988 Toyota Camry. The engine (3SFE 4cyl), and auto transmission (both original) still going strong with over 202k ( miles with NO LEAKS!! It's par for the course that a Camry (or any Toyota) should have very minimal (less than, say, 2) problems throughout it's life.
Don't let this guy fool you. 99.9% of the Camrys in these surveys have pleased their owners.
Heh, this is for the person calling a camry junk. I have a 1988 camry...2.0 Automatic. It has 321,000 miles on it, and only had the change the timing belt 3 times, and that's good. I just recently started to modify it to the best I can get it performance wise. Let me tell you, this car has power. Those people who say you can do anything to those cars you ARE WRONG! I added a K&n air intake, with cone, and then gutted the cat. I also jumped the timing a bit, and took the filter out of the vacuum lines. There a added 45 hp at least. I am not even done with it, I'm gona take the 1988 celica who has a 3sfe engine like the camry, and add the header from that onto the camry, and use the camry exaust, that soon to be upgraded. I will have this car above 200 hp by the end of the summer with minor mods.
Yes, I'm commenting on the comments on my review... LOL. After reading the comments, all I can say is that the car WAS well maintained by me, but may not have been by the previous owner. I know I'm not crazy because two different mechanics told me how poor the mechanical condition of the car was just after I had purchased it, so that was my own fault.
I filled the car with premium gas weekly, so I don't understand what the engine pinging was all about. I tried putting regular in it and the car pinged even worse, so I went back to premium.
The brakes, well, I don't see how that could possibly be my fault considering I'm light on the brakes and had just changed them.
The car stalling on me like I said in my review, well that's just Toyota crap because it was the fuel pump that went out... again, not due to the way I drove the car.
When it comes to the interior literally falling apart, that again is Toyota crap. Interior trim is not supposed to fall off and hit your passengers in the head... yep, that actually happened one day when I was driving and the plastic cover on the interior B-pillar fell off and hit my front passenger in the head. Talk about embarrassing!
Like I said, I can blame these things on one of two parties... Toyota or the previous owner. I think they are both at fault.
Gee, mate, if you were to purchase a vehicle with 190000 kilometres on it, surely you would have gone over it, or commissioned someone professional to go over it with a fine toothed comb, wouldn't you? The problems that you describe are symbolistic with poor maintenance & neglect. Surely, there are stringent laws that protect the consumer in America against this? I know that here in Australia that there are warranties for used cars that cover certain mechanical areas.
My advice to you would be to look into the issue further & take what legal action you can in order to gain a satisfactory resolution.
Good luck.
Your remarks, although sad, are the funniest damn remarks I have ever read! Thanks for the laugh! ROFL!!!
Man, why didn't you do a thorough inspection and background check on the car when you bought it. I have one 88 Camry that has much more miles than yours. I still have the original clutch and all the interior parts are intact. I afraid the previous owner might have torn the car apart and put it back together! This is a lesson for you to learn: Do a thorough inspection and background check on the car. well, you probably have another car now!
Toyota camry is so unreliable head gasket timing belt and pulleys had to be replaced twice in two years that we had the thing don't ever buy one.
Hi
I now own a 1989 Camry All Trac. I don't know much about this car, but so far I love it. I am a former owner of a 1986 VW Quantum Syncro. That car kicked ass!!! I did have some problems with it, mostly because it had 202,897 miles on it.
Anyway, this junk yard junky recommends either car.
I have bought 3 Toyota Camrys. 2 1993's and one 1995. One has over 200,000 (I have only had to replace the power steering pump on this car - THAT's IT!) The other two have less mileage and have only had routine maintenance - The person who claims that his Camry was "absolute junk" must have gotten it from the Sapranos who put in American made
parts and sold all the original parts.
There will always be a predisposed car. Any poorly kept car from new will give trouble.
I general, camrys are very reliable and more reliable than any other make or model for its price. Looking at other reviews, the volvo 240 is a good alternative, but drinks fuel and the mercedes (old ones) but are over priced.
I'm sorry you had so much trouble with your Camry - unfortunately, it sounds like either a lemon, or, as mentioned in previous comments, neglect by the previous owner. I have 248,000 on my '88, and it's just needing a new clutch. Timing belt replaced twice (at 100,000 mile intervals - and not because it needed it, but preventive maintenance). One oil leak at 230,000. Other than that, just the cost of routine maintenance, which we do ourselves.
I have an 88 Toyota Camry. Bought it in 2001. I love my car. I have had a problem with the starter, had to replace them twice, but now that is fixed and I am getting a new transmission because the pump went out. Otherwise the car has been very good to me. Got me from New Orleans, La to Detroit, Mi without a complaint.
The guy who posted the last comment, should spend more time on typing a sentence that actually communicates his point. It is hard to tell what you are commenting on and there is no clear message in the sentence fragments you have posted. Please go back to your high school English teacher and demand a refund!!!
First I like to say that I am enjoying driving My 88 Toyota Camry DX. I wanted to buy a Toyota for a long time and finally got the chance to buy one. I have been very happy with my purchase and the condition of the vehicle. It had 75k miles on it and the only thing I have done so far was to change the battery and replace the air filter. I read a lot of reviews and comments about Toyota Camry's and found very positive feedback. I always try to keep my cars in great shape by doing regular maintenance and tune ups. I have done at least 3 oil changes on this Camry and everything is in working order. I check and found that I get 27 miles per gallon which is not too bad. I really believe that this one will last me for a long time and because of the condition and how clean I keep my Camry, People always ask me if I am selling it!
I just smile and say "Sorry, but It's not For Sale!"
I am not an expert in cars, work for Toyota or write many reviews about cars. One thing I know and that is..."I am keeping my Camry" You'll know a good thing... when you drive it.