1986 Toyota Camry LE review from North America
"Toyota at it's best"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
All 4 struts and coil springs.
Wiper/washer arm jammed up.
Speedometer needle fluctuates all over the gauge at higher speeds.
Brakes failed (pads, rotors, drums, shoes) Three times in 30,000 miles.
Engine piston cracked at 110,000 miles (dealer claimed incorrect spark plugs which they themselves installed).
Piston rings failed at 123,000 miles.
Entire exhaust system failed at 100,000 miles.
Muffler failed again at 115,000 miles (genuine Toyota muffler).
General comments?
This car is borderline useless in the area of reliability. Any car can go hundreds of thousands of miles, but a Toyota requires a lot more to reach those high miles than it's competitors.
This car is as stylish as a green polyester leisure suit, as much fun to drive as a push lawn mower, and has the performance qualities of a street sweeper.
I would recommend Honda over Toyota, as I now have seen the light and purchased one.
Wrecking this car was the best thing that ever happened to it since the day it was glued and pop riveted together.
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| 1985 - Camry LE 2.0 Liter 4 cylinder A superior car, despite it all |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Year of manufacture | 1986 |
| First year of ownership | 1998 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.2 liter 4 cylinder OHC Automatic |
| Performance marks | 6 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 2 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 4 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 1 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 98000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 130000 miles |
| Previous car | Suzuki Samurai |
| Date of Entry | 15th November, 2003 |