1988 Toyota Camry V6 LE review from North America

Fuel Tank breather hose failed in January of 2003. Cheap replacement at the dealer.

Other than that, when I first acquired the car, I had it brought back to factory specs. all were minor things such as CV boots, muffler, and plus/wires. I did this just to make sure the car was as it should be.

This is my pampered precious car. My parents bought it new in May of 1988. after 5 years and approximately 71,000 miles of it being our family car, my parents traded it in May of 1993. Fortunately for me, it never saw the lot. It was sold to the retired sister of a good friend of the owner of the dealership. Over the next 9 and a half years, this sweet little old lady drove my car to church and the grocery store. From the time I was learning to drive, I wanted a Camry because of this car and I got one. (See "Bolted together as if to last an Eternity) From time to time I would see her in town, and the folks in the service department at the dealership kept me informed about my car.

In July of 2002, I finally met her and told her if she ever wanted to sell the car, I wanted it. During the last week of August, I was passing by the dealership and saw my car in the service area. When I went in, they told me the lady wanted to sell it to me. So, the next week, I brought it home, got it tuned up and cleaned to my satisfaction. This car is still nearly like new.

I baby it, allowing only 2000 miles a year. It is and always has been garage kept. This car is not driven unless the weather is nice and the roads are dry.

The LE trim is incredibly sumptuous. Rich, plush upholstery, and the V6 is so smooth this car is heavenly to drive. As one of the last Toyotas sold in the US prior to the introduction of the Lexus line, this is one of the classiest, most beautiful cars Toyota ever built. Overall, you can see why they based the Lexus ES on the Camry. We also have a 1991 Lexus LS 400 that my Camry shares the garage with, and the Camry feels similar, but for the difference of RWD compared to FWD. But the Camry is almost as quiet, equally as comfortable, and seems quicker.

No Camry since has seemed right. This design is so elegant, and has just the right blend of performance and luxury.

Sticker on this car was almost $19,000, somewhat pricey for 1988. Adjusted for inflation, the new Camrys have become a much less expensive car, and it shows.

The Second Generation Camry is a modern classic.