1989 Toyota Camry Base Sedan review from North America

The rear trunk lock does not open with the key. The remote trunk release works like new, so this is has not been a problem.

An interior plastic part that guides the driver's lap belt and keeps it within easy reach has broken free of the seat. It makes the belt a bit harder to reach, but it has not been a problem.

The bumpers are black on this model. The rear bumper has started to fade and look dull. After so many years in the California sun, who could blame it?

My Camry was built in Japan in 1988. It is more than 17 years old now. It has very few miles on it and is remarkably well preserved. The original owner took fantastic care of this car.

The build quality is very high. All of the body panels are still perfectly aligned. The doors close easily and seal tight. The interior looks great and shows few signs of fading. The paint and chrome look like new.

Mechanically, the car works like new. The original clutch and struts show no significant signs of wear. It starts up easily and runs quietly. The engine makes decent power, but economy is where it truly shines. No matter where or how I drive the car, it gets 31 miles per gallon. That means 400 miles between fill ups. I am impressed that such an old car can run so well.

The 1989 Camry sedan is well designed. The interior offers lots of room for people over 6 feet tall. The trunk is quite large. The car handles all types of roads with stability and grace. The brakes are very easy to modulate and offer acceptable stopping power. The car really shines on the highway with a very smooth ride and very little noise.

Every time I get in the Camry I feel a huge temptation to go on a long road trip. It is an easy car to trust. I think driving it actually calms me down, even in heavy traffic. I wish everything in my life worked as well as this car!