Faults:

When we first got the car we had to replace the power steering pump, and since we let it sit we had to replace the sunroof which had rusted through.

General Comments:

It is one of the best cars I have ever owned. It is great on gas and is exceptionally comfortable. The car has lots of power, so I would not recommend it to a youngster. Toyota did a great job with the Cressida.

Thanks Toyota.

Faults:

Worn Clutch (partly my fault really - see below).

General Comments:

I bought this car to travel around New Zealand in the Summer of 2003. It was a bargain at NZ$1600 having had one previous owner and relatively light use.

During our stay in NZ we used this car heavily yet it stood up to everything we threw at it, including toasting the clutch on a hill start on the "world's steepest hill" in Dunedin.

Considering the type of car we were looking for (a cheap wreck that would get us around) this was a luxury. For a 1986 car it had all extras (electric windows/air conditioning/Power steering/electric mirrors) that we seriously weren't looking for, but were an added bonus.

Performance wise it wasn't a very nippy car, but out on the open road it always had more than enough oomph for overtaking and a speeding ticket or two. Pick up in fourth was particular fun - it seemed to enjoy breaking the speed limit!

The shocks were slightly worn, so handling was a bit average, although power steering meant that it was easily able to cope with NZ's windy roads.

In short I loved this car. It carried us around NZ in comfort and managed over 500km on a toasted clutch (to my relief we made it back to a populated area to get it fixed!). I seriously contemplated importing it back to the UK, but I couldn't afford it. We managed to sell it (with a new clutch) for no loss, which was great.

I really miss our "Cressy!"

Faults:

Air Conditioner broke down to an electrical wire connection which, after 10 summers, was finally not thick enough for the electricity load.

Starter motor needed replacement at 145,000 miles.

Cruise control mechanism failed at approximately 75,000 miles. Replaced and has since behaved well.

General Comments:

This car is extraordinarily comfortable and tracks well on the road. It has performed well in numerous trips from San Francisco to Los Angeles and has also proved to be a fine car for around town.

I am a believer in Toyota's reliability/quality factors, but never expected to get such fine utility over so many years. In my opinion this is one of the best cars Toyota has ever manufactured. I might even call this a great car because of its comfort, reliability, and just plain smart engineering.

Faults:

None so far (see general comments)

General Comments:

Boxy? For sure. But from a distance, still very classy. Charcoal gray. Does that color ever go out of style? I don't think so. But you have to relish and cherish it.

This is a "rescue" car for me. First, I rescued it from a small-time dealer for less-than Blue Book. The car had small dings and dents, but drove well.

My family member who drove hit some hard times -- (ahem!) -- and the car recently sat out all winter in the elements. The brakes were completely shot, a metaphor, perhaps.

No battery power, two tires bald, tree sap all over it.

To make a long story short (edit as you please), I towed it out of "storage hell," had the brakes repaired, battery, etc, washed it, stared at it a long time -- just stared it down, if you will -- and then drove it 272 miles on faith -- hills of San Francisco, freeways, dirt, mud (remember, it's rear-wheel drive!) stop-and-go, etc.

Bottom-line: This car rides like a dream!

The ventilation accouterments are relatively primitive, but the air they delivered was very adequate in 80s heat driving.

Leather seats very, very comfortable. These seats may or may not be of Ricardo Mantolban-Corinthian Leather caliber, but they do breathe.

Now, all I have to do is repair the numerous small tears.

Tears, too.

On the freeway, handling was superb. I couldn't beliee this car was -- what? -- 17 years old?

Car overall very "tight" -- not one interior squeak (hello GM and Ford). And I used to drive cabs in a big city, so I know squeak!