5k: Cheap Roller Skate: 1991 Toyota Camry
Words and tip by Kaibeezy. My mom bought a Maytag washer in the 60’s that lasted for 40 years. When the repairman could no longer get parts, she had to get a new one. Which lasted 5 years, as did its replacement. Cheap profit engineered crap. I’d guess this Camry, or better yet a Mercedes or BMW of the same vintage, would last longer than a new one bought today, driven the same. And that’s not even mentioning all the electronic crap guaranteed to fail. Now get off my lawn and buy this 1991 Toyota Camry 5spd for $3,900 in Milpitas, CA via craigslist.
The 2nd generation Toyota Camry (V20, USDM 1988-1991) dates from an era when heavy engineering focus was put on reliability and robustness instead of meeting the latest convenience fad. Okay, the stupid tracked front seat belt was one of those fads that will cost you when it breaks, but this car is free of touchscreens, voice activated systems and other kitsch destined to be obsolete within the quinquennium.
Power from the 2.0 liter inline-4 is rated at 115 horsepower (or 156 from the 2.5 liter V6) and won’t blow your socks off, but with a 5-speed manual transmission and a 2700 lb curb weight to chuck around, it ain’t the worst thing you’ll ever drive.
See another clean, one family owned sedan with a clutch for less? tips@dailyturismo.com
Take a scissors to that houlder harness and rig up a way to bypass the interlock mechanism and rock and roll. Tahe this Nav Screen and Shove it!
I had one of these and it was one of my favourite cars. Took it from 220k to 250k miles. Died when I parked it for a year and the gas tank and brake lines rusted out. It was deceptively fast, 70mph happened at fast idle in 5th. Crank it up to 3k rpm and you were doing 80+ and didn't know it since it was quiet, smooth and well behaved. I remember getting 40 mpg out of it. It was also a good snow car.
I'm glad DT finally put up a Camry. This is probably the best generation of Camry made.
POM win! Everyone needs a beater car to preserve the ones you love.
This car looks nice enough that I'm not sure I'd call it a beater.
just re-posted here – firm price jiggled down to $3700
Time to wax nostalgic again for a bit. My friend Matt's mom picked up one of these brand new in 1989 in that baby-blue metallic color. It was a V6 and his Mom was a bit of a speed demon. I remember her out-dragging a 3rd generation RS Camaro at a stoplight on the way back from a football practice one night. The Camaro still had its temp license plates on. It was probably a V6, but I didn't care. To my 9 year old brain, 4 door didn't have any business being faster than a Camaro. Coincidentally, that was also the night that the 3rd gen F body dropped off of my "top 5 cars I will own when I get my license" list. Also coincidentally, that was the last night my parents let me ride home with Matt.