1991 Toyota Camry - What I Love and Don't Love About This Car

I recently purchased a 1991 Toyota Camry. I was hesitant at first, because the car was almost as old as I was, but I have been pleasantly surprised in the two weeks that I've been in possession of the car. My first impression of the vehicle was of good nature; I thought it was one of the most comfortable cars I've ever sat in. I wasn't thrilled about the dark blue interior, because I prefer black (for the sporty look), or gray (for neutral, normal sedans). However, other passengers who have gotten in my new car thought that the interior looked nicer than they expected. Admittedly, it does have some nice qualities. For being a '91, I was surprised to see that it had power locks, windows, mirrors, and partial power seats. The power steering is light and breezy, and overall, I enjoy sitting in the car for a nice drive.

At this point, you might be asking yourself about the mechanics of the vehicle. Well, I have to say that the mechanics of the car are at an "A" quality. As far as I know, the ignition coil and the muffler have been replaced within recent years, but nothing else. The transmission and the engine are original to the car, and I haven't noticed a single problem with either. Preventative and normal maintenance have always been done - brakes, tires, oil changes, etc. The only known issues are said to be common with older Toyotas. I'm having problems with the starter (which in all honesty could actually be the ignition coil again), and there is a possibility that the flywheel will need to be replaced. But all in all, this car runs like a dream. Because the engine will always eventually turn over, I haven't been too irked by the issue of starting the car.

The body of the car has held up very well. It hasn't been garaged, and has faced 18 Iowa winters now in it's old age. There is a minimal amount of rust on the two front wheel wells, but that's all that I can detect. Because the paint color is white (not my favorite, but such is life), any other rust would be noticeable. In terms of dents, this car is also doing considerably better than my other vehicles. It has seen better days, but the dents hide themselves well, and overall, the body would get a "B". The rust that it does have should be expected, especially considered the elements it has faced...my Subaru (a 1996), has rusted much quicker than the Camry, and they have both been sitting in the same Iowa conditions. The Toyota is definitely in the lead here.

Styling-wise, you get what you expect. Very few cars have survived the eighties or early-nineties with a stylish body or interior (in my opinion). I prefer mid-nineties body styles, as they were still small, but had a little bit more "bubble" to their looks. The 1991 Camry is very boxy, and looks a little bit different than the newer cars I am constantly parking next to. At least I won't care if someone in the parking lot dings my door a little bit, I guess. It's a simple case of "you get what you pay for" here.

Overall, I would give the car an A-. In the past, I've driven Ford Escorts, Subaru Legacy's, and Pontiac Grand Am's. Each and every one of those vehicles have had problems, be it a fuel pump, or a total engine rebuild. I've also enjoyed driving each and one of those cars. At the end of the day however, none of them beat the Camry I just paid $900 for, which is comfortable, drives well, has all the amenities a modern driver could ask for, and will probably live longer than I will.