Love my '90 Yoda beater - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Iceman18T · 03-02-2006, 11:40 AM

Hey, new here. Just posted some wheels FS in the classifieds. Figured I'd share my lovely Camry beater with you that I purchased in November.
2.0 5 speed DX, just about to turn 189,000. I call him Rusty. All the fenders are rusted to hell, but I dont' care, he keeps my Dub off the road for the winter months, so he serves his purpose. Also has a small gas leak near the tank, and I need to add some oil every two weeks or so, but no biggie. The best $300 I ever spent.

Only experienced one problem so far. The solenoid on the starter decided to die the other day. So, me and some buddies decided to bypass it. So now, all I have to do to start the car is touch two wires together that we ran to the drivers seat. I'm going to get a push button today, so I'll have push button start. LOL The best thing is, the clutch doesn't have to be engaged to for him to fire up. As long as the key is in the ingition, and turned to on, it starts.

Yeah, you're all thinking I'm wack, but I don't care. The car is reliable as hell. It has a new battery, distributor cap, wires, plugs, front brakes, tires and exhaust. Just did an oil change and added some Engine Restore a couple weeks back. That stuff really works, I can already tell the difference in acceleration from a stop and on the highway.

I love this car. lol

Cyorke · 03-02-2006, 01:53 PM

I dont have the smiles but this thread is useless without pictures.

Iceman18T · 03-02-2006, 03:31 PM

HAHA, true, I should of known better. I'll get some pics posted up soon.
Walmart didn't have any push button switch either, so I ended up getting a toggle switch. Ghetto style, but it's a beater. $5 total is better than spending $85 for a new starter.

Cyorke · 03-02-2006, 03:37 PM

You know you can jsut replace hte brushes in it and probably take care of it. Does it jsut click when you hit the switch to start it. if so it is common for toyotas. Youcan normally get the brushes for $15 or less.

There is a thread on here that gives you pretty good insturctions on how to do it if that is your problem and you decide you want to get rid of the toggle.

TBayToyotaBoy · 03-02-2006, 04:14 PM

LOL best five bucks you ever spent! Get one of those cheezy backlit rocker switches with a skull on the switch!!! Ghe-tto!!!

Iceman18T · 03-02-2006, 04:17 PM

Yeah, see there was no clicking. That's what lead us to believe the solenoid was shot. The starter was getting zero power to it.
Here's some pics I just took.
The yota is all it's glory!

Nascar style.

Not the best placement, but it works.

wiring off the starter.

midnightmach · 03-02-2006, 04:28 PM

Holy that fender is rusteddd, i'd suggest hiding the switch. Will insurance pay if your car is stolen?Well i guess its not that much anyways. Anyways nice camry.

TBayToyotaBoy · 03-02-2006, 04:29 PM

Ouch, that fender is really bad (cops sometimes ticket for holes that big). Try a scrap yard, they usually charge like $20 for decent fenders. And burgundy was a common color so you should find one easily.

Iceman18T · 03-02-2006, 04:36 PM

yeah, I thought about the fenders. The other side is just as bad.
I've driven by alot of police with it so far, no problems. I live about 1/2 mile away from the NYS Trooper Academy, I must pass 10 troopers a day, to and from work. I think they kind of expect it with the weather conditions here in Upstate NY. Plus the way I see it, my headlights work, all my taillights work, and no smoke comes out the tail pipe. I see people driving around everyday with at least one of those symptoms on their car. Besides, I gotta keep it in true beater status. Though to be honest, this car is really growing on me. lol.

I'll be tucking the toggle in the door pocket when I park it at night. Still need the key turned to the "on" position or else it won't start. But, really, who would steal it anyways.

Here's the other side, for shits and giggles. sorry for the big pic. I just uploaded it to the gallery on this site.

theMANry · 03-02-2006, 07:56 PM

Hey your from albany! thats near me kinda! im abour 40 mins north of you!

sweet ride. i had the exact same car only blue and a auto tranny that i used for a race car at Albany Saratoga Speedway.

Cyorke · 03-02-2006, 08:05 PM

Looks liek the rear fenders on teh old toyota pick up trucks wehre they rusted out at the seam. We dont see many cars rusted like that down here. Any of them that are are normally from up norht anyway.

Iceman18T · 03-03-2006, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMANry

Hey your from albany! thats near me kinda! im abour 40 mins north of you!

sweet ride. i had the exact same car only blue and a auto tranny that i used for a race car at Albany Saratoga Speedway.

HAHA nice. I live in Albany, and work in Latham. Had to of been fun putting her on the track. This thing is like a lil go cart, I love it.

theMANry · 03-03-2006, 10:54 PM

it worked pretty good untill the auto tranny shit the bed and i couldnt move lol.

TBayToyotaBoy · 03-03-2006, 11:36 PM

Well, at least it's just your fenders...the rear quarter panels look okay still. Fenders: easy to replace (30min per side). Quarter panels: PITA (4-6 hours of annoying welding).

Long-live beaters!!!!

Iceman18T · 03-04-2006, 06:41 PM

Exactly. Spring is right around the corner, so it might be parked soon for a while. Maybe I'll take advantage of that time and scoop up some fenders.