1st & 2nd Generation (1983–1986 & 1987-1991)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1983-1986 & 1987-1991.
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
Aw, now that's just not fair! I HATE living in the salt belt...all of these cars are long gone by now, having rotted-away in winter hell...
__________________ 1990 5spd V6 Camry (Still kicking at 393,000km) 1991 Celica GTS -- Pappa needs a 3SGTE...and AWD for all this friggin' snow
Honda my A$$, you just can't kill a Yota...
Is that the original CD Player ?! I didn't know Toyota/Lexus had those available till around 94 or so.
Thats a nice car there beautifully preserved, If I had that car I would swap in the 3.0 v6 when the 2.5 goes to shit.
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1987 Toyota Camry LE 2.0 Sedan 200,000 miles.
1996 Nissan Maxima SE 3.0 Sedan 204,000 miles
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Is that the original CD Player ?! I didn't know Toyota/Lexus had those available till around 94 or so.
Thats a nice car there beautifully preserved, If I had that car I would swap in the 3.0 v6 when the 2.5 goes to shit.
Yea. That seems to be original as I've seen that type of CD player in other ES250's.
CD players seem to have been an option for the ES250; something that the Toyota Camry didn't have around that same time. I remembering seeing a Toyota Cressida (either an '87 or '88) with 'said' Factory CD player. It seemed to be factory due to the design decor of the player, but I can't seem to confirm that if the Cressida during that age had them. I know that the MX83 ('89~'92) had an option for CD, but I don't know exactly when it started.
lol...I would love to have this to drive. 5SPD + 2VZ is a pretty peppy car
You're right...my 5 speed 2VZ has 400,000km on it now, fourteen holes in the exhaust system, oil leaks from every seal and gasket, a half-clogged fuel filter, and it STILL blows the doors off the Celica I just bought (which has 0.3 liters less displacement).
I'd vote for John McCain to get that ES ...nice ride for a 17-y/o car.
__________________ 1990 5spd V6 Camry (Still kicking at 393,000km) 1991 Celica GTS -- Pappa needs a 3SGTE...and AWD for all this friggin' snow
Honda my A$$, you just can't kill a Yota...
The seller has a pretty crappy feedback rating... 88.5%
I see a would-be buyer won a previous auction for this same car, but evidently didn't pick it up, and left some pretty strong negative feedback.
I really am getting bitten by the LS250 bug. I know that model was the bottom of the Lexus barrel, but I would take one in a minute, especially one that nice looking AND with a 5-speed!
I am also considering a 90 - 92 Cressida as well. I just missed out on one a guy at work had for sale. I test drove it, and loved it. I am concerned about the head gaskets on that model though. Seems as though half of them for sale have had new engines installed.
So, I've been looking at both Cressidas and ES250's, can't decide which would be better for a daily-driver.
I think the ES250 would be, but it's probably not as fun to drive as the Cressida.
Anyway, here's another really nice one I found on Autotrader with only 31k miles, but they want $6500 for it.
The seller has a pretty crappy feedback rating... 88.5%
I see a would-be buyer won a previous auction for this same car, but evidently didn't pick it up, and left some pretty strong negative feedback.
I really am getting bitten by the LS250 bug. I know that model was the bottom of the Lexus barrel, but I would take one in a minute, especially one that nice looking AND with a 5-speed!
I am also considering a 90 - 92 Cressida as well. I just missed out on one a guy at work had for sale. I test drove it, and loved it. I am concerned about the head gaskets on that model though. Seems as though half of them for sale have had new engines installed.
So, I've been looking at both Cressidas and ES250's, can't decide which would be better for a daily-driver.
I think the ES250 would be, but it's probably not as fun to drive as the Cressida.
Anyway, here's another really nice one I found on Autotrader with only 31k miles, but they want $6500 for it.
(Note: When I mention the word 'Cressida', I'm refering to the MX83 and not the other generations unless noted otherwise)
But yea, The ES250 and the Cressida are two tough choices. The ES250 are just as rare as the Cressidas for here. I like the ES250 look and the car itself since of the name being rare and most people think of the ES as the ES300 around the '92~'01 era and I don't think people thought the ES250 (pre-300) exist. Especially since it only sold for like...what, 2 years?
In my opinon, between the ES250 and the Cressida, I would go with the Cressida MX83 over the ES250. It is a very tough decision, but since I already have a Cressida (MX73), it adds to the collection and I don't think people even know the Cressida name existed. I've had older folks that were like 'Oh, A Cressida eh? Haven't heard them in a while' when I went to grab parts for mines.
I'd admit though, if I had the money, I'd grab the ES250 and the Cressida MX83. The 7MGE is a pretty good engine - providing the head gasket was replaced and the proper work was done (i.e. higher torque on the head). As for styling, I like the doors on the ES250 - no door frame around the windows. Gives it the 'stand out look'. Over all though, interior wise will play a row. I do not like leather...mainly for the fact as they get old, they look bad if not taken care. I've seen more ES250's with leather than Cressida here. If theres one thing I really like about the ES250, it is the gauges. It reminds me of my Gen1 camry as the color and font is the same, but has a slight more refinement in the needle and the overall layout is cleaner.
Parts is another factor. I've found more ES250's (Well only one at a junker) and a bunch of V6 (2VZ-FE) engine Camrys at the junkers than a Cressida. Since the similarity of the ES250 and the Gen2 Camry V6 '87~'91 2VZ-FE engine, parts shouldn't be too tough. Most 7MGE that died were from a BHG...so those are useless.
Drive terrain is one difference between the ES250 and the Cressida. I swear, I would pick driving my Cressida any day over FWD. The steering is so smooth in my Cressida...so used to FWD. Only thing is that I need to be not as heavy foot during wet weather and making a turn - fish tailing isn't fun.
Price differences between the ES250 and the Cressida is around the same ball park. Nothing much too difference. For what I know though, when your getting a Cressida, you have no idea how much 'abuse' it has been through. Since the Cressidas are known for drifting, it is sometimes hard to find one in good shape. The Cressida (MX73 1987) I got was from a young adult around my age who bought it for the 2JZ/1JZ converstion I believe, but he didn't have enough money/space, so he was selling it. I got it with all orginal interior parts intact and the body was in excellent shape for the age. I doubt it was abuse since he had only own the car for about 3 months (it was up before being sold somewhere else but I didn't snag it...so I was extremely lucky the SAME car I wanted was being sold). It came from (what I believe) a older couple in pearl city area...judging from the miles and the condition. I also don't think it was abuse since the tires were dry rot (one of them blew while towing....) and he was having problems starting the car (I changed the starter only to find that the safety netural switch was bad) and the car had no brakes (no brake fluid and air in line. Easy fix) Since I liked the orginal'ness' of the car, it was perfect...except for a aftermarket alarm that doesn't work and need of some minor work. ES250 on the other hand are normally not used for those things, and due to their FWD and relationships to the Camry, you'll either find them with old folks or used as beaters. Off the bat reliablity, The ES250 would be a better car (when compared to the MX83 Cressida) since of the lack of the BHG problem. Since the unknown factor of the BHG for the 7MGE, you could either be getting a car that would be OK for now or a BHG in progress...which will lead to more cost in repair and possibilty in a new engine if it is severe and left unattended. Now if your talking about the MX73 Cressida and the ES250, That is a tough match, but because of my fondness of the MX73 styling and the rock solid 5MGE, the MX73 wins my heart.
Overall...very though decision. IMO, the Cressida was a miniature LS400 without the high end technology and refinement, so between the ES250 and the Cressida, The Cressida would get top pick if it had similar/same options (i.e. White exterior <<=a MUST, Cloth interior<<=A MUST, Unless leather is in good shape, Manuel, Sunroof, Premium sound, etc, etc).
DEFINATELY a tough choice! Interesting about no door frames on the ES250.... I didn't notice that and had to find some pics to verify. Although the manual is extremely rare in the ES250, I've seen more of them and more lower mileage ES250's than MX83's. I've not found an MX83 with under 100,000 miles, but have seen several ES250's. Haven't seen even one MX83 with a 5-speed. Both the ES250 and the MX83 have attributes I really like. The ES250 is like a really classy-looking Camry, with the usual Camry reliability. If the major reliability issue with the MX83 is the head gasket, I would probably change that right away if I got a good running one.
DEFINATELY a tough choice! Interesting about no door frames on the ES250.... I didn't notice that and had to find some pics to verify. Although the manual is extremely rare in the ES250, I've seen more of them and more lower mileage ES250's than MX83's. I've not found an MX83 with under 100,000 miles, but have seen several ES250's. Haven't seen even one MX83 with a 5-speed. Both the ES250 and the MX83 have attributes I really like. The ES250 is like a really classy-looking Camry, with the usual Camry reliability. If the major reliability issue with the MX83 is the head gasket, I would probably change that right away if I got a good running one.
Yep.
The manuel is quite rare on the ES250. I have not seen any 5spd with the MX83, I believe it did not come with an option for the 5spd. I know the Cressida MX73 had the option for a 5SPD. Extreme rare.
As for the Head Gasket, if it has low miles and the owners have not complained about anything to do with a BHG, you could just change it out that early, do all the prep and work, and then put on a new head gasket (there were a few options between the stock and metal one) with the higher torque. Then you should have a very nice 7M that shouldn't be blowing head gaskets and nearly no chances of internal damage of a BHG.
I think before I die, I need to ride and drive in a ES250. From what I've seen, the ES250 is a much more upscale, more refinement, more 'polish' interior design, and along with a slightly 'sports' tuned suspension. Also the biggest plus - No power belts!!!
Really? No power belts in the ES250? I thought most all cars from 90-91 had those.
lol, I was looking at an ES250 on autotrader with a 5-speed. Said it was like new condition with 126k miles on it, priced at $4000. Then I decided to browse craigslist, and found the same car with a busted timing belt, and he dropped the price to $1000. It's a very clean car, but I don't want to buy a car that needs major repair.
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1990 5spd V6 Camry (Still kicking at 393,000km) 1991 Celica GTS -- Pappa needs a 3SGTE...and AWD for all this friggin' snow
...nice ride for a 17-y/o car.
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