Tell Me About SV20/21 Toyota Camrys

[uncle silvia]

Yes I know......... not the most interesting car out there but there is something about them I like! No idea why lol

 

Everyone seems to like the old Nissan Bluebird, but the Camry, which is kinda Toyotas version gets forgotten....... why??

 

I think its a little like a FWD version of a Cressida and easily has potential to look cool slammed on cool rims!

 

Ive obviously read the Wiki about this but just wanting to know what Input u guys can have!

 

I may consider something like this for some comfortable crusing later in the year but just want to know more about them.......... any faults, bad on fuel? etc etc

 

Is there any cool modded ones in existance??? (Nicely done not Maxi Pants style lol)

 

Heres some pics.................

 

 

 

[barrett]

I think these are great! I always thought of them more in the Honda Accord mould than the Bluebird... slightly more upmarket without actually being any more upmarket... if you know what I mean!

But yeah, if you can find one I'm sure it'll give you fairly trouble free service for a long time... but I've not seen one in the wild for quite some time

[Pete-M]

Suprisingly nippy.

[Spottedlaurel]

Definitely more upmarket than Bluebird. Lukas is the man to give you the full rundown, that's his gold one above I think.

 

I've yet to own one, will do though some day. For an easy life I'd say go for a 2.0; V6 or even 4wd would be interesting but might eventually cause issues.

 

If it's anything like my next-gen '92 they'll have a very satisfying, quality feel to them - not necessarily in terms of toys, just how things operate and feel. Front wings seem to rot, doubtless rear arches inside and out.

 

I think their typical ownership profile would mean that they'll have been well-maintained a long way into their life, and the odd low-miles, elderly owner example should still crop up. There's a decent looking maroon one on eBay right now with a splendid matching interior, for £750. As it's only in Colchester I'm tempted to have a look, but to own a saloon example of three different Camrys seems a bit excessive.

 

1987 Toyota Camry 2.0GLi Executive auto £750ono by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

1987 Toyota Camry interior by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

Never seen a modified one. I suppose there's some parts commonality with Celica so lowering bits might be possible, wheels are 5x100mm PCD I think so same as Celica/Carina E/MR2 IIRC. I think you'd start losing the qualities that make them special if you do too much though.

[uncle silvia]

Cheers guys!!

What are the 2.0 v6 like on fuel?

 

Are they not 5x114pcd as that's what mr2s were??

[Spottedlaurel]

Perhaps I’m mistaken on the MR2, but I’m pretty sure about 5x100mm. ’92 on models like the ones I have are 5x114.3, but I know are different to what you’re looking at.

 

V6 is a 2.5 and I imagine auto only. I’d have thought it would struggle to crack 30mpg, perhaps nearer 25 unless you only cruised around at 50-60mph.

 

My later 2.2, 4-cyl manual ones - which I would think have a similar power/weight ratio as the earlier 2.0 manual – get better than 30mpg on country roads. The ’92 actually seems very good, more like 32 and I’m seeing what a 3000rpm limit will do on my current tankful.

 

Based on my recent drive of a 3.0 V6 auto next-gen model I would say do please strongly consider the 2.0, not just for economy/simplicity but they are likely to handle better with less weight up front.

[ashmicro]

My parent's financial adviser has a 1987 2.5V6 Camry, and has had it from new! It's proper mint. It was briefly relegated to "second car" status some years ago when he bought a Rover 800 Vitesse Turbo, but his son wrote that off. Sidney has never mentioned the Camry having any issues, and he knows I'm a car nut, so I'm sure he'd have mentioned it. Funny enough I saw him on Monaday in it. Pale blue on top, smoky silver on the bottom (the car that is, not Sid, he's just silver on top)

[ProgRocker]

1987 Toyota Camry interior by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

That burgandy interior is fab!

 

Funny enough I saw him on Monaday in it. Pale blue on top, smoky silver on the bottom (the car that is, not Sid, he's just silver on top)

 

Two tone Toyotas are ace too. I once worked with a guy who bought a D reg Celica in two tone bronze and gold.

[wuvvum]

Two tone Toyotas are ace too. I once worked with a guy who bought a D reg Celica in two tone bronze and gold.

I had a C-plate Celica in that colour scheme, with a brown velour interior. Brilliant car.

[Lukas]

Oh yes, that´s my kind of topic! And my car too, the gold one in the first post!

 

The Camry SV21 (which means undestructible 2.0 3S-FE engine and saloon-body) is one of the best japanese cars of the 80s. It´s very comfortable, mega-reliable (Most reliable car of the USA 1987 ), and has a real quality-feel in every button you switch.

 

Good points:

 

* very comfortable and relaxing to drive

* very reliable, the 3S-FE and the gearboxes (doesnt matter if auto or manual) were in the Carina T17 and T19, Avensis, RAV-4, Picnic and some other Toyotas too, they will last forever if you change the cambelt regularely

* the undercarriage of the car is galvanised, so there shouldnt be huge rust-problems underneath

* almost every mechanical part is available as a spare part quite fast at every Toyota-dealer

 

Bad points:

 

* the Camry is FWD and the front wheels will spin very fast when you drive away in first gear, the road doesnt even need to be wet

* Surprise surprise, rust is it´s biggest problem! The Camry rusts everywhere except underneath (reason above), especially at the front wings, all doors, at the trunklid (can´s see it from outside), at the A-, B-, and C-pillars (visible when opening the doors), the rear wheelarches inside and out, under the battery and at the selvage under the rear lights

* parts for the interieur, lights and all sorts of trim are almost impossible to find in good condition and not available from Toyota anymore, because most Camry V2s have been exported to eastern Europe or especially Africa

 

I would buy another one in a heartbeat, the Camry V2 is a phantastic cruiser and will be a stylish classic car soo, especially in cool colours like gold/brown or red/maroon.

 

L

[uncle silvia]

Wow top info guys thanks!!

 

Does anyone have any cool pics of any.... Google is a bit limited!!

[Lukas]

There arnt many modified ones, but that´s a photoshopped one:

 

[Spottedlaurel]

I was thinking on the way home when driving my '97, don't dismiss the '92-96 model. Better availability, excellent rust resistance and I can assure you they are a great drive. My '96 estate high mileage spares car accidentally lowered itself by virtue of the front springs snapping, that coupled with the 17" alloys off the Sport which it wears made it look really rather mean. Easier wheel availability with 5x114.3mm PCD too.

 

If you can get an early enough one then it can be insured as a classic, so long as you have a main car to use.

 

You'd easily pick up a very good example for £500-600.

[Lukas]

The first two seconds of the Camry are classic-cars, they are rust-prone and rare. Perfectly useable as a classic, but think twice about using one of them everyday all year round. There are reasons why they are so rare!

 

The third generation Camry must be the best option for an everyday/all year round-car. I am thinking about buying a third generation Camry. They are rare in Austria, but there are way more parts available and they are perfectly rust-protected, even for Austrian circumstances.

 

Lukas

[uncle silvia]

I would have to have an earlier one as old Toyotas are my thing lol

Ill just have to see nearer the time as to what is avaliable.

 

That photoshop is kinda cool ish........... along the lines i was thinking but "not quite there".

 

I may have to have some fun "chopping" one later

[carlo]

I had two of these a few years back, a 2.0GLi Exec Auto and a 2.5V6 Auto. Really liked the shape at the time (and still do, quite elegant.) There were a pretty good drive actually and handled nicely - I reckoned the 2.0 was the better car as the V6 was only doing about 21mpg for not a lot more performance although amazingly refined. Worst thing was the rust on all 4 wheelarches, it virtually killed my 2.0. Had to give up on the V6 as well as a drive shaft went and I couldn't find a cheap one anywhere and wasn't prepared to spend £400 at Toyota.

 

 

Here's a pic of my V6, I even bought a USA spec steering wheel for it posted to me from over there.

[Spottedlaurel]

Interesting what you say about 2.0 vs. 2.5, kind of what I think about 2.2 vs 3.0 in the next model. If your V6 was difficult to find bits for, what might a 4wd be like?!