Toyota Camry Mechanical Review: Old vs New
10-30-19, 07:56 AM
#16
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
It was the second year I think. My brother in law had a 1983 he loved which led them to look at it. First Japanese car our family owned.
yep, hated “the choker” seatbelt on the 91
yep, hated “the choker” seatbelt on the 91
Last edited by DaveGS4; 10-30-19 at 07:59 AM.
10-30-19, 08:04 AM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
That Camry is 25 years old at this point. The modern Camry has tons more technology, safety, performance, there’s just no comparison. The modern one is also well made and solid feeling, drives and rides well. I had one for 2 weeks as a rental.
I agree Toyota’s of that era were better made than they are today. That Gen 3 Camry was a great car when it was made but it’s from another era today. If they “still made it” nobody would want it.
I agree Toyota’s of that era were better made than they are today. That Gen 3 Camry was a great car when it was made but it’s from another era today. If they “still made it” nobody would want it.
10-30-19, 10:53 AM
#18
Lexus Fanatic
The new one however doesn’t have the over the top solid quality feel the old Camry did and from memory I prefer the drive dynamics and ride of the old one. Granted it may be nostalgia and if I had them both here new in my driveway back to back I might have a different answer. And I am basing this on hybrid vs 3g SE trim, but I have driven the v6 version, es350 and Avalon extensively too.
Notwithstanding the tech, IMO the 3G was a better car new then vs new now. I agree with SW no one would buy it now due to all the advancements but that’s a different discussion.
Notwithstanding the tech, IMO the 3G was a better car new then vs new now. I agree with SW no one would buy it now due to all the advancements but that’s a different discussion.
I think about when we got our 98 LS400. That car was just so incredible compared to any other car we had ever had, so incredibly solid and well made. My LS460 (same as yours) is also very well made and drives great but it doesn't feel as incredible compared to other cars as that LS400 did. That could definitely be because all cars have improved in those areas so much...
10-30-19, 01:02 PM
#19
Lexus Champion
Interior quality of those was just about on par with Lexus (though it lacked wood, some luxury features) and that V6 was a jewel. Way smoother than the Toyota V6 now. I'm not sure but I want to say you could get a manual with the V6 coupe.
10-30-19, 01:09 PM
#21
Lexus Champion
Smoother, yes.
The 3.5 we have in the IS is "smooth" but it sounds like a vacuum cleaner when you get on it.
I remember those V6 Camrys, the engines were smoother. Much, much less potent, though.
10-30-19, 01:26 PM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
10-30-19, 01:36 PM
#23
Lexus Champion
And yes, that 350 is a rocket. Could get you behind bars pretty quickly.
10-30-19, 02:02 PM
#24
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by AJT123
To be fair I'm spoiled by the sounds and smoothness from excellent V8s in the two cars I do drive.....the 350 is the spouse's.
And yes, that 350 is a rocket. Could get you behind bars pretty quickly.
And yes, that 350 is a rocket. Could get you behind bars pretty quickly.
10-30-19, 02:03 PM
#25
Lexus Champion
The 3.5 V6 (2GR-FSE) used in the 2nd gen IS and the first few years of the third gen IS (among other cars) sounds vastly different from the current 3.5 V6 (2GR-FKS) found in the Camry and other Toyota/Lexus products. The sound has been the single biggest thing I've noticed in my 15 GS vs my 19 GS.
10-30-19, 02:10 PM
#26
Lexus Fanatic
lol yes! I'm talking about a top of the line coupe with everything.
Interior quality of those was just about on par with Lexus (though it lacked wood, some luxury features) and that V6 was a jewel. Way smoother than the Toyota V6 now. I'm not sure but I want to say you could get a manual with the V6 coupe.
Interior quality of those was just about on par with Lexus (though it lacked wood, some luxury features) and that V6 was a jewel. Way smoother than the Toyota V6 now. I'm not sure but I want to say you could get a manual with the V6 coupe.
The engines were smoother, but remember they didn't have timing chains, they had belts, and they didn't have direct injection. Thats whats made the current crop of engines less refined feeling. Tradeoff, Camry is making 100 hp more now out of roughly the same size V6.
10-30-19, 02:46 PM
#27
Lexus Champion
Camry SE V6 is no SC lite, FWD vs. RWD. As far as that bank vault feel goes it's getting harder and harder due to weight savings, which gets added back in by all the safety equipment and gadgets.
BTW the 3rd generation Camry was designed as a Lexus first which is why it's so good.
BTW the 3rd generation Camry was designed as a Lexus first which is why it's so good.
10-30-19, 03:18 PM
#28
Lexus Champion
10-30-19, 03:20 PM
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Sure, it was a nice car, but just because it was nice and luxurious with a good engine doesnt mean it was anything like the SC, SC was on an entirely different level.
90s Avalons were very nice cars too, but they werent anything like the LS400.
90s Avalons were very nice cars too, but they werent anything like the LS400.
10-30-19, 03:20 PM
#30
Lexus Champion
I'll take the extra power. By no means is the current 3.5 crappy.