Camry 85 diesel - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Volvo Diesel · #16 06-07-2006, 07:46 PM

twr,

A close friend of mine drove the mirror-image of that car in high school; his mom gave it to him after purchasing it new and driving it ~250k. I always enjoyed riding in it and it seemed a very well put together car. It was not an MB but it didn't cost as much as an MB, either. Although I imagine parts would be rather hard to come by, I personally think it would be kind of a cool car to own. As for its structural integrity, my friend's car was totalled when he pulled out into an intersection after checking to his right but not his left--he was T-boned by an old lady in a late '70s Buick going 45 mph. The car held up well and my friend wasn't hurt at all (until he told his parents what he'd done). Had 271k on it when totalled and still drove very well. An interesting and rare car....I've not seen one since, until today.

-Chris

barry123400 · #17 06-07-2006, 07:56 PM

I was kind of wondering also what parts prices might be like for the toyota diesel. Maybe its a space car with parts prices out of this world.

Maybe not. Another thing that I might be concerned with is how many total miles are on the toyota versus your mercedes. Cars only last so long without major troubles starting.

greasybenz · #18 06-07-2006, 08:08 PM

Well its a toyota so its not safe in an accident.

But then again its a toyota they will never break! This guy in the neighbor company of my work has that exact same camry diesel and he claims he gets 40mpg in the city and 50mpg at its best on the highway. and again its a toyota, all you need to do is regular fluid changes and thats it!.

The mercs on the other hand require alot more attention. shoot with the 83 300SD, 87 300D, my friends 81 300SD, and my dads 78 300D ive seen how much work these will need! compare that to say my dads toyota 4runner,truck, and gasser camry they all NEVER needed this much work done, but then again they arent the safest cars in the road.

your choice, personally id go for the toyota, i even offered the guy in the neighboring company $700 for his camry diesel but he loved it to much to sell it.

patterson · #19 06-07-2006, 10:00 PM

I rebuilt a Toyota Diesel for a guy a few years ago, and my advice is to run away as fast as you can. This one was a '84 Diesel Corolla that had 112K miles on it and the engine was worn slam out.

I had to get pistons from Australia, it seems that they are popular there. The Corolla engine is the same as the camry engine without the turbo.

As far as reliable and easy to service, give me a break. You have to pull the injection pump to change the water pump. It has a timing belt which has to be changed every 60K, and I have seen a few break so beware of that. They are a mechanical lifter car with bucket tappets like a VW diesel so they need valve adjustments and it takes special tools to do it.

The engine I did for the Corolla ran great when I finished with it the guy got around 40-50 MPG with it and it had decent power. But he neglected the timing belt service and it broke about 90K miles after I rebuilt it. The belt broke because the water pump locked up, and this was replaced during the rebuild. He is still looking for the parts to put it back together.

If you want a reliable super economy Japanese car Isuzus, are great cars. I had an 84 Isuzu I-Mark 5 speed that I drove through college. The car reliable got 40-45 MPG on the highway with it to the floor. I got a speeding ticket in it once for 85 mph, and the published top speed for the car was 77.

I checked the compression on the Isuzu at 355K miles and it was still right at the top of the spec for a new engine. I think that little diesel will run forever. The guy I sold it to is still driving it.

The Toyota is not in the same league as the Mercedes, I can't imagine that you would be happy with it after you have experienced a decent car.

#20 06-07-2006, 10:15 PM

I still say it's a good deal.

#21 06-07-2006, 10:37 PM

Tell him to sell the Camry first, and then he can buy your car outright for market value. Don't be a sucker.

#22 06-07-2006, 10:42 PM

Btw, no car dealer in the world will take that Camry on trade. You have to buy parts at a forklift store? Toyota parts are very $$$ and the guy is probably tired of spending money trying to polish a turd.

Danger, Will Robinson, Danger.....

nibiru · #23 06-07-2006, 11:40 PM

howdy mate:

I am loving all these replies

Good points all - yet I will say this - there is a reason Toyota/Hino - who Toyota aquired and builds most if not all of their diesel engines , are respected around the world

Yet I also recall the story of the taxi driver in Germany that has 100000Km on oringinal engine and transmission on his W123 taxi - probably a non turbo and manual transmission

I have heard some slam Puegeot yet in my opinion they make one of the quietest diesel in the 80's -late 90's - with a tremendous reliance record abroad- all about how its cared for

I will end on this note - I have yet to come across a 190 D in the pick your part

peace

#24 06-08-2006, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nibiru

Yet I also recall the story of the taxi driver in Germany that has 100000Km on oringinal engine and transmission on his W123 taxi - probably a non turbo and manual transmission

He had 3 or 4 rebuilds during those miles.

Toyota diesels are some of the best in the small engine field, IMHO. While they are not the best car for living in the lap of luxury, economy and reliability are hard to beat.

twr · #25 06-08-2006, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMEGAMAN

I had no idea they made a camry diesel it sounds cool. can you post some underhood pics please? Does the car have a/c?

Yep ice cold.

twr · #26 06-08-2006, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tabor

How good of shape is the Camry in? Your 190D?

It would be another engine you would need special tools to work on. I saw one of those toyotas once, it was messed up but it made me want one in good shape.

fair condition on the Toyota, 200,000 miles, mine has been 95% restored and it has 150,000k miles

twr · #27 06-08-2006, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

The Camry is a turbodiesel AFAIK. My mom had an 84 gasser so I had a factory manual which BTW covered Diesel models. Pity I gave the manual to the new owner.

Is it AT or MT? Will he sell it outright?

Sixto

Auto and works good, I think he will I will make an offer

twr · #28 06-08-2006, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barry123400

I was kind of wondering also what parts prices might be like for the toyota diesel. Maybe its a space car with parts prices out of this world.

Maybe not. Another thing that I might be concerned with is how many total miles are on the toyota versus your mercedes. Cars only last so long without major troubles starting.

Barry: This afternoon I called 2 Toyota fork lift shops only one have some of the engine parts but none for the turbo but they say they can be ordered ( ? ), one of the technicians say there is a couple of diesels here in the area.

OOps I forgot to mention I called the Toyota car dealer you are not going to believe this they say there is no camry 85 turbo diesel from the factory Amassing!

Veloce300DT · #29 06-08-2006, 01:55 AM

It sounds like a VERY cool little car. I have seen a few around here and there over the years...

Both your car and the Toyota are rare cars. Both have extremely high points, and some minor points- the MB is, well, an MB. It is a little more complex than the Toyota. Parts can be $$. The Toyota is relatively simple, though it seems its engine is rather oddly organized. A minor for the camry will be getting parts.

If its any consolation, I have owned a Peugeot diesel. My father owned one too.
Parts were usually readily avail. somewhere in the U.S., and could be gathered for repairs within a few business days. While not as convenient as gathering MB parts, the pay off was entirely worth it; Pug diesels are extremely well built, and ride quality is brilliant. Mine was a 504 sedan, and my fathers was a 505 sedan. I had no reservations about owning the car, and taking time to track down essential parts because I loved it so much. I ended up getting rid of it though in the end simply because I had too many cars- I had inherited my BMW 3.0. Having only room financially for 3 cars, It was obvious that the Pug had to go... the BMW was and is a smarter investment- resale values keep climbing, and Pug values are rather low. I do miss it though, a 1980 504 Diesel Wagon is for sale locally- I HAD to go check it out. Ended up being a nice car. I wish I could have brought it home with me.

With that said, if you TRULY love the Camry diesel.... putting up with the less desireable traits of owning such a car will be no big deal. Parts may be hard to find, but once you have them and get back behind the wheel, youll remember why you are doing it. Its quite a unique car for the U.S., such cars deserve to be kept running and will always serve as interesting conversation pieces... If you keep the Camry in tip top shape it will serve you for as long as you want it to.

NOW, lets see some pics!!!

Too bad you cant keep the MB, and add the Camry to your fleet.

JimmyL · #30 06-08-2006, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veloce300DT

a 1980 504 Diesel Wagon is for sale locally- I HAD to go check it out. Ended up being a nice car.

How much were they asking, and is that a good price. Not interested, just curious.....

Every few weeks I still drive by to see if that Volvo diesel is still behind a certain car lot. It still is.....