Sadly, I too often mistake old Toyota Camrys from a distance, thinking they're Subes. The body is really quite similiar to late 80s and early 90s Subarus like my Loyale. It got me wondering: What do these "imitations" (couldn't tell you what came first) have in common with our cars? How do they compare performancewise?

 

Not that I've been able to test it yet, but I would believe that with a few performance mods my Loyale could outrun any of those buckets, maybe even with stock equipment.

 

What do you think?

Cheapass imitation? Harsh words since you haven't ever driven one. They weren't cheaper than a Loyale and came with a 2.0L engine that puts out alot better than the ea82.

 

Not sure they have anything in common. Toyota seems to be alot more by themselves than the other Japanese automakers. Some sharing of parts manufacturers but not actual parts from what I have seen like Subaru using Mitsu alternators and such.

 

The transmissions were kindof problematic in the ones I drove before though, something I always felt Subaru excelled in.

id take my old non turbo sedan over the late 80's camry my ex had.. that thing brought new meaning to the word SLOW

They were also available in a 2.5 V6(pre 92).. Which while not the fastest thing on the road, it was substaintially more powerful than a N/A soob 1.8.. Damned good motor in terms of longevity and reliability.

 

 

Overall, in terms of a daily driver, for reliability and fairly inexpensive maintenance, there is very little on the road that beats a camry.. Subaru included.

 

PS.. the V6 is also a non-interference motor

Post has been edited for properness