The Cressida has now reached 248000+ kms, at least 4000 kms since the engine was completely rebuilt. Since this time I have driven at least 90% of those 4000 kms, adding Wonderland driving I might have made it possibly 7000 kms which is only 2% of the driving its ever done in its 21 year life. Ever since the engine rebuild of the beautiful 5M-GE I'm loving every single aspect of this car. I even like the looks now, somehow the sense it looks expensive. The brown colour? Yeah I never liked the colour brown but when I see retarded Civic drivers go into shock to losing to a "brown POS", I always have a giant grin. Plus I have a car that stands out in any crowd.


There is only one annoying gripe I now have with it, the engine while it runs beautifully makes a annoying rattling noise especially idling. It sounds so awful and like my car is really what it looks like, ready for the scrap heap. I have been told it was either the fuel injectors or lash adjusters. I guess when its time to service it again, I'll try to see if these two things are the problem. I suspect its the lash adjusters, this may be cosmetic but its annoying to hear it.


As for outright speed, in the economy settings on the transmission, a A43DE, I managed only 154 km/h(near 100 mph) before I had to slow down. This made the calm quiet engine into a loud angry monster, and it felt amazing to drive this speed, while increasing my hate for speed limits especially for highways. This may have been the only time where this car has reached this speed, all the Camrys were upset I passed them so effortlessly, strangely only Camrys. This does seem to be the limit of the economy setting since it managed this at 3000 rpm. I do wonder how much more different it would be if I turned on that nice "ETC" button that also says..."PWR" and attempt an even higher speed. Damn I love power.


Looking at today's cars there isn't a single one that interests me in the slightest. I just can't find a car thats reliable, cheap, practical, fun, large, comfortable, powerful, easy to drive, decent gas milage, rear wheel drive and fully equipped in one package. Only my Cressida has done this although it wasn't cheap in 1986. Toyotas today are lacking fun, aren't cheap and aren't rear wheel drive. Honda also lacking in the same areas. Subarus cover everything but costs and rear wheel drive. Will there be a car like this in the future? The only way Toyota can do this is bring RWD back into its family cars and do the overengineering they used to do. I've noticed the quality of materials on newer Toyotas not as good as my Cressida. An example like the chrome on my Cressida is still clean and shiny like new even if its attached to a rusted out moulding whereas my dad's Avalon the chrome on the Avalon badge has begun to peel.