1983 Family Sized Hatchback comparo | Retro Review

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  • Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
  • The 4-door lift back was an early departure from the traditional 3-box design, and arguably the ancestor to the modern CUV. Check out what we thought of these models back when they were new.
    Show 301 | Original Airdate 09-19-1983
    Find airdates on your local PBS station HERE: www.motorweek....
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    MotorWeek, PBS' award-winning weekly automotive magazine, provides unbiased, consumer-oriented car news with feature stories on related topics.

Комментарии • 541

  • @darylmark
    @darylmark Год назад +58

    Ahh, I remember those days watching Motorweek on PBS. This was my college freshman year, and it was the closest to "cable" a broke young man had!

  • @jbm0866
    @jbm0866 Год назад +48

    Anyone else laugh at the Phoenix's braking being described as "generally straight" as its shown on screen nearly completely sideways after a panic stop test?😂😂 I love watching these things as a reminder of how far car engineering has come. These days even the slightest nose dive or tail wag on emergency stop tests are considered concerning..not to mention the door handle dragging body lean most all cars had back then...wow.

    • @retrocompaq5212
      @retrocompaq5212 10 месяцев назад

      now cars are fucking garbage that are always broken and its 200 times more maintenance costly than back then

  • @dkt1976dt
    @dkt1976dt Год назад +17

    I was 7 years old when all of these cars roamed America's roads and freeways, i remember seeing them all. Its hard to believe it was 40 years ago, the Family Car has gone through alot of changes since then.

  • @devinbiz
    @devinbiz Год назад +54

    Love these old comparisons, hope there are still more hiding in the archives

  • @dadgarage7966
    @dadgarage7966 Год назад +7

    Those Orientals sure do make good cars.

  • @advilshenk
    @advilshenk Год назад +70

    I couldnt imagine having a 88 hp nissan datsun stanza fully loaded with 5 adults ac on going up hill or trying to pass a car lol

    • @tedunguent156
      @tedunguent156 Год назад +8

      I had a 2001 Nissan Altima SE (Stanza) with the 2.4L, 155 HP, 4 speed Automatic and with the A/C blowing it would bog down in traffic. Get the 5-speed manual, no problem. At the time I tried to find one but they were all sold out so I bought the automatic.

    • @oldtwinsna8347
      @oldtwinsna8347 Год назад +6

      Imagine on a Colorado high mountain pass with a full load.

    • @timothygibney159
      @timothygibney159 Год назад +5

      I did as a kid. My Mom bought one for us and we drove in Apalachicola for years in it! It was so big

    • @CarringtonHollister
      @CarringtonHollister Год назад +2

      That Stanza (OG Altima) is gutless af

    • @jasona8964
      @jasona8964 Год назад

      ​@@oldtwinsna8347imagine being on the Moon with no gas stations! Lol

  • @atomsmash100
    @atomsmash100 Год назад +8

    I initially was very surprised to see the Phoenix rate so well, but take away the quality and recall issues that plagued the first few years so badly and the X-cars were at their core a very capable design. Alas, the damage was done and the X-cars never recovered even when GM ironed out the issues.

    • @ce9345
      @ce9345 Год назад

      That is true. Another reason the x-cars sales dropped off was of the A-body cars. Same wheelbase but in a larger body. I owned an 85 citation. No quality problems with mine.

  • @TS-ef2gv
    @TS-ef2gv Месяц назад

    Ah, the days of five passenger cars with only 83 hp. 😄 I remember them well. Hearing and seeing this program takes me back and makes me "homesick" for those days. Our local PBS station showed these episodes on Saturday or Sunday mornings, and I rarely missed one.
    If I had to pick from these four, even before the test it would have been the 626. However, I would not have even considered paying full size car money for a compact hatchback in 1981. In fact, '81 was when I bought my second ever brand new car, and I considered none of these models. I bought a really sharp, nicely equipped '81 Caprice with a gas V8, power everything, tilt, cruise, and a sunroof. It stickered for $10k, over $1k less than the 626. That car is still one of my favorites from the 40-ish vehicles I've owned in my life.
    Even though in those days I was still predisposed to favor GM vehicles (that changed during GM's disastrous '80s), I would not have even considered one of the GM "X" cars such as the Phoenix in this test. Although it was only their second model year, they were already getting a lot of bad press even by the time I bought my Caprice in early '81, and it got worse. Much, much worse.
    I brought my Caprice back to the dealer for its first service, and while I was waiting for it I noticed there was a new Citation sitting by the showroom door. I asked my salesman about the X car problems being reported in the news and it was obvious he didn't think much of them. He told me to take a drive in the one by the door while I was waiting, which I did. Yikes. Not good. It felt rough, unfinished, and not well sorted out, which it wasn't. The rear brakes felt grabby and prone to locking, which turned out to be one of the several problems they were having.
    I was very glad to get back in the Caprice and drive it home. What a difference.

  • @HamsterWheelGaming
    @HamsterWheelGaming Год назад +8

    2:34 bruh

  • @1985toyotacamry
    @1985toyotacamry Год назад +49

    Here we go with that Cam-ray: the saga with the pronunciation til the 92 model.
    Edit: Mazda chime is familiar (is it a Australian built?)
    My first car is 1985 Toyota Camry sedan(automatic) it's pretty nice car but wow that brake test is long.
    OK I think he got it mixed up with the transmission on the mileage part

    • @JoshBrinson
      @JoshBrinson Год назад

      Didn’t Hyundai use a similar chime in the early 2000’s?

    • @1985toyotacamry
      @1985toyotacamry Год назад

      ​​​@@JoshBrinson I remember the USDM Hyundai one and that chime doesn't match the Mazda one. The Mazda just "sings" not the Hyundai one just "beeps". The only other car that does "sing" is Volkswagen
      Edit: I forgot the Mitsubishi Starion.

    • @hothatchpa
      @hothatchpa Год назад +3

      LOL I love that someone pinned down the year when he corrected that!

    • @1985toyotacamry
      @1985toyotacamry Год назад +4

      ​@@hothatchpa lol. Of course that pronunciation make me cringe. So he didn't correct it in 83 model the 84 model the 87 model the 88 model and corrected it in 92 model. Took him almost a decade to correct it.

    • @roddydykes7053
      @roddydykes7053 Год назад +2

      Lmao, wonder when the obsession for volt meters and oil pressure gauges started

  • @dforrest4503
    @dforrest4503 8 месяцев назад +2

    I wish Mazda still made a 5 door hatchback. I had a 2006 Mazda6 hatch and it was more practical and efficient than small SUVs, and handled much better.

  • @Hyvelez
    @Hyvelez Год назад +1

    Grew up with two of these Mazda 626 models. Solid cars. My parents also had a 95 model later on as well.

  • @mymomsaysimcool9650
    @mymomsaysimcool9650 5 месяцев назад +2

    Those 626 could last many years and miles. My wife had a new 85 we kept for 250,000 miles.

  • @club1fan552
    @club1fan552 Год назад +1

    Probably the best 626 ever made and looks stunning, especially from the front. Isn't it a hatch?

    • @cool.ebiaka
      @cool.ebiaka 8 месяцев назад

      obviously it is, nevertheless the presenter likes to refer to it as a touring sedan.

  • @McBeamer94
    @McBeamer94 Год назад +1

    This is a nice comparison, with some cars we don't see anymore. Especially the Phoenix. But I noticed something about the Stanza: at the start, John said "along with the 3-speed automatic gearbox we didn't request", meaning it had an automatic transmission. The 33 mpg figure came with the automatic model but later, when the mileage points were given, John said that the car had a 5-speed manual. I guess it was an editing mistake.

  • @AndresSalazarAutos
    @AndresSalazarAutos Год назад +1

    I'd love to see this generetion Mazda 626 in its Turbo/GT version, at the time it must have been the fastest of the bunch-

  • @zerocool5395
    @zerocool5395 Год назад +2

    I rather watch these over any new super car/exotic whatever.
    The comments say alot of people feel the same lol.

  • @JolliAllGenGamer
    @JolliAllGenGamer Год назад +4

    Hi Toyota Camray, also I don’t think Oriental can’t really be used anymore these days.

  • @blue_lancer_es
    @blue_lancer_es Год назад +1

    This vid is 40 years old. Damn!

  • @unitedcity_mc4421
    @unitedcity_mc4421 Год назад

    I didn’t expect an '83 Phoenix to appear, but okay. That car has character too.

  • @scottvickery2057
    @scottvickery2057 Год назад +6

    I feel sorry for anyone who bought a Phoenix over a Camry back then.

    • @oldtwinsna8347
      @oldtwinsna8347 Год назад +2

      Cam-ray

    • @scottvickery2057
      @scottvickery2057 Год назад

      @@oldtwinsna8347 😆

    • @terminallygray
      @terminallygray Год назад +2

      @scottvickery Ditto- I liked my Pont Phoenix also. Many times I've said outloud that I wish I could find another one like it. But whoa nelly.... that brake test brought back some scary memories. "stops were generally straight to boot" yea....until you lock em' up on street covered in ice and snow. Despite the cars shortcomings I liked it and it came to me at a good time to have it.

  • @jimharris7184
    @jimharris7184 Год назад +1

    Oscillating vents should make a comeback.

  • @bobbydavenport8941
    @bobbydavenport8941 5 месяцев назад

    I just love the Mazda 626 hatchback i owned one and i just loved everything about it😊 and ive been waiting for this Phoenix i love its desighn

  • @antoniograves2293
    @antoniograves2293 Год назад +1

    We have come sooo far in car tech I can’t imagine waiting 13+ sec to get to 60….. if I had a Time Machine I bring them a charger scat pack and tell to them to review it haha they’d be so astonished.

    • @krisjones74
      @krisjones74 Год назад

      They'd be just as surprised by a Honda Civic.

    • @ljmorris6496
      @ljmorris6496 Год назад

      It's doable, I had cars that accelerated in that time bracket, of course you wouldn't win races but modest driving you won't really notice.

    • @djkenny1202
      @djkenny1202 Год назад

      Its fine. People are getting used to moving too fast.

  • @commodorenut
    @commodorenut Год назад +1

    The wheel covers on the phoenix were also used on a much better car - the 1983-1984 Australian GM-Holden Statesman Deville (series 2). Basically an Aussie Cadillac back in the day.

  • @NickWeissMusic
    @NickWeissMusic Год назад +1

    Adjusted for inflation, these were 30,000 USD cars. It is absolutely unbelievable how much more you get for 30k nowadays. You can get a base Accord or Prius for that. Airbags everywhere, double the power, better efficiency, infotainment, cameras, no rusting through, more room, ABS... uh, disc brakes, power seats, the mind reels.

    • @new2000car
      @new2000car Год назад

      all true, except they all did have front disc brakes. But fast forward 9-10 years from 1983...the 92 Camry that came out was incredible (incredibly expensive too), but it lasted double (e.g., 200,000 miles was no problem), light years ahead of the 83 Camry, in looks too. Even the 1987 Camry was leaps and bounds ahead, truly a great car, groundbreaking for 1987.

  • @MSimmonsAZ
    @MSimmonsAZ Год назад +2

    ALthough my parents were divorced and not on good terms they both had that generation 626 (sedan). Dad had his 20 years. He always said it was the best car he ever owned. I learned to drive on it, and my mother's. He had a stick. I am sure he used to get 33mpg. And one year he brought me and a friend home from sleep away camp, that was two hard trunks plus the rest of our stuff. All fit. THe car had 3 different chime/warming sounds. The open door one is sort of audible while they are giving the tour. It was a little song, when have you ever hard that before? We also hada 1980 chevy citation (same as the pontiac phoenix). One of the worst cars dad ever owned. It was a lot bigger than the others. Also in this test it looked like only the Japanese had side mirrors on both sides.

  • @JJPMustang
    @JJPMustang Год назад +7

    Odds are these have all been recycled into beer cans several times by now 😂

    • @Rosteg2406
      @Rosteg2406 Год назад +4

      i don't think that you can make beer cans out of rusted metal scrap that falls apart in your hand like dry sand

    • @05gtdriver
      @05gtdriver Год назад +11

      Beer cans are made from aluminum, none of these cars have aluminum bodywork, but I get what you mean.🙂

    • @cobracharmer6178
      @cobracharmer6178 Год назад +7

      The Pontiac Phoenix/ Chevy Citations are now hanging on the walls in ladies bathrooms
      as tampon dispensers. 🙂

    • @Stressless2023
      @Stressless2023 Год назад +2

      @@cobracharmer6178 All of these met that fate besides probably a handful of Camry's from this era naturally lol although I'll say I've seen a couple minty looking Chevy Citation X-11's in recent years at car shows I attended.

    • @cobracharmer6178
      @cobracharmer6178 Год назад

      @@Stressless2023 😀👍

  • @PaulEdgewatertheman
    @PaulEdgewatertheman Год назад

    Love the downhill 0-60 track

  • @ljmorris6496
    @ljmorris6496 Год назад +2

    Although the Pontiac had more room and power than the Japanese, I'd still would have gone with a Japanese make here...and I'm a domestic guy.
    I see the struggle GM had back in the '80s with smaller cars..

  • @blue_lancer_es
    @blue_lancer_es Год назад +2

    Ironic how the cam-ray is still sold today. 😅

    • @CarringtonHollister
      @CarringtonHollister Год назад

      Stanza is still around (as the Altima)

    • @blue_lancer_es
      @blue_lancer_es Год назад

      @@CarringtonHollister no! Thats like saying the 210 is still around because of the sentra.

  • @vollste
    @vollste Год назад +1

    OMG…I grew up with my parents POS ‘80 Phoenix. Rear brake drum cylinder casting broke in a parking lot, lucky not on a road…could have killed me.

  • @hailstorm1986
    @hailstorm1986 Год назад +1

    John Davis: "Camray"

  • @TurboMan942
    @TurboMan942 Год назад +4

    Style wise, I’d say: 1) 626 2) Phoenix 3)Camray 4)Stanza

  • @Zachman676
    @Zachman676 Год назад +2

    I’ll have a 626, thanks

  • @glx68
    @glx68 Год назад

    The x-cars were not bad. But The compact cars I most like in 80s time had no hatchback. These cars are Lee Iacocca's K'cars!🎉

  • @RoadCone411
    @RoadCone411 Год назад +6

    17:57 "The Cam-ray's fine craftsmanship"...promptly shows trunk lid trim not lined up with the rest of the car. On second and third review, it actually looks like it was supposed to look like that, not due to inferior workmanship. Even Toyota designers had the occasional off day I guess.
    The Mazda was the clear winner of this group. I always loved the styling of that 626!

  • @martinmcdonald4207
    @martinmcdonald4207 Год назад

    Surprised there is no Toyota Carina of that era here. ( Different market, different car!) They were huge sellers in this segment here in Ireland for the company sales rep. fleet or the perfect family saloon or hatchback if you wanted. The Camry was a bigger car , in saloon and estate was a fine family wagon but a bit more money than the Carina, which eventually became The Avensis. Durable, economical and reliable was the winning trick from Toyota, and have certainly lived up to that reputation 40 years since this video was produced in 1983.

  • @postersm7141
    @postersm7141 Год назад +1

    3:38 I love the fact that he thinks the windows have “high window sills” mr. Davis, wait until you see the year 2023 lol the windowsills are almost up to your neck these days lol
    Of course this is all due to new safety regulations. The Nissan from back then first of all it was actually a Nissan :-) and second of all the windowsills were low enough to where you could actually rest your arm!! try doing that in a modern car

  • @johnwalsh7256
    @johnwalsh7256 11 месяцев назад

    And the Camry today survives and rules the roads of the US.

  • @RaymondHaley-lv2mo
    @RaymondHaley-lv2mo 3 месяца назад

    My choice back then would've been the Phoenix, in early days the imports were just upstarts in the 80,s were quite primitive at best, the only reason I liked the Pontiac because it's roomy interior, GM put the cart before the horse,they made a modern car , but failed to use modern drivetrain and the chassis parts , including brakes definitely could've been better.❤

  • @mervinprone
    @mervinprone Год назад

    It’s funny how trends change…all of these cars had hatchbacks and they’re erased from existence now. Before that, the station wagon, shortly after this, the SUV. I guess the hatchback still lives with car based SUVs. To put into perspective the size of these cars, the 1983 Camry had a cargo volume of 385L. The 2023 Yaris Cross, which doesn’t even exist in North America and is smaller than the Corolla Cross, has a volume of 397L. It’s also a bit shocking to see a Camry perform so poorly, although you can see some indications of greatness with an already fuel injected engine and excellent fit and finish. Even by the next generation they’d worked out most of the problems of the inaugural model and developed their reputation for reliability.

  • @TheCOZ
    @TheCOZ Год назад +2

    That was weird to hear in 2023..."three orientals"

  • @sailordave1000
    @sailordave1000 Год назад +2

    Wow. My 1984 Buick Skyhawk 2.0L with 4 speed manual had roughly the same horsepower and acceleration as most of these larger cars. To me, style and handling is Mazda, fuel economy and ride comfort is Toyota, best all around is the Nissan. Wouldn’t touch the Pontiac.

    • @Stressless2023
      @Stressless2023 Год назад +1

      I'll admit I was surprised how versatile the Pontiac was by comparison considering it was hardly any bigger than the other 3. Good packaging by GM at least. Too bad they built them like crap.

  • @JackF99
    @JackF99 Год назад +1

    This video is a reminder that the 1980s was definitely not the good old days for cars

  • @RabbiJesus
    @RabbiJesus Год назад

    The difference between manufacturers is apparent. Toyota listens and that’s why Camrys dominate the roads today.

  • @jlang8213
    @jlang8213 Год назад +1

    7:48 what the hell is a "Camray"?

  • @1995RangeRover
    @1995RangeRover Год назад +2

    Overall the 626 put the others' to rest.

  • @N1120A
    @N1120A Год назад

    Gotta wonder about the Cam-ray's volt meter

  • @afiqbazlibusairi
    @afiqbazlibusairi 7 месяцев назад +1

    The Toyota Camray. 😂

  • @danam0228
    @danam0228 Год назад

    What's a Cam Ray? ;-)

  • @AndyMatrix
    @AndyMatrix 3 месяца назад

    Wish Honda Accord was in this test

  • @mLi75
    @mLi75 Год назад +1

    "Cam-Ray"

  • @rodmunch69
    @rodmunch69 Год назад

    Shoving everyone in the hatchback today would absolutely lead to some woman suing you in 10 years for $100-million dollars.

  • @thetechlibrarian
    @thetechlibrarian Год назад +135

    Dude was looking real zesty chewing that gumball

  • @rightlanehog3151
    @rightlanehog3151 Год назад +75

    That is one Phoenix that will certainly not be rising from the ashes. 😂

    • @andydhillon1977
      @andydhillon1977 Год назад +3

      Lol!!! I don't even remember that car!

    • @rightlanehog3151
      @rightlanehog3151 Год назад +2

      @@andydhillon1977 Please accept my apologies for the nightmare.

    • @PhilMante
      @PhilMante Год назад +3

      My hometown, there's a neighborhood where a '77 Phoenix still rolls around.

    • @rightlanehog3151
      @rightlanehog3151 Год назад +3

      @@PhilMante Yes, that would be the earlier RWD Phoenix built on the Nova platform.

    • @PhilMante
      @PhilMante Год назад +2

      @@rightlanehog3151 Those Novas took their time to sail off into space. They're one of the last ultra retro V8 muscle cars that are still affordable. If you have about 5K you might get a 4-door survivor.

  • @adstix
    @adstix Год назад +58

    The unique selling point of this channel is longevity!
    Many of the biggest auto youtubers today were either unborn or just out of their diapers when Motorweek started several decades ago!
    For this reason, I think Motorweek should leverage more on that heritage with a change of youtube name -
    "Motorweek since 1981"

  • @tz612712
    @tz612712 Год назад +18

    "Our contestants include three orientals..."
    Woweee, this uh....this was a different time wasn't it

    • @6ec6YRFPTcC
      @6ec6YRFPTcC Год назад

      Today they're all "Asians", Im sure future generations will be offended by that

    • @MWBenDavis
      @MWBenDavis Год назад +9

      According to Merriam Webster, while an outdated term, it's not considered offensive when used to describe art, medicine, or objects...just when describing people

    • @Ntsej_Muag
      @Ntsej_Muag Год назад +5

      I'm Asian and and I find that funny. 😂😂😂

    • @MrHeem94
      @MrHeem94 Год назад +3

      Yes a different time. A better time.

    • @new2000car
      @new2000car Год назад +4

      I can speak for John Davis at the time (no I can't, lol), but when he said it, it was meant to be witty and tongue-in-cheek. Also, since the Orientals in this review were great cars (for the time), it would be viewed (by anyone not woke-brainwashed) as a compliment to any and everything Oriental (whether it be people or country).

  • @hothatchpa
    @hothatchpa Год назад +63

    Rare to even see a Phoenix mentioned. This was great to revisit these cares that were everywhere when I was growing up. The occasional Camry or 626 are the only ones you see on occasion anymore around here.

    • @modelmanjohn
      @modelmanjohn Год назад +4

      We had the Citation version as a kid. I didn't think it was so bad.

    • @Stressless2023
      @Stressless2023 Год назад +1

      @@modelmanjohn Yeah my grandma had the Chevy Citation version when I was a kid, I think an 82. It seemed ok. Hers was black which I've never seen another one painted that color.

    • @vwestlife
      @vwestlife Год назад +11

      The X-Cars really weren't bad at all once GM got the bugs worked out. But you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. GM used basically the same platform and engineering for their A-body cars (Olds Ciera, Buick Century, Chevy Celebrity, Pontiac 6000) that sold extremely well for many years and are generally considered to be very reliable -- you still see many of them on the road today.

    • @civlyzed
      @civlyzed Год назад +3

      @@Stressless2023 Either you got lucky or my dad got a lemon :D our 1983 Citation had lots of problems within the first 2 years. Clutch, front axle, suspension and some other issues, but it was paid for so it became my first hand me down car. Fortunately it was totaled in a 1989 crash and I bought a used Cavalier. Ahh, memories...

    • @Stressless2023
      @Stressless2023 Год назад +4

      @@civlyzed I've heard of them being hit or miss. My grandma's 83 was fine, never left her or us stranded, but she only kept it about 4 years. She also traded it in for a new Cavalier lol.

  • @MonkyPocks01
    @MonkyPocks01 Год назад +40

    3:00 That Stanza door chime brought back a flood of memories. My mom had a 1983 Sentra that she bought brand new and had for 15 years. That door chime is the sound of my childhood. 😂

    • @justinfincher2385
      @justinfincher2385 Год назад +3

      Right? I had an 82 Datsun 310GX and that immediately took me back to shifting through the gears learning how to drive a stick

    • @GeeEm1313
      @GeeEm1313 11 месяцев назад +3

      My grandma's (Datsun Nissan) Maxima had that as well. I thought only the Maxima had it!

    • @gofiveggggg
      @gofiveggggg 11 месяцев назад +1

      ​@@GeeEm1313
      The First Generation Mazima has the talking voice.

    • @gofiveggggg
      @gofiveggggg 11 месяцев назад +1

      Love the tinkle sound warning chime..
      So polite

    • @landonbenford8369
      @landonbenford8369 7 месяцев назад +1

      The chime on the 1989 Accord was Very similar!!

  • @teresapflaumer5717
    @teresapflaumer5717 Год назад +46

    Ah, the MotorWeek Players are fantastic once again! The jawbreaker test was completely unexpected!

    • @GeeEm1313
      @GeeEm1313 11 месяцев назад

      We should try that with our cars haha

  • @nandernugget
    @nandernugget Год назад +88

    That generation of 626 was my mothers first car, I wasn’t around to see it but fortunately she got the next generation and kept it well until I was old enough to appreciate it. Today I’m a huge Mazda enthusiast because of it (and my dads 83 RX-7 helped too)

    • @benjaminschmied7998
      @benjaminschmied7998 Год назад +6

      My parents had this gen as a coupe. They kept it till 2000 I think. So many childhood memories. 😊

    • @thecustardguys
      @thecustardguys Год назад +7

      My dad's Mazda 6 has 300,000 miles on it

    • @Demun1649
      @Demun1649 Год назад

      @@thecustardguys You have been allowed to use the permanent marker again? Don't write on real cars. Mazda, who are only vehicles, not cars, don't matter.

    • @thecustardguys
      @thecustardguys Год назад +5

      @@Demun1649 you okay bruh?

    • @averyparticularsetofskills
      @averyparticularsetofskills Год назад +3

      ​@@Demun1649
      Okay ..... Deep Breath... now, u wanna try that again?

  • @radsk8rbigollies594
    @radsk8rbigollies594 10 месяцев назад +6

    I love the stereo with the equalizer in the Mazda, looks so high tech for the time.

    • @mattpeterson553
      @mattpeterson553 2 месяца назад

      The joystick in front of the shifter controlled the fader and panning of the speakers.

  • @kcindc5539
    @kcindc5539 Год назад +39

    Instead of an insipid beep or droning buzzer, the 626 plays an actual melody when you leave the door open and the keys in the ignition. I hadn’t noticed this when I saw this original broadcast back in ‘83.

    • @Thegonagle
      @Thegonagle Год назад +1

      I liked any cars that used bell chimes, with solenoids that struck a set of actual bells. I recall several makes using various bell chimes, but Subaru sticks out in my mind because I once owned one that had them.

  • @joebehrdenver
    @joebehrdenver Год назад +8

    "Cam-ray" ;) Seriously a great blast from the past. Would be nice if 2023 offered options like these.

  • @chrisnagel2708
    @chrisnagel2708 Год назад +14

    Would never have guessed back in 83 that the Camry would become the world class car that it has!

    • @boggy7665
      @boggy7665 Год назад

      Still with pogo-stick lousy suspension. Watching crash compilations, it's often a Camry that goes out of control & runs off the road, after an emergency maneuver on a straight, dry road.

    • @tyronepowell147
      @tyronepowell147 Год назад +8

      You mean Cam-Ray!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

    • @chrisnagel2708
      @chrisnagel2708 Год назад +2

      @@tyronepowell147 yes that's definitely how John Davis says it! 🤣

    • @rodmunch69
      @rodmunch69 Год назад +3

      If by world class, you mean extremely boring, correct.

  • @NOXStellans
    @NOXStellans Год назад +12

    'What I still think of as a "Family Sized" car: If we'd stick to Honda Civics* for diriving our kids around we would be able to afford send them to college (or your favorite trade school)-$30k today is less than $11k in 1983.

    • @billschlafly4107
      @billschlafly4107 Год назад

      College isn't worth the price of admission unless the goal is a degree in science.

    • @carzak
      @carzak Год назад

      The problem is Americans see small cars as a temporary embarrassment while they work towards barely being able to afford a big SUV or luxury car instead of saving for their future.

  • @krisjones74
    @krisjones74 Год назад +9

    I bet my Grandfather saw this and went out and bought a 626. That car was totalled in an accident, and my grandpa and grandma pulled themselves out of the wreckage and went straight back to the Mazda dealership. The replacement car was passed around our family for decades.

  • @angryshoebox
    @angryshoebox Год назад +20

    We had an '83 Stanza, my mom's first new car in 10 years. I was 15 1/2 when we got it; it was one of the cars I learned to drive in. That "ding ding" alert took me back.

    • @Aforementioned
      @Aforementioned Год назад +1

      My grandparents had an '82 with the same uh, bordello red interior as MW's tester. The chime takes me back, too. ;)

    • @05gtdriver
      @05gtdriver Год назад

      I bought a new Nissan Hard Body truck in 1992, and it, too, had that same chime! 😊

    • @adamr4198
      @adamr4198 Год назад

      My parents had a 84 Stanza HB that looked identical. It last until 1999 and ended up being my first car. Lots of memories riding in the backseat and a year of rowing my own gears in the driver’s seat.

  • @IndyF1FanMarquis
    @IndyF1FanMarquis Год назад +17

    One thing that holds true from this comparison is that Mazda will always emphasize driving performance. I've owned two Mazda 6's and have never been disappointed by either of them. I'd be first in line if the rumored return of the 6 comes to be!

    • @Andyface79
      @Andyface79 Год назад +6

      For sure. My Dad had a Mazda 3 and it was a blast to drive. My brother still has its, 18 years later and its still going strong.

    • @Thindoublechin
      @Thindoublechin Год назад +6

      ​@@Andyface79 I drive a 2005 mazda 3 hatch to this day.

  • @joestuff8
    @joestuff8 Год назад +4

    19:28 what a garbage 🗑 display, design and execution.. looks so utilitarian lol

    • @RallyLancer95
      @RallyLancer95 Год назад

      I wasn't around then but one glance at the Phoenix interior makes me see why people were buying imports

    • @joestuff8
      @joestuff8 Год назад

      @@RallyLancer95 agreed✔️

  • @AndresSalazarAutos
    @AndresSalazarAutos Год назад +7

    I think the Mazda 626 got fuel injection in 1986 and also there was a turbo model with 120hp and it was a quick car.

    • @BeefyMon
      @BeefyMon Год назад

      Yes, I had an 87 626 GT Turbo… it was wickedly quick for the time. Along with fuel injection the 86-87s also had a completely new interior/dash design, updated taillights and flush wide headlights.

  • @loganlovescarsandmotorcycles
    @loganlovescarsandmotorcycles Год назад +6

    I haven't ever seen these cars other than the Camray. Still see a few Camry on the road. It's a good car. Rust is the issue that killed the Camry my family had.

  • @vwestlife
    @vwestlife Год назад +3

    I noticed the title card shifting around a little bit, and that made me realize that it was probably generated by the old trick of aiming a camera at the logo drawn on a piece of paper, inverting the video signal to make it white on black, and then luma-keying it on top of the video. No computer graphics involved!

    • @kamrankhan-lj1ng
      @kamrankhan-lj1ng Год назад

      Titles and credits swerved quite a bit even until the mid 80s!!!!!

    • @AaronSmart.online
      @AaronSmart.online Год назад

      It looks like it was part of a filmed sequence, with the amount of noise and what could be gate weave

  • @USNVA11
    @USNVA11 Год назад +7

    My first new car purchase was a 1984 Mazda 626 two door coup with all the bells and whistles including digital instrumentation. It was a really great car other than it could have used a bit more power under the hood. For 1984, the styling looked pretty advanced.

  • @AsteroidsDeluxe
    @AsteroidsDeluxe Год назад +4

    626 was a hansome car and the Pontiac Phoenix was the best value. The 1983 Phoenix is a clone of the improved Citation II that addressed the reputation ruining record setting recalls of the original Citation.

  • @darrentoronto73
    @darrentoronto73 Год назад +3

    Oye. 3 Orientals. Doesn't sound PC 2023. Grew up watching this show. Loved it.

  • @palebeachbum
    @palebeachbum Год назад +7

    My heart just sank to my stomach realizing these cars are 40yrs old. FORTY years old! Man, I feel old. I was only a kid in the 80s, but I remember when these were on the road. Of the group, my choice is the Mazda 626. I really like the design and it seems the plushest inside, only bested in that regard by the Pontiac Phoenix. Camry would be at the bottom for me due to having the ugliest exterior design and poor driving dynamics.

  • @barryervin5297
    @barryervin5297 8 месяцев назад +3

    Today you couldn't do a comparison like this, because there are no family size hatchbacks. Everything is SUVs and "crossovers '.My 88 Dodge Lancer was the most useful car I've ever owned. I could throw my bicycle in the back without taking the front wheel of and once picked up a 50 gallon water heater with it, and it didn't handle like a truck.

  • @marshalmagooo3899
    @marshalmagooo3899 Год назад +5

    The 1st uttering of the Cam-Ray

  • @tedunguent156
    @tedunguent156 Год назад +7

    In 1983 I bought my first new car. It was a Plymouth Colt GTS Hatchback (Mitsubishi, 1.6L 4 cyl., Super Shift which Plymouth called Twin Stick. It was a 4 speed manual with a second lever for a high-low differential). It would burn rubber in 1st, 2nd and, sometimes, 3rd in low range and get 47 MPG in high range at highway speeds. I don't remember the price but it was about $7000-$7500.

  • @Ben-Rogue
    @Ben-Rogue Год назад +5

    The coupe version of this era 626 is such a classy car. There's one that I've seen around my town a couple of times, and I just can't look away when I see it.

  • @landyachtfan79
    @landyachtfan79 Год назад +6

    I've been thinking lately about John's continued mispronunciation of "Camry" as "Cam-Ray" back then, & am now wondering if Toyota told him to pronounce it like that just as Mitsubishi told the press to pronounce "Galant" "Ga-Lawn" for the first generation models.

    • @billschlafly4107
      @billschlafly4107 Год назад +1

      I thought it was a typo on an early script and John simply locked in on Cam Ray forever after. But you are probably closer to the truth.

    • @oldtwinsna8347
      @oldtwinsna8347 Год назад

      He probably dismissed any comments from staff early on with these things .This includes oil and voltmeter gauges that he kept harping about.

    • @kamrankhan-lj1ng
      @kamrankhan-lj1ng Год назад +2

      About 1992-93 he switched to the acceptable camry instead of camray.

    • @archfapper211
      @archfapper211 6 месяцев назад

      John just says certain words h'weird

  • @NOXStellans
    @NOXStellans Год назад +5

    $10,000 + 40 Year = $30,000

  • @mrdorkomatic
    @mrdorkomatic Год назад +2

    If I had the money, I'd love to get this group of cars together again after 40 years of abuse and see how they compare to their new selves. Would be hilarious and fun!

  • @MistahJigglah
    @MistahJigglah 2 месяца назад +2

    People in 2064 watching RUclips videos from the 2020s: "Can you believe they said 'People of Color' five times?"

  • @adamfischer6768
    @adamfischer6768 Год назад +3

    What were the 5 Motorweek hunks doing with their hands when they all got into the Pontiac Phoenix?

  • @rickymack2611
    @rickymack2611 Год назад +2

    So the Camry is the only car on this list still around. It's come a long way

  • @perfectstorm7518
    @perfectstorm7518 Год назад +3

    CamRay

  • @thetechlibrarian
    @thetechlibrarian Год назад +4

    Oscillating Vents and active dampers for $11,000 lol

  • @newcarpathia9422
    @newcarpathia9422 Год назад +8

    Brought a tear to my eye. That precise model of Camry was my first car. Mine was even the same color.

    • @burntcrumpets5616
      @burntcrumpets5616 Год назад +1

      Oh dear lord!.......I'm so sorry.

    • @newcarpathia9422
      @newcarpathia9422 Год назад +3

      @@burntcrumpets5616 I was a 16-year-old and entirely jazzed to have anything mobile. Was it a great car? Nope, but it took me places and that made it magical.

    • @burntcrumpets5616
      @burntcrumpets5616 Год назад +1

      @@newcarpathia9422 but darling......there's also the bus. Travel in style I say!

    • @newcarpathia9422
      @newcarpathia9422 Год назад +2

      @@burntcrumpets5616 The bus? Where I lived? Har! There was no bus. :)

    • @burntcrumpets5616
      @burntcrumpets5616 Год назад +1

      @@newcarpathia9422 Train then? Forgive me but am I taking public transport for granted with me being European? In all seriousness, I was just messing with your nut before. I'm sure the early Camry's were a decent piece of kit back in the day being a well trusted model over on the States. Can't go wrong with most Japanese auto brands though the Camry wasn't an option here in Europe. Instead we had the other saloon/sedan model called the Avensis. Rather nonchalant but the cabbie's loved em! Again I apologize for my overly dry euro humour regarding your first automobile. I confess, I'm sure your Camry was a whole lot better than my first car which was a total embarrassment! May I ask what year did you take possession of your Camry? Just curious. Kind regards 😉

  • @themanwithsauce
    @themanwithsauce Год назад +3

    A few years ago I bought a 2017 Ford Focus ST, brand new. From the moment I pulled into work, people kept asking me why I didn't get something "nicer" which was a polite way of asking why I didn't get a pickup or a big sedan. I simply said it was big enough for me, and it has what I want. So it's funny looking back and seeing how 30+ years ago, cars that would make my FoST look big were still considered "family size" with 80hp and 3-speed autos.... I miss the lightweight and simple lines of the old cars but I do appreciate how far we've come, even if most people don't.

  • @pbfloyd13
    @pbfloyd13 Год назад +9

    Ah yes the Toyota CAM-REY...

  • @Wiencourager
    @Wiencourager Год назад +1

    They didn’t test the AMC concord wagon, which was really a hatchback. But since it was basically a warmed over 1971 amc hornet, maybe it’s just as well.

  • @hothatchpa
    @hothatchpa Год назад +7

    Orientals….

  • @kevinbarry71
    @kevinbarry71 Год назад +17

    I am old enough to remember this review, we have come a long long way. Incidentally, among other things, what they considered to be quiet we would today consider it extremely loud

  • @johnnymason2460
    @johnnymason2460 Год назад +2

    And to think my dad at one point tried to get me to take a 1983 Camry. I'm glad I didn't. The 1987-1991 Camry sedans and wagons were better cars.

    • @christopherwaits7852
      @christopherwaits7852 Год назад

      I have a 1990 and have driven lots of V20 Camrys. Never a V10. I’m curious just how different they drive, since the 2nd gen is based heavily off the 1st gen platform

  • @ClassicTVMan1981X
    @ClassicTVMan1981X Год назад +1

    September 19, 1983 -- same night Wheel of Fortune had first aired in primetime!

  • @oi32df
    @oi32df 2 месяца назад +1

    Can't get a simple Versa hatchback these days and even less an American car since there's only one 'pony' car left . Just a sea of ​​awful inefficient SUVs and pick-ups available.

  • @jeremyb4493
    @jeremyb4493 5 месяцев назад +1

    I had a charcoal grey 85 626 5 speed during/after high school. Had a burgundy interior and I drove it everywhere until I gave it to a younger brother at well over 400,000 miles.