The Best Family Car of 1984? Accord, Camry, 626, Celebrity or Tempo? 

Correction! The 2.0L in the Camry was fuel injected, not carbureted. I blame too much beer before filming.

I sure hope you continue this series with other segments!

I feel like you arent remembering the AMC eagle when you say crossovers werent a concept yet

We had a '84 Tempo when I was a kid. That's pretty much all that I have to say about it.

I would definitely pick the Toyota Camry! As the parent of a Camry I know that there's no better value then a car that not only out lives it's payments but one that will most definitely outlive the decade in which it was built. Mine has 426 K miles on her and still drives as smoothly and reliably is when I first adopted her back in October 99

Of this group, I'd take the Camry liftback. My family test drove one in '86 and I was blown away by the in-dash tech. For me sophistication and refinement put the Camry above the rest.

I had a Celebrity and I loved it! Loved the styling, it was comfortable and fun.

My first car was a 1985 Toyota Camry. LOVED that car. The car I used when I had my learners permit was a 1985 Plymouth Voyager. My girlfriend had a 84 Topaz and we were still taking it to the club in DC in 1999! No one wanted to steal that car from the parking lot at the club. Great content keep it coming!

I got to drive my dad's friend's 85 Camry le 5 speed to work one day since he had borrowed my dad's truck for hauling, back in 1990. It had nice velour interior and a power sunroof. It was enjoyable to drive, loved reviving that car!! I'd still go with the Mazda though. My grandfather bought a brand new 86 Celebrity, he used to burn rubber in it! Gotta love the 80s cars. So much potential with some models, but still some automakers still made some boring cars. My dad's 86 Cavalier RS, was ok, since he couldn't afford the Z24 model. It was red 2 Dr with a factory pop-up sunroof. But my mom's 87 Toyota FX 16 was a blast to drive! Both were 5 speed's that's how me and my sister learned to drive. I miss it.

Even back in ‘84 the Camry was still a really good car. Accord too. You wouldn’t want any others.

Awesome content! I never thought I would find anyone else who was fascinated with 80's cars like me, most of my friends like newer cars or really old classics from the 70's and below... So many cool cars from the 80's and early 90's. I was surprised you knew what a Subaru XT Turbo was as well! It's also one of my dream cars :) The oldest thing I own currently is a 1989 Honda Accord LX-i, my dad wont let me buy anything older :/

One of my mate's first car was a 1986 Mazda 626 Coupe in dark blue purchased around 1992. It came with full digital dash, double din stereo with equalizer, adjustable electronic suspension, full electrics, cruise control I think from memory, 2 litre EFI engine, 15" alloy wheels etc. etc. We all thought it was a pretty cool thing back in the day and definitely would have been quite high tech back in the mid 80's!

My parents had an 80's ford tempo when I was little, and got a 91 ford tempo when the other was totaled. The 91 ford tempo turned into my first car in high school. Peeling blue paint, stripped gearing in the automatic seatbelt, and several other issues. Still managed to have lots of good memories and fun in it.

Cool 😋 I was 10 in 1984, and remember these car's .

**W123 300D cries in “too expensive to be considered a family car”**

I love the 80s styling of the Tempo over the 90s one. Maybe because it looks more old school.

I want a toyota cressida in my driveway!

Mom bought a brand new 1984 Chevy Cavalier manual. Learned how to drive on that car. Good old days.

you're killing it with this retro series! my second-ever car was an '85 camry liftback & i loved that thing! i remember it had a manual crank sunroof - ha! hard to believe how much cars have changed in under 40 years. my current car is a 2018 prius prime. feels like a space ship compared to my '85 camry. wonder where cars will be 40 years from now? thanks for the great vids!

My dad bought an '84 Camry DX. I took my driver's test in it. SOLIDLY built cars, but they were not in any way fast. Rear seats were gargantuan compared to interior size. I agree the Mazda was very much the prettiest.

My mother had an 84 stanza 4 door hatchback- it stayed in my family until about 1991. I remember it as slow but reliable and large for its class. It became my sister's car in 1989.

Forgot the Chrysler K cars. I have a 1986 Dodge Aries, Have owned it for 12 years. I would have gotten the Mazda 626 though, seems like it would make for a fun daily driver.

I like this channel. It is well put together, respectful, doesn't try to be something it isn't, and just a love for cars. Keep up the great work.

I love these retrospective reviews on the cars I remember from my childhood. Thank you.

This is an awesome series man, 80s car ads are super charming! Absolutely loving watching this and the production is top notch. Stay well!

Fantastic video.....keep them coming!!

Back in the day, I'd say this was a tough argument, but today? My grandpa still uses his 2nd gen Toyota Camry to run errands.

The Celebrity screams about as much excitement as going to Sears.

Recently stumbled across your channel and absolutely love the content! Subscribed!

As always, amazing videos. Keep the content coming!!! Thank you.

I'm absolutely loving this channel. Wish I would have found it sooner. You're easily the least pretentious car guy on RU-vid and I love your appreciation of Radwoods.

I don't recall ever really seeing the Mazdas at all, but the Honda and Toyota were pretty common. Lots of Tempo's and Celebrities running around too. The Celebrity really was the family car for middle aged people.

Dude you are killing it with these videos and the production quality. Came to the channel for 4AGE Nova's and stayed for the retro awesome.

In 1984, I was the father of a 4-year old, and we lived in the Boston metro area. The year before, when daughter was 3, we went shopping for a family car. Having owned a Honda, we could've shopped the Accord. Same with the Camry. But with only the one child and a smaller budget, we were looking "one size down" and ultimately bought a new Renault Alliance (mostly to benefit from the French genius for compliant suspensions that could deal with Beantown's horrific roads...for which the Alliance delivered). Despite the reputation the car earned, we didn't have any problems with it for the 5 years we owned it.

Great review. I owned a 1985 Mazda 626 4-door back in the days. It was a great car indeed.

A couple of things, first of all, I love these videos man!! The production is top notch, well researched and just awesome dude! Keep it up, I’m super happy I found this channel! Okay, as for the cars. I had an 1988 626 but that was the year they redesigned them. My friends parents, however, had a 1986 626, and it was the same generation you featured here. The difference is they had the turbo version, which bumped up hp ratings to 145. My friends dad would take us to a parking lot and do doughnuts in the car haha I was like 9, and thought it was so cool, as my parents would never do that. Pretty dangerous now that I think back, but I can tell you that the 626 was miles ahead of things like the tempo, as far as “sporty” was concerned. Thanks for the memories!

The Camry was my first car. My dad worked at a Toyota dealership and wrangled it out of a customer as the transmission was going out on it. Got the transmission fixed and proceeded to wreck it months later in the snow. Teenage driver! But I’m nostalgic for the body style- just don’t see them anymore.

I remember talking my dad into an 84 Accord 2 door hatchback.. Always loved the way it looked and felt even back then.. The sound of a Honda starting, the smell of the plastics they used on the interiors, the sound of the chime when u left the lights on! My choice now would be the 626..looks modern even today! Thanks for the awesome video :)

For me the 626 is the clear winner. When Mazda went FWD, they made sure they did it right, from a dynamic perspective. Something else-once the Stanza got fuel injection, it was the most powerful base motor. If it were my money, I would be buying a Jetta or 626, and I’m a Honda-lover. At the other end of the spectrum, a Celebrity with the V6 would be extremely satisfying.

I grew up with these cars and remembere every single one of them! The Mazda and the Honda were my favorites! My 1st car was an 83 Accord hatchback. Please keep making videos like this!

Also, the Celebrity Eurosport with v6 and alloy wheels looked pretty cool. Great video. Thanks for marking it

My mother bought an 84 Camry hatch, gave it to my brother in 91, and bought another camry. Mom is gone but her 91 Camry DX is still on my driveway. The 91 is an awesome car , but i would have preferred the 84. My brother trashed the 84 along time ago.

We had an '84 Tempo sedan with the 4 cyl & 5sp manual back in the day. Was a really good little car that suited our very young family. We lived in Central Oregon and the front wheel drive was awesome in the snow. Wasn't anything fancy - crank windows, regular door locks, no cruise control and no AC. But it got the job done and was reliable.

Great idea and well-executed, Ethan! Highly enjoyable. Please do more of these throwback battles. One little thing that bothered me, though: shouldn't you have placed the Maxima in this group, instead of the Stanza?

You probably know about this, but the Motor Week RU-vid channel has 'retro reviews' posted of their reviews of cars going back into the 80's. It's fun to see the cars through the contemporary lens, and hear John Davis complaining about the lack of gauges. Also the hair and clothes.

My first car was 84 Mazda 626 liftback. I missed her, really awesome car.

I had one of those accord 2dr hatchbacks..i would zip through the city of Philadelphia with ease..suprisingly peppy 5 spd manuel..i couldnt believe how smooth and quiet the car was when i bought it in 95..ahhh the memories of trouble free driving

Mazda for me! My Dad had an '88 626 when I was a kid---zero trouble. Great video, love the retro reviews.

Wow, great video! Loved the flashback. Can we get a Mini Truck comparo next?

Honda Accord by a long shot. These things have never failed me in my daily driving.

Camry is the only one that had fuel injection so it’s the clear winner

I had an '86 Camry, you couldn't kill that car and yes, started all the time even in the cold! Mine was fuel injected automatic, a true classic. It was also the same color as in the pictures.

I graduated from high school in 1981 and remember all these cars and that era well. I did not have a family at that time so none of these cars were on my list to purchase. However, I did know several people who owned all these makes and models. The standard bearer was definitely the Accord. Next was the Mazda. The Tempo, Stanza, and Celebrity were staples of the rental car fleets and the Camry was an unknown. Thanks for taking me back to my youth Ethan.

Our FAMILY bought that first year Red Tan Camry...trust me everyone asked what this car is named and LOVED IT. Our Camry had golden tint. shaded windows and cassette with equalizer!

My Dad is still all Ford to this day so Mom got a gray '84 Tempo. Then '86 added a light blue Taurus Wagon for Dad. The old cars got handed down to us kids. Me the '72 Ford LTD Country Squire😒. I hated that boat as it got only 8 mpg. Middle brother got Dad's '72 blue Maverick Grabber w/silver racing stripes and hood scoops. Youngest brother got purchased for him a used cheap Pumpkin Orange Pinto w/black racing stripes. Ahh being a teen in the 80s where you get the hand me downs of the 70s.

Looking back---I like the look of those boxy square cars back in the day..

I love this channel! My favorite all-time car was my 1984 Mitsubishi Tredia Turbo. It would have blown all these cars out of the water with 116 HP room for 5 (sort of) and so quirky. It is my biggest regret not keeping it. I too love the 626 especially the 1986 GT. Keep it up and by the way I would buy your Nova Twin Cam if you ever want to sell it. I remember those cars so well!

Thanks! Bought a '91 626 LX 4 door with 106,000 miles in 1995 for $6,600...Kept it's value and went till 201,000 miles. Loved the oscillating center vents and the ability to fold the front passenger seat down (w/o) the headrest to create a lounge seat from behind...thx again!

I'd love to check out the Mazda for sure. I worked at a local junkyard and we received a mid 2000s Mazda 6 with a manual and 350k miles that was destined for the crusher... it had been a fleet vehicle somewhere. I took it around the neighborhood and it STILL had life in it, it pulled like a beast, it responded immediately to all driver-input, I was amazed. Mazda is like that kid in the back of the class who draws in their notebook all the time and constantly aces tests and quizzes, but nobody seems to talk to them :P I drive an 89 Buick Century, which was the mid-generation refresh of the FWD A-body platform GM used on the Celebrity, Cutlass Ciera, and 6000. It has the 3.3, and when I replaced all the suspension with new components (not performance, just new), that car blew my mind. Yes it's not meant to be luxury OR performance, but it drives so well. I'd love to have experienced its original release and put it through the wringer :D

My first car was my parent's 1984 626 hand-me-down that I got in 1989. I LOVED that car.

Accord by far, the Camry would be 2nd. Tempo's were everywhere, but were not very good, especially the independent rear suspension with camber issues.

this throwback presentation was well put together.

Thanks for the nostalgic video, the Mike Tyson theme song made me smile! :)

Loved this. For me? Accord any day of the week. Currently on my 4th. On another note, I remember when the Altimas first came out, they had a small "Stanza" badge in stuck in the center crease of the trunk.

Your channel rocks, bro! Back in 84 I was driving a 63 Ford Falcon. Lol

I loved the 1990 Ford Tempo. I drove for my prom night. I loved the Tempo and I liked the Chevy Celebrity. Thanks for you Time Machine to the past please do more of these videos.. I loved it.. :)

As much of a Japanese car fan as I am, I am partial to the Celebrity here because my first car was a 1986 Celeb! In fact, I'm working on sorta-kinda-maybe picking up a Celebrity as a project car to re-live some of those memories. Nice vid!

My mother had an '85 Camry 5-speed manual, and I have had 3 Camrys myself, a '93, a '13 , and currently I have a '19 V6. I will always own a Toyota. "Oh what a feeling... Toyota!!!!"

Well, in my case i would have chosen to drive the honda accord, the mazda 626 and the toyota camry... Thanks for the video man! it was a nice trip down memory lane!

You forgot to mention Culture Club were one of the biggest bands in the world in 1984. Love the Datsun B210 tee shirt and am still watching your video of it. We've had our Mazda for 46 years and we have another we've had for 31.I'd have the 626 any day. In 1984 the hatch in particular was something to behold. Beautiful and stylish.

My Dad had that Datsun B210 fastback you're wearing on your t-shirt! Even the color was the same! That was way back in 1977-78. Nice little car his was manual with a 4 speed transmission, but it sure was a lazy engine! We lived in Puerto Rico at the time, and just think! Going thru the mountains in a car that only had minuscular HP! Wasn't enough to pull the car up the Hills! You had to rev the car going down the hill so you would get some umps to climb up the Hills! Then by 1979 he bought a Toyota celica supra, now! That car was awesome! I wanted to drive it everyday! Six cylinders fuel injection, and a 5 speed! That thing was sweet! It was black with golden accents,and mag wheels! Also had sunroof, am fm stereo, and power Windows. I cried when he got rid of it! Lol. Then by 1981 he got a chevy citation four Doors and fastback! I hated that car! I didnt even want to drive it! Lmao!👋😂ahhhh those where the day's! Now i wish i own one of them classics! The Datsun or the supra! Think about it! When you're a teenager in those day's you wanted to be seing in cool cars! Not bland no style slow cars!✌😎👍keep'em coming buddy!

I agree with you completely. The 626 Touring 5-speed is my favorite. I had one in college and i loved it. It looked exactly likely this 13:06 The Camry hatch 5-speed would be my second favorite. Two-tone, of course.

Don't forget Mazda eventually released a GT versión of the 626, with a 2.0 Turbo that if I remember correctly was good for 120hp and around 150lb ft of torque, which for the era was quite impressive.

The Mazda coupe for sure . Honda Accord was my all time favorite but I did like the looks of the Toyota Camry ( it was different looking )

Family had all of these at some point in the 80s except the Toyota and Nissan. 626 is is my winner, but we had the earlier generation (2g 78-82) in a coupe.

I screenshotted this thumbnail and posted on my FB page because I bought a used '84 Camry in the early 1990's that had 100k miles on it. It was pristine and ran like a nice watch. I proceeded to put ANOTHER 200,000 miles on it before finally sending it to the scrap yard in the early 2000's. Those early 80's Japanese sedans were sooooo far ahead of American cars of the same price at the time. Oh, I also owned a DIESEL Stanza that got...50 miles per gallon!!! Sadly Stanza/Sentra build quality wasn't as good as the other major players and the floorboards rusted out. But I still sold that car for a profit as the motor was still running strong.

I completely agree with your conclusion!

I had a 1981 accord hatchback 5 speed in 2008. It got much better milage than they say on here. I got 27 mpg in the city and 43 on the highway (@55 mph). It was a great car and never left me stranded, even kicked ass in the snow! Throttle was more responsive than newer fuel injected cars... I really miss it and of I had the money I would but it again

Best video on RU-vid! The 80s were such an amazing time! Very well done

Please make more of these!

We bought a 1985 Honda Accord (when I was 12) and it was a great car at the time. We owned it until around ‘91.

You need more subscribers bro Your videos are amazing

My mom and dad used to have the Camry and the MR2 back in 1985. They were stupid reliable. Would love to see some K car love though... I've owned hundreds of them and still have a few to this day... My 1981 Reliant wagon still runs well even though it's 40 years old now!

I knew a guy that had a tempo forever! (10 years?) As I recall, he didn't have many problems with it. The heater in that car was amazing!

1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham. 4 door. Beige with brown top.

Always love ❤️ your videos

I bought a 87 626 liftback a few months before this video was published. Nice car for the price and enjoyable to drive.

We had a 1983 Camry DX. Was a great car, and in daily use til it was scrapped in 2001. It was replaced with a 1996 Toyota Carina, which i have taken over and am driving to this day! :)

The Stanza became fuel injected in 84. I had one, an 86. It was a good car, more like the Accord than the Camry. I prefer the sportiness of the Accord, 626, and Stanza. I currently own an 86 Civic sedan and 80 Corolla Tercel.

The celebrity wagon was dope

Amazing channel.Seriously. It's too hot out,I'm watching a bunch of these vids with a gallon of sweet tx tea.My wife had that...Tempo.So funny to see it catch air.Bet it blew up shortly after. Nothing beats the boxy look on these cars,and the dash designs on the Japanese models are just the best.Wish I had my old hatchback Nova/Toyota 😔..

I learned how to drive a manual in a 626, loads of fun.

Found your channel thanks to GM insider news. I would take the Camry. My parents bought one new in 1985. Base car with roll up windows, 5spd manual, and port installed A/C. Car was about a year old when they went to Europe for two weeks. Just before their arrival back home I gave it a bath and waxed it for them. I also did a photo shoot with the freshly clean Camry at the "golden hour" and didn't even realize it at the time. Pictures came out really well. Sadly it was totaled in 1988.

Love these 80s cars....not these specific ones lmao they were some real heaps but still better than any of today's "designs" my list ....1 Honda 2 celebrity 3 Mazda 4 (tie) Nissan nd Toyota

I had the 1984 camry 1.8 It was carburetted. 2.0 was injected. Great car, bulletproof otherwise, but gearbox had to be swapped, it failed at 100k. Fuel consumption at 100mph was only 30mpg. Now that was pretty awesome.

amazing video bro

For whatever reason I dig the Topaz of this era, especially with those quirky OEM spokeless rims, & could see it making for an awesome slammed cruiser, like what others do to Jettas & Golfs

626 was definitely the most underrated car from this era. That would probably have been my choice back then.

Cool video bring backs a lot of memories ! I remember all those cars back in the day umm those four cylinders were slow compared to the four cylinders of today . Umm don't forget about the K cars which helped Chrysler out of bankruptcy and the full-size and mid-size RWD cars from GM and Ford which were still selling strong back in 1984 . Stay Safe …

My neighbor had an 88 Mazda MX-6 in a two tone gray with flat gray five spoke wheels. I think it was the turbo version? But as a kid I always liked the way that car looked.