Toyota: The 12 Models Of 1991, Their Peak Year?
By Mike Garcia
Toyota Cressida
The Cressida was the premium sedan model of the time, equivalent to the current Toyota Avalon today. Keep in mind, Lexus had just started in 1989 with the ES250 and LS400 as their two core models. The ES250 back then looked far too much like the Toyota Camry, and the Cressida seemed to have more prestige than the ES250.
The Toyota Cressida used the same 7M-GE 3.0-liter V6 as the Supra, but was slightly detuned to 190 horsepower. While it may have been a bit underrated at the time, some of the elements of the Cressida went into the Lexus LS400. The double-wishbone rear suspension added a bit more control through the corners.
Nowadays, die-hard enthusiasts seek out these cars and stuff a 5-speed transmission in it. Why? These cars are easy to reduce the weight, slam the suspension, and use the Supra engine and drivetrain to create a drift car. After all, it has a double-wishbone rear suspension and rear-wheel-drive.
This made the car a total sleeper. Who knew that it would resonate with the drift world?