New Camry's...anybody own one or have opinion.

My wife is shopping for a new car. So far she like's the new Camrys. Is going to look at Suburu's and Nissans as well.

I read some posts on toyotanation forum about how cheaply made some of the interior is and noise from mirror's . Crappy e-tune and nav system stinks too according to many. I don't think my wife wants e-tune or nav anyhow.

I also read that dash starts creaking and making noise after a few hundred miles. I guess like the tacoma's, they dont all have these problems. But when you research them, these issue's pop up.

 

I travel quite a bit for work, so I get the opportunity to drive many brands of cars. Rental car I feel are a good sample of what an auto makers vehicle can really take. I won't lie , I have put a few rentals through the paces just to see what it can do, I'm sure like a lot of other people, we abuse the rental fleet. Having said that the Camry is a solid performer. I got one with close to 10k on the clock (in rental speak thats getting old), and it felt strong in the engine department (4cyl), shifted well, no unusual creaks or buzzy noises. Its a great family sedan period.
But why get a Camry or an Accord (to me they are both very similar in mission and how they go about accomplishing it) if you can get say a left over Acura. I was looking for a new daily driver, and car wise I'm biased slightly to the Honda side. The TSX is an Accord in europe so why not have a look. I was able to get a base 4cyl TSX for only a few hundred dollars more than a similarily equipped Accord EX-L. Which means Leather, power roof, heated seats, heated mirrors, power seats, bluetooth, HID headlights, better suspension and in the TSX the 2.4 litre is rated at 200hp as opposed to the Accords 170hp. IMHO the TSX looks way better that either the Camry or Accord. The TSX does not look so (for lack of a better term) older people.
Anyhow not to change the subject off the Camry it is a very good family sedan. Solid, reliable, predictable........just like vanilla ice cream.
Good luck car shopping.

 

Had a 07 SE loved it and test drove a 2012 SE it handled better

 

wife's is a 2010 Camry LE, interior is VERY cheaply made and the seats are uncomfortable as hell when you are in them longer than an hour or two. drove it from FL to CA and from so-cal to nor-cal and had to stop very frequently to avoid the back pain. I would recommend getting one with leather and comfier seats. she has the basic package on hers which doesn't include very much. if I had a say in it, or even present for the purchase (she bought it in 09 a couple months before we were married), we would have gone with the hybrid or a higher trim package.


handling wise-it is a blast to drive, especially on the mountain roads. even for a 4cylinder, it has ALOT of kick.

 

Not a fan of em at all. Hondas are reliable, but their styling is leaving a bit to be desired, at least these days, to me. If I was looking now, I'd check Kia and Hyundai. You may laugh, but think about it; so did everyone when Honda and Toyota first came to town. The Kia Optima offers a lot of value IMO. Hyundai has put some good looking designs out. They are pushing up market. I haven't spent anytime behind the wheel w/any of them.

 

Have you driven a Subaru Legacy? AWD makes a huge difference in handling.

 

All good suggestions. I asked her to look at the Suburu and the Hyundai. The tsx acura looks really sporty, might have to see what they are offering for 2012. thanks

 

I test drove a 12 Camry back in November and I was really impressed, if I had to replace my Taco this car would on my short list.

 

Don't leave out Venza as an option as well. My wife bought one last year and she loves it!

 

i have a an 04 solara ( camry coupe) and i love it. i can only assume they got better with age.

 

2012 camry looks good and sporty.

depends what you want. ultimate reliability is camry. performance and pretty good reliability..honda. up and coming bang for your buck...hyundai kia. top notch performance with high maintenance..euro.

 

My wife ended up picking the 2012 Camry SE 4cyl. I am glad she did. We test drove nissan maxima and Honda accords. While the Maxima was a sweet ride it was not as sporty as the Camry, more of a sedan really. The Honda accord rode like my 93 accord and didn't have as much power. We even test drove Honda's 190 hp 4cyl and it was lacking big time compared to the Camry. She didn't really want the Nav and etune, but to get the factory moonroof, you have to go with the full pkg. I set up her blue tooth to our cell phones and she love's the Nav too.

 

Nice pick. I had a 99 v6 5 speed that i traded in when buying my truck. Shouldve kept it and bought the truck too. Just didnt have enough driveway space.

 

my grandpa has a 12 Camry SE with the eco. mom drove it to florida 360miles or so... still had over a half tank of gas. but according to the range only had 150-160 miles till empty.
Rides smooth. Pretty powerful little car. interior is nice seats are real nice soft. anymore info lmk ill see what i can find out

edit.. oh yea.. my grandpa went from a 09 taco to 11 camry 0% interest.. and about 6 months later he wanted something else so he bought a 12 camry loves it better. but he wishes he still had his truck to do truck things

 

V6 Camry= beast mode activate