2007 Camry: Why I LOVE it.

[giagastormer]

Confessions of a GM fan
-Giagastormer






When I saw the 2007 Camry for the first time, I HATED it. But ever since that commercial....."What makes a car, a car?", or w/e, I've been really fond of the new Camry.

It has so much style, and sophistication to it. Reminds me of Buick....it's "understated", like a man in a tuxedo.







Look at the style. No other automaker puts that much time, and effort into designing a family sedan. Don't even say Chrysler, they simply looked look at Bentley, and there was the inspiration for the 300. Simple as that.







Just look at how beautiful that picture is. Why doesn't GM do this? Why must they simply stick the car in a grey room, with no lighting, and take pictures? What a waste. There are some exceptions, but NO GM photos look this nice.







Just look how every inch of the car flows with the overall design theme. No awkward angles, fit & finish is excellent, it just looks....GREAT. This is a stunning car. G6, Aura, Malibu, Impala, etc don't evoke this much style combined. THIS IS STYLE. Quit calling the Camry an appliance. The Accord is the appliance, with absolutely not style to it. Whether you hate it or love it, this is style.







Why does this interior look better than that of the STS? Look closely, you won't find that center stack in any other Toyota car, or the radio, etc. The list goes on. This interior is unique to this car. No corporate radio, nothing. GM needs to learn from this.

Take a good look at the fit & finish. It's spectacular. The attention to detail is stunning. Even the damm armrest is wrapped in leather. And yes, I HAVE sat in a 2007 Camry, the quality is beyond flawless. It just FLOWS.







Good luck finding rear seats like that in anything GM makes, with exception to the DTS.







Same with the front seats.







Woah! Where is the BIG black, square cd player/radio! You mean this can be done? Each vehicle for the most part can have a unique design, with its own radio? Damm! It even has a NAVIGATION system. A word GM should get to know. Look at the little chrome accents were the center stack meets the center console. Wonderful little details here and there really set a car off.

And the advertising of this car is like none other. The commercials are fantastic. Everytime I see one I get goose bumps. It makes me want to go out and buy one (if I had the $$, of course).

Some of you can go on and on about how things like this don't matter. Well, they do. Perception is not the only problem GM can't make a competitive sedan right now, it's also going beyond "as good as". Why not attempt to make a car class leading? Why settle for crap?

The interior of any GM sedan right now can't hold a candle to the new Camry.

And please don't even get me started comparing the powertrain to GM.

I'm sorry, but the truth hurts. Just recently I've realized why Toyota is doing so great.

[nsap]

Maybe the Camry is becoming the old people poster-car. I mean, you are comparing its class to a Buick..and you like Buick's..

No one can deny that the Camry is a great car. I'm not about to, nor should anyone else. However there is no way in hell I will give that car anything in terms of design. The interior is great, but the exterior is horrid. It looks like a pig in the front and the body is simply a more curvy version of the last generation model, with Lexus tail lamps. Then again, I am someone who likes bold product, not understatement.

[asim]

You know what, I have to agree with you. I was going to make a thread like this, but you beat me to it. It's actually a great design.

[CobaltSScrazy]

i love the interior, nothing even comes close to touching it. Unfortunately giga, i have to agree with you. I sat in a g6 today and was just like "wow, lots of black, a corporate radio/hvac in box shape (not integrated) and just some chrome rings around the vents, which are suspect at best. I sat in the ford fusion (w/ tan cloth and carbon fiber-ish looking trim which is WAY better than their wood offering.) It was an AMAZING car also, the doors had a place to store a water/pop bottle (its pop bitches ) the doors shut solidly, like a cadillac or a honda than a chevy/pontiac. I was really impressed, things felt soft touch, woven headliner (rat skin carpet, but it was nice 2) and teh seats were so soft, like a suedo-swede and contemporay looking. I'm a fan of the distinctive front end, the taillights, while a better attempt than the taurus, look to triangular (which maybe they were going for or not). I'm more of a fan of the mazda3 taillamps, the altimas are pretty good too as are ALL of saturns new products, its euro w/ a red hue to it...really appealing.

But the camry is top notch, I can't stand that toy---ota STOLE the design of the front lights from mazda nor that it looks like a lexus in the rear. But its soooooooo nice. I own a malibu maxx, which is a great car, but this raises the bar ppl. I LOVE GM, its the only car company I'll ever purchase from unless it goes bankrupt, gets bought out, or I buy from Ferrari/Lamborgini, but even the aura pics dont stack up with this car.

I did a comprehensive GM interior thread a few months ago, almost all of their interiors need LOTS of work. Who cares if the solstice, vette, xlr has a nice interior if the cobalt, malibu, impala, g6, aura, lacrosse, cts all have decent, but not class leading ones? Those are the vehicles that will make gm money and increase market share, NOT the niche vehicles. Just put all the money into the sales leaders, not these specialties, which while important and play a role, I'd rather have better mainstream cars. I mean honestly, I'd rather have a 400,000 cars per year sale of camrys than 150k camaros or 40k total kappas...very simple. GM can build large suv's and trucks well, and sports cars, but aside from that....they leave much to be desired.

In saying that, their platforms and powertrains are solid (pushrod v6's and 4speeds aside. the ecotec, northstar, high-feature v6, vortec lineup, small-block chevy LS2/LS7 lineup (and future ls9) are all AWESOME. The 5 speed autos int eh caddies and saabs are great, as are all teh new 6 speed autos and the six-speed manuals are good too (not as slick as hondas civic si according to the rags, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to say as i haven't shifted them. SRX eptomizes how GM is, outside is good, but "quirky" to some. Interior is acceptable at BEST, powertrain and platform are awesome.

sorry for the rant, but giga is right. Although the aura is a HUGE leap forward, who offers morrocco leather, almost no one. the wrap around wood (and hopefully carbon fiber/brush aluminum) trim are very nice, gauges are good as is the steering wheel (although i hate the controls on it as they are too small and not razed up and not labeled) the "BOX" center is still there, but it looks a "little" better than the g6/malibu/balt. I think the new 900's, lucerne, impala, dts, hhr are all showing SIGNIFICANT progress compared to the balt, g6, malibu and the CTS (hopefully crossing my fingers) will FINALLY get it right...integrated and "flowing" center stack, wrap around, non-corporate radio.

Last thing guys...GM should do w/ their interiors what they do with archetectures...common parts EVERYWHERE BUT WHERE PPL TOUCH / SEE. Give pontiac, chevy, saturn, caddy, buick, saab, hummer ALL INDIVIDUAL FACEPLATES FOR RADIOS with common parts behind the faceplate/layout. Also, do the same for hvacs, at the very least, one for hummer, saab, caddy, buick and then one for chevy, gmc, pontiac, saturn, or give them all their own. The radios are more important, but the hvacs contribute (and ONLY dual zone). The only car that shouldn't have dual-zone is a base model of a car starting under 20k. EVERY CAR SOLD OVER 20K SHOULD HAVE DUAL ZONE STANDARD. Digital on the "premium" group I listed above.

Toyota's moving forward, hopefully we can stopping dragging forward and running forward.

[TahoeMikeZ71]

I think the one 07 Camry front grille is better than the one up there.

[rmodys]

It's a good looking car minus that grille. I love the interior and headlights. The shape of the taillights flow with the headlights and go with the theme of the car. Everything flows well except for the grille. That interior is great, GM could REALLY learn from this car. Put design in EVERY car you make. Everything from an Aveo to an STS needs to have it's own design theme that goes with it's division. Now, all of that said, I would never own a Camry, ever. At least not voluntarily.

[327]

the camry is a good car, ugly but good. The main reason there isnt another with parts sharing is because YOTA hasnt put out another redesigned car yet. and its pretty funny that they have similar looking parts with cadillacs, like that DTS style nav, radio unit, and the top vents off a tahoe.

[camaro chris]

Im sure its a good car, but the tail lights are so awkward and the front grill looks cheap.

[Ridge1]

Good post. I think in this price class the 07 camry and the Hyundai Azera are the leaders. I haven't driven the new 07 Camry, but it looks like they did edge out the Azera. I'm sure it drives great as well.



..........I saw a black 06 Accord coupe V6 MT in black leather today. I wouldn't call it an appliance. Toyota has nothing close to it IMO.

[TrailblazerSS90]

Personally I like the Camary when it doesn't have the bars on the grille, but when it has the mesh... My grandparents are looking ito Toyota lately, mostly becauase they like the style... They hate Buicks, ever sine their Buick Special turned out to be crap... Now they refuse to buy a Buick... They think it is kinda youthful... They loved the interior the most...

[Whirling_Dervish]

I didn't care for the exterior in pictures. But I saw one on my street in person and its pretty good looking. The grill is still a "challenge", but looks better in person. I expect 3rd party tuners will make a mint off of custom grills for this car.

The interior is flawless. GM d@mn well better be taking notes. Toyota continues to fire on all cylinders.

[jro4566]

The Camry is a spectacular car, which is very hard to say for a car that is seen almost everywhere. I never bought the saying that Camry buyers were ignorant or brainwashed - they made a good chioce, and it's hard to argue. It has inoffensive, and somewhat "elegant" styling, a functional yet invitingly luxurious interior, upscale features, good fuel economy, top-notch safety scores, and more than enough for the average family. And the new one only builds on that reputation. 7 airbags, Vehicle Stability Control with Traction Control, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, projector headlamps, 3 adjustable rear headrests, LED gauges, 5-speed automatic with manual shift mode, 268HP V6, voice-activated Denso DVD-based 7" touchscreen navigation system WITH 6-disc in-dash CD changer and Bluetooth handsfree phone capability, 440-watt JBL 8-channel audio system, intelligent keyless entry system with push button start, leather door panels, reclining rear seats, 8-way power front seats with driver's power lumbar support, and dual-zone automatic climate control with an ionizer: does all this sound like a midsize sedan to you?

[Strapping.Young.Lad]

Originally Posted by Ridge1

Good post. I think in this price class the 07 camry and the Hyundai Azera are the leaders. I haven't driven the new 07 Camry, but it looks like they did edge out the Azera. I'm sure it drives great as well.



..........I saw a black 06 Accord coupe V6 MT in black leather today. I wouldn't call it an appliance. Toyota has nothing close to it IMO.

The Azera is a piece of crap. It cant even come close to the Quality level the 2007 Camry has. Trust me. The Azera was Sqeaaaak after squeak and had hard,cheap lifeless tan plastic all-over. The fusion had a WAAAYY nicer interior than the azera. Everything was soft and leathery. But the 2007 is class leading right now. I sat in every midsize(the Aura is excluded cuz it wasnt there) at the auto show they had. From the Grand Prix to the Accord.

[xioix]

Originally Posted by jro4566

The Camry is a spectacular car, which is very hard to say for a car that is seen almost everywhere. I never bought the saying that Camry buyers were ignorant or brainwashed - they made a good chioce, and it's hard to argue. It has inoffensive, and somewhat "elegant" styling, a functional yet invitingly luxurious interior, upscale features, good fuel economy, top-notch safety scores, and more than enough for the average family. And the new one only builds on that reputation. 7 airbags, Vehicle Stability Control with Traction Control, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, projector headlamps, 3 adjustable rear headrests, LED gauges, 5-speed automatic with manual shift mode, 268HP V6, voice-activated Denso DVD-based 7" touchscreen navigation system WITH 6-disc in-dash CD changer and Bluetooth handsfree phone capability, 440-watt JBL 8-channel audio system, intelligent keyless entry system with push button start, leather door panels, reclining rear seats, 8-way power front seats with driver's power lumbar support, and dual-zone automatic climate control with an ionizer: does all this sound like a midsize sedan to you?

6-speed auto

[xioix]

Originally Posted by Ridge1

Good post. I think in this price class the 07 camry and the Hyundai Azera are the leaders. I haven't driven the new 07 Camry, but it looks like they did edge out the Azera. I'm sure it drives great as well.



..........I saw a black 06 Accord coupe V6 MT in black leather today. I wouldn't call it an appliance. Toyota has nothing close to it IMO.

The Azera is in the large class, not mid size with the Camry and Accord, just because it's in the same price bracket doesn't mean the compete

If that was the case, the Corolla XRS would compete with the Camry CE