2007 Toyota Camry

[Perfectionist]

Hello everybody, I've been gone a few weeks and I'm sure you all missed me--anyway, figured I'd return with a review.
First thought: I had about 30 seconds to look upon the new Camry before I was pounced on by a salesman, and in those few seconds, I stood mostly at the front of the car, which is its most criticized feature. All I can say is that it looks much, much, much better in person than any picture could show. The pictures made the logo protrude off the front of the car like an awful wart but, in reality, it doesn't stick out nearly as far as the pictures make it seem and the grille, at least on the XLE I was looking at, was actually rather nice. Everything on the exterior flowed together nicely and the ass of this car, though uncharacteristically large for a Camry, was very nice.
Enter Salesman: "You wanna take 'er for a test drive?" "If it's not too much trouble, would you mind?" "Of course not! I'll go get the plates!" OK, now I have a few more minutes to myself.
I got down into the car and fell into somewhat supportive, for a Camry, front seats. The leather was Bisque (tan) and the exterior was I believe Barcelona Red Metallic, or something like that. I never thought I would like a red Camry, but so far it's my favorite color. The plasmacluster was really cool looking and the entire gauge cluster was very well thought out. The top dash pad was extremely soft, I'm talking soft enough to sleep on, and felt very luxurious. The salesman returned with the key fob and told my to just push the engine start button... which I think is a neat little gimmick. He said to return the car in a while. I naturally asked if he was going to come with and he said that he didn't need to and told me to have a nice drive. (We can all agree that the best test drives are the ones you don't have to make small talk with a salesman in)
The Drive: Now, I'm comparing the ride of this car to a 73 Lincoln, so pretty much anything feels more connected to the road than that thing. All I can say is that it felt very smooth and responded to my commands with grace and agility, though anything would feel agile compared to the Lincoln. At that, this car was fast and I was really having a lot of fun driving it and taking corners. Another thing, I was getting a lot of attention driving it, probably because people were wondering what the hell I was driving since it's new and all. Body roll was noticeable, but this is a Camry, not a Corvette. On top of the car being fast, it was very hushed inside. The car, much like the Avalon, would accelerate very quickly while all you would hear from the engine bay was the faint hum of a v6. All I can say is that TRD better be making a supercharger for this engine, that is if they already haven't. (Is the engine the 2gr-fe?)
The controls in the cabin were laid out nicely and everything was easy to operate. My tester was an V6 XLE, loaded with the GPS and all of those goodies, and only cost $30,875. Screaming deal if you ask me, especially considering everything you get. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, but we already knew this, that interior fit and finish was excellent. There wasn't a single gap anywhere that I could find and all of the cupholder covers worked and fit in place seamlessly. The armrests on the doors, which don't look very comfortable, are actually placed just right and conform to the arm and elbow just right... and I'm 6'7".
Well, that's all for this review, hope you guys enjoyed it.

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[cemaxc]

It is truly a wonder that Toyota doesn't sell more of these things. I just rode 10 hours round trip in a 2005 with 5 people. Most everything was soft to the touch and the seats were hella comfortable, even w/ 5 people. The ride was smooth, not sporty by any stretch of the imagination, and it had plenty of passing power. The new ones appear to expand on the already winning formula, the only thing I can't get over is the exterior, it is still too funky, especially for a Toyota.

[Perfectionist]

Originally Posted by cemaxc

It is truly a wonder that Toyota doesn't sell more of these things. I just rode 10 hours round trip in a 2005 with 5 people. Most everything was soft to the touch and the seats were hella comfortable, even w/ 5 people. The ride was smooth, not sporty by any stretch of the imagination, and it had plenty of passing power. The new ones appear to expand on the already winning formula, the only thing I can't get over is the exterior, it is still too funky, especially for a Toyota.

Trust me, the exterior is much softer to the eyes in person. And it really doesn't have as much Mazda look to it as you would think from the pictures.

[CRBoyd91]

Originally Posted by cemaxc

It is truly a wonder that Toyota doesn't sell more of these things. I just rode 10 hours round trip in a 2005 with 5 people. Most everything was soft to the touch and the seats were hella comfortable, even w/ 5 people. The ride was smooth, not sporty by any stretch of the imagination, and it had plenty of passing power. The new ones appear to expand on the already winning formula, the only thing I can't get over is the exterior, it is still too funky, especially for a Toyota.

What are you talking about? These blandmobiles (2002-2006) sell like mad.

[CRBoyd91]

Originally Posted by Perfectionist

and only cost $30,875.

For that price I would rather have an Impala SS with a small block V8. It just seems like a better value to me.

[Perfectionist]

Originally Posted by CRBoyd91

For that price I would rather have an Impala SS with a small block V8. It just seems like a better value to me.

I suppose you could say that, but after comparing features and equipment, which this Camry came with everything, the Impala doesn't even come close, yet it's priced the same. Don't forget the interior of the Camry is leaps, bounds, hops, etc. of what the Impala's is.
Oh, and not to mention the V6 will almost keep up with that V8 while getting mileage the V8 couldn't even dream of. I recall a thread a while back from a guy a while back complaining that he was getting 9mpg in his new Impala SS.

[CRBoyd91]

Originally Posted by Perfectionist

I suppose you could say that, but after comparing features and equipment, which this Camry came with everything, the Impala doesn't even come close, yet it's priced the same.

I would rather be socially responsible and buy American.

Originally Posted by perfectionist

Don't forget the interior of the Camry is leaps, bounds, hops, etc. of what the Impala's is.

That is purely opinion. To me, it looks way too Japanese.

Originally Posted by perfectionist

Oh, and not to mention the V6 will almost keep up with that V8 while getting mileage the V8 couldn't even dream of. I recall a thread a while back from a guy a while back complaining that he was getting 9mpg in his new Impala SS.

So you're telling me the Camry will keep up with a Charger R/T? We'll have to wait and see. The Impala reaches 60 in less than 6 seconds and the Camry is like 6.7 or something. Have you ever heard of AFM? The LS4 has it, and gets exceptionally good gas mileage. The guy with 9 mpg had something wrong with his car, if I remember correctly.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by CRBoyd91

For that price I would rather have an Impala SS with a small block V8. It just seems like a better value to me.

And for that price, you're getting a car that has all the techno goodies and leather and PRNDL markings on the shiftgate. Impala, though nice, and has a V8, jsut doesn't have it.

[CobaltSScrazy]

welcome back...the camry is a great car. I hope GM makes the Malibu BETTER than that with its future generation with should have the sedan on long wheel base six-speed and a hybrid version. We will see...

BTW_(ill take an impala or malibu maxx ss any day over the camry, just too much fun in a SS, but again thats my opinion)

[Perfectionist]

Originally Posted by CRBoyd91

I would rather be socially responsible and buy American.

Uh, the Camry is built in America and built by Americans

Originally Posted by CRBoyd91

That is purely opinion. To me, it looks way too Japanese.

Well, the Japanese are notorious for making excellent interiors, I could see how a domestic car person could go into shock when he saw PRND21 next to the shifter.

Originally Posted by CRBoyd91

So you're telling me the Camry will keep up with a Charger R/T? We'll have to wait and see. The Impala reaches 60 in less than 6 seconds and the Camry is like 6.7 or something. Have you ever heard of AFM? The LS4 has it, and gets exceptionally good gas mileage. The guy with 9 mpg had something wrong with his car, if I remember correctly.

Who said anything about a Charger R/T? I didn't say that the Camry would keep up with the Impala, I said almost. And it's trailing the Impala by less than a second.
Yes I've heard of AFM, MAF, whatever. I will admit the LS4 gets exceptional gas mileage, but exceptional is exceptional, there's room for improvement.

[griswold44]

Originally Posted by CRBoyd91

I would rather be socially responsible and buy American.

That is purely opinion. To me, it looks way too Japanese.

So you're telling me the Camry will keep up with a Charger R/T? We'll have to wait and see. The Impala reaches 60 in less than 6 seconds and the Camry is like 6.7 or something. Have you ever heard of AFM? The LS4 has it, and gets exceptionally good gas mileage. The guy with 9 mpg had something wrong with his car, if I remember correctly.

The Avalon with the same 3.5 V6, and only a 5 speed automatic reached 60 in 6 seconds flat in a C&D test, so the Camry, which is lighter, and has a 6 speed, should reach 60 in less than 6 seconds.

In response to your socially irresponsible comment: Last time I checked, Oshawa, Ontario wasn't part of the United States.

[Strapping.Young.Lad]

Originally Posted by Perfectionist

I suppose you could say that, but after comparing features and equipment, which this Camry came with everything, the Impala doesn't even come close, yet it's priced the same. Don't forget the interior of the Camry is leaps, bounds, hops, etc. of what the Impala's is.
Oh, and not to mention the V6 will almost keep up with that V8 while getting mileage the V8 couldn't even dream of. I recall a thread a while back from a guy a while back complaining that he was getting 9mpg in his new Impala SS.

You could get a Lincoln MKZ with AWD for $29,999.

[Strapping.Young.Lad]

Originally Posted by griswold44

The Avalon with the same 3.5 V6, and only a 5 speed automatic reached 60 in 6 seconds flat in a C&D test, so the Camry, which is lighter, and has a 6 speed, should reach 60 in less than 6 seconds.

In response to your socially irresponsible comment: Last time I checked, Oshawa, Ontario wasn't part of the United States.

Toyota is Socially irresponsible. The money goes to Japan!!!
Buy an Impala, the money goes to America!

[Perfectionist]

Originally Posted by FordRules

Toyota is Socially irresponsible. The money goes to Japan!!!
Buy an Impala, the money goes to America!

*Yawn*
An American job is an American job. We should be thankful Toyota is hiring Americans while GM and Ford are laying them off.

[Perfectionist]

Originally Posted by FordRules

You could get a Lincoln MKZ with AWD for $29,999.

Yes, but if you got the Lincoln with everything the Camry came with, you would end up at more than $35,000.