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I have a '98 Nissan Frontier without side moldings. By choosing my parking spots carefully, I've been able to get by with only one ding on the driver side and one scratch on the passenger side (that didn't dent).
I don't mean to offend anyone in here by saying these things, but I felt that if Toyota is building the Camry over here in the U.S. that it should have "equal" build quality and "equal" material quality for their cars as they do just like with the ones that they build in Japan. Toyota has a long way to go to prove this to me and to some others whom I know that have owned American built Japanese cars like the Camry.
I ended up selling my Camry in 2000 and purchased something else. And it was not another Toyota. Right now, I am debating whether or not to purchase the new Camry because I like the 2007 styling a lot. I am just afraid that I might have the same quality control problems relating to the fit and finish of the trim and the interior like I did with my previous 97 Camry. If the new 2007 Camry is better built than the 97 that I used to own then I will consider purchasing one. Don't get me wrong. I like Toyota. I would like to see Toyota pay more attention to the small details with the quality issues if they are going to continue building their cars here in the U.S.. That's not a whole lot to ask for.
If "junk" is the word of choice for an American built Camry, then how would you describe an American built Taurus or Mexican built Passat? Worse than junk? Is there such a word?
P.S. 97-01 Camry was notorious for the blatant cost-cutting and decontenting in general and 97-98s have been known to have fit & finish and more serious kinks in particular. Obviously Toyota learned a lesson here, as 07 model is better then 02-06 as much as 02-06 was better then 97-01.
The "decontenting" issue is much ballyhooed, but the '97 earned a Good in the IIHS frontal offset crash test, an improvement over the Acceptable of the prior generation. The '97 had adjustable rear head restraints, unlike the older model. Some decontenting involved trivial issues, like combining the separate parking lamps and turn signal lamps into single assemblies on the later model.
Yes, the Japanese and American built Camrys use different suppliers to a certain extent. However, the larger suppliers like Denso and Bosch are global companies that have operations in the US (both are Toyota suppliers).
Any documentation I have seen about differences between Japanese-built vs. US-built versions of the same car indicate their quality is comparable.
Plus I have Kentucky-built '04 and '05 Camrys and they are of excellent build quality with no problems to date.
After test driving a 2007 Camry XLE V6 last week, I was impressed with all upgrades as compared to previously test driven 2005 Camry V6 - but there still remains a marked difference with Avalon - I cannot possibly see paying more for the 2007 XLE than a 2006 Avalon XLS/XL.
Instead, I am considering the 2007 Lexus ES350 which will be available in the low $30K right before the 2008's - a new 2005 ES350 can be had for $30,100 right now. To me, if a fully loaded XLE will run about $28, what's a couple thousand more for a XLS or ES350 - if I can afford it.
For the non-toyota believers (US or Japan made)- I believe in action, actual behavior and measureable results especially with high cost auto prices and repairs. Luckily and consistently my family have had only excellent results with toyota -
1984 toyota pickup -given away after 220K mi, still running
1992 lexus sc400 - 190K mi - no major problems, still going
1995 avalon xls - 130K mi - given to son, still going
2000 camry xle - 86K mi- no prolems - still going
2002 tundra - 38K mi - no problems - like a rock
Excuse me for thinking out loud but I wonder if the Camry would have been a better choice? In terms of being more quiet.
'07 Camry SE 4 cyl, Idle - 37 DBA, Cruising at 70 MPh - 69, Full throttle Accel. - 74.
'06 RAV4 Ltd V6, Idle - 35 DBA, Cruising at 70 MPH - 68, Full Throttle Accel. - 75.
The V6 should be quieter than the 4 cyl in all 3 categories so it is tough to really say. I would guess that the Camry 4 would be quieter than the RAV 4 4 and the same with the V6.
My '07 XLE 4 cyl has no apparent wind noise up to 75 mph. Most of increased noise level seems to come from the tires.
BS!!!!!
Another uninformed forum visitor who is just plain wrong.
A useful general reference is that the just noticeable difference in sound intensity for the human ear is about 1 decibel.
The jnd is about 1 dB for soft sounds around 30-40 dB at low and midrange freqencies. It may drop to 1/3 to 1/2 a decibel for loud sounds.
Let's perform an experiment, shall we? I will stick you in two cars - both of which you don't know the volume of before hand - that has an interior noise volume of 35 dB and another that is 36 dB. Afterwards, you have to tell me which car had a louder interior.
Moral of the story is, do not stress over volumes that differ by 1 dB. You won't notice the difference.
I love the car!
bigd58... my msrp was for a V6 SE, correct. in Missouri.
I still hope that Toyota puts more effort in the quality of the fit and finish on these cars. I am hoping that the one that I purchase if I do get one will be a Japanese made LE model with the 5 speed manual.
Black SEs should minimize 'the grille' :-)
You will have to sell it for much more than $300 less than an automatic to get rid of it.
Test drove TL and thought it certainly was firmer than I am used to.
Any input?
Thanks!