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Comments
I think mud flaps are necessary anywhere. Without them too many things fly up and damage and dirty the lower part of the car. A necessary evil.
Too many things added by Toyota dealers. I'm surprised they aren't still putting on Undercoating to prop up the profit.
There is a lot to like about this car. I drove the SE 4cyl. I can't imagine driving this car in non SE form. The SE I drove even had a strut tower brace. I thought that was cool. More cars should have them since they are so cheap. Why not?
But the SE does need to be a 6cyl. I'll drive that soon.
You have to look at any car as a total package. Not it's individual parts. There is NO car that pleases everybody. No car is all things to all people. That's life.
Hasn't this been beat to death?
Anyway, most people are going to buy the LE model, and that's what Toyota is concerned with right now, pricing it so it keeps even frugal Camry buyers in the fold, as well as buyers moving up from the Corolla. The SE and XLE are for people who can afford to splurge for more sport or luxury, respectively, out of the Camry.
However if I wanted a luxurious Camry, I would get the Avalon, otherwise the Camry wins out.
-RAVvie4me
My impression is that it looked very sharp (silver on black always looks cool), but seems smaller in person than in pictures for some reason. It also looks wider than the previous generation of Camrys, especially the rear end. It doesn't appear to "sag" in the rear like the gen 4 Camry either, so no more bottoming out on the slightest bump. The interior looked pretty roomy, but like I said before, I went before opening, so I had no chance to sit in it. The leather looks smooth as well as the dash. One thing I would change, is put 17-inch rims as opposed to the 16-inchers (on the XLE). Even the VW Jetta (a Corolla sized car) has 17-inchers at least optional. So a car the likes of the Camry should have no problem with bigger tire/rims.
Overall, the new Camry is a very nice car.
-RAVvie4me
As said before, the low hp rating is probably due to the fact of meeting low-emissions standards in the United States. It's kind of a disappointment, but power should be good enough for a family sedan.
-RAVvie4me
Thanks.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board,/i>
Base price was $23700
Heated Seats 315
Package GT #6 4745
(Nav. etc.)
Package GU#7 1150
Dealer Prep. 689
TOTAL 31054
I think Toyota has priced itself beyond what it is or is meant to be (at least for me). After owning 3 Camrys...will start to look at other brands.
Went to the second dealer and the sticker on the 2002 Camry had an Added Dealer Profit of $2500. Salesman told me that at the beginning of the model year they do this because the car is a hot seller. I commented that it was more like arrogance...and left.
Every time I go to a dealership, talk with a salesman or look at a sticker...I swear that I will never go back.
The dealer I went to only had one 2002 and it was priced at $35,000 with the $5000 dealer-installed chrome wheels.
I don't think they really expect anyone to buy the car at that price and just want the car to sit on the lot for the time being.
Azstan: Your comment on arrogance was right on the mark. And I know how you feel about not wanting to go back. Why is it that I can go in a store and have such a pleasant buying experience for such items as computers and even a refrigerator, but some of the car salesman revert to trickery, subterfuge, and miscellaneous forms of chicanery and deceipt that lower them to the level of human barnacles? Must be something in the water.
The paint of the car did not look all that shiny but it was a good looking Toyota. Now, only Toyota can get real and lower the price !!!!!!!!!!
In any event, there are two great articles on the development of the 2002 Camry for those interested. Just go to http://www.automotivenews.com The two articles are on the home page.
Message: Not only did the new Camry pricing turn off prospective XLE buyers, it is indirectly causing price increase of the TL. IMO, TL is still the better value for people looking for the high end vehicle. For someone looking for a less loaded vehicle, Camry (LE) might still be a reasonable option. Think I will wait a few months until dealers start coming down from sticker.
Free Market Economy or License to Steal?
Also, the prices of the XLE is barely more than the 2001s. Surely Acura can't be responding to the 2002 prices if they are about the same as last year.
: )
Mackabee
My wife, on the other hand, is drooling over the new Camry. I just keep pushing her over to where the Highlanders are sitting.
To each his own! :>)
prices for the camry 02?
The TL is noiser with a firmer ride, similar to the Accord. The Camry is quieter, with a smoother ride, similar to the ES300. So you just have to decide which car suits your needs and go from there. Price will ultimately be the deciding factor. It is up to you.
: )
Mackabee
However, the Type-S has a firmer ride and the engine/exhaust on the Type-S is noiser than the others.
It is very convenient unless you need to have a car right away.
I probably would not buy a Lexus or Mercedes there because the luxury brand dealers give you lots of perks if you buy from them (such as free car washes, free loaner cars etc.) that you don't get if you buy elsewhere.
TL-S is laso quite but is firmer & has exhaust tuned for the performance oriented crowd!
Also, eventhough base Camry has improved in the engine department, the 4 cyl Accord has Vtec technology from 98 !! Also Accord chassis is more sturdy & stable than prev generation. Interior, NOW everybody knows how Camry has made interior on the lines of Accord !! Even though it still uses cost saving rotary buttons instead of the push buttons on the Accord !!
-RAVvie4me
Quite what?
Contrary to what everyone else seems to think, this car is priced very competitively in its class. Adding every option will get you up around 30K, but how many people actually do that?
With automatic, ABS, power driver's seat, moonroof, keyless entry, alloy wheels, and JBL audio, the 4 cylinder LE sells for (including dest.) $22,829. Delete the sunroof and alloys, and you're looking at an MSRP of $21,430. Those are very competitive prices.
Curiously, LE V6 pricing is not yet listed.
~alpha
Don't you mean QUIET/QUIET/QUIET? Don't mean to be an english teacher or anything, but... (sorry, people spelling such simple words wrong is a pet peeve of mine)
"the 4 cyl Accord has Vtec technology from 98 !!"
Actually, it's had it since the 1994 EX model (4-cylinder).
-RAVvie4me
Geez, Toyota's prices for their option packages are rediculous!
-RAVvie4me
~alpha01
I find the new camry as sort of a catch up with accord as far as engine/handling/ chassis dynamics/sportyness & interior layout goes. No offense, as with 2001 Accord did a catch up on quiteness of the cmary & did 20 changes in engine compartment to make it quiter. Also Accord gave 2 stage Airbags in 2001 i.e. did not wait for next generation as Toyota did. I had expected vvti in base engine in 2000 Camry but they didn't opt for that..it resulted in many sales going to Accord (direct consumer sales)
That's how great Honda is.
However, I would like to state, the TL is quite quiet, quit quibbling over something you could not even identify if you were blindfolded while doing a test drive! Something many people would like to see a Toyota salesman do I'd bet.
Hope I got all my b's and q's spelled right.
Enjoy what YOU like best and don't be sold a line of BS.
:>)
That's not even fair. I have read many of his posts and never seen him soliciting any sales. On the other hand, I have always been impressed by his unique insight into the world of car selling.
I wish there were a lot more salespeople like him participating.
Camry really was never meant to be a sporty car, the Accord is an alternative for people who want to have a sportier vehicle than the Camry, as well as reliability. Camry=luxury, reliability; Accord=sporty, reliability to sum it up.
The Camry's new 4-cylinder engine is truly over a vast improvement over past Camry 4-cylinders, which were very limited in power (I have experience with this because I have a 1988 Camry with the 4). The previous Camrys did not have enough power to compensate for their weight, putting out only 136hp at most. The Accord always had the upper hand in 4-cylinders versus the Camry up to now, so I will reserve judgment until I drive a 2002 Camry 4-cylinder to see if the tables have turned.
However the V6 is a different story. I have a Highlander 4WD with the current Camry 3-liter V6, and I love the power it has!! Much better than the 1988 Camry with a 4-cylinder that I also have.
-RAVvie4me