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Toyota Camry 2005 Facelift
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Comments
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2005/camry/index.html
front grille also makes it look more like the ES330 (Standard,LE,XLE)
2.4-liter DOHC
16-valve VVT-i
4-cylinder
5,700 rpm
4,000 rpm
in combination with the 5-speed, should go 0-60 under 9 secs.
XM Radio is now a dealer-installed option.
I think the new 17 inch alloys on the SE, as well as the new SE grille.. are awesome. Verdict is out as far as the tailights, and Im not sure what I think of the Standard/LE/XLE grille yet. The new XLE/XLE V6 alloys are sharp (they look remarkably similar, if not the same as, the alloys on the 2004 Limited Edition).
160 horses is more appealing on paper than 157, but that alone will not contribute to any performance difference. As noted above, the 5 speed transmission will do more for acceleration, so I'm interested to see new tests on that combination. I hope the EPA figures are posted soon, it would be great to see the 2.4L/5A gain one or two MPG over the 4 speed unit (this would push fuel economy to 25/34).
I am confused as to the alloy wheel option for the SE 4- is it the same as the 2002-2004 models?
coolguy- Im not really about the silver-trim instrumentation being dropped from the SE line, IMO, it wasnt that attractive. Optitron is very sweet, especially in comparison.
I'm hoping that Toyota makes a reasonable number of vehicles available with the Side Airbags/Curtains; VSC option, and doesnt restrict it to certain trim lines.
The 2005 Camry that offers the best value, IMO:
SE 4 cyl 5A with Side Airbags/Curtains & VSC, Convenience Pkg B, alloys and rear spoiler.
The Standard is also a screaming deal, if you can live with the ugly black mirrors and unavailability of options- for $1100 less than the LE at MSRP, all you really give up are the aforementioned color-keyed mirrors, 8-10 way adjustable power drivers seat, keyless entry, and full size spare tire.
~alpha
Looked some more, and there is a conflict. ABS is listed as standard for the standard model, but it is also listed as an available option as well.
I agreed with several posters. I don't quite like the tail light. They relocated the backup lights to the bottom of the tail light lens assembles and leave a red tail light/stop light in the middle. And, still no foldable side mirrors.
~alpha
I think Toyota did a great job with the 05 update, I'm sure some 04 owners wish they had waited.
BTW, I think to locate the backup lamps at the bottom is actually a good idea. It gives you more light when backing up in the dark.
~kissamer1969
2005 brochures will probably be available in a few weeks, there is often a lag vs. when the information is posted on Toyota's website.
Your best bet would be to call 800-GO-TOYOTA and explain to the rep that you'd like to be mailed the 2005 brochure when it becomes available.
~alpha
Since this vehicle is listed as a "new" rather than "future" vehicle now, we'll close this discussion in about a week.
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It looks the small circle (near the grill) inside the headlight lens assemble is for daytime running lights. So, the DRL, high beam, low beam and turn signal.
I'm so sorry, I thought in the past post's, you worked at a Toyota Dealership. It must of been somebody else but you seem to know about these Camrys. I have to give you that. I will look back or if you know of someone who works at one. I already tried the website and the 800 number but I refuse to pay for a brochure. I'm sorry if I insulted you in any way. Thanks for responding.
~kissamer1969
It looks the small circle (near the grill) inside the headlight lens assemble is for daytime running lights. So, the DRL, high beam, low beam and turn signal.
~kissamer1969
As far as I know, brochures have not been sent to dealers yet. You can also download the brochures from Toyota's website, but they have not posted the 2005 one yet.
~kissamer1969
I feel that the 2004 4Cyl has adequate power and I like the 30+ MPG.
On the other hand, the V6 has power to spare, but it is a trade-off with cost and MPG.
That said, there were other differences on the 2004 that were not important to me, but that you may consider. I don't have nay facts, but I believe that the V6 is more solidly built and may have a better feel to it. I think VSC is easier to get with the V6. Finally, I think that Toyota put more care into the V6 Sports Edition, because they expected that more of the SE customers would prefer the greater power and handling.
I commute 30 miles in a straight line, so the extra handling wasn't important to me. Also, since the majority of my driving is Highway, MPG is more important than acceleration. I got the SE because I felt is was the best value for the safety features that I wanted at the time.
FWIW,
- hank2
How hard would it be for a dealer to add keyless entry to a Standard?
Regarding the V6 vs. the 4: The 4 should feel more responsive and post better 0-60 times by (completely my estimate) about a half a second, thanks to the new 5 speed automatic. Fuel economy will be even better than the 2004 4 clyinder/ 4 speed auto's already impressive 23/32.
Regarding the LE 5M: Don't forget that what is showing on the buyatoyota.com site is just the likely initial allocation to each zip code/dealer region. There are still a lot of 2004s around that need to be sold, so once those are gone, Id expect there to be wider availability of more 2005 Camry models. If you arent constrained, you can always look into having a dealership make a preference request for you. (I know very little about this process, but basically, from my understanding, its the closest that Toyota will come to "ordering" your car.)
~alpha
~kissamer1969
~kissamer1969
They are telling me that they are only make that style/tranny in Japan? Any truth to that?
~kissamer1969
My recommendation to you is to drive, back to back, a 2005 4 cylinder, then drive a 2005 V6 over the same route. Nail the accelerator from a stop, cruise at 30 MPH and nail the accelerator to 55, and and then do the same, if you can, from 50 to at least 70. Observe, and make your decision factoring in things like if you carry loads what that would do.
good luck!
~alpha
Now if you WANT the V-6 because you like the feel of the acceleration that is another matter.
I disagree. The 3.0L V6 feels stronger, but this is not like the last generation Camry- the 4 has authority to it, sounds very refined, and offers good response. For me, no doubt the difference is noticeable, but hardly night and day. My parents went with the 4 because they couldnt really justify the V6 for their moderate, relaxed driving styles against the extra 2 grand in cost plus the added fuel (plus the recommendation, but not requirement, of premium for best performance). The car's power has never left them, (or me, though I drive the Camry far less) lacking for power, or in a perilous spot, which is why I said what I did in the above post. The LE and XLE still come with the 210 hp V6, which IMO, does NOT feel as strong as the SE V6's 225hp 3.3L, due to 20 fewer foot pounds of torque coming 800 RPMs higher on the tach.
~alpha
The 2005's exterior looks meaner from the front and sportier. However, I like how the 2002-2004 Toyota badge sticks half way out of the grille at the top instead of being in the center of the grille. I also like the shape of the 02-04 fog lamps better than the new ones because it goes well with the curved headlight cover. The new one looks like a rectangle. I don't really like the tailights of the 05 especially with its white lens at the top and bottom and two circles in the red lens.
And have I mentioned how much I love those buttons on the new steering wheel?
~kissamer1969
~kissamer1969
Shawn
The rebates on the 2004s also do not apply to the 2005 models.
It will not cost just $100 more to buy a 2005 model as a 2004 model or the 2004 models would just sit unsold forever.
At MSRP, you are correct, most of the 2005 Camry models are about $100 more than the comparable 2004, but with significant upgrades. But as 307web stated, rebates will not be available on the 2005 Camrys for at least some time. It remains to be seen how close to invoice the 2005s will be selling in their initial allocations, but there will definitely not be rebates, my guess is at least not until around October/November at the earliest.
A Camry is still a Camry.... if you want an 2005 and live in even a reasonably populated area, Im sure you can find a dealer that will work with you to get you in one. You could always "threaten Accord", since that vehicle already has most of the Camry's upgrades for this year (Optitron, 5 speed auto for the 4 cylinder, etc.). An Accord EX 4 cylinder 5A with side curtain airbags option stickers at $23,300, but can be had in my area for about $20,400.
~alpha
On the other hand for 2005, side curtain airbags are supposed to be standard on all the Accords, so you won't even need to upgrade to an EX to get them, so dealers won't be able to hold prices up on the 2005 Camry for very long after most of the 2004s are gone, but today they don't have much reason to discount much on a 2005. Then fall of 2005, the 2006 Accord gets freshened and slightly restyled.