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I used Turtle Wax ICE within the first month of ownership.
It maintains a beautiful finish, is very easy to apply and looks terrifc.. I posted some pics on greenhybrid of the finish applied to my Mag Grey TCH and here is a link to the ICE product.
:shades:
http://www.turtlewax.com/ice/index.html
:shades:
Pic:
http://www.greenhybrid.com/share/image1511.html
Actually, it's pretty common. Tire pressure affects sidewall stiffness, which can change the handling characteristics of the car. If you don't believe me, go down to any local autocross event. People are playing with tire pressures like crazy.
But I agree with you, it's a family sedan and handles like one.
tom
I did unlatch the door manually from trunk and was able to slowly refill the tank.
I bring to dealer in 2 days. Any thoughts? I am also not sure if the eco button by the fuel door button is working properly (though I haven't been running the AC much). Could there be something that came loose, or a blown fuse?
Question about Extended Warranty.....I looked online and did some pricing for a Genuine Toyota Warranty. Took these figures to the dealer when I picked up the car. Florida is part of SET (Southeast Toyota) and they seem to have some sort of price control. Anyway, the dealer could not come close to what a dealer up north is offering it for. ny reason for not buying it from the other dealer up north with a better price????
It turns out SET dealers sell the warranty backed by Fidelity Warranty Services. I looked them up with a search, and I was disappointed by what I found, so I got a refund on my $1255 platinum warranty. You can get a Genuine Toyota Motors Platinum for a couple of hundred less from some of the dealers mentioned in these forums.
I use warranty direct. It lists only what they don't cover, as opposed to what they do. Makes it easier to understand. And they offer a warranty that wraps-around the already longer powertrain warranty. Several other companies are good, but I first heard of them on the Edmunds site. So far I have used them for three cars, never a problem. Besides, it makes it easier to sell when ready, and brings a better trade-in as well.
Thanks for any advice.
Here are the EPA Estimated MPG figures:
MPG (city) 40
MPG (highway) 38
MPG (combined) 39
And the actual reported user stats are:
Average User MPG 36.2
MPG Range 32 to 42
At $3.00 per gallon, regular, it looks like this:
Cost to Drive 25 Miles $1.92
Fuel to Drive 25 Miles 0.64 gal
Cost of a Fill-up $46.44
Miles on a Tank 604 miles
Tank Size 17.2 gal
Annual Fuel Cost* $1154
* Based on 15000 annual miles and a fuel price of $ 3.00 per gallon .
Fill-up cost and the distance you can travel on a tank are calculated based on the combined MPG and the assumption that you will re-fuel when your tank is 10% full.
So it appears, even brand new, you are right in there with the real-life figures. After the first 1000 miles you should be getting the same, somewhere between 36-42 MPG, according to what I have read in several Hybrid forums.
The car is made to use both the ICE and the electric system, so don't start with the mind-set that is a "bad" thing! Over 30 MPH or so, of course the ICE will take over.
Remember this : In order to make the battery last longer, the battery power budget for "gliding" on electricity is 5 kW (6 HP), and that includes the power needed to run the air conditionner.
As suggested, do a search in the main Camry Hybrid forum and/or the Camry Hybrid MPG forum on "pulse". The technique is called pulse and glide. There are a lot of posts on how to maximze FE. There are also a lot of good posts over on greenhybrid.com.
The short answer is: unless you're creeping from stoplight to stoplight, best practice is to accelerate normally and don't try to keep the engine from coming on. If you're in an area where you'll be around or under 40 mph, then accelerate normally up to about 40 mph, then ease off the gas pedal until you see no bars, then gradually apply pressure until you see the energy coming from the battery flowing to the wheels (what I see on my non-nav TCH).
The TCH replaces a 96 Camry LE. The 2007 feels bigger inside and I generally like the interior. My gripes are that the side windows seem shorter (doors higher) and the door post further forward (not as comfortable to hang my arm out the window). The inside door handles have sharp edges that make them unnecessarily uncomfortable to grab. The doors have to be opened very widely to get to the second notch to hold them open (a pain in tighter parking spots). The JBL stereo sounds great. Road/wind noise seem low to me; quieter inside than the 96.
IMHO the 92-96 was (and still is) the best looking Camry. The 2007 looks very much like its contemporaries, including the newer BMW 5-series. I do wish they hadn't thrust out the Toyota emblem to such prominence on the hood.
I'm surprised to find how much I like the keyless entry feature (one that I would have never considered asking for). The only downside is that the TCH seems to need to detect the key again whenever anyone opens/closes the passenger doors, and it doesn't always sense it in my pocket. I hate having to dig it out to bring it closer to the sensors.
The hybrid part as turned out to be fun. I'm just a sucker for the positive reinforcement the TCH gives you for fuel efficient driving (EXCELLENT!). Pushing 38 mpg on my third tank of gas. The frequent starting and stopping of the engine (at virtually every stop light) makes me worry a bit over wear and tear; considering an extended warranty. There's very little hesitation or stumbling as the computer shifts the car between motor/generator/engine. I don't think that drivers of regular Camrys would notice much of a difference if they moved over to a hybrid. No complaints at all about "performance" in the normal sense of the word. Accelerates rapidly enough when called upon and comfortably cruises at 80 mph.
Bottom line: so far, so good. Haven't regretted buying it yet. After the tax credit, I estimate I paid another $2500 for the privilege of having a hybrid, which means that it'll be five years before a break-even on fuel savings.
Besides it is safer to keep it in. :P
I guess I should first ask if the SE drives any differently than the XLE, of course
It drives just fine.
What are your fears or concern :confuse:
My dilemna is that I'd like something that has some entertainment-value in driving it, but I want 35 mpg. Well, 30 mpg, at least. (Would love 40 mpg, but....)
Most of my miles are at 70+ mpg on a freeway (where going 65 is taking your life in your hands getting run off the road in the slow lane). I don't "need" a 4-door sedan, and I really wish Toyota would give me a two-door option in the hybrid department, but it doesn't look like that is gonna happen. I like the Accord Hybrid, but the style feels dated, and from the varying reports on the web, I'm not cofnident I can baby it and get the high MPG when I want.
So....
It's a great car, and with all the additional gadgets to watch, you will never be bored!
Get the NAV as well, though....
Tall order. I test drove the 4 cyl SE before my TCH came in just to see if I fit in the Camry with a sunroof and to see what a 4 cyl would feel like. The TCH has more power then the 4 cyl, but in my opinion, after owning several sports cars and sports sedans, this thing handles like a family sedan. Roads I normally took curves in at 60+mph will feel uncomfortable at more than 50 mph (my wife is griping).
However if you want FE of 35 there is no other choice UNLESS all your milage is highway and then the 4cy will get that possibly (then again at 100% highway use the TCH will probably do 40+)
As far as excitement are you meaning in the drive or the experience. It's not exciting to drive but it is constant addictive entertainment.
I highly recommend it.
I don't need to be able to take hairpin turns at 40 mph, but I would like to be able to accelerate on a freeway onramp (cloverleaf) and not feel like I am gonna rip the tires off the rams by going 5 mph over the recommended speed limit
a buddy of mine gets over 30 mpg highway in his new Lexus GS (non-hybrid)
even the GS450H is too expensive for me. I can't help it if I am cheap.
If the GS450H got 35 mpg, it would be a harder decision
I wish the Accord got better MPG
I wish the Camry were sportier
I wish Lexus would hybridize the IS!!
I wish I wish
However, Altimas have generally been more "exciting" than Camrys, if you can avoid the torque-steer. If you're not in a hurry to purchase, it may be worth your while to wait and compare. Also, you are more likely to get the full Federal tax credit if you purchase the Nissan Altima Hybrid. (The full credit for the Toyota Camry Hybrid ends this month.)
You can go to Nissans website for more information on their 2007 Altima.
Most of the "fun" for me comes from using the car to reduce my gas consumption. That's VERY fun.
If you want a hybrid car to "drive fast" then buy a GS450h or an Accord Hybrid.
Anyone has experienced this?
are you telling me that the Camry Hybrid is LESS fun to drive than the Accord? (ignoring the fun of reading the NAV screen to see your energy savings/consumption)
I liked the drive of the Accord, but I didn't think it was that much better than my Sebring convertible.
damn, I wish Acura made a hybrid
:-(
I will try to drive the TCH this week, and I really hope I like it. I don't need to toss it around corners, but I don't want to feel like I am driving a damned Taurus!! (or a 4-cylinder Camry - and I know it will feel better than that)
Is the interior of the Camry Hybrid "nicer" than the Accord? I wanted to really like the Accord, but I came away a bit flat. :-(
Maybe that's how I'd feel driving ANYTHING that is going to get 30+ mpg.......
The maxima had rotor problems (turn at 10,000, replace at 20,000) I traded it. The Z had alignment problems and went through tires at 6000 miles I traded it. I loved the FX45 but it always had a slight shimmy that I couldn't get rid of and I blamed it on the 20" wheels. Traded it for the TCH.
Nissan makes a sporty car but their quality left me wanting more.
I even dumped their stock I owned as I figured these issues would hurt them eventually
More comments from other drivers, too - parked at a gas station, grocery store and work, folks near the car have said they really like the color and want to know about how it drives and the hybrid system. They're amazed, too, when I silently pull away! I'm looking forward to a 500 mile round trip in a few weeks to visit grandchildren - and not stopping to get gas!
I planned to drive one today, but work is too hectic. It will have to wait for next week.
Is the interior of the non-NAV the same as the interior With nav (other than the screen, of course)??? I want a NAV but the local dealer only has a non-NAV in stock. I assume they both drive the same.
any differences that will make my experience testing it worse in the non-NAV?
I just drove an Accord Hybrid. What was Honda thinking, not putting energy info into the NAV system screen? I think that is a big [non-permissible content removed]. The energy readouts on the Accord H are tiny.
50 State Emissions (FE)
- Comfort & Convenience Package Includes: Heated Front Seats and Outside Mirrors. (CQ)
- Moonroof Package includes: Power Tilt/Slide Moonroof w/Sliding Sunshade, Dual Illuminated Visor Vanity Mirrors w/Dimmer Control & Rear Personal Reading Lights (SR)
- Sport Leather-Trimmed Seats & Door Trim w/Integrated Armrests & Dual Front & Rear Map Pockets[15] (LA)
- Voice-Activated DVD Navigation System[15] w/JBL® AM/FM 4-Disc In-Dash CD Changer w/Satellite Radio Capability[7], MP3/WMA Playback Capability, Aux Audio Jack, Hands-Free Phone Capability Via Bluetooth®[8] Wireless Technology, 8 Speakers in 6 Locations and FM Diversity Reception (NV)
Well worth it, I might add...so how it will effect your test drive depends upon how much you like leather seats and upgraded sound.
but I can only see and drive the non-NAV right now.
so I wanted to know if the interior LOOK was significantly different, such that I'd walk away thinking the Camry interior is crummy looking
It sounds like there are some visual differences (other than the Nav screen itself) that are different if you get the nav version: door trim and arm rests, I guess
I have not seen the HAH but I understand that the ICE never kicks off and that the battery boost is much smaller with their V6 system. That might be why there is not much info on the energy part as other than not lead footing it there is probably not much you can do (such as pulse and glide, EV mode driving, etc..) that you need to monitor. Just let the car do it's job and drive?
Yes, I knew exactly what you were saying, which is why I pasted in the exact differences, trim-wise, in the NAV package.
I beleive the seat coverings, seat-back map pockets, door trim and all of that signifigantly changes the visual appeal....
:-)
I would buy the HAH if it was a step closer to being an Acura. I would like a bit of plush inside, or a bit of nifty, I guess. The HAH didn't give me that. I think the HAH is about as cool of a car as you can get that gets 30 mpg.
I have Michelins on it and they are designed for fuel economy and durability - I hope my next set (Nokian NRHi ?) will give a grip that approaches the Avalon's. I am seriously planning to replace rear springs and shocks, just waiting to what is offered on the market.
Aside from the compromised speakers, the overbright radio console, the suspension and the unavailability (yet) of Thule roof rack kits, I love my TCH.
Alp8, you weren't driving on Carman Ave. in East Meadow when this happened, were you?
I LOVE this car. Mileage is nice, and it's improving as I'm learning the subtleties of the engine. I like the look, no longer the fuddy-duddy car Camrys once were. I probably would have gotten a regular Camry if the Hybrid wasn't available. They thought of lots of little things.
I do lots of local driving, so I appreciate the fact that the car does particularly well in that setting. And I like the feedback it gives. Pickup is good. Better than the four, but not as good as the six on my dad's 2005 Camry. Certainly better than the four on the Passat I just gave up.
Mostly, I like that I'm lowering the nation's dependence on oil, and I'm spewing less junk into the air.
I had a friend call me from a dealership asking me to look up a price on a used car for him. They were having an "invatory reduction sale" and were real busy. After looking up and giving him the price I decided to drop down to see how he was doing. After I talked to him and was getting ready to leave one of the salespersons approached me. I told him I was just there to see a friend. He said "oh no, I just wanted to ask you how do you like the hybrid?" He proceded to ask me a lot of questions. I'm guessing I am the only person he knows that when he asked what kind of milage I was getting I was able to tell him my overall milage average to the nearest hundredth of a mpg.