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(However, that can be a separate topic, as I have tracked that for my past 3 vehicles.)
Buying new cars every year is not the lowest opportunity cost, because it assumes your parameters are the same every year (the need for a new car), and this is not necessarily the case. In fact, given the significant resale frop in the first year, it could be the worst plan to follow.
8K or 11K , it is still a significant chuck of change (IMHO). The decision is still the same.
msrp-28149
Sell price-25891
RV 16094 for 12k miles or 15589 for 15k miles
MF .00131
MoPypt nic tax=327
only DMV and 1 month down at signing
Any good?
You're no fun, larsb.
I'm planning to buy a 2008 TCH on earthday to avoid MA state tax. The dealer so far quoted me for $25,250 upgrade w/ tech. Do you guys think this is a good deal? I really appreciate your help. :P
http://www.fitzmall.com/fitzway/carfind/resultsa.asp?MODE=NEW&LSTCITY=CHAMBERSBU- RG&LSTMAKE=Toyota&LSTMODEL=Camry_Hybrid&LSTNU=NEW
My main question is, the car comes with the NAV, but you have to purchase a receiver and install it in the car and then also subscribe to XM.
By the time I spend the extra money, will the NAVteq system give "Real Time Traffic"? Will it re-configure your route if there are traffic jams, accidents?
The traffic and re-routing is the main concern for me, called both Toyota and XM but no clarification. :confuse:
I know I probably sound like a salesman but I'm not. Just very happy with my car and the deal I got.
Simply, I love driving it. I drive 60 miles round trip every day. So far I'm averaging 37 mpg, though that'll probably change as I get used to driving and I get thru the break-in period. Added benefit is that I no longer have a lead foot as I did with my 02 Maxima.
I do however have a question for my fellow TCH owners. It concerns "stopping & parking" the car. What's the exact procedure for with this ?
I've been:
Stopping. With foot on brake, I place in Park.
Then press down the emergency brake.
Then press the Power button/switch for 3-4 seconds.
Most of the time everything goes dark, however, sometimes the dashboard lites remain illuminated and the "green" light on the Power switch/button remains illuminated. I exit then lock the door. When I return several minutes later to "verify" the status, all lights are off and the green light on the Power switch/button is no longer illuminated.
Any ideas ??
Thanks for your input
Do I need to leave my foot on the break pedal while I'm pushing the power button to turn off the car ?
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Quick note to all on the body-side moldings. My dealer pushed them at me for $350 (along with the $499 paint protection, 3M coating over the leading edges, extend warranty, pre-paid maintenance, tire coverage, GAP insurance, credit life, and credit disability). Save your money. I used to be a car salesman, and I can tell you pretty confidently that NOTHING that the dealer offers you at closing is a good deal.
If you do a quick check on the internet, you can find the BSM's for about $100, and installation is pretty simple and should take about half an hour.
Greg
As for FE, we have just returned from a 4K driving trip with combined average of about 40-42 (45 at one time) mpg. I have to say that my average is better than my wife's only because I think I 'coast and glide' a lot more and use softer acceleration. Also I tend to believe that it's better not to use the speed control when climbing steep hills...on a freeway for example...any comments? My wife says that I have to stop noticing the wind direction when we set out...am I over the edge? One thing we both appreciate is city driving, usually 40mph or less, when the gas engine is off much of the time.
Hope this helps
Overall, the Camry was a perfect fit for the two of us. I'm already wondering how the '09 will be different?
Am glad that I bought it last week.. specially with the gas prices zooming up the way they've been... I'm averaging 38.5 now and enjoying every minute of it..
Don't mind driving a little slower and getting over 38 mpg's... gas just went up .16 a gallon in 5 days!!! Enjoy, it's a great car.
What are reactions from other owners with original tires for the Camry.
Any suggestions for choice of tires for the Camry Hybrid?
They are low-rolling-resistance tires, and they will provide the best compromise of handling and miles per gallon.
If you want better handling, you will have to suffer lower MPG.
I skeptical that Toyota would put sticky, i.e., more rolling resistance, tires on a car designed for high gas mileage. That may be their excuse for why they don't last as long as people expect. All JMO.
Special thanks for the Edmunds.com "confessions of a car salesman" report. The slick foreign dealership described in that report fit my dealership and buying experience exactly!
Had my choice of cars equipped as I wanted with Bridgestones or Michelins. Picked a silver car with the Michelins, sunroof, nav and leather.
Paid a few hundred over "invoice"
I'm smiling every time I pass a gas station. This thing uses half as much gas as any other car I've had.
Jack
Like you, I've been enjoying the MPG too... I'm averaging 37-38 so far with a few trips hitting 40... It's great to get over 150 miles for a 1/4 of a tank. Over the weekend I drove my wife's 02 Volvo S80 and used some of the "TCH" driving style.. amazingly, my MPG's went from 20 in town to 25... Reckon I'm developing new/helpful habits with the TCH.
Enjoy.
The car is much better than I expected. The tech is great - it paired with both our cell phones and the Nav is better than I thought (I also have a Civic with Nav and a portable Nav to compare to). I only wish headroom with the sunroof was better. I'm 6'0" and my head touches the headliner.
As far as tires go, all the OEMs I've had on new cars (NOT on SUVs though) needed replacement within 30k. They have all head low treadwear ratings to prove it. The Michelins on the Camry have a 440 treadwear which is better than your average OEM though.
I can have replaced the OEMs on my last Civic and Accord with Goodyear Tripletreads. Their handling is very, very noticeably better than any the OEM tires. I love them. However, I think I may have lost almost 1 mpg with the Tripletreads too. Given their 740 wear rating they should last a long time and hope they make up for the mileage.
BTY, I rotate at 5,000 miles and align annually in the program. The tires wore evenly, but just wore out quickly (and completely) at about 22,500 miles. Totally unacceptable for non-performance tires in my opinion. Just glad I wasn't paying for them.
One problem I'm sure are the "V" rated tires. Why does a car like this need V rated tires. Surely as many of these as Toyota makes they could have gottten a tire developed specifically for the camry that had a long tread wear life.
My Nissan 2003Z did indeed have an uncorrectable alignment problem that caused me to replace the tires at 15000 miles (unbearable noise though after 10,000 miles). I got rid of it and will not get another first year model of a complete remake.
Have you had any problems with the electric motor or battery system?
Is it worth the extra money you paid for the hybrid?
Would you buy another
Are there any special maintenance cost you have encountered?
Thanks for all you help.
2. Worth extra money? Personally, yes. But, to be fair, it depends on factors that differ with all of us. The price difference between a fully equipped Camry and TCH is modest. It's more in a base LX model, which can be had for thousands less. Any tax credits in your state? How long will you keep the car and how high will gas prices go, etc? Expect about 10 extra mpg. I figure savings of $350-400 per year at $3.50/gal. (Gas in the SF Bay Area was $3.90 today!)
3. Yes, I'd buy another.
4. No extra maintenance costs so far. Eventually, the hybrid coolant will need replacing (10 years, I think). The standard battery is non-standard. I'll probably need to buy it from Toyota, but it should last longer than most batteries. In short, nothing major. The warranty on hybrid components is longer than the standard guarantee.
Bottom line, the TCH has exceeded my expectations. Good luck.
Thanks.
BTW, just to throw my 2 cents into the argument, when I drive the TCH (it's really my wife's vehicle), I can easily get 38-39 in the city and 42-43 on trips. No lie. I love this vehicle, esp with $4 gas just over the horizon :mad: . My wife gets about 35 in the city, which is where she drives 95% of the time.
After reviewing your messages and pricing tips, I'm concerned I'm getting a jacked up price? My car is loaded w/leather, nav, sunroof, b/t, etc. and is priced at $33,$$$ (something) and they brought it down to $31,300. Checking out the website provided (fitsway) by other blogger...I didn't see anything over a msrp of $31, $$$? Should my car start at $31,$$$ then get the discount? This salesman has spent 5 hours with me showing me all three hybrids, test drives..etc
Also, I read how the car salesman said to skip everything that the dealership is going to try to sell me at closing next week? Can anyone share additional tips for me? What to buy and what to pass on? Please? I'm worried now about the salesman throwing and trying to convince me of buying more stuff!
Thanks for your help! It is greatly appreciated and needed.
Traci :confuse:
Do not buy any of the added extras they try to sell you...they are overpriced and you'll probably regret it. They will prey on you and make you think you are making a mistake by not buying everything they have to offer....just say NO NO NO.
If they are not willing to deal with you leave.....you will see how quickly they will fold and work with you. Remember there are other car dealers with other cars that would be happy to sell one to you.
I have a 2008 Camry Hybrid for about 3 months now.,...best car I have ever gotten....and the last few cars I have driven were BMW, Lexus and Mercedes.
As long as you can live with the trunk size you'll love the car...2800 miles so far and averaging just over 38 mpg.
Just beware of the high pressure to buy...I would suggest taking along someone with you so you are not alone. Hope this helps and if you have any other questions....feel free to ask
There are quite a few dealerships in OK city if you are in the city, like Bob howard, Huddiburg, Fowler to name some. If you would like to have the complete list just go to the toyota website and put your zip code in the dealer search box.
Good Luck
Thankyou
Fitzmall.com is a good place to get an idea on a fair price. I've also emailed dealers in the region. Tell them what you want, listing optional equipment. Most should respond. Dealers today are hungrier than when the TCH came out and MSRP was the going price.
Some people obsess about price. They'll fight and claw for that last $200 savings. It isn't worth it in my opinion. You'll turn the experience into a war. If the sales rep has provided good service, he deserves to earn a living. But you don't need to pay off the balance on his boat loan!
Yep, skip the "special" coatings, dealer financing, ascent trims, etc., and shop around for an extended warranty if you want one. They're available from by email from dealers who sell for less.
Good luck.