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Comments
Navigation system is a feature that many people want instead of dealing with paper maps, just like they may want a higher end JBL stereo upgrade when the standard radio can be lived with by most.
These were recently replaced on my 2000 Camry. 90% of the noise is gone. The struts are also due to be replaced, but there is no TSB for these as far as I know.
did I mention that I'm really disappointed that it seems likely that the V6 engine will not get feature any performance upgrades?
grr.
~alpha
Everyone else has moved along in the V6 market, Toyota is stagnant!
4,806 mm = 189.3 inches long
2,720 mm = 107.1 inch wheel base
1,796 = 70.72 inches wide
1,409 mm = 55.47 inches high (sounds off?)
I used 1 mm = 0.03937 inches
Also, reports that the Camry will be "bigger" should be read with caution. First, a lot of Camry fans do not want it bigger, just better layed out, better seats, and better handling. Second, if it gets too much bigger, it would be longer than the Avalon (192 inches long), Maxima (194 inches long) or Taurus (197).
All this makes me wonder about the accuracy of a lot of these advanced reports. I guess we will have to wait until September to know for sure.
Sid
With 4-5 passengers that 240 hp will come in handy. And with the size increase and great styling how can I not. Regardless of your age HP and style is always appealing.
The four cylinder with 180 HP is no dog either. I will have to drive both before a final decision, but my 2000 Maxima has been flawless so I think Nissan may get my money if the price is right?
Wanted to pass along there's an article in the August issue of Readers Digest regarding auto safety. This article quotes a Money magazine article, which looked at a bunch of factors and determined which vehicles had the overall highest safety ratings. They were:
Small Cars - VW New Beetle
Mid-Size Cars - Toyota Avalon; Toyota Camry; VW Passat; Volvo S70
Luxury Cars - BMW 5401; Lexus LS400
Minivans - Ford Windstar; Honda Odyssey; Toyota Sienna
SUVs - Toyota 4Runner
Interesting to note that of the 11 vehicles, 4 are Toyotas (5 if you count the Lexus).
Assuming we were to buy one of the remaining 2001 Camrys, is there anything in particular we should know about things to avoid (or be sure to get) in terms of engines, options, etc? We'd probably be looking at a 4-cylinder LE, unless we happened upon a great deal on a V6. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Wow, I never knew the Impala's rear-end was ever popular when it first hit the street. Anyhow, the current Camry is a pretty nice car and with the new incentives and rebates, the prices are as low as they can be. However, personally, I would rather go with the Accord LX 4-cylinder. The reasons are simple... those safety ratings look like they might be from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Accord did fairly well except for a poor rating on the risk of leg injury. But I found the IIHS ratings contradictory to the NHTSA ratings, which gave the Accord a slightly higher ratings than the Camry. So, I'd call these cars fairly even in terms of safety. Then there is the Accord's looks, which is still a bit bland, but looks much better than the Camry. Lastly, the 4-cylinder Camry is a bit underpowered... only 135hp i believe, compared to 150 in the Accord. However, all these reasons are subjective and if I was making the choice, I'd rather wait to see what the '02 year offers.
I don't know these marketing types though..they just might be trying their best not to tinker too much with a winning formula...but a wise man said some time back - "you got to be running to stay in the same place."
"Details on the 2002 Camry, including official photographs, HAVE NOT been released by Toyota Canada, so the ACTUAL final offerings may be somewhat DIFFERENT......It's worth pointing out that Toyota DID NOT CONTRIBUTE any of this information, so there might be VARIATIONS when their decisions are announced."
What's the problem here? Do people honestly think that Toyota would introduce an all new Camry without some upgrades to the engines? The 4 cylinder is the new engine from the Highlander. Don't be surprised if the V6 gets bumped up to 210-220 hp, the same output in the ES300 and Highlander, respectively.
Besides, I don't know if all these other V6s are ULEV rated. The Toyota engine is, and that was/is an important goal for Toyota engineers.
Toyota is not behind in engine design. I for one would not want a supercharged engine -- it is more complex than an engine needs to be. To compare any engine from GM to a Toyota engine makes me laugh.
Now, on another but related topic, has anybody here ever heard a complaint about the power from the 192 HP engine? I sure haven't. That engine is absolutely a blast to drive in the Camry. Properly driven, it will push you back HARD into your seat. Unlike some other manufacturers, Toyota has not forgotten that it is torque, not horsepower that you feel when entering a freeway.
It won't be the leader in horsepower, but it is enough for now.
I would not be surprised if Toyota upgraded the HP in 2 or 3 years when they need to freshen and update the car, but it is not going to be a problem for now.
too bad toyota didn't endow the Celica accordingly... that corporate V6 would shine in the Celica, if only there were enough space under the hood.
~alpha
Topic: July 24th: "What is the stupidest thing you've seen someone do while driving?"
I was taking my mom's 2000 Avalon in for a service today, and I spoke to a sales person regarding the 2002 Camrys. I spoke with him for a couple minutes, and then he showed me several pages of information that he had on the 2002 Camry. I don't know where this information came from, but what I saw on it looked credible. I'll summarize some things that I remember seeing.
1. I saw LE, XLE, and SE trim levels.
2. I saw two engine choices, one being a 2.4 liter four cylinder (157 hp), and the other being a 3.0 liter V6 (192 hp). ***I asked him why Toyota was sticking with an engine that is very similar to the one in the current Camry, and he didn't know either. HE stated that the engine would not have VVT-i, but again, I'm just telling you what he showed me off his sheet, and although it looked official, I can't be 100% sure about it. I'm going to check back with him next week after he goes to a training seminar on the 2002 Camry. His only reason that he could give me as to why Toyota didn't put the 210 hp engine in the Camry was that they wanted to have an incentive for customers to go for the Avalon.
3. I remember seeing MPG estimates for the V6 to be at 20/28, and 24/32 for the four cylinder, although I'm not sure if the latter was with the automatic or manual.
4. The sheet stated that side curtain airbags would be included with the side impact airbag option. He said with this option, there would be six airbags.
5. The sheet stated that the driver's side front airbag would be a "three stage" design, and I have no idea what this means.
6. A navigation system will be an option on the XLEs and SEs.
7. Curb weight seemed to be about the same, I specifically remember seeing a V6 model in the upper 3200 range, and an SE V6 in the 3300 range.
8. He described the outside styling as looking like a Solara on the front, and an Avalon at the rear.
9. The height of the car was 57.x something.
10. Brake Assist and VSA will be available.
Again, I point out that although I don't know for sure if this information is accurate, it sure seemed to be. It looked like it had been xeroxed and it compared each of the 2002 Camry's features/specs. with the 2001 Taurus, 2001 Impalas, and Accords, I believe. I'm just telling you what I saw about the engine, and I'm shocked that Toyota didn't put the VVT-i 210 hp engine that's in my mom's Avalon and the ES 300, but I'm sure Toyota is not going to do ANYTHING to cause their buyers to go elsewhere. Please, if you're upset about the engine, don't send me a message back taking it out on me. I've noticed that some are a little upset about it. Thanks, and have a great day. Hope this helps. Take care.
I am disappointed that the new ES300 and Camry are not using a 5 speed automatic. It would provide extra performance while increasing mpg 2-3 mpg if geared properly such as the Acura 3.2TL is.
INKY
More power, same or better efficiency, more controlled behaviour are welcome traits in any automobile be it a Camry or a Corvette.
About the details - they appeared in a reputed Canadian daily (not the Sun variety) and I have every reason to believe them despite the disclaimer (which might have been required to avoid law suits).
Even now, the base price of Camry is so high that I am not sure I would recommen it to my friends or family. I would consider lower priced brands next time.
Base price so high? Compared to what?
The average cost of a new vehicle today is 24K.
If your 2000 LE 4clyinder is equipped like many, with ABS, keyless, pwr driver seat... that same 2001 model stickers at 21,500 including freight.
Maybe in a year or two, they will add an engine performance upgrade and 5 speed to go with it.
~alpha
The judgement is based on the information that has been presented.