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On the other hand, Honda year end sale only happens once a year with not too low APR on Civic and Accord. I think many past and potential Honda customers are losing confidence and faith on Honda because of its latest transmission and mechanic problems and slow on production on some high demand vehicles and mostly sold at MSRP.
Food for thought:
A 1994 Camry LE 4 cyl auto with ABS stickered at $20,900 in 1994 dollars.
A 2003 Camry LE 4 cyl auto with ABS (and floormats) stickers at: $20,844 in 2003 dollars.
Certainly, though I would agree that the 92-96 Camrys were the most solidly constructed and best stylistically, there is no doubt in my mind, having had every generation of Camry excepting the first, that the current is by far the best riding, quickest, most fuel efficient, safest, quietest, and most capable handler of all the 4cyls. we've had.
(87 Base, 91 DX, 95 DX, 97 LE, 00 LE, 02 LE- first two were 4 year leases, next three were 3 year leases, and the 02 is a purchase.)
~alpha
As you might already know, I live in Canada. I have just checked the Canada's Toyota website and I looked at the specs. It clearly says that the engine size is still 3.0 (as opposed to 3.3 in which I have read in the past few discussions). Perhaps the 3.3 is offered elsewhere?
If anyone knows the improvement in speed (0-60) with the VVTI please post a message here. I want to see what I have sacrificed by buying my car half a year early. My own reaches 60 in 8.1 seconds. I also would like to know if fuel economy is better with the new 5 speed automatic transmission. Is the car more quiet on freeways?
I've found that my own gives out a pretty loud grunt when it reaches 140 km @ 3000 rpm or so. I'm guessing that the new V6 VVTI doesn't do that.
My guess is that Toyota will stop selling 3.0 engines without VVTI once they get rid of them in their lots. My prediction is that there will only be two engines in the future available for the Camry. The 4 cyl VVTI and the V6 VVTI.
I have read in another discussion here saying that VVTI and VTECs are cheap ways to improve power. I won't comment on that because I've never driven a car equipped with them. Their reasoning was that BMWs never equips their cars with them. Any comments on this?
Finally, I am just wondering if the price will go up for the V6 Camry with the added VVTI.
The speculation regarding the 3.3L V6 in the Camry is not as to it being the engine in the SE V6 now, but rather, starting for the 2004 MY.
"I have read in another discussion here saying that VVTI and VTECs are cheap ways to improve power. I won't comment on that because I've never driven a car equipped with them. Their reasoning was that BMWs never equips their cars with them. Any comments on this?"
These systems are technologically advanced, not "cheap" ways to improve power, if by "cheap" you mean "easy way out". BMW DOES use advanced valve timing systems, which I believe are called "VANOS". I will check this for you. What BMW DOES NOT DO is turbo or supercharge their engines, as the Bravarian King believes THAT is a "cheap" way to produce more power. OTOH, MB uses extensive supercharging.
I can't speak to the Candian Market, but the VVTi V6 has been on sale in the US since February. The old V6s are no longer on the lots, at least not here in the high volume central Jersey area. I do not believe there was a price increase for the new engine. In fact, I'm virtually certain.
~alpha
You should be glad that your 02 LE engine was all new and Toyota should be using them for the 4 cylinder Camrys for awhile. At least you only missed the chance to have standard keyless entry and power driver's seat.
I, on the other hand, missed the chance to drive a more powerful car! I really want to know how much faster/powerful it is when it comes out.
Enjoy your 02 Camry LE (WITH VVTI)!!! haha, sorry if I overexaggerated that. But I wished I had it in mine too!
I know it seems like you had the worst timing. It is not like you are talking two model years apart on your car and the newer one, it was a matter of a few months. That is why I always suggest extensive research and looking at cars for at least a few months. I would never buy a car on a whim or do it in a few days time.
I OTOH was lucky. I started my search for a camry when the old v6 was still around and the newer one was just coming out. I, like you would have, decided to ignore the old v6. It was older technology and only a 4 spd auto and they were not being discounted any more for being older tech from what I could tell at the dealers. I drove the 4 and the 6 and decided that the 4 was fine and the 6 was not worth the extra $3000.
Sorry you missed out, you can always trade or at least go for test drives to see if you can tell any difference. Just file it away as a lesson learned. LOOK real hard, before you leap.
Anyone knows of a discounted place for a Camry mudguard?
Thx
A
Our two weeks old 03 SE (4 cyl) has over 300 miles. So far, there is no problem. But like many people say the sport tuned suspension is kind of bumpy on city roads. And the sport seats are much likely to attract lint and hair. Also, it doesn't seem the rear headrests are adjustable.
Lok888 - I had the feeling about the sports suspension when I first got my car half a year ago. Once you are accustomed to driving it, you will love it. I have found another advangtage of having a sports tuned suspension is that when you're carrying 3 passengers at the back (perhaps with luggage loaded in the trunk as well), the rear of the car doesn't drop down as much. With the previous generation 4 cylinder Camry, I used to bottom out a lot when going over bumps in such situations. Maybe higher ground clearance in this the new Camry plays a major factor here too.
My XLE is the 4 cyl. I wish it was the v6 for that price. The v6 is only about $2000 more on a base model comparison, but with the options I wanted the difference in the 4 and 6 was more like $3000. This was due to market discounting on the 4 in my area.
I think the price was pretty good. The dealers kept grumbling about a $1400 loser, but by my calculations it was about $300 below edmunds invoice price and a $1000 rebate. The rebate is no skin off them. I too was surprised when they accepted my offer with no mention of SET fees, etc. Then I sweated each step of finalizing the order and waiting for the car to get here. I was expecting at each turn for them to try and raise the price for some reason. They did not to my pleasant surprise. The only thing I disliked was that the doc fee was supposed to be $389 and they added in a $110 loan application fee to this doc fee to make it $499. I did not squabble too much since I was getting 2.99% for 60 months.
Drive them both for some time and make your own decision, but from where I sit, the 4 cylinder was a great choice. There seems to be ample reserve for passing and I do not feel it is under powered at all. I used to drive a Maxima SE so we have had previous experience with a very quick car. In summary, you can't go wrong either way, but the 4 version is just perfect for us.
Doug
Thank you very much for the information.
I spoke to my salesman at Toyota and he said to bring it in for a look. I'll do that, but am afraid that they'll claim there is no problem after a cursory look at the car. How should I handle the fine folks at the dealership?
I also have a semi-related question about this car. When I was shopping, this particular vehicle was in the trade-in pen and hadn't been prepped or anything yet. As you know, Toyota has a Certified used car program. During my test drive, I asked my guy if the car was certified and he gave me a very noncommital "yes". However, I'm not so sure. I didn't receive any paperwork indicating that the promised 160-point inspection was done or anything like that. They cleaned it up real nice, but I have no record of anything else being done. How should I approach this? I'd like to have a Certified vehicle, and it seems that a one-year-old car should be in that category, but I'm not sure. What do you think?
camrysev6owner - I will take a spin on highway once the break in period is over. Isn't it first 1000 miles or less? I drove it 60 mph on highway couple times. The RPM is less than 2K. The ride is smooth and quiet than city roads. I am not sure about the cornering. I assume the front strut bars will help a little. About the ground clearance, isn't it minimum 5"? But I noticed the rear section of the exhaust pipe (lead to muffler) is like a "L" shape. I was wondering that hurt the ground clearance a bit and properly will some ice and snow in winter.
- 5 sp vs 4 sp automatic transmission
- Alloy rims vs. metal rims
- 4 disc brakes vs. 2 disc and 2 drums
- 210 HP vs. 157 HP
I think LE V6 is a good deal
By the way, this is a pretty neat board - with very informed & helpful folks.
If the grinding is only when braking, that may be a normal sound some cars make as a result of the material in the brake pads. Or it may be a problem. The service department will be able to help with this - ask to do a ride-along with a tech, and point out the noise to him/her when it occurs, so that everyone is on the same page.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
canoe2-in the US, the SEs and XLEs, regardless of engine, have 4 wheel disc brakes. just wanted to point that out.
~alpha
"Valvetronic: A new engine breathing concept
Valvetronic is one of the greatest advances in gasoline engines in decades. Seamlessly integrated with BMW's Double-VANOS "steplessly" variable valve timing, Valvetronic makes the BMW V-8 more powerful, responsive, smooth and fuel efficient, and excellent at cold starting."
~alpha
I had chance to tryout the new fog lights which I installed last week.
I am happy with the performance.
I use regular Octane 87 fuel as well for my engine. I have tried using premium fuel but couldn't detect the difference. And in answer to your airflow selector question (Canoe2), you need to manually select A/C for windshield defogging, unlike the previous generation. I find it better to manually select A/C because at times, it is not necessary to use A/C to defog the windows.
We live in central Jersey and frequently take longer drives (we have 31K miles on our 2002 already!) and the 4 offers an excellent blend of performance and economy for our needs(well.. my parent's needs). Neither of them are leadfoots, though. The best 0-60 time I have seen for the Camry 4cyl AT is 9.2 in Motor Trend, and the best I have seen for the Accord 4cyl AT is 8.5 also in Motor Trend, but in a separate test. The Accord has a slight edge.
I feel the best value Camry right now is the SE 4cyl auto- optioned properly, to about $22,500 MSRP (and purchase price of about $20,000 as per carsdirect.com) you get a lot of car for the money.
I would caution you against the Camry LE 4 and Accord DX/LX 4 if you do a lot of heavy mountainous driving with substantial brake loads- both have the inferior rear drum setup which offer less fade resistance than 4 wheel discs. All V6 Camrys and the SE and XLE 4s have all wheel disc brakes, and all V6 and EX Accords have all wheel disc brakes.
~alpha
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Canoe2, do you have the new V6 engine with VVTI? If you do, can you tell me if it's a lot different compared to the old V6 (if you've tried it)?
~alpha
Thanks
I drained and refilled my camry ATF 4 times in 6 months right after I bought it used. (The 1st time I also dropped the pan and thoroughly cleaned the pan, filter, magnet, replaced gasket.) One year later, did it the 5th time and added Lubeguard. The color on dipstick is pink. But if you drain it into a glass bottle, it still looks a lot dark than new ATF. I gave up -- you will never get the drained fluid look new. Anyway, the car shifts smoooooth.
If I were you, I probably would let dealer do it again at 60k miles. Better yet, DIY -- each drain and refill will cost you about $10.
By the way, how much does your dealer charge for transmission service? Just curious.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)