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I test drove a 03 Camry LE 4-cylinder and wasn't happy with it at all. It wasn't nearly as smooth or as quiet as the V-6. The power aspect (especially with the A/C on) would never have met my needs or expectations.
All thinks considered, this is probably the nicest Camry I've ever owned and this is my third. My original Camry LE was in its first model year - 1983!!
I want the LX V6 with "VSC and side airbag package". I'll take the adjustable pedal and/or security system too if available. It seems that I'll have to get an "XLE V6 limited" to get VSC and side+curtain airbags, and I don't want the moonroof and leather and heated seats etc.
ie. the sound appears but then disappear briefly just after transmission switching to next gear, and then the sound appears again, disappear just after switching to next gear, and so on,
Is it the engine mount ? Anybody else having this noise ?
-Carl
Also, I'd like an extended warranty so we have bumper-to-bumper coverage for as long as we can get. Since I'm a AAA member, I can get one through them....How long do I have to buy a warranty? Reasonable prices?
Now, who has experience with Manfredi Toyota in Staten Island?
Thanks.....
Looking for a Grey Mist Pearl or green with tan interior.... Wish us luck!
Deke
I'm trying to get the lowest price I can. Back in 1997, I sold Dodges at a local dealer and we hated to see COSTCO people come in because we had to show them the ACTUAL invoice (not the "altered" one we showed the customers). I think they got 10% under the invoice.
Deke
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kirstie_h
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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We were debating as to which new vehicle to purchase after we returned our 2000 RX300 from the lease. We live in the New York area. We test drove the others, 2003 Honda Accord V6 EX with Nav. 2003 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE. The decision was very clear after we test drove the 2003 Camry V6 SE. Although we did not purchase the 2003 Camry. However, we did place an order on August 23, 2003 on a 2004 Camry SE V6 which now comes with the new 3.3 V6 engine (the same engine and transmission as the the new LEXUS ES 330 and RX 330). This engine offers more torque and horsepower. Here is what we got and what we paid: SE Navigation Package, which comes with perforated leather-trimmed interior; touch-screen DVD navigation system with JBL Premium AM/FM single-disc CD player, eight speakers in six locations and FM diversity reception; manually retractable rear sunshade; and trunk-mounted cargo net. We also ordered the VSC Package which includes, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC) and Brake Assist; and driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags. Thats not all, we also got the color-keyed rear spoiler with integrated center stop lamp, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, stainless steel exhaust tip (standard), auto-dimming mirror, five piece floor mat which includes the trunk mat, mudguards, wheel locks and the VIP RS3200 Plus security system. The color we selected is the Catalina Blue Metallic with the charcol interior. For all this we paid $27,800.00 before taxes and fees. I also ordered from a Gulf State dealer the color-keyed door edge guards (paid $74.00) and we bought a new NOAH car cover (paid $152.00). The main reasons why we went for the the SE model instead of the XLE was mainly the new engine design and the ride was great, not "mushy" like the XLE's. The Honda gave a few more bells and whisltle's, but the high reving (6,250 RPM) engine to produce 240 HP was crazy, and that high reving was when the vehicle came alive. The Altima has a great engine, but that was it, the interior quality was not as refined and neat as the Camry's. With the Camry the vehicle was responsive at all rev's and the bottom line the Camry has more horse power than the Accord at the 6,250 RPM line when compring HP to RPM. If anyone needs a recomendation as to which dealer to get a great deal, then feel free to contact me.
Later
Also one small correction: "With the Camry the vehicle was responsive at all rev's and the bottom line the Camry has more horse power than the Accord at the 6,250 RPM line when compring HP to RPM. If anyone needs a recomendation as to which dealer to get a great deal, then feel free to contact me."
I'm not quite sure what you mean?
If the Camry's peak hp is 225hp@5600RPM, it cannot produce more hp at 6250RPM than the Accord, which affords 240hp at that point. In fact, I'm pretty sure the 3.3L V6 now used in the Camry/Solara/ES/RX/Sienna Redlines around 6000 rpm.
The Camry 3.3L DEFINITELY has a much wider torque spread than the Accord's high revving engine, as well as a peak torque advantage of 28lb. ft. at lower RPM, which contributes largely (at least in theory) to the better low end feel.
~alpha
In regards to your questions, we should receive the vehicle before the ending of October. We choosed Catalina Blue Metallic with the charcoal interior. The MSRP is a little over $30,000.00. The reason why I stated the RPM to HP, is based on several conversations with Toyota and Honda engineers. They explained to me that no one drives around a car @ 6250 or 5600 RPM at a long time frame, you would reach these numbers for a short second or two. The Honda's HP per RPM comes out to about .0384 and the Toyota's is about .0401 per RPM. Let's say you were to make the vehicle's engines spin @ theoratically 1 RPM you would produce the said amount of HP. Now, let's look @ real world numbers. Let's say 3000 RPM, normall highway crusing RPM's, the Honda would be giving you 115.2 HP and the Camry would be giving you 120.3 HP. See what I am getting at? Next, when I leased the RX 300 I had 20,000 miles on the oil without changing it. The dealer was upset and wrote a rude letter to me, probably because I was not giving them any business and they CC the Lexus headquarters in California. Lexus responded back to me and stated that they stand behind everyone of their vehicles and they warranted in writing that there engines are trouble free for eight years or eighty thousand miles even if you never changed the oil during that period. We went to Florida driving in temperatures above 110 deg F and to Canada in temps. Below 7 deg F on the same oil. Our MPG was around 20.7 using regular unleaded fuel. Now, if Infinity, Acura and even Mercedes could put something like that in writing like Lexus did, then I would say they're good. But I bet you none of them ever will. This is one of the reasons why we spent a little more $$$ and waited for the 04's with the new V6 engine, the same engine in the RX 330 and ES 330. If this engine is good enough for Lexus, imagine the life of the engine from a Camry. Hey, let me know if I amy be of further assistance.
Later
For example, your statement: "Let's say 3000 RPM, normall highway crusing RPM's, the Honda would be giving you 115.2 HP and the Camry would be giving you 120.3 HP."
Engine power curves are parabolic in nature, and your statement may or may not necessarily be true given the power and torque curves of the Camry and Accord engines. If I am reading it correctly, your statement assumes a linear increase in power as the engine nears redline, which is NOT how engines operate.
Your new Camry sounds awesome, and congratulations on the deal, but and I apologize if I ruffle your feathers, but that logic the dealer explained to you strikes me as bogus.
Also, PLEASE DO NOT GO FOR 20,000 miles without an oil change!
~alpha
You are correct, once a vehicle redlines or get very close you actually begin to lose HP, but what the engineer's was stating from both dealerships did not contradict each other. I would hope that these people, the actual designers know what they are talking about. But tell me, what we paid for the car, how does that pricing sound, could we have done better. You seem to know what you are talking about.
Later
I apologize for being so skeptical with regard to power and the Accord. I am just very curious and interested in fully understanding-what do you mean "engineers" from both dealerships?
Regardless we agree on the point---the 04 SE has torque reserves that the Accord doesnt, which enable it to move (in theory) more quickly off line and offer better low RPM response.
I really should be doing work or studying or something. This is just more interesting.
~alpha
I am always perplexed when I read that you shouldn't buy warranties because the dealer makes money on them. Of course they make money. That's the idea of having a dealership. Many people seem to equate dealer profit with something not having value for a consumer. That simply isn't the case.
Are warranties issued through an insurance company a better idea? Well, if you subscribe to the "they wouldn't offer it if they didn't benefit from it" point of view, you would run far far away from these. Think about it. The manufacturer has a lot of motivation to make you happy with your car. They know that if they treat you right, you may buy another product from them and you may go to the Internet and brag about your car. So, if you have one of their warranties, they actually have a motivation beyond the repair costs.
The dealer also has motivation to work with you on a factory warranty claim. They deal with Toyota on a regular basis and can process claims with ease. They also know that the less hassle you get on a warranty claim, the more likely you are to use them for routine maintenance.
None of this is the case with aftermarket warranties.
If you see value in having your car covered for more than 36K, shop for a genuine factory warranty. In most cases, if you shop the right places, you can get them for close to or even less than these aftermarket programs.
Also, what's difference betweeen Japanese made and US made Camry? Are major components like transmission or engine from Japanese built?
Does anybody have idea about what percentage of built by Japanese vs US? They used to disclose that kind of info on MSRP sticker, but not anymore. Hope to buy Carmy within a week. Thanks
On the days I planned to visit each dealership I was given specific dates and times as to when a member of the design/engineer team from Toyota and Honda would be at the dealership. The reason why I scheduled my visits this way was because we found most of the sales managers not knowing what they are selling. We probably knew more about the vehicles than they did. When we first met with the Toyota engineer he explained to me the same concept as what I previously stated. Of course I thought he was full of it, maybe a scheme to have people purchase Toyota's than Honda's. So I took it with a grain of salt. Then when I met with the Honda engineer he too explained to me the same concept. I have never heard of something like this, but when I put everything together it made sense. As per LEXUS ES 330 information, they are stating that this new design engine enables the vehicle to do 0-60 in 7.2 seconds, this is .2 more than Honda's. Lets think about it, in the long run the new engine should outlast Honda's, due to the less high revs (In Theory). Hey let me know if I may be of further assistance.
Later
I appreciated that.. I will check them out. Thanks
What dealer in NJ?
Thanks
Weight plays an interesting factor in collosions. Would I fret over the Prius being 400lb lighter? No, but I cant speak for everyone. I'd be more concerned with the acceleration of the Prius being much slower than the Camry V6, and I do not for one second believe that the new Prius can keep up with Camry 4s, but we will have to wait for professional instrumented test data.
If you arent overly concerned about fuel or the novelty of owning a funky hybrid, I'd go with the Camry, if only for the fact that it is, IMO, a better overall package as a family car. But is that your intended purpose?
In any car purchase, I think the most important definitions that must be made are with respect to needs and preferences. Find out where yours lie, and match the car up that best fits that description. With respect to safety, for now, I'd give the nod to the Camry, because we already have information on its crashworthiness.
~alpha
But Alpha, you raise a great point about what my intended use is. May I?
(1) Mileage: Most of my driving is solo. I commute 120 miles (60+60) at least 3X or 4X per week. Mostly highway, more than half of it rural two-lane. So: any car will be at the top of its MPG, but the Prius will still beat the Camry by a good 40% on mileage.
(2) Size. The Camry feels really big for one person when I drive it solo. (not when accompanied, but that happens only on weekends and we take my wife's car then anyway.) So Prius size wiould be slightly better, if it's just as safe.
(3) The weather can get nasty here. VSC a must. I'm not sure the Camry will handle better than the Prius in bad weather; some complain about Camry's wet-weather handling. So I'm not sure which one is more likely to end up in a ditch. Hopefully neither! Call that even.
(4) Rolling hills here, but I hear the Prius is fine with that--not with mountains, though. But yeah, the Camry v-6 would be better when you really got to move. Having all that power in reserve is appealing even though I try to drive like grandpa. (Don't always manage.) Advantage Camry.
(5) My most likely collisions here: on the two-lanes an offset front crash, and on all of it deer. I'd bet, if I had to, that the Camry would be better for either. Having seen that Prius video, though, I'm not sure it wouldn't be fine; but I don't know, and the Camry w. all the airbags would be first-class.
(6) Price - A 2003 V-6 Camry w VSC would save me a couple thousand plus interest over a Prius w. VSC if I bought now and got zero percent- that's the Camry's biggest appeal I got to admit!
(7) The Prius would feel more exciting to get into every day. I try to ignore that.
I'll stop there, but with that background could you see a Prius? OR does Camry seem a clear choice? Thanks.
Any Camry you find that is less than 3 years old is most likely a "program car." These are cars that are purchased by daily rental car companies and sold back to the dealers at auction.
I put on close to 100 miles a day and on average keep my cars around 10 years or so. I want to make sure the car is just as good then as it is now.
the ride on se is supposed to be firmer/sportier, I haven't driven it I can't comment on it.
btw there is this new limited edition LE, only in white but you get the fog lights and 16 inch wheels, couple other extras, might come close to SE except for the engine
Our 02 LE 4 has no problem handling wet weather. Most important is making sure you have a good set of tires. The 15in. Continentals that came on the car sucked BIGTIME. A little early at 30K we replaced them with Pirelli P400s, and overall grip feels significantly improved, but even so, the car had no trouble in the wet.
The I4 Camrys will not see any changes for the 04 model year, expect for the addition of the gussied up Limited. I say, its a rip-off at MSRP. 22 grand and no rear disc brakes? Get real. All Camrys will receive a "freshened" look for the 2005 model year, but thats still 11 months off. At that time, I'd expect a few engine tweaks for the 4, to bring it inline with the slightly increased power of the same powerplant in the 2004 Highlander (which is rated at 160hp/165 lb. ft).
If you stay light on the options, and dont mind the firmer ride, I think the SE V6 is a better offering than the LE V6- you literally get more bang for your buck, and slightly better fuel econ to boot.
Safety vs. the Prius: That 2 star rating- I think it was somewhat anamolous, but I really dont feel like going down this road again. Even if you look at the 2003 no side airbag side impact score, you'll see the Camry gets 3 stars front- and comes EXTREMELY close to a 4 star rating (for example, the Corolla earns 4 stars for driver, but has virtually the same injury measures as the Camry-what gives?)
brwalter- 40% better is a huge consideration. It depends on the risk youd want to take, like someone pointed out, if safety is important to you, purchasing without knowing is a gamble. Good luck.
~alpha
I own a 97 V6 Camry - my mother-in-law has a new Prius.
(2004 Camry V6 SE in on our shortlist).
Regardless of crash results I do not feel safe in the modified Echo (Prius). If I was in a small town or in a far less populated area - maybe - but probably not.
My big concern is such a small hood area to absorb any impact. And how much of the Pruis' weight is just due to the batteries it lugs around versus metal/structure.
If I were to go small I'd get a Corolla or Civic - both 5 star crashers - still outstanding mileage with either - and way more fun to drive than a Prius.
Prius is just too small.
again, just MHO
srp
(Yes you may buy the warranty via the intenet from any dealer.)
Going the AAA auto purchasing route - $100 over invoice, rather than haggling with a salesman who needs to make a boat payment.
Deke
Thanks!
Is it going to be essentially an Echo clone - or are they revamping a Corolla?
Either way I'd see if I could find a Toy dealer that rents ( we just rented a Highlander for a week) to check it out and make sure it doesn't give you the willies.
Again if I was stuck on the Hybrid idea I'd strongly consider a Civic hybrid - Prius as it is now is downright scarey...
now I lay me down to sleep...
srp
He found us an '03 with sunroof and a few other options for $21,907 invoice (we bought thru AAA Buying Service and pay $400 over invoice), so less the $1000 rebate, it's $20,907. I think that's a good price. Hopefully the dealer whi actually has the car in inventory lets loose of it, otherwise, we'll end up with an '04 (and no rebate).
Since we're returning Toyota buyers (wife bought a new Tercel back in '91) we'll be getting free oil changes for the first year and 20% off all parts and services for as long as we own the car.
Deke
Can anyone help me out?
Thx.
Yes, "someone had a bad day." so to speak.
There were a bunch of XLE's that had that info on the window label. I know I had to change out three of them last week after the mistake was caught.
Can you tell I'm hedging a bit here? That's because I've been in the finance office so long that I wouldn't be aware of special builds. That would be the case if there was a particular package of equipment like we had in 2001 with the "Collectors Edition". Those can't be altered. Anything else US built can.