My 05 I4 XLE vs 07 V6 LE Comparison

[moeharri]

Hey all. Today I finally picked up my 2007 V6 LE in magnetic gray (w/JBL and moonroof). I "purchased" it 7 weeks ago, but have been waiting very impatiently for it to arrive (apparently moonroofs are rare right now in Wisconsin on LE's). Anway, here is my initial comparison of the cars. Some of these points are very minor or attributed to differences in trim levels, but they are differences none-the-less. In no particular order:

Pros of 2007 LE over 2005 XLE
* The steering wheel is a bit thicker and feels nice
* Nice to have a moonroof, never had one before
* The engine seems much quieter under normal acceleration and during cruising (under 2500 RPMs)
* Seems like a softer ride, better at soaking up bumps
* Seems to handle better around bends
* I like the dash layout more--at first I didn't, but it has grown on me
* Exterior looks more like a Lexus than the 05 did to me
* I like the clock
* The speedometer seems even cooler than the 05's (similar) optitron
* Dual exhaust

Cons of 2007 LE over 2005 XLE
* The steering wheel controls seem cheaper quality
* The blinkers seem to be louder--I really like the quiet blinkers
* I'm not digging the shifter--I've put it in neutral instead of reverse twice already
* No autodimming rear view mirror--it also seems cheaper (no bezel around the mirror)
* The car is louder from the outside--my wife said she heard me pull into the garage which isn't usually the case with the 05
* Feels more cramped in the driver seat--I think this is due to the arm rest protruding into the driver's space
* Higher window sills--I can't put my elbow on the window anymore
* I don't like the remote being built into the key, that's just me
* The (gray) fabric pattern is OK, but not the best (I like it way more than SE's though)
* The wheel caps are even more pathetic than the 05's
* No fog lights
* No trip computer (is not accurate at all in my XLE anyway)
* No power passenger seat
* No dual storage in the armrest--the tray is worthless
* No rear sunshade
* No rear AC vents

Other notes
* Both cars have a 6CD JBL stereo--maybe there's something wrong with me, but I don't think either stereo sounds very good at all
* I don't miss the auto climate control, that doesn't work well for me in the XLE
* I haven't pushed the new car at all, but so far it doesn't "seem" that fast--I'll give it more of a push perhaps after I get an oil change

Note that I really do like the new car, I'm just pointing out the differences in a car that I also happen to like a lot. I will be spending most of my time in the 07, so I will update once I put some more miles on it. Let me know if you have any questions

Here are a couple of pics. I'll take more once the weather gets above 45 degrees here in Wisconsin :-)

[moeharri]

Here are some pics of my new V6 LE (it was raining during the pics, so they aren't the best).

[Carzzz]

those are nice pics... by placing both gens side-by-side, the 07' looks more standouting!

[tearin]

Wow very nice comparsion you should show more pics of the cars outside the garage like the front. Looks like the 07 has a lower ground clearance. Makes me wish I stuck around for the 07 also considering I have an aspen green and my dealer has an 07 aloe green LE with rims.

[chevyrulz099]

i think you just sold me on the magnetic grey color.

i was toying with silver. id get the exact 07 you have, cept maybe no wheel caps. ive never owned a capped wheel before, always nice rims.

also must have auto dim mirror, again, never not had it

[islandboy57]

AWESOME! Nice pictures..I never get tired of "real" pictures of the new '07 - and it's even nicer when it's parked next to another Camry. You get the best of both worlds..a gen 5.5 and a gen 6 . Magnetic gray looks great.

[moeharri]

If it ever stops raining, I'll go out and take some interior pictures and more side-by-side pics of the two cars.

As for magnetic gray, I was sold on it by someone else's pictures on here (I believe he posted his SE pics very early after the Camry was released).

I wish I had rims and dimming mirror (I ordered them, but Toyota deleted those options even after my 7 week wait). I'm having the dealership give me 05 XLE caps instead (for free), as I like those way more than the caps currently on the 07.

[kenny1773]

Originally Posted by moeharri

* Feels more cramped in the driver seat--I think this is due to the arm rest protruding into the driver's space

This right here is the reason I can't drive an '07

My '05 has more room in the drivers area (not sure exactly how-n-where) but when I sit in an '07, my legs (knee particularly) don't have enough room.

I am 6'5" and I couldn't fit in a gen 4 correctly either. For some reason, the Gen 3 was fine and my 2005 are fine. It is all about the seat position and placement for me. I can't drive most model hondas either.

[moeharri]

I'm only 5'5" and average weight, and it definitely seems more cramped to me--it's not a big deal for me since I'm pretty small, but I could see it being a problem for either taller or heavier people.

[Old Dood]

They are great Side-By-Side pics....

I agree with you on the shifter...I get mine in every gear but Drive half the time. However I am getting better with it. Everytime we get in the Camry after driving the Buick we grab the washer stalk. *Squirt-Squirt*

Lack of a rear vent is lame. Now we have that "storage area".

The interior space is fine with me. In the front passenger seat I can put it all the way back and there is still decent room in the rear. I also can't reach the firewall with my feet. They did wonderful with the interior.

I do not care for the tilt wheel or it's controls underneath the column. At least with the telescopic I can get it close to what I want. I do like that. The tilt just doesn't "tilt" enough. I am use to my Buick's/GM's many more tilts clicks. I like the steering wheel on my lap.

I don't care for the W I D E opening of the doors. Is this normal on all Generations? I literally cannot reach them unless I hang out of the car.

The lack of Fog Lights is lame too. People like them because they look cool...I like them for actual FOG. They are a functional need. There is a kit coming out...I will get that ASAP.

Side Moldings should have been standard. With such W I D E opening doors you have to have them.

I like the colors on the 07's. All but the Sky Blue Pearl. (Power Blue should be the REAL name) I am really liking that Magnetic Gray more and more. Your Camry is very sharp looking.

People aske me if I just bought a BMW if they first see it from the rear. It does have that "look". Also it does look like a Lexus too. I love the rear on this Gen over the last one.

People that have know me are stunned that I bought a Toyota. I have been a Buick Dood for so long. Buick doesn't make what I Need....so I said screw GM and broke away. Glad I did. Now when Buick makes this car...and they just might...I could buy this Buick Velite:

[moeharri]

I noticed 2 more things today.
1. The 07 has lights at the bottom of the front doors that turn on when the doors are open--these look cool :-)
2. The 07's trunk light is extremely dim almost to the point of being useless. Anyone else have this "problem"?

So far I've only driven the car home from the dealership and no where else, I'm afraid to get it dirty in all the sprinkling we've been having :-(

[Old Dood]

I didn't know I had a light in the trunk..hehe

Might as well drive it. Enjoy the car. It is going to get dirty no matter what. I just made sure "I" waxed it myself though....I have no faith in others doing it.

[moeharri]

Here's my gallery of more pics. I hope you enjoy em. http://www.toyotanation.com/photos/s...ry.php?cat=897

[Avalonman]

Well, you have know, that most of the luxurious features you had in your 05 XLE cannot be found in teh 2007 Camry LE (Loaded Edition) Most of the stuff on the 2005 XLE are accessories or optional.

[ryannel2003]

Originally Posted by kenny1773

This right here is the reason I can't drive an '07

My '05 has more room in the drivers area (not sure exactly how-n-where) but when I sit in an '07, my legs (knee particularly) don't have enough room.

I am 6'5" and I couldn't fit in a gen 4 correctly either. For some reason, the Gen 3 was fine and my 2005 are fine. It is all about the seat position and placement for me. I can't drive most model hondas either.

I have a Gen. 4 Camry, and I know exactly what you are saying. I'm about 5' 10", yet I feel very confined when driving the car. The seat does not go back far enough for the perfect position; I guess this is so the people behind the seat actually have some room. I sat in a '07 LE the other day and it was alot roomier than the '00 I have is. I also sat in a '05 Corolla and it seems roomier than my car.