07 Camry V6 or 4 Cyl? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

osetleo · 06-05-2006, 08:33 PM

Guys,

I am thinking to buy a new Camry and would like to hear your impressions on the car. I still has not decided between 4 cyl vs 6. I read a thread on another forum that 4 cyl have some issues (or strange feeling) with transmission. Several people don't like that.

I would like you opinion overall and specifically on this subject.
Thank you.

Old Dood · 06-05-2006, 08:38 PM

There are many posts on this comparision....

I have an I4...I wanted an I4 for gas mileage. Others like the smoother V6. Mine is a little better then "peppy". It has decent power, however, the Drive By Wire can be annoying. It "learns" as you drive it. I was told at the Dealership it can take up to 15K miles to "learn"...

It can hesistate some when you accelerate at times. Still as for over all cruising speed the I4 for me anyways is fast and smooth enough.

G-Force · 06-05-2006, 08:44 PM

We traded-in a 2001 Sienna V6 for the SE 4 cyl. Two reasons, first the kids are older now and second the gas mileage. 90% of the time the car is used by my wife to drop the boys to school etc. She doesn't care for performance and 4 cyl is more than enough for her.

I drove it most of the weekend and found the 4 cyl. is just enough to get you around. I do like the SE's steering, suspension, braking etc. It is a really nice car to drive and has surpassed my expectations. If I feel the need for speed I always have my G35, which I drive day to day.

osetleo · 06-05-2006, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Dood

There are many posts on this comparision....

I have an I4...I wanted an I4 for gas mileage. Others like the smoother V6. Mine is a little better then "peppy". It has decent power, however, the Drive By Wire can be annoying. It "learns" as you drive it. I was told at the Dealership it can take up to 15K miles to "learn"...

It can hesistate some when you accelerate at times. Still as for over all cruising speed the I4 for me anyways is fast and smooth enough.

Do you know if V6 has Drive by Wire as well?

Old Dood · 06-05-2006, 08:50 PM

I believe it does yes....

I notice it allot more then most because I am always switching between the Park Ave with it's 3.8L and the new Camry...

moeharri · 06-05-2006, 08:58 PM

You have my vote on the V6. I filled up today and so far in the first 800 miles I've had the car, I'm averaging over 29MPG (about 65% highway). The quietness of the V6 is even better than the I4 (I have an 05 XLE that I'm comparing it to).

njerald · 06-05-2006, 09:46 PM

My '07 XLE 4 cyl.

5th fill up:

29.11 actual, 28.9 trip computer - 40% city.

for over 2,000 miles:

26.41 actual, about 60% city.

Filled up yesterday. Loaded up with 4 male golfers and 4 cart bags, shoes, etc.

Drove 67 and 77 mph and trip computer is reading 32.1 mpg for 150 miles.

No problem on hills holding the set cruise speed, 67 or 77 mph!!!!

marc780 · 06-05-2006, 09:53 PM

I like my V6 and spent extra time looking for one when i bought it. I would have gone with either a Camry or an altima, because i've had 4 nissans before and the overall impression is good. But i've also had a lot od experience with driving and working on the 2000 Camry I4 at work and that experience was very favorable too. So when buying, i could have gone either way but the used Altimas were just too expensive even with a 4 cylinder.

And i got me the V6 Camry and i dont regret it, not for a second. Power is great, smoothness is great, it never feels as if it were struggling the way almost every 4 cylinder car does much of the time. Quiet and quick when you need it.
Mileage, the major issue with most people - i get 25 to 27 mpg. And this is in L.A. traffic mind you, which is literally the worst in the world. Meaning much of the time stop and go. So to me, the mileage penalty with the V6 is acceptable for the other good stuff you get.

ToyotaToday · 06-05-2006, 09:57 PM

I think you have to ask yourself a few questions:

1. Where will you be driving your car mostly? City or highway?
2. Do you carry a lot of passengers?
3. With gas prices this high, can you afford a V6?

If you have a full load, the V6 is much better. If you drive on the highway, V6 is much better. Gas, I4 is much better.

Both will do the job, but V6 you get the added confidence when passing and/or driving with a full load.

07_4bangrl · 06-06-2006, 03:01 PM

i have an 07 LE 4banger and traded a 01 v6 mustang for it. i was skeptical when i was getting ready to test drive it but it's actually pretty fast for a 4cyl. i didn't want to go from a v6 to a 4 banger, but couldn't help myself after driving it.

it took me close to 1k miles to get over most the initial hesitation that it has when you first start the car and take off. it's a 4 cyl, so you can't except too much from it. but it's a damn good 4banger.

i just started logging my gas purchase on jacksonvillegasprices.com (most cities have one set up) and it's telling me i'm getting 24.3 mpg. i believe it is better than what it's telling me, so a couple more fill ups should confirm.

00_celica · 06-06-2006, 04:54 PM

Unless you like the extra power, I would (and did) go with the 4 banger and pocket the difference in cash. I was not able to test drive the V6, but I thought the 4 cyl was adequately powered and plenty smooth and quiet.

ryanmartini · 06-06-2006, 08:06 PM

Next car I get will be nice v6 or v8. I have been in too many situations where the 4 bangers lack of power nearly got me killed. [EG semies speeding in the merging lane]. If you can learn how to drive the 6 w/o mashing the gas everytime, its a great tradeoff. ~1 to 2 mpg for power thats there when you need it.

And as mentioned above, if you have passengers, the v6 will do more than suddenly make alot of noise when you give it some juice either to pass, merge, save your ass, etc...