Gen 5.5 Camry - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

s_ajanthan · 08-04-2007, 08:53 PM

Hey, I'm in the market for a 4cyl 05 or 06 Camry.

I was hoping Gen 5.5 owners could give me their opinions on a few things. Just a few things tho, I'm purchasing this car for A->B travel, so I have no need for the V6 or large rims etc.

First Question:

Hows the new 5speed auto on the 4cyl. I hear a lot about lag due to the drive by wire but I hear that's due to multiple drivers using it. I don't have a lead foot so should I worry about this?
Also, anybody have tranny issues for the 05 model? I know tranmssion was available on the V6 for 04 but have all the problems been worked out?

Second Question:

SE vs. LE. The SE does look a bit cooler than the LE but I don't really care too much about that. The SE 4cyl does comes standard with Alloy wheels and side impact airbags so thats a plus.
What concerns me is that if I buy the SE I don't want a really rough ride. I kind of like the spongy ride of the standard suspension set up. Will I really notice a difference between the SE and LE suspension? I'd like to get the SE mainly for the standard side airbags and nice alloy wheels.

All insightful comments appreciated.

***CharmCityES*** · 08-04-2007, 10:17 PM

the SE suspension is a bit firmer than the LE's, but honestly the ride isnt much different....i own an SE and mine rides nice and smooth....the difference is that the SE suspension is more taught and offeres better handling and a more sporty feel to it....plus the SE has goodies like alloy wheels, slightly lower ride height, spoiler, blacked emblems, headlights and grille, a nifty leather steering wheel, premium sound and more driving pleasure....
while its not a curver carver or a lexus, the SE strikes a nice balence between the two....you wont be dissapointed with the SE's ride quality....id choose an SE over the LE or XLE any day.

TRD VVTi · 08-05-2007, 12:12 AM

I have an LE 5 speed automatic and love it. I have had no problems. My car rides and handles great.

aSiAnRiCk · 08-05-2007, 12:23 AM

i'd love to have the SE just because of the 3-spoke steering wheel and charcoal interior

whiteboy · 08-05-2007, 03:06 AM

I hve a 4 cyl gen 5.5 base model and I love it, the ride is smooth with the stock springs and the whole set up I just "upgraded" for some better andling and fancy driving but other than that I love it, I have the auto and no tranny issues,no issues at all except for a blown strut that came up recently that seems to have been there since the start so will have to check it out if the warranty wil cover it but other than that 1.5 years and 28k+ miles and no problems, not sure if the SE is worth it even though it looks better, sometimes I like the LE better depends on colors and your own preference if it's just to get from place to place think if you need the extras otherwise you'll love it

geoff5093 · 08-05-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiteboy

I hve a 4 cyl gen 5.5 base model and I love it, the ride is smooth with the stock springs and the whole set up I just "upgraded" for some better andling and fancy driving but other than that I love it, I have the auto and no tranny issues,no issues at all except for a blown strut that came up recently that seems to have been there since the start so will have to check it out if the warranty wil cover it but other than that 1.5 years and 28k+ miles and no problems, not sure if the SE is worth it even though it looks better, sometimes I like the LE better depends on colors and your own preference if it's just to get from place to place think if you need the extras otherwise you'll love it

Ahhhh, I dont want to hear about blown struts

Keep me posted on whether Toyota replaces it for you or not.

whiteboy · 08-05-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoff5093

Ahhhh, I dont want to hear about blown struts

Keep me posted on whether Toyota replaces it for you or not.

geoff as I said mine was blown before my trd suspension, I posted a thread here awhile ago what the clanking noise was me going in reverse turning to one side, well tada that's it and apparently i've had it for a bit of time since the spring at least since i've noticed it, it's not bad though the gas chamber insert is only like $40 i'll see what I do with it not sure if i'll even let toyota do it heh I don't like people messing with my car

carlo$ · 08-05-2007, 05:45 PM

my le is a good car. lame but good. great for a daily driver. 37k miles w/0 problems.
if you have the extra cash go for the SE, it looks better,

i dont think its any better, but looks better.

s_ajanthan · 08-05-2007, 10:05 PM

Yeah I definately agree the SE looks a lot better. I'm looking on AutoTrader.ca and some other carpages in the Southern Ontario, CA area and the LEs are going for around $16,000~18000 while the SEs are all around $18,000~20,000. Thing is my budget is $20,000 after all taxes (14% in Ontario

) so approx $17,000 is the range I'm looking in.

Do those prices look like the going rate?

Also how much lower than the posted price can I get from Toyota Dealers. Most of the cars I see on the market are nearly passed their Powertrain Warranty mileage limit. Could I be able to talk a dealer down by 2grand or is that just wishful thinking.

Also, this would be the first time I've bought from a dealer so what kind of "administrative" fees can I expect them to pull on me and can I negotiate my way out of this? Title transfer fees etc.... wut a load of bull...

maxgxe · 08-06-2007, 10:14 PM

We have a 2005 Camry LE (31k miles) with 5 speed AT, and have had zero complaints with the AT, suspension, etc. It's been great transportation. The worst complaint I've ever heard is that it is a BORING car -- which is fine with me, if 'boring' means great gas mileage, excellent reliability, comfortable ride, etc. I think you will be very pleased with a Camry.

Marcos Santiago · 08-07-2007, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_ajanthan

Yeah I definately agree the SE looks a lot better. I'm looking on AutoTrader.ca and some other carpages in the Southern Ontario, CA area and the LEs are going for around $16,000~18000 while the SEs are all around $18,000~20,000. Thing is my budget is $20,000 after all taxes (14% in Ontario

) so approx $17,000 is the range I'm looking in.

Do those prices look like the going rate?

Also how much lower than the posted price can I get from Toyota Dealers. Most of the cars I see on the market are nearly passed their Powertrain Warranty mileage limit. Could I be able to talk a dealer down by 2grand or is that just wishful thinking.

Also, this would be the first time I've bought from a dealer so what kind of "administrative" fees can I expect them to pull on me and can I negotiate my way out of this? Title transfer fees etc.... wut a load of bull...

I replied to your other post here >> Buying 05-06 Camry. Price?

I am in the Toronto area and I got a 2005 LE V6 with 53,000 kms for $17,400 in a private sale. Because the car has only 53,000 kms the warranties are still good for a little while. If you want a car with low mileage from a dealer, you will have to pay more $$$$

The last thing I wanted to do was to buy from a dealer, because you pay higher taxes and usually an admin fee that can be up to $200... but if you do, at least you get some peace of mind. If the car has a problem, you can always go back.

IMO, if all you can find are LE's from CDN $16-18 K and SE's from $18-20, you have answered your own question: you should get an LE and forget about the better looks of the SE's, and stay within your budget. After all, you keep saying that the car is only to get you from point A to point B.

Yes, it is possible to get a $2,000 discount or more from a dealer, but the demand for these cars is relatively high, so I think it would be unlikely. But the only way to know is trying it, have you actually sit down with a dealership's salesman and talk $$$?

Good luck!!