Considering 07-08 Camry, but it's looking bleak...

[JonDaddy82]

I own a perfectly good 2006 Corolla XRS, and have also owned a 2003 Corolla CE before it. Both have been great, with the exeption of 2nd gear sync's in both trannies. I am looking at new Toyota but all I see on here and on Edmunds are all the problems with the Gen 6 Camry. I am really fine with either motor depending on what kind of deal I get, but I see TONS of problems with the auto trannies in both. How are owners are of the I4/5A with the available HP? Is it enough? I would be fine with a 6 speed manual V6, but I just think the I4/5M combo is a little too basic for this class of vehicle. Now I am reading about lots of CD player problems and rattles as well. It's just a shame because I LOVE the look of the car, and plan to mod it quite a bit. It will have HID's, springs, and 19" rims in addition to a high end stereo. I mod every thing I buy, so this is pretty standard for me. I drove a new xB 5M yesterday and liked it, but I don't want the "kid" image that comes with the Scion product.

Thoughts from REAL owners?

[njerald]

21 months and 22,000 miles on mine - not one problem.

Power is ok, defintely not overpowering. Up the mountain passes in Washington and California with no problem.

Cheaper than the V6, no tranny flare problems of the V6, more economical than the V6 to operate and maintain.

Lot's of threads on this subject - use the Search..........

[JonDaddy82]

I have searched and read alot of them, still just wanted to post and ask myself.

[wireless]

Originally Posted by JonDaddy82

I own a perfectly good 2006 Corolla XRS, and have also owned a 2003 Corolla CE before it. Both have been great, with the exeption of 2nd gear sync's in both trannies. I am looking at new Toyota but all I see on here and on Edmunds are all the problems with the Gen 6 Camry. I am really fine with either motor depending on what kind of deal I get, but I see TONS of problems with the auto trannies in both. How are owners are of the I4/5A with the available HP? Is it enough? I would be fine with a 6 speed manual V6, but I just think the I4/5M combo is a little too basic for this class of vehicle. Now I am reading about lots of CD player problems and rattles as well. It's just a shame because I LOVE the look of the car, and plan to mod it quite a bit. It will have HID's, springs, and 19" rims in addition to a high end stereo. I mod every thing I buy, so this is pretty standard for me. I drove a new xB 5M yesterday and liked it, but I don't want the "kid" image that comes with the Scion product.

Thoughts from REAL owners?

If you don't want a 'kid' image, then perhaps you should car shop like a grown up. Decide what type of vehicle you want, then narrow down viable options in the class/type. If you are still so wide open that the xB and Camry are both options, you have much to decide for yourself before you even begin to narrow down options in a sedan or box on wheels or whatever type of vehicle you choose.

BTW: I would be happy with a 6 speed manual V6 too, but they don't exist on a Gen 6 Camry in N/A.

[Camoulous]

If a manual is a must for you, you will have to go with the I4.

[Netforcer]

Originally Posted by JonDaddy82

I own a perfectly good 2006 Corolla XRS, and have also owned a 2003 Corolla CE before it. Both have been great, with the exeption of 2nd gear sync's in both trannies. I am looking at new Toyota but all I see on here and on Edmunds are all the problems with the Gen 6 Camry. I am really fine with either motor depending on what kind of deal I get, but I see TONS of problems with the auto trannies in both. How are owners are of the I4/5A with the available HP? Is it enough? I would be fine with a 6 speed manual V6, but I just think the I4/5M combo is a little too basic for this class of vehicle. Now I am reading about lots of CD player problems and rattles as well. It's just a shame because I LOVE the look of the car, and plan to mod it quite a bit. It will have HID's, springs, and 19" rims in addition to a high end stereo. I mod every thing I buy, so this is pretty standard for me. I drove a new xB 5M yesterday and liked it, but I don't want the "kid" image that comes with the Scion product.

Thoughts from REAL owners?

Threads about problems are all you see because that's all you look for... obviously you haven't checked my threads and how the car has served me thus far... do a lil research no 6MT V6 for Camry and my girlfriend has an 07 I4... peppy and enough power to get around town... even better for long distance trips.

[vinniemak]

jondaddy..I have a 07 Camry CE 5 speed with 27K miles so far and no major issues, other than a few TSB's...like ECM calibration to get rid of slight hesitation, air bag light was on and an intermediate shaft steering all fixed quickly by the dealer under warranty.
I used to have an Acura TL loaded and glad I got the Camry...much lighter on the wallet...I don't miss the V6...don't need it..I get 32 ~ 34 mpg in summer and approx 30 ~ 32 mpg in the winter ; has enough power with the I4 & 5 speed transmssion...it's plenty fast for me ; the ride quality is nice...

Drive one at the dealer...you might be surprised.

My 2 cents.

[np6000]

Jondaddy,

I have an 08 camry se I4 5M. It is great. My other car is auto, and the only thing that makes it bearable is the nice stereo.

The 4cyl 5pd combo works well for me. I have driven the camry 6AT V6, and the corolla XRS. The I4 5M certainly doesn't have the same grunt of the V6 or the top end of the XRS, but it makes good power across the rev range, and it moves if your fluent with the gearbox.

I have had the CD player problem, and it still hasn't been rectified. As with other owners, I have also noticed a higher propensity to stone chipping (compared to other vehicles owned in the family) even with the 3M stoneguard.

As with most Toyota's this car is incredibly quiet and comfortable. The SE has a decent sport suspension for day to day street driving, yet entertaining enough for the twisties or on-off ramps.

I would definitely do it again, with the 5M 4cyl combo. And you save 1K compared to the auto.

[smeg]

I replaced my 06 xB with a V6 SE and haven't looked back. Plenty of toys, plenty of power.

I haven't had a single problem with the transmission (6speed auto), CD player - I have some dash and seat rattles and squeeks on days when the temperature is 20f or lower, but they don't exist during warmer days.

My wife also drives an 06 xB - she gets 30mpg highway, I get 28mpg.

I recommend the Camry. I love the looks, the toys and the car.

[Camoulous]

Just wondering, any specific reason why you are upgrading?

[stewardrobbins]

I bought my 07 LE v-6 in August. No problems at all, other than a too-firm seat. I'm buying gel cushions that should take care of that.

I love the power and the transmission shifts perfectly..

[Streaker]

Get the V6 w/man. trans. If you get the V6 auto you may have to bring it back to the dealer a few times before you get a shift/flare free trans replacement.

[Old Dood]

Originally Posted by JonDaddy82

I have searched and read alot of them, still just wanted to post and ask myself.

Which is perfectly fine to do.
Being told to use the search is more annoying then asking questions.
I do not have a problem with people asking the same questions....
That is what being human is all about...asking questions.

You will get a lot better gas mileage with a I4 over the V6.
A lot more then the 2mpg difference 'they' say you will get.

I liked both of my Camry's for different reasons.
I liked my LE I4 for it's gas mileage and it was still fairly decent with pick up.
I like my current V6 for it's 6/speed V6 and the other creature comforts that comes with an XLE.

So you can get a XLE with a I4 and have both...Comfort and Gas mileage.

OR...simply go with a Hybrid. My best friend owns one and loves the thing.

[wireless]

Originally Posted by Old Dood

...
You will get a lot better gas mileage with a I4 over the V6.
A lot more then the 2mpg difference 'they' say you will get.

Based on the threads I have seen from I4 owners complaining about mpg, I doubt it. I get 31 highway with my lead foot applied to my SE V6.

[rule62]

I also had the xB and the Camry on my radar when I went to purchase a few weeks ago. I wound up with an 08 Camry SE I4/5M. I've only put 600 miles on it so far and I like it a lot.
The xB has the same engine, but suffers in the mpg game because of its shape. I liked the styling of the old xB better. Now it's so "Americanized" that it blends in too much.
Coming from a 3.5L Magnum, the power and size are definitely smaller with the I4 Camry, but the fun-to-drive-ness of the manual trans has got me smiling (and the fuel economy too).
As with most forums, the posts are generally gonna be from enthusiastic modders, or folks who have a problem. Don't let either affect your decision too much. Toyota's track record it pretty strong. That's why I made the switch. Your experience with their product should help.