5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
So I was at Target last night and parked next to a black BMW 3 series. We happened to be returning to our cars at the same time and the guy said "I like your car." I, of course, thanked him and he said his lease was up in May and hadn't decided on what he wanted to get next. He asked if he could check out the inside, so I let him. By the time he left he was convinced that his next car would be a Camry SE. I loved the fact that a guy with a BMW was telling me that my car was nice! I just love my car!!!
Good job. The Gen6 Camry SE is a very nice-looking car. Glad he helped you make up your mind on your next car!
This reminds me of an experience I had in my Gen5:
There was one time when a driver of a Subaru shouted across 2 lanes as we were coming to a stop light to tell me that my rims look nice. The guy must have been his 60's and at that time I just had the IS350 rims and the Eibach drop. He asked me if my wheels came with the car and I said no. He then said, "Those wheels look very good on your car." I said thanks and sped off as the light turned green. I must admit, my first reaction was WTF?, since I did not expect that from an elder person.
Nice! You know...the thing is that actually the Camry SE V6 drives similarly to the 3-series.
I learned to drive on an E46 330i (2002). That thing had a sport suspension, 17-inch rims, 3L inline 6 with 225hp and 214 torque.
For some reasons out of all the cars I've spent time in, this car always left an impression on me. When I was choosing the Camry a year ago, one of the things that pushed me hard into an SE V6 was the way it drove.
Sure...you might be asking how I can compare to a rear wheel drive E46. But the Camry had the similar "thrust" of power like the 3 had. And I swear dead equal ride "harshness" and stiffness. Makes nice noises, too.
__________________ 2008 Camry Hybrid | Magnetic Grey on Grey Leather | Bi-Xenon H1 4300K Retrofit | Italian Hertz Sound System (dash 4" EM 100, front 6.5" ECX 165, rear 6" x 9" ECX 690, 10" ES 250D sub in custom trunk enclosure, HDP5 5-channel amp, 1320W total power) | 4-sensor Rear Parking System | 20% Metallic Tint | Weathertech Floorliners | 17" ASA AR1 Rims | Toyo Garit KX (winter) | Toyo Versado LX II (summer)
I've driven the 3 series and in it suffer from enough room to be comfortable. Certainly they are made for those stealth Europeans. Camry is a much better car and more forgiving.
On a related subject, in this part of the world there seems to be a lot of BMW beaters running around. I think that a lot of folks buy them on marginal finances, are unable to properly maintain their machine and they wind up going around on square wheels and pumping oil.
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2007 V6 Camry LE, Built TMMK 27 September 06
"People who think they know it all are particularly irritating to those of us who do."
[quote=gdanaher;2173276]... Certainly they are made for those stealth Europeans. /quote]
Stealth European? What is that supposed to mean?
[quote=gdanaher;2173276]...Camry is a much better car and more forgiving./quote]
As much as I like my Camry, I would not be as arrogant to say it is a better car than the BMW'er. Don't compare the compact 3 series with the Camry - got to compare the 5 series with Camry and 3 series with Corolla, 7 series with Avalon. In all three cases, cost not considered, I would take the BMW'er - hands down.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gdanaher
...in this part of the world there seems to be a lot of BMW beaters running around.
As much as I like my Camry, I would not be as arrogant to say it is a better car than the BMW'er. Don't compare the compact 3 series with the Camry - got to compare the 5 series with Camry and 3 series with Corolla, 7 series with Avalon.
Oh, I think you're taking what these folks are saying a bit too literally. My impression is that they're comparing "ride and handling and power" with the 3-series, and I'd have to agree with that impression. The SE V6 has that sense of good handling, without much of any harshness to the ride, like BMW has become famous for. And most certainly, the power is there with the V6.
As for any BMW, while I certainly admire their capabilities, there's no way on Earth I'd pay any of MY money for one. Miserable, awful, horrible reliability, and I've heard many stories about BMW weaseling out of warranty coverage for major engine and transmission failures. "No way" as far as I'm concerned -- I wouldn't touch one with a ten-foot pole.
Oh, I think you're taking what these folks are saying a bit too literally. My impression is that they're comparing "ride and handling and power" with the 3-series, and I'd have to agree with that impression. The SE V6 has that sense of good handling, without much of any harshness to the ride, like BMW has become famous for. And most certainly, the power is there with the V6.
As for any BMW, while I certainly admire their capabilities, there's no way on Earth I'd pay any of MY money for one. Miserable, awful, horrible reliability, and I've heard many stories about BMW weaseling out of warranty coverage for major engine and transmission failures. "No way" as far as I'm concerned -- I wouldn't touch one with a ten-foot pole.
Sorry.
alright. agree with most what you are saying. Do not want to spend the extra money either. Just not sure where you got the info that the BMW'er is any worse than others?
Just not sure where you got the info that the BMW'er is any worse than others?
If you're talking about "reliability," I've browsed through a few BMW forums, and even seen some "news" articles about people complaining about low-mileage engine failures that BMW refused to cover under warranty. And all of the above in quantity enough to get the impression that it wasn't just a handful of malcontents, but rather a pretty darn "dark side" to the whole BMW story....
If you're talking about "reliability," I've browsed through a few BMW forums, and even seen some "news" articles about people complaining about low-mileage engine failures that BMW refused to cover under warranty. And all of the above in quantity enough to get the impression that it wasn't just a handful of malcontents, but rather a pretty darn "dark side" to the whole BMW story....
don't be too conclusive from reading these forums and some pop up news. Just read all the complains in this Camry Gen6 forum and you would think that is a very unreliable car with a lot of design flaws (you guess, that is not my opinion).
Yeah, this is nothing like Toyota refusing to fix V6 transmissions...
Quote:
If you're talking about "reliability," I've browsed through a few BMW forums, and even seen some "news" articles about people complaining about low-mileage engine failures that BMW refused to cover under warranty. And all of the above in quantity enough to get the impression that it wasn't just a handful of malcontents, but rather a pretty darn "dark side" to the whole BMW story....
I fixed that for you...
If you're talking about "reliability," I've browsed through a few Toyota forums, and even seen some "news" articles about people complaining about low-mileage transmission issues (flares/hesitation) that Toyota refused to cover under warranty. And all of the above in quantity enough to get the impression that it wasn't just a handful of malcontents, but rather a pretty darn "dark side" to the whole Toyota story....
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2007 LE V6 Magnetic Gray, JBL, Moonroof, Toyota Leather Shift Knob, Toyota All Weather Mats, SE Grille, Wheelskins cover
2007 Odyssey EX (traded in 05 XLE I4 Lunar Mist)
Yeah, this is nothing like Toyota refusing to fix V6 transmissions...
You bet it's not -- because Toyota hasn't refused to cover these vehicles under warranty. And the "flare issue" is like a "minor annoyance" compared to BMW's full engine failures.
Actually, it's like the first, truly "failed" Gen 6 transmissions, where Toyota replaced vehicles and/or transmissions, and took care of its customers. I've read about quite a few BMW engine failures where BMW blamed the owners, and that was it, period -- go buy a new $10,000 engine or however much it cost. And so on.
As for the Gen 6 "flare," I don't see any "refusal" on Toyota's part to do anything about it -- from what I understand, I'm not aware of any "fix" at all -- just something along the lines of "replace the transmission and see what happens." I don't recall hearing anything definitive about what the problem truly is, or what it really takes to fix it.
I suppose there might be some Toyota dealers who haven't been cooperative enough in regards to the flare, but I don't see any refusal on Toyota's part to do whatever it took to try and take care of its customers under their warranties. And that's the difference I see between Toyota and BMW.
nice job!
ive gotten plenty of compliments on my camry as well....when i had my BBS wheels on last summer many people often stopped to inquire about what kind of car it was...saying its a camry gives me a great sense of pride...which is why i also refuse to debadge my car
not to rain on anyone's parade, but owning a bmw or a mercedes benz would certainly make you feel like you have one of the more luxurious cars in the world. with that person's comment of him being impressed, maybe he was also simply unconsciously stating that "wow i didnt know toyota can make a car look this nice". toyota nowadays has that image of a "mass" car more than catering to luxury. if you take the avalon as example, for the price you pay for it, it still has a shitty interior compared to other sedans in the same price range.
going off-topic on comparing the quality of bmw with toyota, all cars have their flaws. it's just a matter of who is able to market themselves better, and who can hide their flaws better.
with regards to service, i think that's where dealers would have a huge hand in taking customer satisfaction to the next level. the OEM can do up to so much to promote their vehicles, but at the end of the day, even if you have the ablity to produce the greatest car in the world, but have the shittiest service from your dealerships, then you're fucked.
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