Feedback for the 2009 Camry 4 Cylinder Needed

[2002Camry]

I am looking to get a second car (currently own a 2002 Camry LE V6), and was thinking of the 2009 Camry 4 Cylinder with the Premium Package available in Toronto, Canada.

To the owners of the 2007 and newer 4 cylinder models, what is your experience with the car any issues you have with it? Are the 4 Cylinders made in Japan (first letter in the VIN number starts with J)?

[njerald]

Probably all of the 2009's are made in the US now at one of two plants.

The J VINs were imported (both I4 and V6) to supplement US production in the 2007, maybe early 2008 model years. No SE's were made in Japan.

I have 26,000 miles on mine (Japan made) with no rattles, squeaks, misfit panels, etc. and have had 27+ avg. mpg for its 2 years/26,000 miles.

Power is adequate up and down the mountain passes.

Never have been back to the dealer and probably never will go.

[Steven]

I've a 2002 V6 LE and 2007 I4 SE. I do a lot of highway driving and didn't like the I4. The milage is almost the same. I would say go with the V6.

[gdanaher]

You really need to drive a V6 for a bit before you buy the I4.

[BlackCamSe]

If you have a V6 now, and switch to the I4, your not going to be happy with the power. I had an 05 I4(same engine at 07 and up), and i HATED IT. Keep your car, shes still got alot of life left in her. Or get the V6. I have one. I get about 26-28 mpg on the highway. I love the power of the V6 and will never go back to an I4

[avholic]

If you do a lot of highway driving, go for V6. I see you already own an older Camry V6. You wouldn't like it to go back to I4. I was given an 08 Camry I4 as a loaner car. In the short stint I ended up using more gas because I keep revving the engine - the car was just too damn slow. You won't get a decent torque until you hit 3500 rpm.

[Steven]

Maybe that's what I was doing. When I drive the I4, I don't feel the power and keep revving it up and thereby using more gas. I made a mistake getting the I4. I would suggest go get a rental and drive it for a day and see if you like it. I regretted I didn't do that. Test driving for a bit won't give you enough experience to judge.

[Alloy]

Although the engines are the same. I felt that the car had sufficient power on my Gen5 SE, but I don't feel the same way on my Gen6 SE. I guess is related to the extra weight. My Gen5 was smoother, accelerate faster with lower rpm and had no hesitation problem while my current gen6 do sometimes. I still prefer my gen6 overall though due to the look.

[avholic]

Originally Posted by Steven

I would suggest go get a rental and drive it for a day and see if you like it. I regretted I didn't do that. Test driving for a bit won't give you enough experience to judge.

Right on. I happen to drive a lot of rentals whenever I'm on job related trips. With Hertz or National, you get to choose your rental car from the lot. So I have test driven and abused a lot of mid-size and full-size cars. Impala was the worst. With less than 3K miles on it, the tranny made a terrible thug sound when you release the gas pedal while cruising 50 mph and above. I decided to buy a Gen6 Camry SE V6 for agility, handling and of course - looks.

[phuangk]

ya.. +1 for V6 if you do a lot of highway driving
I still can't get use to the power on my I4 Gen 6.
I was driving I30 for 12 years... love the power...
Guess I will need another year or so to get use to my new baby...
And for some reason, my 4 cyl Camry is not saving me much of gas tho.. i'm average around 8.5km/Litre...
I mixed city and highway driving every day.. it just doesn't look right to me..
Maybe it's because of the car still new? only 2300km

[catric69]

I never test drove the V6. The I4 for me has plenty of power and cruises nice on the highway. Have you test driven the car? What was your opinion of the I4?

Eric.

[BlackCamSe]

Originally Posted by catric69

I never test drove the V6. The I4 for me has plenty of power and cruises nice on the highway. Have you test driven the car? What was your opinion of the I4?

Eric.

try to merge or pass on the highway with the ac on. its unbearable. Atleast it was in my 05 with the I4, which has the same engine abd was lighter.

[catric69]

Originally Posted by Camralon2343

try to merge or pass on the highway with the ac on. its unbearable. Atleast it was in my 05 with the I4, which has the same engine abd was lighter.

Actually, I have and I did not have any issues merging or passing. I feel very safe and great driving in my I4. Plus, I down graded from a V8 to an I4. My 4.7L dakota loves the higher RPM range, FU@#*&^G GAS GUZZLER! Thank the lord I got rid of that truck.

Eric.

[njerald]

Originally Posted by Camralon2343

try to merge or pass on the highway with the ac on. its unbearable. Atleast it was in my 05 with the I4, which has the same engine abd was lighter.

No problem with mine doing that.

If you want to pay more for the car, more for maintenance and more for fuel, for the few times you need a few more HP, go for it.

[Gorky_Park]

Originally Posted by njerald

No problem with mine doing that.

If you want to pay more for the car, more for maintenance and more for fuel, for the few times you need a few more HP, go for it.

+1 Could not have said it better