five speed automatic?

[jasonscamry]

i'm looking for a newer camry than my 99 camry v6 auto.
we're thinking about going four cylinder cause it's cheaper to buy and may get us a little better gas. (we'll see)
my question is, how much of a difference will i see in the five speed automatic (available 2005+) vs the old four speed auto (2004 and older)
i really wanted a five speed auto for my next car but i will really be limiting my choices, and it still wont outperform the old v6 anyways.
does anyone know how peppy these 05 and up four cylinders are, and if the tranny makes any difference.
i'd especially like to hear from someone who has owned both but anyone chime in please!

[Miranthis]

I sold my 98 LE 4 Cyl. and got a 2005 SE I4. The difference is night and day. lots of pep for a four, IMHO.

[jasonscamry]

thanks but that one also had a different engine all together.
you had the old 2.2L
i am getting at least a 2002 for the legroom, which all have the 155+ hp 2.4L
with that same engine should i definitely go for the five speed automatic found in 2005-2006?
or is the 2002-2004 four speed just as good for performance and throttle response and passing/all that?

[touringcamry]

The 97-01 I4 and the 02 models weigh approximately the same partly due to the aluminum engine in the 02. Also the vehicle is more fuel efficient over all despite the larger engine. I've managed to get about 35 MPG from my 07 which shares the engine with the 02, but I think my car is heavier and also has 5 speed manual rather than auto. I'm not sure how much difference there is between the 4 and 5 speed automatic models in terms of fuel savings.

[Rapid Roy]

I thought that the 5 speed auto was only avaliable on the 07 and later when the body style changed. My wife has an 02 I4 and I have an 07 I4 SE. The fuel mileage is close enough between the two that I'd call it the same. The 07 is heavier, but the 5 speed helps offset the weight a little. The 07 feels larger and heavier. The 02 is feels peppier (sp) even with the 4 speed. The 07 just feels more sluggish. Not a lot but its noticable. If you drive the cars hard, they are almost the same, except that my SE handles much better. That only because of the "sport" suspension though.

[2k4CamThrilla]

4 banger definitely got some kick too it.

[sniper34]

I think I read the 09 with 5 speed auto 0-60 was 8.9sec. Sounds good to me.

[Yazovets]

Don't bother with the 4-banger on the Camry. The car is too heavy for you to achieve better fuel economy. You'll likely find yourself giving extra gas all the time. Besides, it is rather un-natural to hear 4-banger sounds from a nice full size sedan like that, isn't it?

If you have a V6, just give little gas, and the thing goes effortlessly. On the highway especially I think you will achieve better fuel economy simply because at like 120km/h (the normal highway cruising speed), the RPMs at 6th gear are only at 2000-2100rpm.

[pepperdanky]

Originally Posted by Rapid Roy

I thought that the 5 speed auto was only avaliable on the 07 and later when the body style changed. My wife has an 02 I4 and I have an 07 I4 SE. The fuel mileage is close enough between the two that I'd call it the same. The 07 is heavier, but the 5 speed helps offset the weight a little. The 07 feels larger and heavier. The 02 is feels peppier (sp) even with the 4 speed. The 07 just feels more sluggish. Not a lot but its noticable. If you drive the cars hard, they are almost the same, except that my SE handles much better. That only because of the "sport" suspension though.

The Gen 5.5 ('05-'06) has a 5 speed auto transmission while the Gen 5 ('02-'04) has the 4 speed.

Originally Posted by Yazovets

Don't bother with the 4-banger on the Camry. The car is too heavy for you to achieve better fuel economy. You'll likely find yourself giving extra gas all the time. Besides, it is rather un-natural to hear 4-banger sounds from a nice full size sedan like that, isn't it?

If you have a V6, just give little gas, and the thing goes effortlessly. On the highway especially I think you will achieve better fuel economy simply because at like 120km/h (the normal highway cruising speed), the RPMs at 6th gear are only at 2000-2100rpm.

I average 30 MPG when driving somewhat aggressively with the 4 cylinder; on highway trips I get 40+.

[workerant]

My V6 3.5L, I average at 28mpg. but with careful driving I can get up to 32mpg. (doing highway speed)

With I4, you can easier get better MPG. But with passengers, it slows. Anyway, I often have passengers so I choose V6. If not, I might consider I4 more.