Car Suggestions - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

npolite · 10-21-2008, 08:14 PM

Hello everyone,

Sorry for the lengthly post ahead of time....

I've been looking for quite a while now for a new car. With the exception of a dreaded Corsica for the first four years of my driving experience I have been hooked on Honda's (I'm 30). I've owned a 95 Accord and a 95 Intergra loved the size and tight suspension. I've been looking at getting a Civic but hate the two tiered dash among other things. The Accord is too big and 190" in length is my limit and that's pushing it. So I've localized my selection to three cars; a new Camry, a new Altima and a used 06 BMW 3 series. First off I really don't like leather because it creases. With the exception of the BMW and MB I haven't see any vinyl hold up as well 6-8 years down the road which is why it is still on my list.

The Altima is great and has a tight suspension but has no emergency brake handle and everything under the hood is hidden in plastic besides the difficulty in looking out the rear passenger window to pass someone.

The BMW is missing a temp gauge which has saved me once from blowing my engine so this is really bothering me plus I heard that reliability isn't so great on them, you are always fixing something.

The Camry also doesn't have a emergency brake handle but also doesn't have a tight suspension. But I love the engine bay, you can see everything and get to anything without any problems.

I know I'm a bit picky but I do all the maintenance myself so I want to be able to get something I can repair and keep for a long time. I've had a master cylinder go bad while I was out driving and used emergency brake to avoid hitting the car in front of me to get the car home.

Are there any common issues in regards to the current gen Camry. Any suggestions/thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

***bandit*** · 10-21-2008, 08:25 PM

I personally dont find these types of suggestions very helpful because you'll always get mixed opinions. Only the person asking the question can answer their question.

I suggest taking all 3 for a test drive and decide for yourself. As for the Camry, the suspension on the SE is pretty good. Only thing I dont like is that its kind of hard to look behind due to the trunk.

Sorry, cant give info on the other 2 as I never test drove or own.

LXS-mode · 10-21-2008, 08:29 PM

ok heres my take!

I'll get a Camry XLE out of the other 2 choices. as for the 2 cars you had Integra and Accord. you probably had stiff suspension. with the Camry the SE has a slight stiffer suspension than the LE/XLE. Camry XLE has a V6 engine. 258 horse power, an optional Navi, Sunroof, Leather package. if you are into cosmetic modding i suggest getting H&R springs. drop is good and ride quality is awsome!

with you getting the bimmer. i would recommend the Lexus IS250.

***bandit*** · 10-21-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janfrancis

ok heres my take!

I'll get a Camry XLE out of the other 2 choices. as for the 2 cars you had Integra and Accord. you probably had stiff suspension. with the Camry the SE has a slight stiffer suspension than the LE/XLE. Camry XLE has a V6 engine. 258 horse power, an optional Navi, Sunroof, Leather package. if you are into cosmetic modding i suggest getting H&R springs. drop is good and ride quality is awsome!

with you getting the bimmer. i would recommend the Lexus IS250.

268hp..not 258hp. Also, all those options can be found on the SE as well. I guess it depends on your taste...sporty or luxury.

Trojan · 10-21-2008, 08:37 PM

if you want a sporty feel while driving and stiff suspension get the SE. the LE/XLE has a very soft suspension and feels like you're riding on a boat.

LXS-mode · 10-21-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcemureviews

268hp..not 258hp. Also, all those options can be found on the SE as well. I guess it depends on your taste...sporty or luxury.

thanks for the catch man.

. as ive said on my post. "l'll get the XLE" and yes i don`t like the SE. the ricer body kit isn`t on my list.

its not about sporty or luxury. i like the IS and its a sporty car.

Tobeit · 10-21-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trojan

if you want a sporty feel while driving and stiff suspension get the SE. the LE/XLE has a very soft suspension and feels like you're riding on a boat.

I like riding boats

npolite · 10-21-2008, 10:06 PM

For some reason I don't like the lower lips on the SE models. I haven't liked it on the Corolla nor do I like it on the Camry. Besides I would prefer a 4 cylinder car if I could get it...the BMW I have no choice (although I have heard talks of bringing the 4 back to the states). For the IS...the 250 is a joke at 204 hp. 2 cylinders more and you still have the same output as a 4 cyl TSX. I would rather get the IS 350 and while I can afford it, I refuse to spend more then 30k on a car.

Also what is it with some manufactures not putting in a emergency hand brake and leaving it at the foot? In an emergency there is no way you can get to it and apply the correct amount of resistance that you may need.

evablazinballa · 10-21-2008, 10:06 PM

get the se man!

rty · 10-21-2008, 10:33 PM

I see. In that case I would look at cars that have both an E-brake and a temperature gauge.

10-21-2008, 10:41 PM

Have you driven the A4 2.0t? That is one hell of a car for the money.

Quote:

Originally Posted by npolite

Hello everyone,

Sorry for the lengthly post ahead of time....

I've been looking for quite a while now for a new car. With the exception of a dreaded Corsica for the first four years of my driving experience I have been hooked on Honda's (I'm 30). I've owned a 95 Accord and a 95 Intergra loved the size and tight suspension. I've been looking at getting a Civic but hate the two tiered dash among other things. The Accord is too big and 190" in length is my limit and that's pushing it. So I've localized my selection to three cars; a new Camry, a new Altima and a used 06 BMW 3 series. First off I really don't like leather because it creases. With the exception of the BMW and MB I haven't see any vinyl hold up as well 6-8 years down the road which is why it is still on my list.

The Altima is great and has a tight suspension but has no emergency brake handle and everything under the hood is hidden in plastic besides the difficulty in looking out the rear passenger window to pass someone.

The BMW is missing a temp gauge which has saved me once from blowing my engine so this is really bothering me plus I heard that reliability isn't so great on them, you are always fixing something.

The Camry also doesn't have a emergency brake handle but also doesn't have a tight suspension. But I love the engine bay, you can see everything and get to anything without any problems.

I know I'm a bit picky but I do all the maintenance myself so I want to be able to get something I can repair and keep for a long time. I've had a master cylinder go bad while I was out driving and used emergency brake to avoid hitting the car in front of me to get the car home.

Are there any common issues in regards to the current gen Camry. Any suggestions/thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

***darksparkz*** · 10-21-2008, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by npolite

For some reason I don't like the lower lips on the SE models. I haven't liked it on the Corolla nor do I like it on the Camry. Besides I would prefer a 4 cylinder car if I could get it...the BMW I have no choice (although I have heard talks of bringing the 4 back to the states). For the IS...the 250 is a joke at 204 hp. 2 cylinders more and you still have the same output as a 4 cyl TSX. I would rather get the IS 350 and while I can afford it, I refuse to spend more then 30k on a car.

Also what is it with some manufactures not putting in a emergency hand brake and leaving it at the foot? In an emergency there is no way you can get to it and apply the correct amount of resistance that you may need.

Well the IS250 is a 2.5L V6, while the TSX is a 2.4L I4, so the displacements are very similar, hence why they offer the IS250 as a AWD model as well. The IS250 has a combined mpg rating of 24mpg, while the TSX has a combined rating of 25mpg, 2 cylinders more with very similar power and gas economy.

But, since your coming from an integra or so, it'll be a much more nimbler car then Camry ever can be, size and weight are going to be two very different things for the two cars.

If you get the non-SE model, suspension would definitely not be stiff, you'd probably want to at least get lowering springs or coilovers and sway bars and such.

I strayed away from the Altima due to the CVT and their previous tranny recalls and TSBs.

Considered a Mazdaspeed3? Or even a Mazda6? Maybe a used G35 coupe?

npolite · 10-22-2008, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedron

Have you driven the A4 2.0t? That is one hell of a car for the money.

I would consider the A4 but VW engines burn oil. My friend and cousin's VW's have their oil light come on before it's time for their oil change.

I don't want to deal with Mazda if they use Ford parts.

I was considering getting a used 06 Accord but dealers are so snobby even with this bad economy the price of used is only about 2 thousand dollars less than a new one!

RICO8458 · 10-22-2008, 10:49 AM

go for the Nissan Altima. base model and mod it yourself. other than a camry.

CamrySExxx · 10-22-2008, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RICO8458

go for the Nissan Altima. base model and mod it yourself. other than a camry.

Altima's arent bad, took one for a rip the other night, first time driving a auto in a long time and it also had the CVT so i was pretty amazed to actually see the CVT working staying at like 6k rpm until i reached highway speeds.