2010 consumer reports

[jkeith72]

So I got the 2010 Consumer Reports buyers guide. I was looking at the cars and found the Camry. Im baffled as to why the 2008 Camry V6 is the only year that is not recommended. In fact, its on the do not buy list! Why is 2008 picked? Wouldnt it make more sense that the first year be picked? To be honest, Im very shocked there was a Toyota at all on that crap list with all the Dodges, Chevys and Fords.

[fslaugts]

I test drove a 2010 Le v6 last night, it did make me smile. It had some go. Before that I had just driven a honda crv, boring. I think that maintenance could be expensive on the 6. The way I drove gas mileage would be bad also. I do not know anything about consumer reports.
Fred

[eskymi]

I believe the reason the 08 V6 was not recommended is because there we reports of transmission issues. The tranny supposedly hesitated and did not shift properly causing lag in the gas pedal. Something along those lines.

I own a 2008 Camry V6 and it runs well. I don't have the hesitation issue, but others have so it is not recommended.

You take it with a grain of salt as I THINK (not 100% sure) that CR gets their reports from car owners that are subscribers, so it is not a scientific sampling. It is somewhat reliable, but it is not gospel.

[Camread]

they put it on the list bc they don't want to be label as being biased

[njerald]

Baffled? Read some old threads...

[JohnGD]

That happened after the 2007 Aisin U-660E transmission fiasco. Those transmissions don't shift properly and like to flare. Started doing it in as little as 3000 miles new. Pretty much clunkers straight from the factory.

Of course, not all of them behave like that, but enough for CR to pull its recommendation. Not sure how CR does it in 2008 however. But I think CR feel more comfortable with them.

Detroit has been building crap for like a whole generation. So people kinda grew up used to the idea. However, some of their new engineering is quite good. Not yet consistent across the whole lineup. But looks promising. I particularly like the GM LS V8's cylinder deactivation technology and Hydramatic 6L/6T series transmissions. Toyota should buy these from GM instead of using the Aisin U660E.

Originally Posted by jkeith72

So I got the 2010 Consumer Reports buyers guide. I was looking at the cars and found the Camry. Im baffled as to why the 2008 Camry V6 is the only year that is not recommended. In fact, its on the do not buy list! Why is 2008 picked? Wouldnt it make more sense that the first year be picked? To be honest, Im very shocked there was a Toyota at all on that crap list with all the Dodges, Chevys and Fords.

[PhatRoyale]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

That happened after the 2007 Aisin U-660E transmission fiasco. Those transmissions don't shift properly and like to flare. Started doing it in as little as 3000 miles new. Pretty much clunkers straight from the factory.

Of course, not all of them behave like that, but enough for CR to pull its recommendation. Not sure how CR does it in 2008 however. But I think CR feel more comfortable with them.

Detroit has been building crap for like a whole generation. So people kinda grew up used to the idea. However, some of their new engineering is quite good. Not yet consistent across the whole lineup. But looks promising. I particularly like the GM LS V8's cylinder deactivation technology and Hydramatic 6L/6T series transmissions. Toyota should buy these from GM instead of using the Aisin U660E.

Do you know if the 2009 and 2010 models still have the same problem?

My uncle just bought a 2010 Camry with the 6-speed auto.

[ledebuhr1]

I thought the tranny flare problem was fixed by flashing the tranny computer. Are there many Camry owners out there that dont know there is a fix for it and mark it down as a "problem"?

[johnfrisco]

Originally Posted by ledebuhr1

I thought the tranny flare problem was fixed by flashing the tranny computer. Are there many Camry owners out there that dont know there is a fix for it and mark it down as a "problem"?

From what I read if you have a 6 Cylinder the software fix only buys you time (until warranty is expired) and eventually needs a new transmission. For the 4 Cylinders the software fix has been hit or miss.

Any one buying the latest generation Camry (2007--present) should be extremely cautious. These things are nightmares!!

[lostsignal]

Originally Posted by johnfrisco

From what I read if you have a 6 Cylinder the software fix only buys you time (until warranty is expired) and eventually needs a new transmission. For the 4 Cylinders the software fix has been hit or miss.

Any one buying the latest generation Camry (2007--present) should be extremely cautious. These things are nightmares!!

Kentucky build 2007 Toyota Camry V6 41k miles no flares or problems.

[jkeith72]

Originally Posted by njerald

Baffled? Read some old threads...

I saw this coming. If you must know, I did search and the tranny issues range a few years. The baffling part is that they pick 2008 exclusively. Did your parents not love you enough? Maybe douchebag tourettes?

[johnfrisco]

Originally Posted by jkeith72

I saw this coming. If you must know, I did search and the tranny issues range a few years. The baffling part is that they pick 2008 exclusively. Did your parents not love you enough? Maybe douchebag tourettes?

Although 2007 and 2008 both had the exact same transmission issues Consumer Reports was covering their ass because they initially and always recommend Camry. They recommended the 2007 Camry and by time the transmission issue was widely known it was too late to go back on their word.

So they took it out on the 2008 Camry which is basically the same as a 2007 Camry. Consumer Reports covered their asses and they recommended a car (07 Camry) based on reputation rather than reliability. Shame on you!!

[JohnGD]

The flare still happened in 2008 transmissions. Not sure about 09-10. Too early maybe?

I'd watch it for any sign of shift problems and at least get it documented by the dealer. That way if a fix comes up after the warranty expires the dealer should still cover it.

Originally Posted by PhatRoyale

Do you know if the 2009 and 2010 models still have the same problem?

My uncle just bought a 2010 Camry with the 6-speed auto.

[JohnGD]

Yeah, I heard that's what Consumer Reports do. Too bad. But they really have no crystal ball.

I'd be leery of the Aisin U660E transmission for the V6. I'm just not a fan of the newer Aisin U-series clunkers, IMO. Toyota is just having too many design problems with these. Such as the fluid circuit design fault in the U240 that resulted in two gears locking up at the same time.

Originally Posted by johnfrisco

Consumer Reports covered their asses and they recommended a car (07 Camry) based on reputation rather than reliability. Shame on you!!

[trooplewis]

Originally Posted by Camread

they put it on the list bc they don't want to be label as being biased

Huh? They've been biased toward Japanese cars for something like the last 22 years... Look at there history of recommending cars.