Camry HybridDiscussion area for the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving Americas favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I just saw a hybrid Camry in a parking lot over the weekend. I have some initial impressions and a couple of questions.
The car was a burgundy color and it looked beautiful. And I really like the new body style.
I was surprised that the car already had some scratches on the front bumper forward of the right tire. I wondered if the more vertical shape of the bumper makes it more susceptible to scratches.
I thought the large "hybrid" badge on the right side of the car was a little oversized. It looked more like an advertisement. But I suppose that could be removed.
And the car I looked at had no body side molding. Without side molding, it looks like the sides of the car could get damaged easily by other cars in a parking lot.
Here are some questions:
Does the available side molding provide a decent amount of protection? On some cars the side molding is more decorative than functional.
Does the hybrid battery take a significant amount of space in the trunk?
Can anyone comment on the hybrid power train and on how the car drives?
And finally, does anyone have any "real world" MPG numbers from their hybrid yet?
1.Personally I don't have the side moldings on my car but I have had them on my previous vehicles. And yes it does help protect the car to a minimal degree.
2. The battery does take up up bit of trunk space. The trunk isn't as big as I would like it.
3. If you have never driven a hybrid before like myself then you will definitely feel the difference. From a complete stop you will feel when the gas motor kicks in and when it helps out the electric motor.
4. Right now I am on my 2nd tank getting 38.1mpg on my current tank. My first tank I got 40.2mpg. About 550miles on a full tank until E hits.
Even with the very few shortcomings on this car, I can honestly say this car has been the best car I've ever bought. Cars I have had before : Acura Integra(1991), ML320(1998),Honda Accord(1998), and a BMW 325I(2005). This IS THE BEST car I have owned so far. I am 1100 miles into it and I am very happy with the car. I've had people walk by and literally stop to take a closer look at the vehicle. The comfort level inside is phenominal. SOOOO Quiet. The anti-glare mirror is so useful when you have people driving suv/trucks highbeaming you from behind. This car when loaded up pretty much has all the features you would find in a luxury sedan. It is no surprise why you have so many people on waitlists on this car.
I thought the large "hybrid" badge on the right side of the car was a little oversized. It looked more like an advertisement. But I suppose that could be removed.
Toyota did a survey a long time back in regard to hybrid's, initial results wanted people to have a small badging depicting they have the hybrid-synergy system. However, after a poll of a few rx400 customers, the results were completely reversed...the rx400 customers wanted everyone to know they are driving a hybrid...hence the oversized badging is based on what customers wanted. I personally like it.
Thank you very much for relating your impressions as a hybrid owner.
And it's great to see real world MPG results. Those fuel economy numbers are looking very good.
I'm definitely considering one of these as my next car.
Bob
Quote:
Originally Posted by makiev
1.Personally I don't have the side moldings on my car but I have had them on my previous vehicles. And yes it does help protect the car to a minimal degree.
2. The battery does take up up bit of trunk space. The trunk isn't as big as I would like it.
3. If you have never driven a hybrid before like myself then you will definitely feel the difference. From a complete stop you will feel when the gas motor kicks in and when it helps out the electric motor.
4. Right now I am on my 2nd tank getting 38.1mpg on my current tank. My first tank I got 40.2mpg. About 550miles on a full tank until E hits.
Even with the very few shortcomings on this car, I can honestly say this car has been the best car I've ever bought. Cars I have had before : Acura Integra(1991), ML320(1998),Honda Accord(1998), and a BMW 325I(2005). This IS THE BEST car I have owned so far. I am 1100 miles into it and I am very happy with the car. I've had people walk by and literally stop to take a closer look at the vehicle. The comfort level inside is phenominal. SOOOO Quiet. The anti-glare mirror is so useful when you have people driving suv/trucks highbeaming you from behind. This car when loaded up pretty much has all the features you would find in a luxury sedan. It is no surprise why you have so many people on waitlists on this car.
Toyota did a survey a long time back in regard to hybrid's, initial results wanted people to have a small badging depicting they have the hybrid-synergy system. However, after a poll of a few rx400 customers, the results were completely reversed...the rx400 customers wanted everyone to know they are driving a hybrid...hence the oversized badging is based on what customers wanted. I personally like it.
Toyota did a survey a long time back in regard to hybrid's, initial results wanted people to have a small badging depicting they have the hybrid-synergy system. However, after a poll of a few rx400 customers, the results were completely reversed...the rx400 customers wanted everyone to know they are driving a hybrid...hence the oversized badging is based on what customers wanted. I personally like it.
I test drove a Hybrid Camry and was impressed with it as well. I was surprised to find out the rear seats go down just like my LE. However, the Driver's side rear seat was useless going down because you could not see through the battery. The Passenger side rear seat still had a "hole" but smaller.
I like the car...good pick up and quicker then my LE I4 engine.
Here is the Trunk....
__________________ "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."Albert Einstein
If you do a lot of stop and go driving (city), I'd recommend the I4 or hybrid. If you do a lot of highway driving, I think you can't go wrong with the V6. My realworld gas mileage on my V6 is 29+MPG average (65% highway). On the same roads, my 05 I4 gets about 28MPG.
The hybrids are in?! When I went to test drive the V6 LE (when the '07 first came out) the sales lady was saying how interesting the hybrid should be - I told her I'd be back to test drive it. I've never driven a hybrid before so I'm *really* curious how it is.
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'05 2AZ-FE @ 40K miles | '95 1MZ-FE @ 87K miles moving forward
That's a very interesting and it makes sense since hybrid efficiency is tied to capturing the energy normally lost in braking.
Bob
Quote:
Originally Posted by moeharri
If you do a lot of stop and go driving (city), I'd recommend the I4 or hybrid. If you do a lot of highway driving, I think you can't go wrong with the V6. My realworld gas mileage on my V6 is 29+MPG average (65% highway). On the same roads, my 05 I4 gets about 28MPG.
In any state that has adopted the CARB emissions standards, the battery is warrantied for 150,000 miles. The number of years can vary from 10-15, and in the case of Toyota, they choose 12. I highly doubt they would use a battery that would knowingly need to be replaced before then...it would just be bad for them.
Also, the hybrid battery is NickelMetalHydride (NiMH), which, so long as it is properly maintained (which the computer is more than capable of) will retain a high capacity and high output capability for many, many years.
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Toyotas in the family/next of kin:
1982 Corolla Wagon, 1989 Corolla DX, 1991 Previa LE, 1993 Previa LE,
1993 Pickup, 1994 Corolla DX, 1995 Avalon XL, 1996 Camry XLE, 1998 Avalon XL,
1998 Sienna CE, 1999 Camry XL, 2000 Camry XLE, 2002 Tundra, 2003 Tundra,
2003 ES 300, 2004 Camry XLE, 2005 Tacoma
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