Help me decide

[Mario Amodeo]

Hi, new here. Just purchased a 2002 Camry XLE, midnight blue, gray leather, 60k miles, with every possible option, factory chrome alloys, including Nav, it doesn't get any fancier. It truly looks like a Lexus. The sunroof was not operating correctly so I left it at the Toyota dealership. They loaned me a 2004 SE, silver, black/gray cloth, 38k miles, hubcaps. The new I4 does really well and handles easier. The SE has a strut brace but the rear stabilizer looks the same and the springs also appear similiar. Where is the difference in in the suspension? There is a slight shift lag in the XLE and it seems much heavier. Steering felt heavy. Maybe increase tire air pressure. It would float a little. When going faster than 50 and you accelerate the V6 cyl just eats up the I4. But I really like how nimble the I4 is. I also drove a 2004 XLE with an I4 and it felt similiar to the SE w/I4. I may have a chance to return the V6 XLE. The 2004 I4 XLE is maroon/red with tan cloth, regular alloys, 48k miles. I don't really care about Nav. Is the fuel consumption that much different between I4 and V6? I drive 600 miles/week 90% interstate in Northern Arizona. What to do.

[marc780]

Mario your torn between the V6 and the 4 right? I drive both, almost every day. (I own two - 2001 V6 solara and V6 2002 camry, and i work on a fleet that has I4 Camry).

You do highway driving, so the mileage penalty will not be much. I love the power of the V6 and i considered very carefully before i chose it. (I drive in LA, not exactly the place to try for maximum mpg). The I4 will always give better mpg, that's why people buy them, that and the I4's are much more common and cost a little less.

With my V6, I get 25 mpg average, with stop and go being 70% of my driving. Open road, the mpg goes up, way up. My wife and i took the V6 Solara last year to Grand Canyon and back (500 miles) and mostly at 80 mph. 28 mpg.
And not for lack of meaningful conversation, mind you, she slept much of the way home , leather seats you know. And, i think, the V6. Smooth, quiet, and assured.

If you choose the I4 i think you might get 4 or 5 more mpg, there are plenty of other posts about this if you are looking for more detailed info.