Please help me for the purchase of my first Camry

[TampaBay]

I own Honda/Acura for almost 20 years now. I want to change my taste to Toyota/Lexus. My first try is the new Camry. The reason is....I heard it cheaper than Honda, same reliability, stylish, good gas mileage....
Can anyone please let me know what is the good one to pick? I know prices vary between leather seat or not, 4cly or 6cly...etc, but overall, which one is good value to buy (18k-24k)

Also, are there any tricks, tips and what to test for when test drive the Camry?

Thanks so much.
TB.

[RAV4EVR]

Originally Posted by TampaBay

I own Honda/Acura for almost 20 years now. I want to change my taste to Toyota/Lexus. My first try is the new Camry. The reason is....I heard it cheaper than Honda, same reliability, stylish, good gas mileage....
Can anyone please let me know what is the good one to pick? I know prices vary between leather seat or not, 4cly or 6cly...etc, but overall, which one is good value to buy (18k-24k)

Also, are there any tricks, tips and what to test for when test drive the Camry?

Thanks so much.
TB.

For 24k, u can get the 2007 Camry. If u want used, the 2005-2006 should be available for 18k.

Do not know what ur fuel efficiency/power requirements are. The 4 cylinder Toyota engines are pretty peppy. The V6 Camry engine is one of industry's best and very smooth. The 4 Cylinder engines are pretty quiet too and do not create much vibration.

It is a matter of getting a good deal. Autotrader.com is the biggest site that I like.

As far as durability is concerned, Toyotas are supposed to be one step above the Hondas.

[skewe]

look at the 2007 camry. if you know some people, you might be able to get a 2007 SE for $24k.

i would do more research into pricing, performance and read the Gen 5-6 Camry forum

[ASG14]

Go for the V6, hands down. Around 100HP more then the I4

Straight from Toyota's Website. Base MSRP from each model. would should be able to get then a tad cheaper.

Camry 4-Cylinder
CE:
$18,270 MSRP
LE:
$18,270 MSRP
SE:
$20,940 MSRP
XLE:
$24,700 MSRP
Hybrid:
$26,200 MSRP


Camry V6
LE:
$23,340 MSRP
SE:
$24,615 MSRP
XLE:
$27,820 MSRP

[marc780]

I get to drive both camry engines (work cars i drive all have the 4). I insisted on getting a V6 even though they are harder to find and cost more - the V6 has plenty of power and i have gotten up to 27 mpg (in LA traffic, the worst in the US).
The only thing to beware of if buying used, is to check for sludge in the engine if you can, or at least service records if available. I bought a camry and solara, both with V6 and i didnt know about the sludging problem then, so i bought em both without checking for this. But i think i lucked out with regard to the sludging issue, hope so anyway.
The most reliable way to check for sludge is to remove a valve cover and look. I know it could be hard to do this on a used car unless you are really certain you are going to buy it and can talk the owner into letting you do it. Maybe i'd save it for the last step in the buying process.

I'd really like to have had leather seats, so much nicer and hard wearing (even knowing that only the part you sit on is leather, the sides are vinyl). But i had a tough time just finding a decent Camry with a V6 and decided to press my luck no further once i found it. But if i were buying new, i'd just pay the freight and get the leather myself. I considered adding leather but the front seats alone are $1000 just for leather covers (that replace the old seat material not go over it. And this cost is not counting installation unless you can do it yourself.)