Camry '07/08 LE - Unsafe, too airy?

[Eugene08]

I bought my '08 LE a month ago, and it really worries me that the car feels so "loose" and airy. Cornering, steering, going at faster speeds on the highway in this car are scary to me, because it feels I'm floating in the air.

I have yet to approach 80 mph on the highway because of this fear. In my previous VW-Passat, 80 was a regular speed for me on a major highway like I-95, and I always felt safely "on the ground". But in this Camry, I don't let myself go beyond a 75.

Is it really safe to drive at 80mph in a Camry? Am I being silly?

[98CamryLE]

Originally Posted by Eugene08

I bought my '08 LE a month ago, and it really worries me that the car feels so "loose" and airy. Cornering, steering, going at faster speeds on the highway in this car are scary to me, because it feels I'm floating in the air.

I have yet to approach 80 mph on the highway because of this fear. In my previous VW-Passat, 80 was a regular speed for me on a major highway like I-95, and I always felt safely "on the ground". But in this Camry, I don't let myself go beyond a 75.

Is it really safe to drive at 80mph in a Camry? Am I being silly?

No offense, but did you test drive your Camry before buying it? (If you did, did you take it on the freeway?)

Never buy a car (especially one that costs around 20 grand) without test driving it- in all the situations that you will actually drive it in. Freeway, bumper-to-bumper traffic, city, potholes, parking lot, your own driveway, and so on...

Doing this can prevent you from buying a car that you don't feel safe in.

To answer your original question, it is not very safe to drive any car above 75mph. You hit something at 75mph, and you'll be seriously injured or killed no matter what car you drive.

But people drive above 75mph all the time, and Camrys are no different. My Camry feels very safe and handles well at all freeway speeds, so maybe you just aren't used to it yet. I'm guessing your Passat handled a bit better than your Camry. Camrys are tuned more towards comfort and luxury than sport- so naturally your Passat probably felt a bit more connected to the road.

Drive at a speed limit you feel comfortable with- but please, if others are driving faster- stay in the right lane.

[Gellenole]

Originally Posted by 98CamryLE

........
Drive at a speed limit you feel comfortable with- but please, if others are driving faster- stay in the right lane.

+Infinity!

[west467]

Originally Posted by Eugene08

I bought my '08 LE a month ago, and it really worries me that the car feels so "loose" and airy. Cornering, steering, going at faster speeds on the highway in this car are scary to me, because it feels I'm floating in the air.

I have yet to approach 80 mph on the highway because of this fear. In my previous VW-Passat, 80 was a regular speed for me on a major highway like I-95, and I always felt safely "on the ground". But in this Camry, I don't let myself go beyond a 75.

Is it really safe to drive at 80mph in a Camry? Am I being silly?

My 07 LE seemed a little "loose" and airy when I first got it. It's 19 months old, and 21K miles, I don't notice it much now. The non SE trim Camry's are made for the smooth ride..float.. I am changing my wheels to 17's when I get a little more miles on my stock tires. I think my suspension has settled in...

[aych]

I've got a 08 SE that I've got a pair of enkei rims with winter alpine PA3's on there. It helps when you run up the speed. try new tires, or stiffer suspensions

[TRD VVTi]

Try increasing your tire pressure. That should help. Just don't exceed the maximum inflation on the side of the tire.

[Eugene08]

Hi guys. I'm the one who started this topic.

After talking some more to my friends about this, there are several issues here:

1) The seating in a Camry'08 is unusually high. A friend told me this is for older people, who feel uncomfortable stepping into a car that's lower on the ground. Basically, this can't be changed, but it does affect your "vertigo" as you drive.

2) The car should be "lowered" (further down onto the tires) for a better feel. Most mechanics can do this, it costs around a grand. A better suspension can also be bought.

3) Tires are also a factor, though not as huge as the first two.