05 vs 07 le camry which to buy?

[Rideevolution]

I've been driving a 96 camry for many years now and I have finally decided its time to get something a little newer and with a lot less miles on it (currently at 230). I know I can't afford a new camry but I like the idea of a certified used car because of the financing options. I like the way the 05 drives. From what I have seen the difference in price wont be much (on average 2000). What are the ups and downs of each year...driving experience, common problems, mod availability etc.. Lets hear it Camry guru's

[islandboy57]

I would go for the '07. Side airbags + 4-wheel disc brakes are a much needed improvement over the '05 unless you added options and/or got the V6. Both years will have issues with the steering intermeidate shaft (it needs to be greased) but either one should be a good car.

How much are you looking at for each car? My gf just bought a 2009 Camry from Hertz Car Sales for $13.9K + TTL.

[heartdisease]

All car makers are hurting right now, you might be surprised with the deals you can get right now on new cars.

I bought my 09 LE about a year ago for $16,988 brand new! I was looking at an 05 used that had been wrecked they wanted 14k for. I couldn't believe the prices on new so I got one. The lot I got my car from had a similar deal going on the 2010 LE models also.

As far as I know the 09 years had the same engine and transmission as the previous gen 5 cars. I know the 2010 gen 6.5 have a different grill, led tail lights, all windows are auto down. They also have a new 6 speed transmission which give it 1 more mpg and a little more hp. I drove my friends 06 gen 5 and it seems like a smaller car on the inside. It definitely doesn't have as much leg room.

I know they have turbo kits for the gen 6 don't know what that would cost. They seem to have a plethora of cosmetic mods available. I have been very happy with my 09 so far. 37k miles and no problems so far.

Also I thought I had heard of a tsb on the new 6 speed tranny in the 2010 and up. You might do a search and see what comes up.