Sell me on an '05 Camry

[kenny1773]

I have a 1995 camry V6 I like the car and have zero complaints and never had a lick of trouble with it.

140k miles


I need something with a little more room but I do not want an SUV of any type.

It looks to me like ALL the sedans in it's class for 2005 are bigger than what mine is. Camry Accord Altima, so any of them may do.

I have read that maybe the newer camry's are not built as good as mine was and some toyota buyers are not very happy with them.

Then there is the whole sludge issue and how toyota first started to handle that problem that leaves me a little less than confortable.

I imagine the people in this forum will be biased

So sell me on the new 2005 Camry

Why do i want it?

[Fresco Bob]

this may not be what you are looking for but have you looked into the avalon? its bigger than the camry and theyve made them for a while, so you could find a used one thats a bit older.

otherwise for a gen5 camry if you were to go for the V6 SE the 3.3L rocks. Are you talking more room in the trunk, room for passengers? the gen 5 has plenty of cabin room. I am 6'6'' myself and fit very comfortable in every seat.

[rapsux2000]

That sludge issue was mainly a problem with gen 4's not gen 5's. The car is an over all good value. Plus if you get an SE, you can get the new 3.3 liter engine. But you also won't go wrong with an Altima or an Accord. I would personally choose the Altima over the other two.

[Silver Streak]

Here's a good thread for an Accord vs. Camry.

Accord Sedan or Camry?

The Camry SE is really nice, esp. with a full OEM body kit...looks awesome and the new 3.3 has gobs of torque...a ton more than the 240hp Accord.

[kenny1773]

My first post did not really say what I wanted it to. I more want to hear from current 05 camry owners.

Are you happy with your purchase? How long have you had it? WHY did YOU pick the camry over the accord and the altima?


I am 6'5" and need driver room. I also have a wife and two kids. We usually drive when we go on vacation and need space for everything.

I am also sort of tired of driving the same car after almost 10 years and want a change.

I will not necessarily pick a V6 again (I have a motorcycle to feed my speed addiction )

Gas mileage is a concern as I see gas prices continue to climb for near future at least.

So far I am leaning away from the accord and towards a new camry or altima. I just did not like the "feel" of the accord. The 'noise' in the altima does not bother me like it does some (4 cylinder model). I have driven them all and may need a second go round at the wheel.

Cost is a factor. I will most likely pay cash, so special financing is not of interest to me, but a lower purchase price is always good (rebates etc etc).

I have noticed that 4 cylinder 2005 altimas (auto/air) have been going as low as $15,000 in my area. Camrys seem to be $16,000. These are dealer low-ball ads in the Sunday paper (this one only type stuff) but I have been lucky enough to buy one of these ad cars in the past so I don't write them off as bait-n-switch comepletely (even though many are).

[Mighty~Mart]

if gas mileage is your primary... i'd go w/ a diesel engine.

maybe a jetta or Golf TDI.

[CamNub]

I don't have a gen 2005 but my dad has an '05 corolla and a '03 Camry.
I would take a camry because:
-Its a great family car. Very spacious.
-The ride is very smooth. You can speed up to 80 thinking its only 60. You won't even notice your going that fast until you look at ur speedometer.
-Reliable. It will last you over 10 years. So its a great investment.


The reason my dad took an '03 camry over a accord because of the fact it was 0% apr but i guess that will not be an issue.

[xpeed]

I'd go for the LE I-4. It's practically the middle lineup of the Gen 5.5 Camrys. I got a Gen 5.5 camry and it's great.

[xmikeyx]

I have a 2003 Camry. I had the choice to choose from an Accord and an Altima when looking for a car. I picked the Camry, mainly because my parents were friends with the salesman and paid $300 over invoice without negotiating. We also took advantage of the 0% apr at the time.

Here are my thoughts on the car: It is very quite, even when starting it, it is not that loud. Sometimes when idle, it doesn't sound like the car is on. Just make sure you check the tach and temp gauge and the lighted gear select on the gauge cluster to make sure the engine is on.

The I4 has enough power. It would be nice to have a V6, but the 4 cylinder has more than enough power for city driving and good enough for highway.

Interior has plenty of room. I have no problems fitting 3 adults in the back seat. Maybe I can squeeze a fourth if I tried. The trunk also has plenty of room and the fold-down rear seats increase cargo space if needed.

Dashboard set-up.... although high quality, looks boring. If Toyota had a dashboard like the Accord's, I would have been happier. My main complaint is that the radio is placed too high on the dash. I've gotten used to it, but would have liked it if it was lower. Although the dash design is not a strong point, I could live with it. Radio and climate controls are very easy to use though.

Now for the size of the car. Didn't notice this on the test drive, but afterwards, the car felt a lot bigger than it really is, so I had to get used to driving and parking it, but I didn't find it a problem once I got used to it.

Don't know what else to say. That's all I could think of right now...

[jhbhatia]

I've rented a gen 5 camry before. the 2az engine, despite being a 4banger is really smoother than the old 5sfe. Mind you i love my 5sfe. May i suggest a 5sp ie. m/t 2azfe camry SE. the m/t doesn't feel underpowered at all. And the m/t will certainly save you mulla in gas. Only catch is that your wifee would need to be able to drive a m/t.

[CamNub]

Originally posted by xmikeyx


Now for the size of the car. Didn't notice this on the test drive, but afterwards, the car felt a lot bigger than it really is, so I had to get used to driving and parking it, but I didn't find it a problem once I got used to it.

Yes, they are quite beefy. It may be hard to parellel park.

[VVT-i Owns]

The 4 Banger is more than enough power for a family Sedan; Esp now it comes in 5 SPD auto. I suggest the SE trim it has a more firmer ride but 10X better handeling.

Between a 4 cylinder Altima and Camry I'd say get the Camry.
If you wanted V6 go drive the Altima 3.5SE

[slyguy_32]

I could not be more pleased with my Camry. I've lusted after it ever since they changed it (Gen5) in 2001. I was expecting peerless quality, and I was not disappointed. Like it was mentioned earlier, the VVT-i I4 is very quiet. Quiet to start, and often times inaudible at a stop light. Watch the tach!
The car is quite beefy. Very big car, and rides very well. Not as precise or tactile as an Accord, but never harsh, and always quiet. Rough roads never upset the Camry.
I prefer my '04 over the '05 for many reasons however. I was turned off by the headlight change, and most of all the taillights. I prefer the way the '04 taillights look when lit up, and you can't see the bare naked bulbs in them;Toyota covers them with appropriate colored lenses front and rear. My LE auto came with a AM/FM CD Tape player that sounds great, standard radio on the '05LE is tape delete.
Mechanically speaking the '05 comes better equiped however. The '05 comes with auto headlights,and ABS, where my '04 didn't.

I was able to steal my '04 for $16K when the MSRP was $20K, and they even threw in the first service for free, a Toyota T-shirt, keychain, color-keyed mudflaps, the alarm, and Lo-Jack. They will really throw out the red carpet if you find an '04 you like still on the lot, so that is something to consider.

Good luck on your hunt,
Sly

[brazilgoal]

I love my '03 Camry SE. Great car and fun to drive, especially with the manual tranny. Plenty of room for me, wife and two teenagers. Besides it looks good too. My kids and nor wife are not embarrased to be in it, but think its cool to drive, as do the youth at church.

Crisp diriving, plenty of room, and power. you will not regret the purchase and I believe you will find a good deal.

[kenny1773]

Now thats what I was looking for! I just had to ask it right.

Thanks all for your replies.

Mighty~Mart - I would use my motorcycle as my only vehicle before I ever bought a VW I understand your mileage point completely, but VW is not an option in my world


jhbhatia - my wife prefers manual transmission, her current 2001 RAV4 is manual by her choice, so no problemo


I am glad to hear the 4 banger has some power and is QUIET. I will say after 140K miles and 10 years, my current V6 camry is still QUIET. That is impressive.

I do like a firmer ride myself. I guess I really need to look at the SE modelk camry. Does anyone know what exactly they changed in the suspension? It is just firmer shocks or it is shocks and springs and everything that is different?


I can not believe the 4 banger models of these cars are so cheap. I have seen 4 banger 2005 camrys with auto and a/c for $15,999 (obviously not an SE) and I have seen 4 banger altimas with auto and a/c for $14,999.

I might even be able to get a manual for less, it seems those do not sell well in my area either. If I found a dealer with one on the lot I might be able to work a sweeter deal.


The question may more come down to is the camry worth $1000 more than the altima? or do I say screw it to the buget and splurge on the V6 model (which I really don't see being discounted in my area).

decisions decisions.