Camry & Solara LoungeDiscussion area for every generation of Toyota's family car, the Toyota Camry. Lexus ES250/300 owners welcome! Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance and more.
My dad bought a 04 Camry and he loves it. It's his "baby" car. He has the XLE trim and he loves it. I've been in his car and I like it has a luxury car vibe to it without the luxury price.
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Yukio Taira -1992 4 door Bomex'ed out, Nitrous Express Sport'n, Rippmods SuperCharged Camry
-1992 4 Door EX Honda Civic 5 spd.
-2002 Subaru WRX Wagon... full JDM goodies. My new show car.
Yeah I like my Camry, however I would go with a V6. And if the new V6 are too expensive for you, you could always go with a used car. I got my 02 V6 with 18,000mile on it for $13,000 from a dealer; I still don’t know how that happened. The Kelly blue book price was around $17,000 I believe. I have had it for a year with no problems except tires had to replace those. Don’t get me wrong I like Camry, but it was not my first choice, I wanted a Jetta VR6 or 02 V6 Solara or Celica GT or another 300M (I miss my 300M hope your new owner is good to you baby nothing like a 250hp sedan with autostick). Now that I have my Camry I’m happy, didn’t expect it to be such a great car and the V6 has some go power especially the new 3.3L V6 in the new SE. Side note if you get a new Camry get an SE they have a more sporty trim inside.
i LOVE my camry :] i have 05 gen5.5 XLE... althought at first.. i regretted getting the car because it was so hard finding aftermarket parts for the car.. but after a few months of jus looking into searches and getting to know alot of people.. there is ALOT of things you can do to your Camry just as long as you have a creative mind. Alot of the work will be DIY (do ityourself) rather than aftermarket parts already assembled and everything.. but.. its fun i think. :]
The new 2005 Camry SE I-4 are actually better than getting the LE for the same price. The SE is a grand cheaper than the LE and you also get foglights and moonroof as standard on SEs, only thing is, the cheapest SE is a manual. I would of gone for it, but I totally forgot to ask for it and I'm so regretting it now, but I do love my LE.
I love my 04 Standard. It had one little rattle that developed around a month after I got it, but the dealer killed it in just one try and now the car is perfect. No defects or problems.
BTW, the best feature of the car IMO is the I4 2AZ-FE engine. It is incredibly smooth and powerful for a 4 cylinder. The V6 of course is more powerful, but don't think that you'll be stuck high and dry without it. Highway acceleration is a blast and it cruises at 85mph with no noise or vibration. That's enough for me, but I'm pretty sure I'm older than the average ToyotaNation member. (Not too much, just 37)
There are some great deals on Standards these days in the New York papers. Just about ~$16K + TTL out the door for the 2005 automatic. But you're not going to have the full-sized spare, the power driver's seat, the remote keyless entry and the colored side mirrors of the 2005 LE. If you can live without that stuff then the Standard is a good buy.
I love my 04 Standard. It had one little rattle that developed around a month after I got it, but the dealer killed it in just one try and now the car is perfect. No defects or problems.
BTW, the best feature of the car IMO is the I4 2AZ-FE engine. It is incredibly smooth and powerful for a 4 cylinder. The V6 of course is more powerful, but don't think that you'll be stuck high and dry without it. Highway acceleration is a blast and it cruises at 85mph with no noise or vibration. That's enough for me, but I'm pretty sure I'm older than the average ToyotaNation member. (Not too much, just 37)
There are some great deals on Standards these days in the New York papers. Just about ~$16K + TTL out the door for the 2005 automatic. But you're not going to have the full-sized spare, the power driver's seat, the remote keyless entry and the colored side mirrors of the 2005 LE. If you can live without that stuff then the Standard is a good buy.
Hi i know this does not go with the topic of this thread, but you state that your Camry had a Rattle?, What kind of rattle was it? and what did the dealer do to fix it? I myself also have a 04 LE Camry and its been making a rattle sound when i accelerate, Brought it to the Dealer and he said it was my Pully, Changed it under Warranty and still same problem. I want to make another apointment to fix it but the last apointment i was at, took up my whole day from 7 am untill 4:30PM. Also i see your From New York also, by any chance did you get your car from Bay Ridge Toyota in Brooklyn?
Yeah I like my Camry, however I would go with a V6. And if the new V6 are too expensive for you, you could always go with a used car. I got my 02 V6 with 18,000mile on it for $13,000 from a dealer; I still don’t know how that happened. The Kelly blue book price was around $17,000 I believe. I have had it for a year with no problems except tires had to replace those. Don’t get me wrong I like Camry, but it was not my first choice, I wanted a Jetta VR6 or 02 V6 Solara or Celica GT or another 300M (I miss my 300M hope your new owner is good to you baby nothing like a 250hp sedan with autostick). Now that I have my Camry I’m happy, didn’t expect it to be such a great car and the V6 has some go power especially the new 3.3L V6 in the new SE. Side note if you get a new Camry get an SE they have a more sporty trim inside.
300M is good but not great!
I think the new V6 camry is faster than it.
Early this year I was looking to replace my commuter. The Camry fits the bill.
I settled on a '05 LE 4 cyl.
Here are my comments on a few categories. Bear in mind, this car to me is just a commuter. When I go to work I drive alone with no load. The drive is in Greater Los Angeles mostly between Santa Monica and the South Bay occasionally down to Orange County. The terrain that I use the commuter for is flat as Gwen Stephanie. So to me a 4 cyl is good enough.
With the VVT-i I believe the 4 cyl can handle San Francisco too.
If my commute were long high speed freeway cruising I would get a V6. A 4 cyl. drones too much and strains on long incline.
Value for the money - Great. There are few cars if any out on the market that can match it in overall value.
Performance - Pleasantly surprised by the power output. The VVT-i allows for a broad power band. It pulls well even at low speed low rpm. No match for a V6 but very very good for a 4 cyl. pulling 3000 lbs.
The engine has a peculiar note to it but I believe that is due to the timing chain. Sounds like slurping. 70s Alpha Romeos sound like that. Sorry most of you weren't born yet. At least you get to drive cars with timing chain again now.
The transmission shifts very smoothly, almost inperceptible. Outstanding! It shifts a lot better than the old 3 speed with an O/D. It is less shy in downshifting from O/D to 4th. One big disappointment is that there is no gated shifter like on the Sienna or the Lexus ES.
Love the throttle by wire. The engine responds so fast that it took me a few days to adjust. It makes the car feel very responsive. Soon as you apply pressure, rev is up and it is off and going. Makes the car feel lighter than it is.
General utility - seats 5 comfortably. Big trunk even with a full size spare in there. Full size spare is a plus (in LE.) Hats off to Toyota for not going cheap there. 60/40 split fold down rear seats. I haven't had to use the fold down seat yet but I am sure when that day comes I will be very happy.
Handling - Typical front driver - nose heavy and understeers. However, it still handles very welll as compared to cars of just a decade ago. Suspension is as good as it gets for a family sedan. It has a supple nice firm ride. Very predictable steering.
Safety - Minus point here is that unlike the Accord, the side airbags and side curtain airbags are optional. It is standard on the Accord.
With all the crazy drivers and cell phone addicts my biggest fear is being T-boned.
Headrest added for the center seat in '05.
In summary, you can't be wrong with a Camry, 4 cyl or V6. Good luck with your choice.
300M is good but not great!
I think the new V6 camry is faster than it.
Maybe! I'm just saying that I Liked my 300M more then My 02 LE V6 I would love to have a 2005 SE V6. The 300M had 250hp, you think the new V6 SE with there 225hp are faster? maybe! I don't know what do you guys think. The 300M was heavy but powerful.
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Are you happy with your new camry?
-1992 4 door Bomex'ed out, Nitrous Express Sport'n, Rippmods SuperCharged Camry 
hope your new owner is good to you baby
nothing like a 250hp sedan with autostick). Now that I have my Camry I’m happy, didn’t expect it to be such a great car and the V6 has some go power especially the new 3.3L V6 in the new SE. Side note if you get a new Camry get an SE they have a more sporty trim inside.
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