'07 versus '06

I've decided I'd rather have a new '06 Camry from Japan instead
of a more stylish '07 Camry from Georgetown--just my personal
preference (I'm sure both cars are great machines).

Of course, the best of both worlds would be to buy the
re-styled '07 *AND* have it come from Japan. But I'm worried
when the '07s become available in March, none will be from Japan?

The Saint Louis dealer 100 miles away told me
they usually only get Japan cars at the end of the year.
What do you all think--any '07 J-cars comin' in March?

Thanks.

"Built_Well" <bw@bbbb.com> wrote in message
news:p4WdnXf0adrMUFrenZ2dnUVZ_v-dnZ2d@sysmatrix.net...[color=blue]
> I've decided I'd rather have a new '06 Camry from Japan instead
> of a more stylish '07 Camry from Georgetown--just my personal
> preference (I'm sure both cars are great machines).
>
> Of course, the best of both worlds would be to buy the
> re-styled '07 *AND* have it come from Japan. But I'm worried
> when the '07s become available in March, none will be from Japan?
>
> The Saint Louis dealer 100 miles away told me
> they usually only get Japan cars at the end of the year.
> What do you all think--any '07 J-cars comin' in March?
>
> Thanks.[/color]

West coast dealers will have them.

One of Toyota's engineers had this to say about the new
6-speed automatic transmission that's available with
the six-cylinder (V6) '07 Camry:

"The old five-speed automatic transmission was much more
expensive than the new six-speed automatic. The new transmission
has 20 percent fewer parts and reduced weight. I don't know how much
less it costs to build, but from the start of development, engineering
was working to reduce parts and increase performance."

Built_Well wrote:[color=blue]
> One of Toyota's engineers had this to say about the new
> 6-speed automatic transmission that's available with
> the six-cylinder (V6) '07 Camry:
>
> "...from the start of development, engineering was working
> to reduce parts and increase performance."[/color]

Interesting that he didn't have anything to say about reliability.

'Available,' does that mean it will be optional or standard equipment?


mike hunt


"Built_Well" <bw@bbbb.com> wrote in message
news:-eydnady8clvKFbenZ2dnUVZ_sWdnZ2d@sysmatrix.net...[color=blue]
> One of Toyota's engineers had this to say about the new
> 6-speed automatic transmission that's available with
> the six-cylinder (V6) '07 Camry:
>
> "The old five-speed automatic transmission was much more
> expensive than the new six-speed automatic. The new transmission
> has 20 percent fewer parts and reduced weight. I don't know how much
> less it costs to build, but from the start of development, engineering
> was working to reduce parts and increase performance."[/color]

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:joqcnWbiaKWxeFbeUSdV9g@ptd.net...[color=blue]
> 'Available,' does that mean it will be optional or standard equipment?
>
>
> mike hunt
>[/color]

It looks like 4 cylinder Camrys get a five speed automatic and 6 cylinder
Camrys get a 6 speed automatic.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

> The new transmission[color=blue]
> has 20 percent fewer parts and reduced weight.[/color]

(!) Sounds like people may want to pick up a 2006 with the now-proven
transmission before getting a 2007 with a cheap knock-down tranny.

The 07 looks more Frankenstein-ish of styles from other makes (such as
the G35 mix others posted) than innovative. But it's less bland to say
the least.

<johngdole@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1137443972.568967.303340@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=blue][color=green]
> > The new transmission
> > has 20 percent fewer parts and reduced weight.[/color]
>
> (!) Sounds like people may want to pick up a 2006 with the now-proven
> transmission before getting a 2007 with a cheap knock-down tranny.
>[/color]

Fewer parts sounds like a good starting point to me. I'd take this risk, if
I were in the market for a V6 Camry (but I don't need that much power and I
like my fuel economy). I'd rather take a chance on this transmission than a
first-year transmission from Ford. I wonder how those CVTs are holding up?

Still, 6-speeds has got to be reaching the limit for marginal return; it
can't be very much more efficient or useful than a 5-speed. I wonder if it
shifts faster? That might make a difference in performance.
[color=blue]
> The 07 looks more Frankenstein-ish of styles from other makes (such as
> the G35 mix others posted) than innovative. But it's less bland to say
> the least.
>[/color]

I've only seen photos but I thought it looked good. I'm not a big fan of
the looks of the current Camry. This one looks, somehow, similar but
better.

"DH" <dh@stargate.com> wrote in message
news:43cc1ad4$0$11176$6d36acad@roc.nntpserver.com...[color=blue]
> <johngdole@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1137443972.568967.303340@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green][color=darkred]
>> > The new transmission
>> > has 20 percent fewer parts and reduced weight.[/color]
>>
>> (!) Sounds like people may want to pick up a 2006 with the now-proven
>> transmission before getting a 2007 with a cheap knock-down tranny.
>>[/color]
>
> Fewer parts sounds like a good starting point to me. I'd take this risk,
> if
> I were in the market for a V6 Camry (but I don't need that much power and
> I
> like my fuel economy). I'd rather take a chance on this transmission than
> a
> first-year transmission from Ford. I wonder how those CVTs are holding
> up?
>
> Still, 6-speeds has got to be reaching the limit for marginal return; it
> can't be very much more efficient or useful than a 5-speed. I wonder if
> it
> shifts faster? That might make a difference in performance.[/color]

I have not seen any technical reports on the 6-speed transmission but my
guess is that there is another planetary gear set. The number of speeds
does not have any bearing on how "fast" a transmission shifts. A fast shift
will be more efficient although the shifts will feel harsh.

As a general rule, more gear ratios will mean better fuel economy and/or
performance. The limiting factor in the number of gear ratios is the extra
weight, cost, and complexity that come with more gear ratios.

I've hear rumors that the next generation Lexus LS will have an eight speed
transmission...
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

Like the Fusion, seems the smaller engine could make better use of the extra
gear to help it stay up on the torque curve. ;)

mike hunt

..
"Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOTcomn> wrote in message
news:e65dd$43cbf15f$44a4a10d$23702@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2@mailcity.com> wrote in message
> news:joqcnWbiaKWxeFbeUSdV9g@ptd.net...[color=green]
>> 'Available,' does that mean it will be optional or standard equipment?
>>
>>
>> mike hunt
>>[/color]
>
> It looks like 4 cylinder Camrys get a five speed automatic and 6 cylinder
> Camrys get a 6 speed automatic.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)
>
>[/color]

"Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:zKScnessQMoGtVHeUSdV9g@ptd.net...[color=blue]
> Like the Fusion, seems the smaller engine could make better use of the
> extra gear to help it stay up on the torque curve. ;)
>
> mike hunt
>[/color]

I'm with you there! I see the same "reverse" thinking on many different
makes - more gears mated with more horsepower and torque instead of with
less horsepower and torque, where the extra speeds would improve
performance.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOTcomn> wrote in message
news:e65dd$43cbf15f$44a4a10d$23702@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Mike Hunter" <mikehunt2@mailcity.com> wrote in message
> news:joqcnWbiaKWxeFbeUSdV9g@ptd.net...[color=green]
>> 'Available,' does that mean it will be optional or standard equipment?
>>
>>
>> mike hunt
>>[/color]
>
> It looks like 4 cylinder Camrys get a five speed automatic and 6 cylinder
> Camrys get a 6 speed automatic.[/color]

So, what would be the 6th speed? Ultra overdrive?
[color=blue]
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)
>
>[/color]

I was looking at a Mazda 5 and the epa figures were almost identical for the
manual and automatic. I think they were 1 mpg different City and Highway.


"DH" <dh@stargate.com> wrote in message
news:43cc1ad4$0$11176$6d36acad@roc.nntpserver.com...[color=blue]
> <johngdole@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1137443972.568967.303340@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green][color=darkred]
>> > The new transmission
>> > has 20 percent fewer parts and reduced weight.[/color]
>>
>> (!) Sounds like people may want to pick up a 2006 with the now-proven
>> transmission before getting a 2007 with a cheap knock-down tranny.
>>[/color]
>
> Fewer parts sounds like a good starting point to me. I'd take this risk,
> if
> I were in the market for a V6 Camry (but I don't need that much power and
> I
> like my fuel economy). I'd rather take a chance on this transmission than
> a
> first-year transmission from Ford. I wonder how those CVTs are holding
> up?
>
> Still, 6-speeds has got to be reaching the limit for marginal return; it
> can't be very much more efficient or useful than a 5-speed. I wonder if
> it
> shifts faster? That might make a difference in performance.
>[color=green]
>> The 07 looks more Frankenstein-ish of styles from other makes (such as
>> the G35 mix others posted) than innovative. But it's less bland to say
>> the least.
>>[/color]
>
> I've only seen photos but I thought it looked good. I'm not a big fan of
> the looks of the current Camry. This one looks, somehow, similar but
> better.
>
>[/color]

8 speed AT? Either that metal has got to be getting stronger or the AT has
got to be getting bigger.


"Ray O" <rokigawa@tristarassociatesDOTcomn> wrote in message
news:a5f46$43cc1fa4$44a4a10d$25464@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "DH" <dh@stargate.com> wrote in message
> news:43cc1ad4$0$11176$6d36acad@roc.nntpserver.com...[color=green]
>> <johngdole@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1137443972.568967.303340@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>>> > The new transmission
>>> > has 20 percent fewer parts and reduced weight.
>>>
>>> (!) Sounds like people may want to pick up a 2006 with the now-proven
>>> transmission before getting a 2007 with a cheap knock-down tranny.
>>>[/color]
>>
>> Fewer parts sounds like a good starting point to me. I'd take this risk,
>> if
>> I were in the market for a V6 Camry (but I don't need that much power and
>> I
>> like my fuel economy). I'd rather take a chance on this transmission
>> than a
>> first-year transmission from Ford. I wonder how those CVTs are holding
>> up?
>>
>> Still, 6-speeds has got to be reaching the limit for marginal return; it
>> can't be very much more efficient or useful than a 5-speed. I wonder if
>> it
>> shifts faster? That might make a difference in performance.[/color]
>
> I have not seen any technical reports on the 6-speed transmission but my
> guess is that there is another planetary gear set. The number of speeds
> does not have any bearing on how "fast" a transmission shifts. A fast
> shift will be more efficient although the shifts will feel harsh.
>
> As a general rule, more gear ratios will mean better fuel economy and/or
> performance. The limiting factor in the number of gear ratios is the
> extra weight, cost, and complexity that come with more gear ratios.
>
> I've hear rumors that the next generation Lexus LS will have an eight
> speed transmission...
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)
>[/color]

"DH" <dh@stargate.com> wrote in message
news:43cc1ad4$0$11176$6d36acad@roc.nntpserver.com...[color=blue]
> <johngdole@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1137443972.568967.303340@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green][color=darkred]
>> > The new transmission
>> > has 20 percent fewer parts and reduced weight.[/color]
>>
>> (!) Sounds like people may want to pick up a 2006 with the now-proven
>> transmission before getting a 2007 with a cheap knock-down tranny.
>>[/color]
>
> Fewer parts sounds like a good starting point to me. I'd take this risk,
> if
> I were in the market for a V6 Camry (but I don't need that much power and
> I
> like my fuel economy). I'd rather take a chance on this transmission than
> a
> first-year transmission from Ford. I wonder how those CVTs are holding
> up?[/color]

My Father has a CVT in a Freestyle. It has been flawless. Very good
transmission (sourced from ZF in Europe). Interestingly, the Five Hundred
and Fusion both use Aisin Warner Automatic Transmissons (if you don't get
the CVT i the Five Hundred). Since this company is primarly owned by Toyota
and is a prime Toyota supplier, don't you supppose the awesome, wonderfiul
supper great Toyota 6 speed automatic is the same as or at least very
similar to the piece of crap 6 speed tranmission sold in the Fusion? Oh
what a feeling. Moving forward....;

Ed