There is a TSB out for the 2010 & 2011 for the transmission. Ask the dealer if it was applied or was the test vehicle you drove manufactured after the TSB date.

 

I believe that the 2010 will drive smoother, with TSB or not, because it has dual variable timing as apposed to the 09's single variable timing

I own an 09 SE and usually drive my dad's '10 LE back and forth hauling stuff that needs the backseat folded down.

Although I feel the downshift between 20-30(his car's under the TSB), my dad's '10 acceleration and upshifting felt very smooth

 

Mine don't.... not smooth at all.... I will get the TSB applied at my next service. And the dealer said the Power Steering whine is normal, I disagree......... Any body else with the I4 and have a PS whine?

 

I own a 2011 base I4 auto and have driven several I4 5sp auto 2007-2009 Camrys ( I work at a shop and do tires & alignments). I think the 5 sp auto is a somewhat smoother trans and less shift busy. After 4000 miles, I have gotten used to the 6sp plus the shifting seems much better as the miles increase. I find the 2.5/6sp noticeably quicker than the 2.4/5sp. I read here about the 2010/2011 trans TSB but mine was made well after the cut off vin.
As for Luna2s' power steering whine question, I do get a whine in my car but I don't think it's from the ps. I believe it's from the trans but another 2011 I test drove sounded similar so I'm not worried by it. It is not as loud a whine noise as most newer Mercedes make!

 

I had a dealer check the whine and by removing the serpentine belt it disappeared. I drove two I4 cars while on travel and the whine was undetectable. It sounds like the PS pump has a cavitation problem in my car. (A restriction problem in the pressure bypass/return line, most noticeable between 2000 to 2800 rpm.)

 

The 2az engine in the 2009 has been known for the head bolt issue at any time after 80k miles. So I'd go with the 2010 to be safe if I were you. My grandfathers 2011 shifts as smooths as butter. Though it's no where's close to my V6

 

i'm not certain, but I thought that the head bolt issue was narrowed down to the 2az's built between 2001-2004? I thought somewhere on the forum, someone said the problem of those headbolts were solved by adjusting the torque specs...trying to jog my memory...:disappoin

 

Does the TSB apply to 2011 6-speed automatics with the 4 cyl? My seems to skip gears when I gently accelerate.

 

Yes, the TSB applies to 2011 6-speed automatics with the 4 cyl. but it's dependent on the vin # and plant the car was built in. A quick search will find the tsb, it's posted here somewhere. My 2011 base Camry 4 cyl 6 sp. auto was very "busy" feeling at first, worst at lower speed/light throttle conditions. it has become much better now at 4,000 miles. Mine was built after the vin cut-off for the TSB.

 

I've changed the power steering fluid twice, last time at 180000km and the whining is almost unoticeable comparing with before. But the whining it was always there since I purchased the car at 137000km. Not sure if is normal or not for this model. I guess less whining is good and loud is time to change the fluid...