Buying advice- 2011 Camry XLE v6 or 2010 Altima 3.5SR V6

10637 Views 62 Replies 21 Participants Last post by ImJustMe55, Sep 17, 2010

Lkdog

Discussion Starter · Aug 30, 2010

Both loaded. Both new.
Both V6. Both fine cars.
pretty much same price on them after haggling down form MSRP's.

I can likely get either through work as my company car.

The Altima seems sportier and better handling. I actually liked the CVT tranny on it also as opposed to the sometimes lurching Camry 6 speed ( I have a 2007 XLE V6 right now).
The Camry rides smoother and is quieter.

Probably is the difference mostly between the 16 versus 17" wheels and sport suspension on the Altima.

Any thoughts welcome.

Related question- Any info out about build quality on the 2011 Camry's as opposed to previous last few years? The 2007 I have is nice, but some dodgy build issues in cabin. FWIW-I have owned Camry's since 1994.

Thanks.

1 - 20 of 63 Posts

Glenn8963

· #2 · Aug 30, 2010

well i gotta tell you, i have only been on these boards a short time myself, since i bought my '10 camry LE. it s the best darned car i could have ever owned......... but you wouldn't know it from these boards however. guys with new '10's, new '11's, and all they seem to do is find "issues" with one thing or another.

i think you'd be better off going for the nissan.........this way..........you won't have to read what some of these guys are complaining about.....!!!

Joe B

· #3 · Aug 30, 2010

This is a a Camry forum.
What answer do you think you'll receive?

willt

· #4 · Aug 30, 2010

Joe B said:
This is a a Camry forum.
What answer do you think you'll receive?

camry of course :thumbsup:

Cartang

· #5 · Aug 30, 2010

Camry SE V6

gdanaher

· #6 · Aug 30, 2010

You drive both cars for a half hour on bumpy streets and freeways. Find a color you like for both cars. Look at it hard. Check trunk space, head room, rear seat room. Look at the dash lighting at night. If you can't decide then you flip a quarter and hope for the best.

arabianobsession

· #7 · Aug 30, 2010

Compare the Altima with the Camry SE.....if you're looking at sport suspension the XLE definitely is not the one.

Reactions: 1

canderton01

· #8 · Aug 30, 2010

Cartang said:
Camry SE V6

x2

If it's XLE vs Altima I'd take the altima. I'm sorry but the XLE really is a old people cruiser(I would know, I drive one). The Altima will be more fun to drive and looks better imo. I would take an SE over an altima though because the SE bodykit is hella sexy, and it's a little bit more engaging to drive with it's firmer suspension setup. It's all about what you want though. If luxury and comfort is your thing, then the XLE is perfect for you.

Howler

· #9 · Aug 30, 2010 (Edited)

Not happy with 2011 camry transmission

to lkdog: Buying advice- 2011 Camry XLE v6 or 2010 Altima 3.5SR V6

You may want to drive the 2011 Camry around for some time and check out the crappy transmission that "jake brakes" when you slow down. It's a real nussance when you drive in stop and go traffic, shifts gears from 2nd to 3rd, and feels like you crammed on the brakes below 25mph when stopping. I've taken mine in 3 times and nothing was done except say sorry that's just the way it drives now. I also have a Mixima with the CVT, wish I had gotten the Altima with the CVT. I wish I had driven the Camry around more before leasing it. It does drive great on the highway though.

thrawnis

· #10 · Aug 30, 2010

I haven't driven the Altima in several years but Nissan's 3.5 V6 engine is pretty awesome with plenty of torque and pulling power. However, my wife has a Infiniti G35 with practically the same basic engine and the thing leaks and burns oil constantly. This has been the case since we bought the car several years ago and the repairs cost a good chunk of change. The build quality is pretty mediocre, but honestly, not much different than my Camry.

The Camry has not had any major mechanical problems other than the transmission flare but it has had a bunch of electrical issues (head unit replaced, ECU replaced, ABS replaced, etc. all under warranty).

Overall, I would say it is a wash. Get whichever one you like more as far as aesthetic appeal, handling, and fits best with your driving style.

arabianobsession

· #11 · Aug 30, 2010

Howler: That's why I bought the manual :clap: I hate that trash automatic too.

thrawnis

· #12 · Aug 30, 2010

arabianobsession said:
Howler: That's why I bought the manual :clap: I hate that trash automatic too.

No option of a manual V6. If only......

Musicmansell

· #13 · Aug 31, 2010

had the same question

Check out my thread I posted up here a couple weeks ago.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355175&goto=newpost

I test drove a bunch of different vehicles including the Altima and Camry in both XLE and SE V6 models. I went with Camry but I explain why and it could just be my personal choice. There were differences between the two for sure. The XLE doesn't compare to the sportiness of the Altima or the handling. The SE V6 sure does though. Also, the main differences I felt between them were road noise and handling. The Altima Hugged the road a bit more and cornered better but I also felt every bump n crack in the asphalt. Camry had good power and good handling but was also way quieter and to me was roomier and looked better. Just my opinion. Good luck.

deuce106

· #14 · Aug 31, 2010

i know this might be off topic but i took my camry to get it service and the dealer gave me a Maxima to drive for a day...if you want sport and comfortness i would go with Maxima. if you look around you can get one witha price that is similar to a loaded camry or altima...

arabianobsession

· #15 · Aug 31, 2010

Thrawnis: I hear your pain. I think it's ridiculous Toyota doesn't match their V6 to a manual. The Maxima had that option at one point, so did the Accord. And the older Camry's (Gen 4) had the option too. It's a shame.

Lkdog

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 31, 2010 (Edited)

Musicmansell said:
Check out my thread I posted up here a couple weeks ago.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355175&goto=newpost

I test drove a bunch of different vehicles including the Altima and Camry in both XLE and SE V6 models. I went with Camry but I explain why and it could just be my personal choice. There were differences between the two for sure. The XLE doesn't compare to the sportiness of the Altima or the handling. The SE V6 sure does though. Also, the main differences I felt between them were road noise and handling. The Altima Hugged the road a bit more and cornered better but I also felt every bump n crack in the asphalt. Camry had good power and good handling but was also way quieter and to me was roomier and looked better. Just my opinion. Good luck.

Nice post in your link. :thumbsup:
I drove the following V6/leather/bluetooth models yesterday or on Saturday.

1) Honda Accord EX-L V6- nice interior. Way too much road noise. Lousy V6 engine. Not sure what people see in this car.

2) VW PASSAT- drove the turbo 4. Awesome engine. Fun to drive. HAndles great. Great interior. The reliability record of VW scares me. :ugh3: I will be driving 25-30K a year and have to have a reliable car.

3) Altima 3.5SR V6- as noted. Handles great. Great v6. Nice interior. A bit bouncy/bumpy ride.

4) Mercury Milan Premier V6- This is also the Ford Fusion although the Fusion V6 is more powerful. The Milan is a sleeper. Does everything well.
Nice handling. Quiet. Very Good, but not great V6. Nice interior that seems a little small for some reason.

5) 2007 Toyota XLE V6- I own this car. As noted. Great V6. Balky tranny at times. Nice interior, but build quality of interior is not on par with the others above. Smooth quiet ride, but a little spongy ride. (my 3rd Camry since '94).

6) 2010 Ford Taurus SE - No leather, but nice cabin. This is a very good car. If I could get one with bluetooth in it for around 25K I would strongly consider this. We have one at home and it is my wife's company car. Heckuva car, but gets very pricey when you add leather and bluetooth. More of an Avalon competitor really.

7) 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXL- very nice inside and out. Bigger car so not quite as quick as the lighter ones above, but good base V6. Is more in that Avalon/high end Taurus/ES 350 category really. I cannot afford the high end LaCrosse.

Anyway- thanks for the great responses from folks. :clap:

I would consider the SE V6 but after adding the V6 and the bluetooth and leather option it gets very pricey.
I do not like the interior on the SE so much either. I do love the body.
Have not driven one. They only have 4 cylinder ones at my dealer.

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Joe B

· #17 · Aug 31, 2010

Lkdog said:
Nice post in your link. :thumbsup:
I drove the following V6/leather/bluetooth models yesterday or on Saturday.

1) Honda Accord EX-L V6- nice interior. Way too much road noise. Lousy V6 engine. Not sure what people see in this car.

2) VW PASSAT- drove the turbo 4. Awesome engine. Fun to drive. HAndles great. Great interior. The reliability record of VW scares me. :ugh3: I will be driving 25-30K a year and have to have a reliable car.

3) Altima 3.5SR V6- as noted. Handles great. Great v6. Nice interior. A bit bouncy/bumpy ride.

4) Mercury Milan Premier V6- This is also the Ford Fusion although the Fusion V6 is more powerful. The Milan is a sleeper. Dose everything well.
Nice handling. Quiet. Very Good, but not great V6. Nice interior that seems a little small for some reason.

5) Toyota Gen 6 XLE V6- I own this car. As noted. Great V6. Balky tranny at times. Nice interior, but build quality of interior is not on par with the others above. Smooth quiet ride.

6) 2010 Ford Taurus SE - No leather, but nice cabin. This is a very good car. If I could get one with bluetooth in it for around 25K I would strongly consider this. We have one at home and it is my wife's company car. Heckuva car, but gets very pricey when you add leather and bluetooth. More of an Avalon competitor really.

7) 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXL- very nice inside and out. Bigger car so not quite as quick as the lighter ones above, but good base V6. Is more in that Avalon/high end Taurus/ES 350 category really. I cannot afford the high end LaCrosse.

Anyway- thanks for the great responses from folks. :clap:

I would consider the SE V6 but after adding the V6 and the bluetooth and leather option it gets very pricey.
I do not like the interior on the SE so much either. I do love the body.
Have not drievn one. They only have 4 cylinder ones at my dealer.

Ford is dumping the Mercury line and the resale value of the Milan will tank.Not too much of a big deal if you're going to keep the Milan at least 6-7 years.

arabianobsession

· #18 · Aug 31, 2010

We have an accessories website at our dealer that allows you to add aftermarket leather for $1000. And all our V6 SE's already have the EX stereo with Bluetooth. Just as an FYI

Lkdog

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 31, 2010

deuce106 said:
i know this might be off topic but i took my camry to get it service and the dealer gave me a Maxima to drive for a day...if you want sport and comfortness i would go with Maxima. if you look around you can get one witha price that is similar to a loaded camry or altima...

It will be a car that my company buys.
The Maxima is viewed as a little too nice I think.

The loaded Camry and Altimas sneak under the radar as everybody has one.

Lkdog

Discussion Starter · #20 · Aug 31, 2010

Joe B said:
Ford is dumping the Mercury line and the resale value of the Milan will tank.Not too much of a big deal if you're going to keep the Milan at least 6-7 years.

Yeah- the car will be driven for 200K miles or 6 years or so.
Anything we buy will not be worth much then.
Will likely not go that route-but have to hand it to Ford. pretty decent car.

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