I'm getting ready to buy my first Camry and first new car ever. I'm a 33y male w/ family and it seems like the best choice to make. I had no ambitions to be an Autocross driver and Atlanta traffic is so bad, so my car just needs to be sporty enough to navigate my way around the lady talking on the phone while putting on her make up and the guy reading the morning paper- yes I've seen both :headbang:
I would like some replies on why you decided to buy your Camry and anything you would do over in buying it, i.e. less, more options, color, model, even a different car. I'm planning on buying a 2013 Camry SE I4, White/blk int. no sunroof, because of the popping issue and hopefully get some michelin tires on it.
My Short list, just my opinion from research and test drives:
Camry SE: Affordable, reliable and quiet but doesn't have some of the pizazz and standard tech as some of the redesigns (push button start, turn sig. on mirrors, back up cam., power seat). But it does have a good stereo and comfortable seats and a refined engine. What sold me was it is one of the lowest price of almost all the midsized cars, nice minimalist style- kind of like the classic square iPod design in white, best reliability and cost to own. Win win :thumbsup:
Sonata SE: Modern-look with looks of gadgets (that can brake and are expensive to repair), poor steering, best warranty, great pricing, good acceleration but over all feels unrefined. Kind of like when I buy generic cereal because it's sitting next to the named brand cereal and it's cheaper, but when I get home I realized it tastes just a bit off, even though it has the same ingredients s on the box, something like that. Over all a good car with a boatload of extras. I so really want to like this car.
Mazda 6: This car was almost a winner. Love the style, features and handling. Best looking of the bunch and has a quality feel to the interior. All the modern stylings of a new car Mazda hit right on the head: Large grill, sporty look, decent rear lights, good use of chrome overall, curvy, pronounced body lines and great rims, looks much more expensive than it costs. But as much as I want to say I need a "drivers car" I really don't. I'm 6'3 and want a roomy, cushy interior. I understand it's interior is simple, elegant and focused providing the driver with ergonomic needs, not playing with space aged gadgets and ritzy designs. But I do a lot of road trips in the family and sitting in traffic so I want a car that has a fun and interesting interior. Plus it's a new company and car (since Mazda/Ford split) so there is bound to be some growing pains and issues that need to be worked out. Plus the car is in high demand and short supply= High price. Made in Japan good= Good quality, but expensive OOW repairs in the future.
These didn't make it on my short list
Optima- Wanted to like it like the Sonata. It's looks great inside and out, but the headrests pushed my head so far forward it was a deal killer. They were REALLY uncomfortable like who was this car made for. my saleswoman said that she hears that a lot and recommend turning them around after adjusting them back as far as they go. I can't enjoy a car while my neck is hurting.
Accord- CVT issues, shifting problems, engine sputtering look it will shut off while taking a curve, crappy stereo sound, voice cancelation issues, rattles and pops, hard ride. Maybe once they've worked out there 1st year issues, but not now.
Fusion- Not interested in another Ford after my well maintained Taurus experienced the "Black Death" issue, google search it. The stuck on baby aston martin grill on a plump, overstuffed car does nothing for me.
Altima- Is ok, but nothing stood out to me unless you got the higher, expensive trims and the CVT in my rental was bad until you put it in S mode which sucked down gas. Merging in traffic it took a second to think about moving. It's computer should be able to process things faster than my CPU (brain) can.
Maibu: Looks cool. But haven't bothered looking into it since I can't find one person that says it's worth buying over the rest.
Sorry for writing the novel. If all goes well I'll post pics of my new SE at the end of the month. Thanks for reading this far!:thanks:
I would like some replies on why you decided to buy your Camry and anything you would do over in buying it, i.e. less, more options, color, model, even a different car. I'm planning on buying a 2013 Camry SE I4, White/blk int. no sunroof, because of the popping issue and hopefully get some michelin tires on it.
My Short list, just my opinion from research and test drives:
Camry SE: Affordable, reliable and quiet but doesn't have some of the pizazz and standard tech as some of the redesigns (push button start, turn sig. on mirrors, back up cam., power seat). But it does have a good stereo and comfortable seats and a refined engine. What sold me was it is one of the lowest price of almost all the midsized cars, nice minimalist style- kind of like the classic square iPod design in white, best reliability and cost to own. Win win :thumbsup:
Sonata SE: Modern-look with looks of gadgets (that can brake and are expensive to repair), poor steering, best warranty, great pricing, good acceleration but over all feels unrefined. Kind of like when I buy generic cereal because it's sitting next to the named brand cereal and it's cheaper, but when I get home I realized it tastes just a bit off, even though it has the same ingredients s on the box, something like that. Over all a good car with a boatload of extras. I so really want to like this car.
Mazda 6: This car was almost a winner. Love the style, features and handling. Best looking of the bunch and has a quality feel to the interior. All the modern stylings of a new car Mazda hit right on the head: Large grill, sporty look, decent rear lights, good use of chrome overall, curvy, pronounced body lines and great rims, looks much more expensive than it costs. But as much as I want to say I need a "drivers car" I really don't. I'm 6'3 and want a roomy, cushy interior. I understand it's interior is simple, elegant and focused providing the driver with ergonomic needs, not playing with space aged gadgets and ritzy designs. But I do a lot of road trips in the family and sitting in traffic so I want a car that has a fun and interesting interior. Plus it's a new company and car (since Mazda/Ford split) so there is bound to be some growing pains and issues that need to be worked out. Plus the car is in high demand and short supply= High price. Made in Japan good= Good quality, but expensive OOW repairs in the future.
These didn't make it on my short list
Optima- Wanted to like it like the Sonata. It's looks great inside and out, but the headrests pushed my head so far forward it was a deal killer. They were REALLY uncomfortable like who was this car made for. my saleswoman said that she hears that a lot and recommend turning them around after adjusting them back as far as they go. I can't enjoy a car while my neck is hurting.
Accord- CVT issues, shifting problems, engine sputtering look it will shut off while taking a curve, crappy stereo sound, voice cancelation issues, rattles and pops, hard ride. Maybe once they've worked out there 1st year issues, but not now.
Fusion- Not interested in another Ford after my well maintained Taurus experienced the "Black Death" issue, google search it. The stuck on baby aston martin grill on a plump, overstuffed car does nothing for me.
Altima- Is ok, but nothing stood out to me unless you got the higher, expensive trims and the CVT in my rental was bad until you put it in S mode which sucked down gas. Merging in traffic it took a second to think about moving. It's computer should be able to process things faster than my CPU (brain) can.
Maibu: Looks cool. But haven't bothered looking into it since I can't find one person that says it's worth buying over the rest.
Sorry for writing the novel. If all goes well I'll post pics of my new SE at the end of the month. Thanks for reading this far!:thanks:
