2007 Camry

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ericmark4@yahoo.com - 28 Apr 2006 03:23 GMT

OK, so if I win $10K in Powerball this week, is the '07 Camry worth
considering as a good way to spend the money? (The rest of the $$ I can
handle and/or finance.)

I drive a 2004 Chevy (Malibu) Classic, which is perfectly OK but no
more than that. Also the fuel economy leaves much to be desired;
nowhere near the EPA sticker. So I'm looking to trade it in on a new
ride, preferably a mid-size, though with the cost of gas out of sight
I'm starting to look at some smaller cars such as the upcoming '07
Hyundai Elantra.

I've never owned a Toyota but have ridden in several and rented
late-90s Camry's twice. No complaints either time; in fact I was
impressed and even thought about adding the Camry to my car-shopping
list, but the price of newer-model used Toyotas always makes me look
elsewhere. If I do shell out that kind of cash, I'll buy new.

Any real-life road reviews of the new Camry yet? (I've read a few
professional reviews; I always prefer to hear from "real people" what
it's like to drive a car in everyday conditions.)

Without Powerball or equivalent, a new Camry would be at the extreme
high end of my budget for things automotive, but a guy can
dream....Speaking of which, I'm 41 and starting to like the idea of
buying a new, safe, highly reliable car, take good care of it and keep
it till I'm sufficiently old and comfortable not to care any more.

Thanks in advance for all advice.

Regards,
Eric M

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Ray O - 28 Apr 2006 04:52 GMT

> OK, so if I win $10K in Powerball this week, is the '07 Camry worth
> considering as a good way to spend the money? (The rest of the $$ I can
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> Regards,
> Eric M

My personal experience with Toyotas is that my fuel economy is at or better
than the EPA numbers. If you want a more economical car than the Camry,
take a look at the Corolla LE, which has most of the Camry's bells and
whistles in a slightly smaller size. If you're looking for room, stick with
the Camry.

Signature

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

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ericmark4@yahoo.com - 30 Apr 2006 04:27 GMT

> > OK, so if I win $10K in Powerball this week, is the '07 Camry worth
> > considering as a good way to spend the money? (The rest of the $$ I can
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)

Thanks for the advice, Ray.

My lady friend drives a 2003 Corolla LE. A nice, fuel-efficient,
relatively safe reliable car with all the features you would want
except the side air-bags. It's just a bit small for me. I'm a big guy,
I drive a lot and carry lots of cargo/junk/passengers at times.

If gas prices keep going up and up, I (and lotsa other folks) might
have to re-assess our transportation/automotive needs, but for now I'm
hoping to get a mid-size for my next car.

The smallest model I'm semi-seriously looking at is the '07 Hyundai
Elantra, which will supposedly be much roomier inside than the current
Elantra, Civic, Corolla, Sentra, etc. It will be classified as a
"mid-size" by EPA, I've heard. In spite of that, the fuel economy will
supposedly be better than the current Elantra, which is not good for
its class. I'm sure the new Elantra will still lag behind Civic and
Corolla on gas mileage, though.

Of course that car is not yet in the showroom so there's not much to go
on so far. The '07 Camry, OTOH, is already on the streets, but I've
been surprised by the relative absence of "buzz" about it. Camry's been
around so long and built such a good reputation and loyal following
that there's no need to raise much fuss, I guess....

Regards,
Eric M

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Ray O - 30 Apr 2006 07:30 GMT

>> > OK, so if I win $10K in Powerball this week, is the '07 Camry worth
>> > considering as a good way to spend the money? (The rest of the $$ I can
[quoted text clipped - 67 lines]
> Regards,
> Eric M

Another car to check out is the Scion xA and xB. A friend has an xA and his
6'2" son has no trouble fitting in it and the xB looks even roomier. Fuel
mileage is even better than the Corolla.

Signature

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

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dimndsonmywndshld@yahoo.com - 28 Apr 2006 13:23 GMT

> OK, so if I win $10K in Powerball this week, is the '07 Camry worth
> considering as a good way to spend the money? (The rest of the $$ I can
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> I'm starting to look at some smaller cars such as the upcoming '07
> Hyundai Elantra.

CARMAX is selling 2007 Camry LEs (I4 engine) for just over $20K.
If you want smaller, more fuel efficient but just as reliable consider
the new Honda Civic. The Civic LX with automatic should cost about
$17.5K (according to Edmunds.com). The Civic will hold its value as
well as the Camry and probably better than the Elantra.

Want cheap? With an all new version on the way Nissan is dumping all
their current stock of Sentras. Great deals to be had; $10K will nearly
cover it if you can live with a manual trans.

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ericmark4@yahoo.com - 30 Apr 2006 04:34 GMT

> > OK, so if I win $10K in Powerball this week, is the '07 Camry worth
> > considering as a good way to spend the money? (The rest of the $$ I can
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> their current stock of Sentras. Great deals to be had; $10K will nearly
> cover it if you can live with a manual trans.

Thanks for the tip on the Sentra, but as noted I really want to get a
mid-size unless gas prices soar totally out of sight. My only
experience with the Sentra is riding in a late-'80s model a friend of
mine owned several years ago. Not too inspiring, but I'm sure more
recent models are much improved. (Almost all "entry-level" cars have
gone wway up in quality the past 15-20 years, it seems. Whether that's
true for the larger, pricier models---as the automakers would have us
believe, is more debatable.)

Still, if you are serious about $10K "almost covering" a brand-new
Nissan with full new-car warranty, I just might sniff around a bit to
see what the deals are like in my neigborhood....

Regards,
Eric M

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High Tech Misfit - 30 Apr 2006 13:50 GMT

> Thanks for the tip on the Sentra, but as noted I really want to get a
> mid-size unless gas prices soar totally out of sight. My only
> experience with the Sentra is riding in a late-'80s model a friend of
> mine owned several years ago. Not too inspiring, but I'm sure more
> recent models are much improved.

I rode in a 2001 Sentra not too long ago. Good performance, but the seats
were very uncomfortable. Also, the current Sentra hasn't been as reliable
as previous versions.

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Mike Hunter - 30 Apr 2006 23:37 GMT

Unfortunately that's Murphy's law, as sales go up more of the not so good
ones start to show up.

mike

>> Thanks for the tip on the Sentra, but as noted I really want to get a
>> mid-size unless gas prices soar totally out of sight. My only
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> were very uncomfortable. Also, the current Sentra hasn't been as reliable
> as previous versions.

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ericmark4@yahoo.com - 30 Apr 2006 04:34 GMT

Thanks for the tip on the Sentra, but as noted I really want to get a
mid-size unless gas prices soar totally out of sight. My only
experience with the Sentra is riding in a late-'80s model a friend of
mine owned several years ago. Not too inspiring, but I'm sure more
recent models are much improved. (Almost all "entry-level" cars have
gone way up in quality the past 15-20 years, it seems. Whether that's
true for the larger, pricier models---as the automakers would have us
believe, is more debatable.)

Still, if you are serious about $10K "almost covering" a brand-new
Nissan with full new-car warranty, I just might sniff around a bit to
see what the deals are like in my neigborhood....

Regards,
Eric M

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