2009 Toyota Camry LE 4 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Adequate, but needs better road control

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

Comfort level adequate.

Mushy feelings on hard curves. Sloppy driving feeling at speeds of 70mph +. Very unstable when driving in cross winds. One feels like you will be blown off the road in very low windy conditions - 20mph winds.

Electric drivers seat with lumbar support is very good.

Temperature controls confusing, especially the hear/AC control.

Electric trunk release is very nice.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th February, 2009

12th Sep 2009, 22:24

I agree a 100% with this review. Bad control at 70mph and plus speeds. Always feel like the back end is dancing around at high speeds. Nice comfortable seats.

15th Sep 2009, 11:36

Just changing the tires helps a lot. I understand what you mean. Original tires are comfy but not really performance oriented. Camry is not a performance car anyhow. This car is not especially susceptible for side winds either. At least much better than an SUV or a mini van.

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2009 Toyota Camry SE 2.4 VVTi from North America

Summary:

The real deal

Faults:

OK, I bought this car brand new for $21,500. I think I got an excellent price.

It comes with Toyo Proxy tires which are really top notch. I have not had anything happen to the car, but c'mon, it's brand new. If I did that would suck!

General Comments:

I have the SE (sports edition) it has MacPherson struts and shocks, or something like that. It is a bit tighter than the LE, and XLE. It's the sporty model, it goes LE, SE then XLE. It's more for aggressive driving due to the tightness, it doesn't have that "old lady driving on a raft feel".

I recommend getting the windows tinted, a little bright in there without it. And some better rear speakers that allow for bass at high volumes. The current rear speakers are a little disappointing. It plays MP3's so that means you can put like 300 songs on a CD and it will play, as well as an mp3 jack which I use.

What I particularly like about the car is its handling and engine response. On the highway, when I am going about 100-105 mph, it is only revving at about 3000! That's excellent if you are into getting somewhere fast without the engine stress. (!!!LEFT LANE FOR FAST DRIVERS, EVERYONE ELSE KEEP RIGHT, EXCEPT TO PASS!!!)

MPG's are about the same as the sticker in the window.

The SE is the best looking Camry I have ever seen. It looks beefy, real elegant. I took off my "Camry" and "SE" emblems and now nobody knows what it is!

It's quiet. I drove it to Illinois from S. Carolina and back and had no complaints. I drove it in the Smokeys and had ample power, with the AC on.

My son (18 mo) fits in the back and there's room for another kid once I get around to it. The trunk is a fairly large size. Fits stroller, luggage, etc. looks simple enough to work on...

Lots of room to change plugs and oil. I recommend switching to MOBILE Synthetic oil on the first oil change, your Camry will run for about 400,000 miles!!!

I really dig the smooth gear changes of the Auto Tranny. I like the interior and all that too.

Big car, good on gas, barcelona red, pretty sweet, you should get one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th September, 2008

11th May 2009, 00:08

Um do I really have to comment on this review? Why are you driving over 100 on public roads? And further more why with a smallish foreign car... a Buick, Cadillac, Lincoln or other larger American car might be a better and much safer bet for interstate travel (at 65-75mph not 100).

As for the Camry itself, it's not a bad car, but it's not a good car either. I drove a new 2009 for while during the early spring and didn't like how I felt every little vibration through the steering wheel when driving... or sitting still for that matter! At a red light the driver and passengers feel engine vibrations through the car, especially through the wheel and console mounted automatic shifter.

I find the car terrible to drive too because the roof is so low that you have to duck to see traffic lights, and for the steering wheel complaint mentioned above.

The seats are OK, but not great when compared to the larger Impala that I rented for a 600+mile round trip.

The radio is good but odd looking with its huge old looking LCD display, although it's easy to read.

Oddly enough there is no MPG computer in the car, and I don't know why because GM puts them in all of the newer cars I think, and Ford puts them in all but the basic Focus' according to an ad I read.

The comfort and ease to drive is not as good as other newer cars I have owned or driven. I hate to say this, but I test drove a base Ford Focus with a 5spd that actually had less noise, harshness and vibration than the Toyota Camry. The Focus may be worth a look if you don't need the mid-sized Camry, and the Chevy Impala might be a good bet if you want more in the way of comfort, power and size to go with your good mpg numbers.

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