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Midsize Sedans 2.0

13325 messages,  Last post on Dec 02, 2009 at 9:00 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Saturn Aura, Car Comparisons, Sedan


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#8797 of 13325
Re: An hour with a Camry LE-V6 [captain2] by plekto
Feb 12, 2008 (1:53 pm)
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 12, 2008 10:55 am)

The Camry will 'get no respect' (your words) in enthusiast mags and/or forum sites like this in large part because of the 'softness' of the car in general, and despite that by producing the best power AND FE, it likely has the best V6 engine in this class.
 
But, with the computers getting in the way and making the thing upshift the instant it can if you're over 1500rpm or so... Short of flogging it on a dragstrip, you'll never see half of that power.
 
Fantastic engine. Transmission just destroys it. The computers and nanny-modes finish the job and put a stake through its heart for good measure.
 
If you want an eye-opener, check out the new Pontiac Vibe in a few weeks when it comes out. The 2.4 engine and transmission in the upper trim model is lifted from a Camry. But with a manual and no computers trying to out-think you, it's very quick in traffic(So far I've seen one review and it was glowing).
#8798 of 13325
Re: An hour with a Camry LE-V6 [plekto] by captain2
Feb 12, 2008 (2:34 pm)
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Replying to: plekto (Feb 12, 2008 1:53 pm)

Fantastic engine. Transmission just destroys it
don't believe I can argue the point too successfully, heaven knows Toyota (and several other mfgrs.) have been taking their lumps lately with this 'computer garbage'. Who would have thought not too long ago that we would have TSBs on how to 'reprogram' a car so that IT might more successfully do what we want it to? But the fact does remain that few drivers would ever know the difference and it does produce some excellent fuel economy as well as some 'safety' enhancements. I guess FE and Safety sell better than basic driveability. In the Camry, and several other cars in this class, we have cars that will easily outrun many of those 'muscle cars' of times passed - and burn just a fraction of the gas - a whole lot more cleanly. Progress any way you want to look at it?
The era of the simple 'mechanical' tranny is gone and further don't be surprised if you don't start seeing electronic 'interference' on MT cars as well - like on the current M3. The 'Powerglide' is dead!
#8799 of 13325
Re: An hour with a Camry LE-V6 [captain2] by plekto
Feb 12, 2008 (2:41 pm)
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 12, 2008 2:34 pm)

Still, Toyota doesn't HAVE to start making cars that drive like Buicks.
 
GM also has this exact same problem. World-class engines mated to bland packaging, tall gearing, and a philosophy that seems to be the exact opposite of performance.
 
But the 2.4 i-4 is a great engine, no argument there. I just get tired of hearing how much HP a car has from everyone here without the rest of the drivetrain being part of the equation.
#8800 of 13325
Re: acura tsx/tl or lincoln mkz [bhmr59] by m6user
Feb 12, 2008 (5:28 pm)
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Replying to: bhmr59 (Feb 11, 2008 7:18 pm)

Sorry if this may be of limited interest to others. My first car was exactly this car you've described. I turned 16 in summer of 1966 and my father bought the 1960 Falcon new. It was rear ended badly in 1965 and totalled by insurance company. Dad bought a totalled by front end collision from a junkyard and my brother and I cut both cars in half. Over the winter of 1965/66 we welded the two good parts together, put in new seats, floormatting(no carpet), new headliner(what a pain of a job), painted it red with white top. I got 4 new tires for my 16th birthday and I was good to go. What a first car. Every time I hit a dip in the road I was nervous that the thing would break in half but it held up fine through a lot of rough treatment. I lived in the country and used to spin out on the gravel roads a lot. Anyway, sorry to bore others but your post brought back a lot of memories.
#8801 of 13325
Re: An hour with a Camry LE-V6 [plekto] by jeffyscott
Feb 13, 2008 (5:30 am)
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Replying to: plekto (Feb 12, 2008 2:41 pm)

Still, Toyota doesn't HAVE to start making cars that drive like Buicks.
 
start?...
 
Hasn't Toyota always made soft riding, vague handling cars? Has the Camry ever been anything but that? Being that it is the top seller, I'm not sure what the motivation would be for changing the character of the vehicle.
#8802 of 13325
Re: An hour with a Camry LE-V6 [jeffyscott] by colloquor
Feb 13, 2008 (10:27 am)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Feb 13, 2008 5:30 am)

I disagree. I've either owned, or currently own, a late model Camry and an Accord. The current gen Camry's handling and ride, especially in the SE trim, is very acceptable. It's a nice combination of compliant ride and decent handling. On the other hand, the Accord is superior in the handling department, but inferior in the ride department.
 
I also just spent a week with a "brand spanking new" 2008 Hyundai Sonata GLS from Hertz (6 miles on the odometer), and although the ride is decent, the suspension is simply not in the same league as either the Camry or Accord. I've been a supporter of Hyundai on these boards, and I have no basic qualms with the Sonata's front suspension setup, but the rear suspension suffers from several dynamic problems, including under dampening, and shock control. I know they are addressing this in the 2009's, and well they should.
#8803 of 13325
Re: An hour with a Camry LE-V6 [jeffyscott] by plekto
Feb 13, 2008 (11:46 am)
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Replying to: jeffyscott (Feb 13, 2008 5:30 am)

Still, Toyota doesn't HAVE to start making cars that drive like Buicks.
  
start?...

 
The previous ones were kind of still "Japanese", but the recent generation Toyotas are solidly GM clones. Or vice-versa. It's hard to tell which is copying which anymore.
#8804 of 13325
Re: An hour with a Camry LE-V6 [plekto] by karsick
Feb 13, 2008 (12:47 pm)
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Replying to: plekto (Feb 13, 2008 11:46 am)

It's always been my contention that, as far as luring away domestic car owners, the Asians (especially Toyota), tailored their cars SPECIFICALLY to the Buick/Olds/Mercury/Chrysler spectrum. They've even been building USA-only models for several years (the bigger,floatier USA-model Accord vs the "TSX" Accord for the rest of the world).
 
The European makes' attitude here has primarily been one of "take it or leave it " when it comes to attracting Americans. As one who favors nimble handling over advanced cupholder technology, I was a sucker for light, responsive Saabs, GTI's, Triumphs, etc.
 
I'm happy that in the past 15yrs or so, the Asians have seen fit to offer models that appeal to people trading out of Euro-cars (IS300, WRX, Evo, TSX, TL, newer Civics, G20, G35) while still making models that attract former Land Yacht owners (Avalon, Amanti, Pilot, Highlander, Endeavor).
 
Now we can have a mix of Euro-flavor without the headaches of poor reliability and expensive "Jag-You-Arrhhh" or "Bring My Wallet" servicing !
#8805 of 13325
Re: An hour with a Camry LE-V6 [plekto] by captain2
Feb 13, 2008 (2:44 pm)
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Replying to: plekto (Feb 12, 2008 2:41 pm)

GM also has this exact same problem. World-class engines
OK I'll bite - what engines would those be?
#8806 of 13325
Re: An hour with a Camry LE-V6 [captain2] by thegraduate
Feb 13, 2008 (4:13 pm)
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Replying to: captain2 (Feb 13, 2008 2:44 pm)

The 3.6L DI is a nice one, and the 6.2L in the Vette isn't bad at all.

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