Ask the Car People.SM


Which Camry is right for me?

54 messages,  Last post on Jan 09, 2008 at 8:27 PM

You are in the Toyota Camry Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry, Sedan

Messages Page 4 of 6

#29 of 54 Re: Update on Resolution of Flare Problem [teamtbo] by carma350

Dec 17, 2007 (12:09 am)

It's nice to read that some Camry owners have had their transmission flare problem possibly solved. But I've heard enough Camry V6 owners reporting flare problems so I'm no longer thinking about buying the Camry V6. Would a Camry 4-cylinder be a trustworthy and reliable alternative (assuming one is willing to take the big HP hit)? I ask that question because it seems Toyota has had FWD transaxle problems since 1999. What are the best FWD alternatives to the Camry?

#30 of 54 Re: Update on Resolution of Flare Problem [carma350] by djm2

Dec 18, 2007 (5:46 am)

Replying to: carma350 (Dec 17, 2007 12:09 am)
Hi carma350:
      I have a 2007 V6 XLE Camry with 20,000 + miles, and I DO NOT have the transmission "flare" issue. The vehicle was purchased in January 2007 from a dealer in nothern New Jersey. I think that the Camry is a great vehicle. The problems that you read about on these boards are from a small percentage of vehicles. Based on my Camry, I would consider another Toyota in 2010. Depending on the cost of fuel, I might go with a hybrid or the four cylinder Camry.
      Go to a Toyota dealer and test drive the vehicle that you want to purchase. You will know immediately if the vehicle has a "flare issue"! ------ And NO, I do not work for Toyota or a Toyota dealer!
      Best regards. ------------- Dwayne

#31 of 54 Re: Update on Resolution of Flare Problem [djm2] by carma350

Dec 19, 2007 (11:59 am)

Replying to: djm2 (Dec 18, 2007 5:46 am)
djm2, thanks for responding. Glad to hear you're having a great experience with your Camry V6.
 
As a potential buyer of a Toyota V6 / 6-speed powertrain (used in 2008 Camry, 2008 Lexus ES, and 2008 Avalon), the $30,000 (loan-financed) question for me is, what percentage of owners of this Toyota powertrain experience the "flare issue"? Probably nobody but Toyota knows for sure. The range of forum opinions by Toyota V6 owners is pretty wide.
 
Some owners, such as yourself, have said those experiencing the flare are a "small percentage" (Does "small" mean 0.01%, 0.1%, 1%, 10%, etc.?) On the other hand, one owner said if someone buys a car with this Toyota powertrain, they will probably experience at least the "small flare" (200rpm). How does he know that?
 
Another concern is, if I buy a car with a powertrain that has the flare (whatever the chance of that is), what is the flare's severity? The range of forum opinions on that has also been wide. Of the owners who experience the flare, some have said it's only a brief tach needle jump and mild engine rev (noticeable only by looking at the tach). But at least one owner said the flare is accompanied by an engine jerking or hesitation. That's a concern. And that's leaving aside the question of what kind of powertrain damage is caused by a (mild or severe) flare problem.
 
Then there's Toyota's response. So far, it seems the flare issue hasn't been resolved. One owner said Toyota should label the problem by its real name, a transmission "slip," not a "flare" which sounds less critical. Will Toyota resolve the problem within another year? Don't know.
 
I wish I knew what the true odds were of getting stuck with a car that has the flare. If a car has the flare, it might damage the powertrain, even if Toyota eventually resolves the problem. I'm comparing Camry V6 to competitors, even thinking of the Camry 4cyl which doesn't seem to have any problems as significant as the V6 flare. I wonder whether the 4cyl provides enough power.

#32 of 54 Re: Update on Resolution of Flare Problem [carma350] by 210delray

Dec 19, 2007 (12:24 pm)

Replying to: carma350 (Dec 19, 2007 11:59 am)
I'd personally go with the 4-cylinder. It's got plenty of power, based on my experience with two Camrys from the prior generation. Try before you buy though.

#33 of 54 Re: Update on Resolution of Flare Problem [210delray] by carma350

Dec 19, 2007 (7:50 pm)

Replying to: 210delray (Dec 19, 2007 12:24 pm)
Ok, I'll have to test drive it. Thanks.

#34 of 54 Re: Update on Resolution of Flare Problem [djm2] by chuck28

Dec 19, 2007 (8:45 pm)

Replying to: djm2 (Dec 18, 2007 5:46 am)
Hello Dwayne, in all due respect I think you are leading people on. I know you have been pro Toyota since I have been reading your post.
 The fact of the matter is that you cannot just go and test drive a Camry and know if it has the problem?
 The car has to be sitting for a long enough period of time maybe 8 hours to notice the flare and it might not happen everytime you start off.
 Most test drives are not done from a cold start seeing someone usally drives up the car for you before your test drive.
 I think you are trying to sell cars?
                                     Merry Christmas!

#35 of 54 Re: Update on Resolution of Flare Problem [chuck28] by pat

Dec 20, 2007 (5:03 am)

Replying to: chuck28 (Dec 19, 2007 8:45 pm)
Um, I think if our friend Dwayne were really trying to "sell cars", he wouldn't be posting so frequently about his, um, over-enthusiastic maintenance schedule!
 
I think your point is that we should hear from those who have actually experienced the flare on whether a test drive will show the problem - makes sense to me.

#36 of 54 Re: Update on Resolution of Flare Problem [pat] by chuck28

Dec 20, 2007 (9:39 pm)

Replying to: pat (Dec 20, 2007 5:03 am)
Hello Pat, I can't agree with your answers. First of all I think it was mentioned in a recent post and something I agree with is that dealerships make more money off the servicing of a car than the sale it's self.
 I also don't understand your answer to the point that a test drive would not determine if the car has the flare problem. If you test drive a car and it does not flare does not mean it does not have the problem. My car only flared once in the morning and once in the evening. Point was the car has to come off a cold start and the flare cannot usually be repeated until the next cold start.
  Most test drives don't take place with a cold start.
   Anyhow, Merry Christmas!

#37 of 54 Re: Update on Resolution of Flare Problem [chuck28] by djm2

Dec 21, 2007 (6:01 am)

Replying to: chuck28 (Dec 19, 2007 8:45 pm)
Hi Chuck28:
      I am not pro Toyota! The only reasons why I own a Toyota Camry today are as follows: 1.) The Honda Accord seating quality was killing my body.---- and ---- 2.) I could not get an "in stock" Buick or Chevrolet Impala, (in New Jersey), with the required color & trim package. The Toyota Camry was third on the list of desired vehicles. I wanted to purchase an American brand name in place of my Honda Accord. Yes, ---- I earn my living in sales, but I do not sell Toyotas.
     From what I have been reading about this problem, the "flare" is just part of the issue. Some owners are commenting about the "shift pattern" when accelerating onto a highway, or quick acceleration / braking issues in passing situations.
SUGGESTION:
    If you truly want to purchase a new Camry. Go to a Toyota dealer and discuss your concerns about the "flare issue" with the sales person at the dealership. Tell him / her that you will purchase the vehicle if it does not have the problem! --Select a vehicle that you want to purchase from their new vehicle holding lot. Ask for a set of dealer plates, and take that vehicle for a ride! If is does not have the problem, you have just bought yourself a new vehicle. When I purchased my Camry, I took a test ride on the vehicle that I was purchasing. YES, it was a cold start of the vehicle!
     Best regards. ----- Dwayne

#38 of 54 Re: Update on Resolution of Flare Problem [chuck28] by pat

Dec 21, 2007 (9:58 am)

Replying to: chuck28 (Dec 20, 2007 9:39 pm)
Hi Chuck. I don't think you understood my post. I was supporting your post except for the fact that you said Dwayne was trying to sell cars. I do not believe that. Otherwise I was just suggesting that someone who has experienced the flare issue would be the most helpful in telling us how to determine whether a particular car has it.
 
I did not say anywhere that a test drive would (or would not) determine if the car has the flare problem. Read it again.
 
Pat

Messages Page 4 of 6

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement