Toyota Camry America's top-selling car is in danger of losing its title
#16
#17
If it's going to happen, I don't think it will be lost this year. Next year could be a possibility though.
The Accord trails by 21,000 units so far. They'd have to beat the Camry for each of the remaining 6 months by an average of 3500 units. That's not going to happen. The Accord hasn't been ahead of the Camry in each of the first 6, why would it suddenly swing that far in favor of Accord now?
The Accord trails by 21,000 units so far. They'd have to beat the Camry for each of the remaining 6 months by an average of 3500 units. That's not going to happen. The Accord hasn't been ahead of the Camry in each of the first 6, why would it suddenly swing that far in favor of Accord now?
#18
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The Camry's biggest problem, despite its admittedly huge sales numbers, is that Toyota, IMO, has never come out with a true replacement to the superb 3Gen 1992-1996 model. The 3Gen Camry was essentially a luxury-grade car (in comfort/ride/noise-isolation) at a family-sedan price....and was extremely well-built at that. Newer versions, for years, have shown more cheapening and use of thinner parts with each design. Interior quality also went downhill in later designs, which was at least partially-addressed in the latest version. But the latest version, while addressing some interior complaints, also stiffened up the suspension/tires too much, especially with the non-SE models that aren't supposed to be sport-oriented. So, yes, it's not surprising that sales are going down.
I always used to think the Camry got the short end of the stick in the C&D 10 Best list, with the Camry constantly getting snubbed in favor of the Accord. I'm not saying that this time around. Honda too have been going either sideways or backwards a lot, but they've really moved the Accord forward on the latest generation. It's very impressive.
#19
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I own a current gen 2012, and think it can hold its own for the next couple years and not need a Civic esque emergency refresh. Looks are nothing special, interior is crap IMHO though i do love the touchscreen which is my favorite upgrade from my past 2004 camry. I do wish I would have waited a year to check out the new Accord but i really dislike the feel and noise of CVT's.
#20
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Comparing a car's generations is certainly relative to the period so while the Camry was more ahead of the competition in 1992, I hope people wouldn't say that a 1992 Camry is a better car than a 2012/13 regardless of era.
A '92-'96 has a far cheaper interior with what is now considered crappy plastic. Really nice in 1992, really cheap looking now. And as for the rest of the car, there's always talk about the '92-'96 's legendary quality/reliability. The fact is, is that today's car will last longer and do it with less needed maintenance and repairs.
I don't understand how people could say that this ^ is a crappy interior. I think it's fantastic.
A '92-'96 has a far cheaper interior with what is now considered crappy plastic. Really nice in 1992, really cheap looking now. And as for the rest of the car, there's always talk about the '92-'96 's legendary quality/reliability. The fact is, is that today's car will last longer and do it with less needed maintenance and repairs.
I don't understand how people could say that this ^ is a crappy interior. I think it's fantastic.
#21
Don't knock it until you've tried it. According to most reviews Honda has done a really good job with their CVT in the feel department. A friend had a Nissan Altima rental for a few days and I thought it was fine in the full auto mode having driven CVTs before, but my friend hated it. I told him to put it down into the "S" mode which I knew mimicked real gear changes. LOL it felt more like a very slow shifting and possibly slipping transmission than it did a nice crisp automatic. haha
Toyota CVT I have driven in europe had really nice S mode... but i couldnt stand the normal mode when i had 4 guys in it and was going uphill in 150hp petrol car... it was really like i was trying to torture myself.
#22
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Comparing a car's generations is certainly relative to the period so while the Camry was more ahead of the competition in 1992, I hope people wouldn't say that a 1992 Camry is a better car than a 2012/13 regardless of era.
A '92-'96 has a far cheaper interior with what is now considered crappy plastic. Really nice in 1992, really cheap looking now. And as for the rest of the car, there's always talk about the '92-'96 's legendary quality/reliability. The fact is, is that today's car will last longer and do it with less needed maintenance and repairs.
A '92-'96 has a far cheaper interior with what is now considered crappy plastic. Really nice in 1992, really cheap looking now. And as for the rest of the car, there's always talk about the '92-'96 's legendary quality/reliability. The fact is, is that today's car will last longer and do it with less needed maintenance and repairs.
Older Toyotas in XLE or Limited guise with all the trimmings were seriously just as good as a Lexus, just with Toyota badging. I don't think anybody could possibly say that about Toyotas today. Heck even some of the Lexus models are getting really cheap inside, like the ES.
http://images.gtcarlot.com/pictures/27860308.jpg
http://www.trendzcar.com/wp-content/...Interior-1.jpg
I don't understand how people could say that this ^ is a crappy interior. I think it's fantastic.
http://www.trendzcar.com/wp-content/...Interior-1.jpg
I don't understand how people could say that this ^ is a crappy interior. I think it's fantastic.
Oh and kinda not fair to compare an 'old' and worn shot of the 92-96 to a new press shot of the 2012. Makes it apples to oranges. Old Toyotas with all the trimmings had the look and feel of luxury. New Toyotas are just kinda blah.
Last edited by SteVTEC; 07-19-13 at 07:56 PM.
#23
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And as for the rest of the car, there's always talk about the '92-'96 's legendary quality/reliability. The fact is, is that today's car will last longer and do it with less needed maintenance and repairs.
Toyota spared no expense on the gen3 Camry (which is really a Lexus), to do the same today would price the car right out of the market.
#24
Lexus Fanatic
A '92-'96 has a far cheaper interior with what is now considered crappy plastic. Really nice in 1992, really cheap looking now. And as for the rest of the car, there's always talk about the '92-'96 's legendary quality/reliability. The fact is, is that today's car will last longer and do it with less needed maintenance and repairs.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-20-13 at 07:41 PM.
#25
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We owned a 1993 Camry LE V6 for years and it was pretty much bulletproof. It looks dated because it is dated, but the fit/finish and quality of material is definitely nicer than most of today's car. The dash is soft to the touch like my 2GS and the body panels feel quite solid. I generally hate driving Camrys in general, but I really didn't mind the 3rd gen at all, providing it had a V6.
#26
Lexus Champion
Comparing a car's generations is certainly relative to the period so while the Camry was more ahead of the competition in 1992, I hope people wouldn't say that a 1992 Camry is a better car than a 2012/13 regardless of era.
A '92-'96 has a far cheaper interior with what is now considered crappy plastic. Really nice in 1992, really cheap looking now. And as for the rest of the car, there's always talk about the '92-'96 's legendary quality/reliability. The fact is, is that today's car will last longer and do it with less needed maintenance and repairs.
I don't understand how people could say that this ^ is a crappy interior. I think it's fantastic.
A '92-'96 has a far cheaper interior with what is now considered crappy plastic. Really nice in 1992, really cheap looking now. And as for the rest of the car, there's always talk about the '92-'96 's legendary quality/reliability. The fact is, is that today's car will last longer and do it with less needed maintenance and repairs.
I don't understand how people could say that this ^ is a crappy interior. I think it's fantastic.
#27
If you have an XLE Camry, you're not really getting any worse of an interior than any of the competition. It's the LE model that gives people the bad impression, and even that's not as bad as it's portrayed. It needs to be better, but a little perspective is in order.
The best Camry interior is the 2nd Generations.
The best Camry interior is the 2nd Generations.
Last edited by 84Cressida; 07-20-13 at 12:58 PM.
#28
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I just spent almost a week with a new Fusion with leather and I'm stunned at how good it is outside of handling like a 1999 RX 300. It looks really interesting inside and out.
The Camry is a solid car but is just really bland in this segment where the best looking car is arguably a Kia of all things!
The Camry is a solid car but is just really bland in this segment where the best looking car is arguably a Kia of all things!
#29
Lexus Champion
The 92-96 camry will always be my favorite camry. Smooth and great build quality. The new camry looks good too especially in SE trim, but I think I'd take the new accord over it.
#30
The 92-96 Camry interior looked a lot better in the two tone tan/brown scheme.
As far as the new Camry goes, its better in some areas, worse in others. I've had a lot of seat time with a fully spec'd out 2012 SE V6, and IMO the interior feel varies a lot depending on color and trim level. The base tan interior we looked at on the lot was horrible, weird seat fabric, colors didn't seem to go together. The SE we bought was black with grey suede inserts on the seats, metallic accents on the dash/console. It looks great, a lot better IMO than the cheap fake woodgrain of the XLE model. Plus the sport seats in the SE are great, very supportive, nicely bolstered.
The V6 seriously hauls *** in that car, the transmission is brilliant and always in the right gear, it corners flatly and drives like a much smaller, sportier car. It still rides great as well, its not one of those cars that punishes you on bad roads. I know why my mom bought this car, its not because its exceptionally well built, its that the damn thing is a rocket ship and a lot of fun to drive(she had a 2000 Avalon, while nice, was rather slow and dimwitted in the handling department)
As for things I don't like, the carpet is cheap as hell(floormats are nice so you don't notice it too much), gauge cluster is kind of weirdly laid out with a giant speedo and a tiny tach, headliner is rubbish, stereo sucks as it has no midbass(its the upgrade JBL unit), and it is significantly noiser inside than past Camrys(the rubber band 18" wheel option has something to do with it). Reliability has been great, its been driven A LOT, 40 or maybe 50k on it now, just needed regular oil changes and that's it.
As far as the new Camry goes, its better in some areas, worse in others. I've had a lot of seat time with a fully spec'd out 2012 SE V6, and IMO the interior feel varies a lot depending on color and trim level. The base tan interior we looked at on the lot was horrible, weird seat fabric, colors didn't seem to go together. The SE we bought was black with grey suede inserts on the seats, metallic accents on the dash/console. It looks great, a lot better IMO than the cheap fake woodgrain of the XLE model. Plus the sport seats in the SE are great, very supportive, nicely bolstered.
The V6 seriously hauls *** in that car, the transmission is brilliant and always in the right gear, it corners flatly and drives like a much smaller, sportier car. It still rides great as well, its not one of those cars that punishes you on bad roads. I know why my mom bought this car, its not because its exceptionally well built, its that the damn thing is a rocket ship and a lot of fun to drive(she had a 2000 Avalon, while nice, was rather slow and dimwitted in the handling department)
As for things I don't like, the carpet is cheap as hell(floormats are nice so you don't notice it too much), gauge cluster is kind of weirdly laid out with a giant speedo and a tiny tach, headliner is rubbish, stereo sucks as it has no midbass(its the upgrade JBL unit), and it is significantly noiser inside than past Camrys(the rubber band 18" wheel option has something to do with it). Reliability has been great, its been driven A LOT, 40 or maybe 50k on it now, just needed regular oil changes and that's it.
Last edited by Aron9000; 07-21-13 at 01:26 AM.