No chance. The Grand Marqius has a V8. It has low end torque! I can squeal the tires! I can have fun throwing it into a curve faster than it should be and it's like thrashing a boat. I can chuckle looking over the ludicrous expanse of hood in front. It's a hoot!

I'd have more fun on a lawnmower than in a Camry.

 

I' ve never, ever driven a Camry, but have driven ES as loaners, do they pretty much drive the same ?
The new one (V6) should be quite fast though . . .

 

It's a boring vehicle, I agree somewhat.But my 1995 Toyota Camry (LE trim) has 270,000 miles on it with no major problems. The past 100,000 miles (since I've had it), I have replaced the radiator, Toyota Express lube every 5k miles, brakes and my power window motor replaced. And the most amazing part to me is that the resale value has not dropped much at all. The interior has a solid feel to it as well, which is missing in a lot of non luxury vehicles.

It makes for a great daily driver IMO. Although not a sporty car by any means, I don't feel it is as boring as some genaric American 4 doors such as the previous Gen. Malibu Chevy classic or whatever you want to call it & the last Ford Taurus or anything like that. But I think the most boring car ever to me was my old Ford Tempo. My father's old 1988 or so Dodge Dynasty makes my Camry look like a Porsche.

Solid daily driver for me. It isn't even close to my GS, but I do wonder if my GS would be as problem free if it were driven in the same manner. If you already have fun to drive cars in your garage and just want something to drive on the week days, I don't think you can go wrong with the Camry.

 

The Toyota Dealer Camry rental is a basic no frills car, probably has the 4banger, and your basic options, nothing other then a nice soft transportation ride, comparing it to an RX or Pacifica with 40K+ MSRP and the Camry is maybe 20 something just does not make sense

 

Try a Mercury Grand Marquis LSE or an LS with the optional Handling and Performance Package. I've been drifting those cars for quite a while...with a few suspension mods on '03+ models they handle like a champ for vehicle of its size!

 

Face it Brandi, that RX has spoiled you!

 

You do have to admit that Lexus does that to you. I can't wait to see my reaction when I have to downgrade for any reason in the future. YIKES!

I can appreciate the Avalon and even the Sienna, but the Corolla and Scions just make me want to give up and walk...

Gotta love the privilage of renting any Scion/Toyota/Lexus for the weekend or road trips. Thanks HQ!

 

True...it Grand Marquis has a V8 with torque ( not a heck of a lot by V8 standards) , but also has a lot of weight and bulk from the 1960's-70's style ladder box-frame for that engine to pull, and that weight doesn't help it in cornering. That's probably why the tires on the car you drove squealed so much, and why the car felt like a boat. Its power steering system, at least on the standard car, IMO is one of the worst I have ever seen....the complete opposite of a BMW 3 or 5-series. Though I generally don't believe in stereotypes, I think that is because the car is designed primarily for senior citizens with weak, artiritic arms and shoulders. They need...and want....a power steering system with zero effort, and they want a car with a lot of bulk and mass to protect them in an accident. The over-55 driving classes actually encourage them to do this.....the driving instructors tell them to get big, heavy cars for safety.

I respect your opinions on the Camry but can't agree with all of them. On some of them we'll just agree to disagree. But than again I'm not as hard a driver as some of you guys.

 

We are on our third Camry. We love it.

Sure, if we weren't on a budget I wouldn't have one. But thing is, like most middle class people I am on a budget. Moreover I was not in the mood to buy a used luxury car because, frankly, I have been burnt too many times before. I work hard for my money and the thought of wasting it on replacing a power streering wheel motor etc makes me itch. A new Camry comes with a warranty and....when it's older...damn cheap parts.

At any rate I drove all of its natural competitors and the Camry came away above average in all areas. The performance of its competitors IMO were far more patchy. The Camry is smooth, large, quiet and functional. Sure it's plain and conservative, but that's just how I like it. So do others I guess.

 

Well you are going from a $35-$40K SUV down to a mid $20K sedan. I would hope that you noticed some sort of drop-off. I have to agree with you though you are spoiled

While I'll also probably stick with Lexus in the future, the fact that it is part of the Toyota family is partially the reason I went with Lexus in the first place.

 

I admitted it! HAHA!

 

Im not sayin that Toyota Camry is a bad car or anything but the overall car just didnt impress me at all. Now if I hadnt been driving this $35-40k Lexus SUV then of course I would have probably liked it more like when I was driving a 96 Accord!
I just love my SUV & as long as I am breathing dont plan on downgrading from a Lexus!

 

I jump in my gs and Im sometimes feel bored!!! (On a bad day of course)