Indecisive about Camry

[BUTCH1]

Most passenger cars with a smooth ride achieve it with compromise in cornering and added body roll, would you like a corner-hugging Camry that let's every bit of road transmitted to the driver?. Buy a sports car if you want but I doubt a newer generation would be a night and day difference in body roll, it's the nature of the beast..

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

tires won't help the steering :biggrin:

Naw, for that you have to inflate to sidewall :biggrin:

 

[PhoKingGuy]

TRD suspension pack?

 

[T2urtle]

If u want a SE why not pick up the SE suspension setup and go from there.

Get some sways, lowering springs and maybe wider wheels.

I know my g35 feels a lot better lowered and on wider wheels.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Despite what many people assume the 2007+ Camry SE does actually handle pretty well for a midsize sedan.

 

[oiprocs]

I decided to get the SE. I picked up a '09 model on Friday.

The handling is definitely better, with a lot less body roll. Steering wheel is "heavier", compared to the Caddy-ish feel my XLE had. The first owner had recently purchased performance tires, so while they do grip well, they are louder than what I'm used to. I thought about trading them in but I doubt I'll get more than $15-$20 per tire, so I'll just have to wear down the treads. Shouldn't be long with all the miles I drive.

Having said all that, I am NOT a car connoisseur by any means. So if some of you can notice that an SE isn't a super handling sports sedan, I sure can't. To me, it handles better than the XLE, and that's all that matters. I also really like the power... =)

The one drawback is the seat is not as comfy, but not due to the leather. I think it's the build. My lower back is a bit sore, even with full lumbar.

 

[Arkaign]

Damn, too late

G35 Sedans can be had for a steal! Not that the Camry is a bad vehicle really, but man, the difference is pretty significant. Ah well, it should treat you well.

 

[oiprocs]

Damn, too late

G35 Sedans can be had for a steal! Not that the Camry is a bad vehicle really, but man, the difference is pretty significant. Ah well, it should treat you well.

I looked at it...the MPG is a factor though. Something like 17/24, right? That won't cut it. Even though the Camry isn't all that better at 19/28, I do mostly freeway so I'm probably closer to 28 than not.

Plus, I don't have the money yet to own what I consider a luxury car. A Lexus/Infiniti/Mercedes is what I would prefer, and from what I can tell they are high or expensive maintenance, or both. The Camry isn't bulletproof (especially lately) but it won't make me cry when I do need repairs.

 

[Arkaign]

The G35 is really a parts-bin car from Nissan stock, much like the low/midrange Lexus are just Toyotas in fancier trim. Maintenance is no worse than a Maxima or any other VQ Nissan. Of course if you get one with 19" or 20" wheels, then your tires are gonna be pricey. The VQ itself is really robust and doesn't require timing service either.

I had an '05 G35 Sedan for work, I got about 22 mixed, and could see nearly 30 on the freeway if I kept it under 70.

Now the German luxury brands for the most part are a bit more expensive to maintain. A lot of this has to do with their target market, and the fact that particularly with BMW and Mercedes, there aren't any cheap models that share their parts bin. So you look at something simple like a radiator hose or battery, and chances are it will be 50-100% more expensive than an equivalent part on a Toyota/Lexus or Nissan/Infiniti, and ditto Honda/Acura.

The G35s are very strangely priced. The sedans imho are one of the absolute best buys in the used market due to being proven extremely reliable and cheap to maintain, while not costing very much to buy. Hell, compare the price of an '06 Accord V6 to an '06 G35 Sedan, it's stunningly close. But if you look at the coupe prices, things change dramatically. There's nothing special about the coupe other than losing two doors (same drivetrain, basically same weight), but they usually cost a ton more. Maybe it's a Nissan thing, as the Altima coupes also demand a huge premium over the sedans.

 

[Arkaign]

Just as examples :

'06 G35 Sedan, 99k Miles, $11k

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ListingId=325728207&listingId=304771071&Log=0

'06 Accord V6 Sedan, 130k Miles, $9.5k

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...pe=p&searchRadius=0&listingId=327502206&Log=0

Camry prices about the same. Not saying the Camry is a bad car anyway, just that if you are at least a little bit of a driving enthusiast, having the RWD and ~300HP VQ is a pretty sweet deal for the cash.

Good luck with your car!

 

[oiprocs]

Hmm, had I been more informed I would have definitely taken a closer look at a G35 sedan. I saw the MPG and ran off thinking I'd be spending my days at the pump.

If the Camry wasn't so much fun to drive (lol, how low are my standards?) I'd probably be more upset.

 

[T2urtle]

Eh.. if mpg was a bigger factor then the Camry is a slightly better move.

I own a g35x, awd models get worst mpg. I have averaged 18-19 mpg since ownership at 28k and now at 68k. My driving is mixed 50/50. Best I ever did on a tank was 23-24 Chicago to Toronto.

Now the car feels great, love the steering and power. I bought exactly for the reason above, its dead cheap to maintain. Its a solid motor. Plus it was only a hair more then a Camry/accord of equal value. By equal I mean loaded, top of the line.

Mpg has always been a weak point in a vq motor. Plus higher 3.5 gearing doesn't help too.