Test drove yet another car this morning... Camry Hybrid

[JulesMaximus]

This was an XLE model. What can I say? It's a Camry. It is comfortable, quiet and an all around nice conveyance.

40mpg would be nice too.

Anyone know what the real world mileage is like with these? It was fully loaded, navigation, leather, power moonroof, etc. I was kind of impressed with it... then again, I drive a 10 year old Maxima with 130,000 miles on it.

 

[Imp]

Driven older model Camry Hybrids a lot at work and twice in a newer 2011 or 2012 model. The computer usually told me I got 5.5-7 L per 100km with mostly highway and rural road driving. A 250 km trip usually meant a $15-$20 gas bill at $1.20-ish/L, so if you used the upper range ($20 at $1.20/L is 16.7L, translate that to 16.7L per 250km or 6.67L/100km -- might be better because gas was $1.30-$1.40 over the past summer when I last drove one). That's with me speeding at 110 to 130 km/h on the freeway (official limit is 100, unofficial is 120).

I'd avoid the Camry just because of its terrible electric steering implementation. Fusion Hybrid has very similar mileage, but handles and feels so much better.

 

[jaedaliu]

I'd avoid the Camry just because of its terrible electric steering implementation. Fusion Hybrid has very similar mileage, but handles and feels so much better.

So this is where you have to ask yourself: are you an old fart?

I know I am, I love my Camry for daily driving and getting stuck in traffic. I don't get the mileage that's expected, because I'm always going 80 mph (~130 kph) whenever traffic opens up. I suppose that if I had a hybrid, I would get better mileage due to the afternoon traffic.

 

[Midwayman]

So this is where you have to ask yourself: are you an old fart?

It is a thoroughly milquetoast design. My buddy has one and its a great transportation pod, but man... talk about a car devoid of any personality.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Anyone know what the real world mileage is like with these?

One of my friends has one and she claims about 35 mpg in mixed driving.

ZV

 

[Dr. Detroit]

I fell asleep reading this thread..........

 

[JulesMaximus]

One of my friends has one and she claims about 35 mpg in mixed driving.

ZV

That's about what I figured. Do you know if she drives a lot of freeway or in very hilly areas?

I'm tempted to check out the Ford Fusion hybrid as well but am kind of scared off by some of the glitchy electronics I've been reading about.

 

[kitatech]

It is a thoroughly milquetoast design. My buddy has one and its a great transportation pod, but man... talk about a car devoid of any personality.

So this is where you have to ask yourself: are you an old fart?

I know I am, I love my Camry for daily driving and getting stuck in traffic. I don't get the mileage that's expected, because I'm always going 80 mph (~130 kph) whenever traffic opens up. I suppose that if I had a hybrid, I would get better mileage due to the afternoon traffic.

My Camry LE has the 5-speed stick that gives it, and me plenty of pep and personality....not an ol' fart just yet...

I get 25mpg in town...

 

[Zenmervolt]

That's about what I figured. Do you know if she drives a lot of freeway or in very hilly areas?

I'm tempted to check out the Ford Fusion hybrid as well but am kind of scared off by some of the glitchy electronics I've been reading about.

Seattle area commuting. In a similar commute I get about 21 mpg average in my '98 S70 for whatever that comparison point is worth.

ZV

 

[SSSnail]

I fell asleep reading this thread..........

And I almost lost my will to love... Shudders...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Seattle area commuting. In a similar commute I get about 21 mpg average in my '98 S70 for whatever that comparison point is worth.

ZV

I get about 20-21 mpg on my local commute which is pretty hilly and I drive almost 70 miles daily so getting 35-38 mpg would be quite nice.

 

[hans007]

My Camry LE has the 5-speed stick that gives it, and me plenty of pep and personality....not an ol' fart just yet...

I get 25mpg in town...

but what will you get next? they dont even make a stick camry anymore

 

[kitatech]

Originally Posted by kitatech
My Camry LE has the 5-speed stick that gives it, and me plenty of pep and personality....not an ol' fart just yet...

I get 25mpg in town...

but what will you get next? they dont even make a stick camry anymore

I just got it and I keep cars for a loooooonnnnngggg time....my last 2 Altima 5-speed sticks went from mid-50s to 175/195k miles....I had the last one for 10 years....

The Camry runs better @ 100k than the Altimas did at 55k...
@ 10k mi./yr, I hope to run this for at least 10, maybe 15 years....why not?...a guy can hope and dream can't he?

 

[pauldun170]

Originally Posted by kitatech
My Camry LE has the 5-speed stick that gives it, and me plenty of pep and personality....not an ol' fart just yet...

I get 25mpg in town...



I just got it and I keep cars for a loooooonnnnngggg time....my last 2 Altima 5-speed sticks went from mid-50s to 175/195k miles....I had the last one for 10 years....

The Camry runs better @ 100k than the Altimas did at 55k...
@ 10k mi./yr, I hope to run this for at least 10, maybe 15 years....why not?...a guy can hope and dream can't he?

2002 LE with a 5spd as well.
Bought used a few years back as a station car.
Definitely a different animal than the standard issue automatic Camry.

I will say that driving this thing has definitely slowed my ass down.
It kinda of lulls you into doing speed limit.

Motorcycles are my thing. Not cars. Especially not automatic cars.

 

[hans007]

Originally Posted by kitatech
My Camry LE has the 5-speed stick that gives it, and me plenty of pep and personality....not an ol' fart just yet...

I get 25mpg in town...



I just got it and I keep cars for a loooooonnnnngggg time....my last 2 Altima 5-speed sticks went from mid-50s to 175/195k miles....I had the last one for 10 years....

The Camry runs better @ 100k than the Altimas did at 55k...
@ 10k mi./yr, I hope to run this for at least 10, maybe 15 years....why not?...a guy can hope and dream can't he?

nice. i was more joking becuase i know another guy who has a stick camry who actually autocrosses it. he was really sad when he found out they stopped making stick ones since he was one of those bizarre "camry guys" who had like 3 of them already

 

[AMCRambler]

Sorry for your loss....

 

[JulesMaximus]

Sorry for your loss....

Loss of what?

I still have my literbike.

 

[pauldun170]

Loss of what?

I still have my literbike.

:biggrin:

 

[AMCRambler]

Loss of what?

I still have my literbike.

Seriously thinking about replacing your Maxi with a Camry Hybrid? Seems like an entirely too sensible thing to do.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Seriously thinking about replacing your Maxi with a Camry Hybrid? Seems like an entirely too sensible thing to do.

Yeah, actually I am. The Maximus is getting old and it is going to need a steering rack and some tires soon.

The Camry is more comfortable, has some nice features, is quieter and it gets twice the gas mileage. That kind of appeals to me actually. I know, this is the garage, and we all want to commute daily in an M3 or a Ferrari but I drive too many miles to get something expensive and/or German.

Don't worry, I'm keeping the bike. :wub:

 

[kitatech]

2002 LE with a 5spd as well.
Bought used a few years back as a station car.
Definitely a different animal than the standard issue automatic Camry.

I will say that driving this thing has definitely slowed my ass down.
It kinda of lulls you into doing speed limit.

Motorcycles are my thing. Not cars. Especially not automatic cars.

A Toyo mechanic recently told me after listening to my Camry, that the Camry MT-i4 has a very different sound and throttle response than the AT-i4.

....regardless of their AT counterparts' reputation for being little more than "appliances" that require minimal involvement, MTs demand driver input and control....whether "enthusiastically" or "perfunctory"

...A Camry is not a sports car, but it's smooth and sophisticated, and the MT gives the driver more access to the available power that's there...
...the MT gives me feedback an AT doesn't, and I use the MT to hold me back from speeds I don't want to get to, so I am less likely to mindlessly "glide" over the speed limit...a nice benefit

...the Camry's 5-speed has a wide enough torque range in 3rd that the engine comfortably rides around town between 10 and 40mph, and as long as I'm moving at all I can avoid 1st altogether, belying the idea that a stick is inconvenient in traffic.

Manual trannies are drivers' cars...especially of late with ATs designed to get to higher gears more quickly for better MPG...

 

[pauldun170]

A Toyo mechanic recently told me after listening to my Camry, that the Camry MT-i4 has a very different sound and throttle response than the AT-i4.

....regardless of their AT counterparts' reputation for being little more than "appliances" that require minimal involvement, MTs demand driver input and control....whether "enthusiastically" or "perfunctory"

...A Camry is not a sports car, but it's smooth and sophisticated, and the MT gives the driver more access to the available power that's there...
...the MT gives me feedback an AT doesn't, and I use the MT to hold me back from speeds I don't want to get to, so I am less likely to mindlessly "glide" over the speed limit...a nice benefit

...the Camry's 5-speed has a wide enough torque range in 3rd that the engine comfortably rides around town between 10 and 40mph, and as long as I'm moving at all I can avoid 1st altogether, belying the idea that a stick is inconvenient in traffic.

Manual trannies are drivers' cars...especially of late with ATs designed to get to higher gears more quickly for better MPG...

I've owned this car for a few years now. Bought it with 38K on it and now have about 68K.
I do not agree that it is "smooth and sophisticated"
The engine is course, hiding behind good engine mounts and is gutless above 4500rpm. The handling is sloppy and the steering is way too light for my taste.
I can't think of one reason to call this car sophisticated.
I do think it is a good, honest car.

 

[NutBucket]

This guy just about summarized my feelings about the car. Once I left the thing in 4th on the freeway. It made no difference in sound (as in there was no audible clue I was in the wrong gear) and it definitely made no difference in acceleration.

It is completely pointless to have an MT in a Camry.....unless maybe if the old coupe was available with a MT/V6 combo (doubtful).

 

[AMCRambler]

Yeah, actually I am. The Maximus is getting old and it is going to need a steering rack and some tires soon.

The Camry is more comfortable, has some nice features, is quieter and it gets twice the gas mileage. That kind of appeals to me actually. I know, this is the garage, and we all want to commute daily in an M3 or a Ferrari but I drive too many miles to get something expensive and/or German.

Don't worry, I'm keeping the bike. :wub:

Yeah I hear you. Basically did the same thing buying my pickup truck. At least the Duc doesn't' take up much room in the garage. Wife is always nagging me how I've got three cars and use both garage bays.

Just promise us you'll get that Lotus once the kids are out of college.

 

[pauldun170]

This guy just about summarized my feelings about the car. Once I left the thing in 4th on the freeway. It made no difference in sound (as in there was no audible clue I was in the wrong gear) and it definitely made no difference in acceleration.

It is completely pointless to have an MT in a Camry.....unless maybe if the old coupe was available with a MT/V6 combo (doubtful).

Its not about "acceleration"
If all you care about is acceleration #s then it doesn't matter what type of transmission is in the car.
Same goes for those who say its about "fuel economy"