REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum

Lomac · 03-06-2011, 08:54 PM

So I've had a 2011 Toyota Camry for the past three weeks now while my Accord was getting a new front end put on and repainted over at Bavara. I thought I'd give a small, basic review on my loaner/rental based on the 1500 or so clicks I've put on it in that time.

The first thing I noticed as I sat in the driver seat is how freakin' high up the driving position is. While the Camry is considered a full size sedan, I was still lording it up over most other cars in both this class and the smaller compact section. Being able to see over the roof of the car behind me was a concept I was unfamiliar with outside of being inside of a truck or SUV. Sure, it gives a good view of the road around you but it gives you that feeling that it's going to drive like an SUV. And, unfortunately, that feeling is correct.

Maybe I'm just used to cars with tuned suspensions but every time I took a corner at more than a few clicks it felt like the car would turn over onto its door handles. It inspired absolutely no confidence and it made me slightly afraid what would happen if I had to do some emergency manoeuvring. The ride was nice and soft, but reminded me far too much of a late 80's - early 90's Cadillac. I know it's aimed to comfort rather than sportiness, but there was definitely a line crossed that pushed it into the too-comfortable zone. On a similar note, the steering was too vague and the wheel had absolutely no resistance during turns while at speed.

Build quality was a bit iffy. Looking at the dash, many of the lines didn't match up between the actual dash and the center console leading down to the armrest. Now, I know the car I had was a rental but what I saw wasn't a result of abuse by uncaring owners... it was genuine flaws in the install. I didn't look too hard at the rest of the car but there were certainly some specific things that made me go "hrm..." (especially the HVAC dials... there's something to be said about knobs that can be pushed close to a cm in any direction to the side even though they weren't intended for such a use.) That said, the seats were comfortable and the stock stereo was decent. I also enjoyed the minimal buttons on the steering wheel. Less is often more and that was definitely the case here. Speaking of the stereo, the backlight reminded me of a late 90's Nokia phone where the screen was side lit, causing the middle of the screen to be noticably darker than the rest. That was the case here.

The base 2.5 I4 seemed sufficient enough to haul the car around with an extra passenger in the front, but once all the seats were loaded, it became an absolute pig. The 6spd AT certainly gave it it's all, but even that had it's problems. Accelerating onto the highway was certainly a challenge at times, especially when it couldn't decide what gear to drop down to when my foot was pushing the accelerator pedal to the floor. It would drop from 6 down to 4, then a second later, it would go to 2. While this may not seem like a major issue, it can cause some harrying experiences when trying to merge onto a heavy traffic situation.

I know it seems like I'm mainly bashing Toyota here and while it was not my intention, this particular car certainly hasn't increased my opinion of their products as of late. I drove my mom's '08 Corolla for a little bit a couple years back just to see what it's like and that felt even worse. Couple that with constant 5spd MT issues, and I'm not convinced about this company's products. Maybe it was just bad luck and I've driven two late model cars that had issues specific to those particular units, but I'm having a hard time believing that. I love many of Toyota's older cars (MK3/4 Supras are a given, and I've always had a soft spot for both versions of the Celica GT-Four All-Trac Turbo's) but since the mid 90's, it appears they're simply riding on a reputation that is no longer deserved.

I can't wait to get my car back.

TRDood · 03-06-2011, 09:02 PM

I had a LE as a rental in LA earlier this year. I thought it was comfortable and it drives smoothly. But what do I know... I have only owned a Corolla and Matrix.

However, the distortion of the front windshield took a little time to get used to.
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ilvtofu · 03-06-2011, 09:10 PM

Lol All the classic toyota drawbacks, TBH I think they make some of the most undesirable cars on our market. Something about the way they're built just makes them horrible to go over bumps, if you've ever tried riding as a passenger you definitely notice how weak the car feels and in our venza it literally hurts your ears as the suspension absorbs bumps. They also make some of the worst seats in my experience, with mercedes and volvo making some of the best.

I will praise them for having my favourite air conditioning systems though, both in our family corolla and venza defog and a/c works so well. Regardless though even though they are praised so highly for reliability which we have experienced first hand, initial quality really is a let down, what you've noted with misaligning interior panels, squeaks, and really never a solid feel to be found no matter how hard you look.

tofu1413 · 03-06-2011, 09:22 PM

toyotas..

aint the same like theyre built back in 80's and 90's

alex.w *// · 03-06-2011, 09:23 PM

very light steering?

cho · 03-06-2011, 09:23 PM

i drove a 06 corolla when my civic was in the shop
it sucked.
bad.

tofu1413 · 03-06-2011, 09:27 PM

^ but you also drove a 90's rolla.. and rocked it. good.

rawr · 03-06-2011, 09:34 PM

The V6 hauls ass

Santofu · 03-06-2011, 09:36 PM

Maybe SE model could change a little bit?
I was considering getting an camry se v6

Energy · 03-06-2011, 09:38 PM

Hated the steering and the numb throttle when I had a rental. I think people on this board aren't Toyota's target market anyway.

Euro7r · 03-06-2011, 09:43 PM

Old skool Toyota's are the shit

. The new stuff pretty much good for getting you to point A and B for a reliable means of transportation. The newer gen vehicles handle like a boat, feels so high up, it's like I'm driving a bus.

cococly · 03-06-2011, 09:43 PM

As the OP has said, Fit&Finish isn't all that great for a family sedan at this price range.

Japanese-built Camry is better on this front.

orange7 · 03-07-2011, 12:07 AM

how was the fuel consumption when you had the car?

LiquidTurbo · 03-07-2011, 12:09 AM

I rent plenty of Camry's etc for work.

I'd say the Hyundai Sonata > Camry any day.

In terms of build quality, comfort, power, and styling.

RevRav · 03-07-2011, 12:19 AM

Thought they would give you one of their fleet of BMW's while you're getting your repair done at Bavara =P

TRD Rs200 · 03-07-2011, 04:12 AM

drove a 11 LE rental in Calgary, the car feels, very carelessly made, I see styrofoam everywhere, even behind the fender. but I must admit, its really comfortable compared to my honda rice rockets.

CorneringArtist · 03-07-2011, 05:06 AM

I drive a 2011 Camry Hybrid as a work shuttle since sales took our 2010 Prius. The Prius felt tighter in comparison to the Camry, and the interior of the Camry is boring and uncomfortable. The soft suspension didn't help, especially considering my old Passat feels way better in the corners.

moky · 03-07-2011, 07:26 AM

i drove an 07 LE rental three years ago and you're absolutely right when it came to suspension being too soft and felt like you were steering a boat.

used to own the SE version and it drove and handled better because of the stiffer struts it came with.

switched to coilovers + 9.5" wheels all around and it gripped the road nicely

jpark · 03-07-2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moky

i drove an 07 LE rental three years ago and you're absolutely right when it came to suspension being too soft and felt like you were steering a boat.

used to own the SE version and it drove and handled better because of the stiffer struts it came with.

switched to coilovers + 9.5" wheels all around and it gripped the road nicely

pics?

moky · 03-07-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpark

pics?

20x9.5 Rays Lexion

Lomac · 03-07-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alex.w *//

very light steering?

Very. It's a little disconcerting at times.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Energy

Hated the steering and the numb throttle when I had a rental. I think people on this board aren't Toyota's target market anyway.

No, not really. Our parents, maybe... but not car enthusiasts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by orange7

how was the fuel consumption when you had the car?

Not bad, actually. I got roughly 600km/tank, though admittedly I'm not entirely sure how big the tank actually is (maybe 55L?). This was mostly city driving, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevRav

Thought they would give you one of their fleet of BMW's while you're getting your repair done at Bavara =P

They were out of cars at the time, so they're renting the Camry for me.

Dragon-88 · 03-07-2011, 04:02 PM

Light steering is probably from the electric steering.. At times its annoying but other times its awesome when I can u turn without effort but hey alteast you dont have to top up on steering fluid... My corolla has electric steering and when its windy on the HWY it just wanderes left and right like i'm drunk or something.. Well FSB and RSB and lowering springs fixed that and it handles like a go cart now.. Though still has lots of comfort with its stock 15" steelies but when I put my 17" on your feel more of the road..

underscore · 03-07-2011, 06:48 PM

nicely written review.

but there are 3 gens of GTFour lol

toyota86 · 03-08-2011, 12:03 AM

the current camry is a horrible car. i got a 09 hybrid as a rental last year and hated every minute of it. looks ugly, drives shitty. a japanese sebring.

hk20000 · 03-08-2011, 08:32 AM

haha the new camry is like the best car when you have gone all beige and have no will to live.

The Hybrid is so quiet it's quite eerie to drive, though.