Toyota Camry

[snowflake]

Question, does anyone have the 2007 Camry? If so, which motor option do you have? the 3.5L - 2.4L or the 2L?

I am thinking about the 2L engine, I can see that it has 147 BHP but that really does not tell me anything...

If you have a Camry what do you think about it?

I really like the looks of it...

I have been to the Toyota dealer here and they can not let me test the low model (cant afford the higher model)... They only let you test the top 2.4L model with DVD NAVIGATOR.. What should I do? Any suggestions?

Edited October 30, 2007 by snowflake

[thai_narak]

i'm a V6 fan so i really like the 3.5Q but it's too way pricey at 2.85M baht. also, dead on with the dual exhaust of the 3.5Q. looking also for the teana which has a very good engine reputation (VQ) plus again dual exhaust. i currently own a cefiro '04 (VQ) and i really enjoy driving it, it's so smooth.

Edited October 30, 2007 by thai_narak

[Tywais]

Instead of a new topic thought I would bring this back to the top. I had been considering the Civic 2.0 but was thinking at my age perhaps a 'comfort' car would be more to my liking. The Camry 2.0G is at my budget level but haven't been able to find one, or even a 2.4, to test drive in Chiangmai. I'm concerned that a 2.0 (147HP) would be way underpowered for the Camry. I did sit in one at the showroom yesterday and the first thing I noticed was it's massive size compared to my current car.

What worries me also is driveability in traffic in town and more so, the view out the rear view is tiny - the rear window is small and the rear passenger headrests block part of that. If anyone with experience with either the 2.0 or 2.4 could give me their viewpoints on the above issues I would appreciate it. Had also considered looking at the new Accord, but it's size is now the largest in its' class (Camry, Accord and Teana). Heard one member talking about the Hyundai Sonata but don't know where to look in Chiangmai for one.

[t.s]

Instead of a new topic thought I would bring this back to the top. I had been considering the Civic 2.0 but was thinking at my age perhaps a 'comfort' car would be more to my liking. The Camry 2.0G is at my budget level but haven't been able to find one, or even a 2.4, to test drive in Chiangmai. I'm concerned that a 2.0 (147HP) would be way underpowered for the Camry. I did sit in one at the showroom yesterday and the first thing I noticed was it's massive size compared to my current car.

What worries me also is driveability in traffic in town and more so, the view out the rear view is tiny - the rear window is small and the rear passenger headrests block part of that. If anyone with experience with either the 2.0 or 2.4 could give me their viewpoints on the above issues I would appreciate it. Had also considered looking at the new Accord, but it's size is now the largest in its' class (Camry, Accord and Teana). Heard one member talking about the Hyundai Sonata but don't know where to look in Chiangmai for one.

147 bhp is only 7ore than the honda 1.8 if i am not mistaken. camry is a significantly larger car.

[snowflake]

Well, I did read somewhere that the largest problem with the 2.0 was that they did not change the gearbox and it was a bit slow.

Top speed is probably not that much difference in the two but it is the overtaking that worries me.

Will find out in the middle of february as the dealership has one comming in then, so I can test (thats what they told me, I will await that day with great anticipation).

The new accord is very very nice, but the problem there is that the only model that is nice inside is the top model. The other ones will be a bit messy on the inside since the huge DVD player and screen are gone there will be big missing section on the dashboard...

I am leaning for the Camry, since it is beautiful...

[Tywais]

Top speed is probably not that much difference in the two but it is the overtaking that worries me.

That's my concern also. I calculate the weight/hp and the Camry 2.0 is 10.4kG/HP while my Nissan Bluebird is 8.8kG/HP (157HP rating)

Will find out in the middle of february as the dealership has one comming in then, so I can test (thats what they told me, I will await that day with great anticipation).

That's what is frustrating me, no test drive vehicle available and I'm not buying something I can't check on the road first. I will try a 2nd dealership here since the first one pretty much said it wasn't going to happen (demo).

[jimmym40]

There is a new Hyundai dealer that opened up in CM about 2 months ago and they do have a new Sanata. In fact, I took a test drive the first day they rec'd it. Im used to driving a Vios, the Sanata was nice (and big) like the Camry, drove great and the price is around 150,000 baht cheaper than the Camry (don't quote me on the price savings). The only comment I will make is that the interior dash and components seemed rather cheap. I love the styling of it, but not the interior.

It's location just out of the city from the super highway on the road that you would take to go to the Government Offices, it may be the MaeRim road, but not sure. If you are going out towards the gov't office, it'll be on the right hand side, just before the ring road (where the gov't offices are - thai passports etc.)

[HDRIDER]

There is a new Hyundai dealer that opened up in CM about 2 months ago and they do have a new Sanata. In fact, I took a test drive the first day they rec'd it. Im used to driving a Vios, the Sanata was nice (and big) like the Camry, drove great and the price is around 150,000 baht cheaper than the Camry (don't quote me on the price savings). The only comment I will make is that the interior dash and components seemed rather cheap. I love the styling of it, but not the interior.

It's location just out of the city from the super highway on the road that you would take to go to the Government Offices, it may be the MaeRim road, but not sure. If you are going out towards the gov't office, it'll be on the right hand side, just before the ring road (where the gov't offices are - thai passports etc.)

Hi

I don’t think 150.000 is cheap enough, Hyundai don’t have a good name in Thailand, think you will loose the money if you sell it, and a lot more, Camry will hold its price (i think)

[bendix]

I've got a Camry 2.4V and, before it arrived, I hired a 2.0G for a week and took it to Hua Hin so I'm well placed to compare the two. To me, 2.4 is the only way to go. The 2.0 lacks a bit of grunt. It's fine around town, but on the open road and overtaking I wouldn't really trust it to perform.

Overall, the 2.4v is a beautiful drive. No complaints at all.

I'm not sure what the OP means by rear view visibility. I'd never thought of it before, so it's obviously not an issue for me.

[Thaiboxer]

I believe that the Camry was number one in car sales for 10 years in the States. They're good looking, comfortable and they handle like a dream from what I've heard. Coupled with Toyota reliability, it seems to be an ideal family car. Prices over here for Camrys would get you a Lexus back home. The V6 would perform better than the inline 4 I would think, however I think all Camrys here are automatic. In the States, you can opt for a manual.

[Tywais]

I'm not sure what the OP means by rear view visibility. I'd never thought of it before, so it's obviously not an issue for me.

I remember when you posted you purchased one and was hoping you would comment. As for rear view, my current car - Nissan Bluebird - has a near panoramic view with a large back window and virtually no blind spots. I've read comments about that being a problem (blind spots - "A Pillars") that make it dangerous so that concerns me. The rear window view seems so small in comparison and the rear passenger head rests block a bit of that.

It will be mostly used for transportation from/to work (about 24 km round trip) daily and the occasional road trip. I'm used to sports sedans and suspect it's just a matter of adjusting to the differences. Thanks for your input bendix.

[Moonfruit]

I have a new 2.0 Camry. Ive had it for about a month now, still on the red plates. My friend has the 2.4 which i have driven and ridden in regularly.

Im very happy with my choice of the 2.0. In town, its a great car. Not too big, just the right size. Wife wanted a fortuner and since we are in Bangkok, and the car is on the road 9 hours a day with clients riding around in it, i figured a fortuner would end up being knocked and scratched a lot more.

View from the rear window is pretty small, but you get used to it. Its never been a problem for me, but as it was mentioned above, it struck a cord.

Performance wise, in town, the 2.0 is great. It probably is a LITTLE underpowered, but then again that doesn't really bother me as it is a cruiser, not a performance car. On the open road i have no problems either. It has plenty of pull for overtaking and is a great mile muncher. You can happily sit at 140kph all day long and get out of the car at the other end feeling fresh as a daisy. Cant recommend it high enough really. It does just what it says on the tin.

[cm-happy]

Question, does anyone have the 2007 Camry? If so, which motor option do you have? the 3.5L - 2.4L or the 2L?

I am thinking about the 2L engine, I can see that it has 147 BHP but that really does not tell me anything...

If you have a Camry what do you think about it?

I really like the looks of it...

I have been to the Toyota dealer here and they can not let me test the low model (cant afford the higher model)... They only let you test the top 2.4L model with DVD NAVIGATOR.. What should I do? Any suggestions?

There are lots of Toyota dealerships around. try calling them on the phone and asking if the have the 2.0L in stock for you to test drive. If they do and you like it, buy it from them. Then go back to the other dealer tell them what you've done and why.

[Plus]

2.0l is a budget version for less discerning buyers who don't ask for test drives.

I think it's the most popular version in Thailand, perfect balance between size, comfort, power, and price.

Airport limousines have no problem overtaking on motorway.

Maximum power is practically irrelevant since you'd very rarely rev the engine high enough to see the difference, it's performance in mid range that matters to people, and they are generally satisfied with it.

2.4l engine has an advantage of being "new", as well as having new five speed auto. 2l engine + tranny were carried on from the previous generation, but they are still a safe bet.

None of the cars in that price range is designed for performance, btw, not Accord, not Sonata, not even 2l Civic.

[Tywais]

2.0l is a budget version for less discerning buyers who don't ask for test drives.

Guess I'm confused about that comment. 1.3mil is a large chunk for me and it's a car I will be driving for several years. Buying without testing its feel, both comfort and handling, just seems odd to me.

I noticed the price difference between the 2.0G and 2.4G is about 160,000 Baht but the 2.4G has fewer features. Is this all due to engine, or engine and tranny and higher taxes?

[Plus]

Ride comfort and other luxuries are features that people are looking for in Camry, and they can get them from 2.4 test drive. People who settle on 2l version know they will make compromises in speed and acceleration, but it probably has a little more gadgets to compnesate.

Edited January 13, 2008 by Plus

[Tywais]

Ride comfort and other luxuries are features that people are looking for in Camry, and they can get them from 2.4 test drive. People who settle on 2l version know they will make compromises in speed and acceleration, but it probably has a little more gadgets to compnesate.

I see your point now, thanks for the clarification and you are right - if I get a chance for a 2.4 to drive that will satisfy me.