I Drove A Toyota Camry Today...
06-15-2009, 10:14 PM
#54
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I'd actually saw the clean sheet designs by GM lately are more interesting than Toyota's offerings from a driving dynamics point of view.
06-16-2009, 07:37 AM
#56
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Hey! I drove a new Impala for month while my insurance claim was being resolved. Very good acceleration but handled like a motorized Pogo Stick, "Ka Boing" "Ka Boing".
06-16-2009, 08:13 AM
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No way the Genisis could be as bad as the new mustangs.....we have convertable V6er's at work and I swear to god Ive drivien 80's caddys that handle better then it. Its down right scary at speed...everytime I drive one I think "..wow someone paid 16k+ for one of these things..so sad"
06-16-2009, 01:17 PM
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No way the Genisis could be as bad as the new mustangs.....we have convertable V6er's at work and I swear to god Ive drivien 80's caddys that handle better then it. Its down right scary at speed...everytime I drive one I think "..wow someone paid 16k+ for one of these things..so sad"
Every convertible's structural rigidity is compromised because of the missing roof.
And I don't think it's a new one, because the newest ones is supposed to be better handling and more agile than the Genesis thanks to its pricey summer tires that come stock.
Not even sure they're available at the dealerships yet.
But I only read that on Autoweek, MotorTrend, and Car & Driver.
06-16-2009, 01:50 PM
#60
When we rented an Azera, it was the most bizarre feeling driving it at highway speeds. N ot only was it bobbing and pitching, it was the first car I've ever driven in where the suspension shifted the car laterally (i.e. to the side) over transition areas on the highway.
It was so bad that the person whom I was traveling with at the time, who knew nothing about cars and could care even less, was laughing.
I was only doing 70 to 75mph.
It had 17,000 miles on it. I'm not sure what the deal was, or if they are all that way.
It was so bad that the person whom I was traveling with at the time, who knew nothing about cars and could care even less, was laughing.
I was only doing 70 to 75mph.
It had 17,000 miles on it. I'm not sure what the deal was, or if they are all that way.
06-17-2009, 11:17 AM
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[QUOTE=MICHGoBlue;3072131]It's a convertible so it's more "floaty".
Every convertible's structural rigidity is compromised because of the missing roof.....
Even if the hardtop mustang is a huge improvment over the Convertable I'm sure it's still god awful LOL.....hopfully the newest gen one that comes out is at least Average in the handling/ Anti-floaty department
I use to have an 89 Vert RX7 which handled waaayyyyy better and its 20 years older lol.....(granted "way" better means good amounts of understeer and no power!
).
Every convertible's structural rigidity is compromised because of the missing roof.....
Even if the hardtop mustang is a huge improvment over the Convertable I'm sure it's still god awful LOL.....hopfully the newest gen one that comes out is at least Average in the handling/ Anti-floaty department
I use to have an 89 Vert RX7 which handled waaayyyyy better and its 20 years older lol.....(granted "way" better means good amounts of understeer and no power!
).
06-17-2009, 11:23 AM
#62
I'm Delaware Fast
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I just helped my girlfriend purchase a car and the test drive of the Camry was awful. The interior is PAINFUL. We drove an Altima, Accord, Camry, Civic, and the new Mazda 6. Mazda 6 blew everything away. Blind-spot monitoring gets annoying though...
06-17-2009, 12:42 PM
#63
Ahhhh......thank you!
I haven't driven the Accord or Altima.
Let me ask you: How was the ride quality and road noise level of the Altima and the Accord versus the Mazda6?
I ask because some people claim the 6 is harsh over broken pavement. I care less about 'firm,' which is fine as long as the car is solid.
To me, harsh denotes something entirely worse than firm does.
06-17-2009, 01:12 PM
#64
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I drove the previous generation Camry and it was exactly the same. Apparently the general American public looks for a car with severely numb handling, "guess and check" steering inputs, and brakes that are unsure of themselves. It was actually a little bit scary to drive, it felt like if I had gotten into trouble, I would have been unable to save myself. I'd have to just brace for impact. Why would people want that!? That was just plain awful, but people eat it up! What the hell, America?
But my brain agrees with RotaryGod's comment.
What the hell, America?
I propose Chicanes for Expressways in America - so Americans will start paying attention to their driving and buy proper cars.
06-17-2009, 03:03 PM
#66
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Ahhhh......thank you!
I haven't driven the Accord or Altima.
Let me ask you: How was the ride quality and road noise level of the Altima and the Accord versus the Mazda6?
I ask because some people claim the 6 is harsh over broken pavement. I care less about 'firm,' which is fine as long as the car is solid.
To me, harsh denotes something entirely worse than firm does.
I haven't driven the Accord or Altima.
Let me ask you: How was the ride quality and road noise level of the Altima and the Accord versus the Mazda6?
I ask because some people claim the 6 is harsh over broken pavement. I care less about 'firm,' which is fine as long as the car is solid.
To me, harsh denotes something entirely worse than firm does.
The ride quality of the Accord was probably the most comfortable. You could hardly feel the bumps and steering wheel responded accordingly. The new Accords are freaking tanks now though. It was HUGE. I did not mind the interior at all like the Camry. The Accord however was probably the worst handling compared to the Altima and Mazda...probably due to size. A little floaty...
The new Altima was probably my second favorite. If the dealer didn't give us a great deal we were going to get this. Mostly because the differences of the 2008 and 2009 aren't that vast and the price was right.
The Altima did not have the same "enclosed" cabin feel as the Accord but it was ok. The steering wheel was alot more comfortable though, and it was just a little bit more nimble. The interior was great and the seats were comfortable. The car was not harsh...a 350Z is harsh.
The Mazda 6 beat out the competition (I'm not a fanboy) in handling and surprisingly road comfort. I would not say it was harsh by any means. We test drove the Touring and the Grand Touring versions (GT is what she ended up with). The 6 has very low road noise, excellent steering response and great features. It gives you just a little more on the road as far as feedback goes mostly because of the suspension differences. We even opted for the 6-speed manual to save some cash and the car shifts and drives like butter. Impressive.
If you need more specifics just ask!
06-18-2009, 11:36 AM
#67
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I had a box camry rental back in 2002 or 2003 and I couldn't to get back into my better handling more powerful car. That was a Dodge Intrepid
As long as we are talking Slowyota does anyone else notice that 90% of the time when you are stuck behind a car going incredibly slow it's a Toyota? The only reason they last so long is they are mostly driven by oldies at 5mph
As long as we are talking Slowyota does anyone else notice that 90% of the time when you are stuck behind a car going incredibly slow it's a Toyota? The only reason they last so long is they are mostly driven by oldies at 5mph
06-18-2009, 11:59 AM
#69
Hope I can help! Let's see...
The ride quality of the Accord was probably the most comfortable. You could hardly feel the bumps and steering wheel responded accordingly. The new Accords are freaking tanks now though. It was HUGE. I did not mind the interior at all like the Camry. The Accord however was probably the worst handling compared to the Altima and Mazda...probably due to size. A little floaty...
The new Altima was probably my second favorite. If the dealer didn't give us a great deal we were going to get this. Mostly because the differences of the 2008 and 2009 aren't that vast and the price was right.
The Altima did not have the same "enclosed" cabin feel as the Accord but it was ok. The steering wheel was alot more comfortable though, and it was just a little bit more nimble. The interior was great and the seats were comfortable. The car was not harsh...a 350Z is harsh.
The Mazda 6 beat out the competition (I'm not a fanboy) in handling and surprisingly road comfort. I would not say it was harsh by any means. We test drove the Touring and the Grand Touring versions (GT is what she ended up with). The 6 has very low road noise, excellent steering response and great features. It gives you just a little more on the road as far as feedback goes mostly because of the suspension differences. We even opted for the 6-speed manual to save some cash and the car shifts and drives like butter. Impressive.
If you need more specifics just ask!
The ride quality of the Accord was probably the most comfortable. You could hardly feel the bumps and steering wheel responded accordingly. The new Accords are freaking tanks now though. It was HUGE. I did not mind the interior at all like the Camry. The Accord however was probably the worst handling compared to the Altima and Mazda...probably due to size. A little floaty...
The new Altima was probably my second favorite. If the dealer didn't give us a great deal we were going to get this. Mostly because the differences of the 2008 and 2009 aren't that vast and the price was right.
The Altima did not have the same "enclosed" cabin feel as the Accord but it was ok. The steering wheel was alot more comfortable though, and it was just a little bit more nimble. The interior was great and the seats were comfortable. The car was not harsh...a 350Z is harsh.
The Mazda 6 beat out the competition (I'm not a fanboy) in handling and surprisingly road comfort. I would not say it was harsh by any means. We test drove the Touring and the Grand Touring versions (GT is what she ended up with). The 6 has very low road noise, excellent steering response and great features. It gives you just a little more on the road as far as feedback goes mostly because of the suspension differences. We even opted for the 6-speed manual to save some cash and the car shifts and drives like butter. Impressive.
If you need more specifics just ask!
So, from a solidity standpoint, what car was the most rigid and solid over bad road conditions?
Some may find it odd, but because we have such bad roads here, I'd much prefer a heavy, rigid car that doesn't flex or bend over potholes and chunked roads to a lighter, nimbler handling car that does, when it comes to a family hauler.
It sounds like the Accord is the most solid out of the cars you drove and the 6 was the best handler.
(I would spring for a MB E Class because of the rigid platform, but the depreciation, high entry cost, electrical gremlins and extremely high servicing costs kills the deal for me - MB was great in the 80s, but I'm not drinking the 'they're back to their old gold standard' talk until I see proof)
06-18-2009, 12:35 PM
#71
The RX-8 is missed
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I personally don't think there is anything wrong with a Camry. Would I own one myself - probably not.
Opinions are based on what you expect in a car. For someone looking for a good commuter, easy to drive, quiet cabin, comfortable ride, decent gas mileage and room for 4 (comfortably), the Camry would be a good choice. It does have a very soft suspension and very light steering but like RG said, when you drive it everyday, you get used to the feel of the car. I haven't personally owned one, but I've done my fair share of driving in a few.
To re-iterate - would I buy one - Probably not!
Opinions are based on what you expect in a car. For someone looking for a good commuter, easy to drive, quiet cabin, comfortable ride, decent gas mileage and room for 4 (comfortably), the Camry would be a good choice. It does have a very soft suspension and very light steering but like RG said, when you drive it everyday, you get used to the feel of the car. I haven't personally owned one, but I've done my fair share of driving in a few.
To re-iterate - would I buy one - Probably not!
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06-18-2009, 12:38 PM
#73
The RX-8 is missed
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reminds me of that new vw jetta diesel commercial...about fuel economy but how fun to drive it is...then the neighbor w/ a prius is jealous...the vw talks about how great it sounds and goes "so what does your sound like?" and the prius owner just breathes out slowly...hahahahahahaha
toyota's are terribly boring in every way, i hope they change directions soon...
