Test drove the 2012 Camry.
#31
Lexus Fanatic
Excellent review/write-up, RX 330. Fairly-written and non-biased.
I'm also glad you did the new Camry. I myself have CL-requests for the new Camry, particularly XLE and/or Hybrid versions, but, like in your area, only a few LE models are available right now around D.C. Since you've done the LE model (and a great job on it ), I'll forget the LE model and wait for a V6 XLE (the 4-cylinder XLE probably won't be much different from the 4-cylinder LE), or the hybrid.
From the pictures you posted, though, there's two things I don't care for, right off the bat, about the new LE interior......sticking with the zig-zag transmission shifter and the conventional ignition-switch on the steering-column (I never did like those zig-zags). Maybe the XLE and/or hybrid will have the nicer push-button engine start......we'll wait and see. I think that the push-button start is a feature more and more car-buyers will demand in the future.
I'm also glad you did the new Camry. I myself have CL-requests for the new Camry, particularly XLE and/or Hybrid versions, but, like in your area, only a few LE models are available right now around D.C. Since you've done the LE model (and a great job on it ), I'll forget the LE model and wait for a V6 XLE (the 4-cylinder XLE probably won't be much different from the 4-cylinder LE), or the hybrid.
From the pictures you posted, though, there's two things I don't care for, right off the bat, about the new LE interior......sticking with the zig-zag transmission shifter and the conventional ignition-switch on the steering-column (I never did like those zig-zags). Maybe the XLE and/or hybrid will have the nicer push-button engine start......we'll wait and see. I think that the push-button start is a feature more and more car-buyers will demand in the future.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-24-11 at 11:26 AM.
#32
Lexus Test Driver
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THE DRIVE:
<snip>
The biggest thing I noticed is the throttle mapping. It's a lot less aggressive than the 6th gen. My biggest complaint with all Toyota 4cyl models is how aggressive the tip-in is. I figure they did it that way to compensate for the smaller engine/lower power by making it a little more aggressive to make it seem faster than it really is. But they did away with that, and now tip in is very smooth. No more scares in the parking lot because you think you nailed the gas pedal when you only brushed it. I think I can thank trying to achieve good fuel economy and the resulting eco-minded tuning for this.
<snip>
The biggest thing I noticed is the throttle mapping. It's a lot less aggressive than the 6th gen. My biggest complaint with all Toyota 4cyl models is how aggressive the tip-in is. I figure they did it that way to compensate for the smaller engine/lower power by making it a little more aggressive to make it seem faster than it really is. But they did away with that, and now tip in is very smooth. No more scares in the parking lot because you think you nailed the gas pedal when you only brushed it. I think I can thank trying to achieve good fuel economy and the resulting eco-minded tuning for this.
Edit: oh wow my sig is waaaaay out of date.
#33
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Big difference the GFX and wheels make to the look of the vehicle. to the interior improvements. I like how you actually have access to some of the options, like the lock/unlock when shifting from P, time your lights stay on after turning off the car etc. Some of those were options I had to get the dealer to do with the personalized settings when I bought my IS new back in 05.
It's cool that there's a MPG guage in there, but there isn't a engine temp guage?? Or did I just miss it in your pics?
It's cool that there's a MPG guage in there, but there isn't a engine temp guage?? Or did I just miss it in your pics?
#34
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I'm glad Toyota has finally figured out how ridiculous this is and have revised the setup. I have a 2007 RAV4 with the same hyper aggressive "full throttle at only 1/4 of the pedal travel" throttle mapping setup, except it's the 270hp V6 and it's just plain STUPID.
Edit: oh wow my sig is waaaaay out of date.
Edit: oh wow my sig is waaaaay out of date.
#36
Lexus Fanatic
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-24-11 at 10:25 PM.
#37
Lexus Champion
Excellent write up RX. I like the new Camry, I want to test drive one but here in Miami I doubt theres any at the dealerships, I'll have to check. But I'm impressed with the interior but the exterior styling is slowly growing on me.
#38
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I'd rather have an analog MPG gauge than an "idiot" analog engine coolant temp gauge. Every single one of those are set so that they pretty much never budge off of the middle anyways unless you're at or near overheating, which effectively makes them hardly any better than an idiot light warning, and a waste of gauge cluster real-estate IMHO. I'm liking the real, how it should be, OIL TEMP gauge in my BMW.
#39
Lexus Champion
So, if it's only H and C for hot and cold, what does it read if it's overheating?? Personally I think the analog temp guage is better. At least if your car is starting to overheat, you would see the needle gradually creep up above where it normally is.
#40
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Again you can't see because of the glare (now I'm really wishing I had my real camera), but it's a progressive bar gauge. On a cold engine it'll start off at like C• | H, and as it warms up another box/bar adds on C•••| H ---> C•••|• H, etc. etc.
#41
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (4)
Nice review. Can't wait to try it out once it hits my local Toyota dealership. I hope that its better in person than it is in pictures. I'll mainly be going for build quality as well and overall look as I don't remember my Camry when it was stock since I modded it at 5k miles...
#42
Lexus Fanatic
I'd rather have an analog MPG gauge than an "idiot" analog engine coolant temp gauge. Every single one of those are set so that they pretty much never budge off of the middle anyways unless you're at or near overheating, which effectively makes them hardly any better than an idiot light warning, and a waste of gauge cluster real-estate IMHO. I'm liking the real, how it should be, OIL TEMP gauge in my BMW.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-25-11 at 04:01 PM.
#43
Lexus Fanatic
Again, congratulations on a fine review. You've covered the 4-cylinder LE model well....though I'll probably do the V6 XLE and/or Hybrid when it comes out, per CL request.
SteVTEC, we probably ended up having this gauge-discussion for nothing. ........at least as far as the new Camry is concerned. It has BOTH a digital temp-gauge AND an analog MPG-Meter.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-25-11 at 04:16 PM.
#44
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
Water temperature gauge is very important. Yes, the needle on most cars stays around the middle during normal operation and when the cooling system is functioning properly. Once your system starts to malfunction, - like lets say if your water pump starts to slowly leak, or of there is pressure loss, or if your thermostat gets stuck open or closed - the gauge will reflect it and help you determine the issue early. An idiot light is just that - an idiot light. It won't show if your engine never gets up to normal operating temperature (happens when thermostat gets stuck open), it wont show you when your temperature raises just a little - where the car is still driveable, but there is a sign that something isn't working right.
The MPG gauge on the other hand is completely useless, especially that in most cars its not even reflecting real MGP, just using an algorithm to approximate fuel mileage.
And oil temp gauge in BMWs... with their overheating issues and cooling system failures, they better have that!
The MPG gauge on the other hand is completely useless, especially that in most cars its not even reflecting real MGP, just using an algorithm to approximate fuel mileage.
And oil temp gauge in BMWs... with their overheating issues and cooling system failures, they better have that!
#45
Lexus Fanatic
Water temperature gauge is very important. Yes, the needle on most cars stays around the middle during normal operation and when the cooling system is functioning properly. Once your system starts to malfunction, - like lets say if your water pump starts to slowly leak, or of there is pressure loss, or if your thermostat gets stuck open or closed - the gauge will reflect it and help you determine the issue early. An idiot light is just that - an idiot light. It won't show if your engine never gets up to normal operating temperature (happens when thermostat gets stuck open), it wont show you when your temperature raises just a little - where the car is still driveable, but there is a sign that something isn't working right.
The MPG gauge on the other hand is completely useless, especially that in most cars its not even reflecting real MGP, just using an algorithm to approximate fuel mileage.
And oil temp gauge in BMWs... with their overheating issues and cooling system failures, they better have that!
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-25-11 at 04:25 PM.