Is the Camry that bad a car?
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Napa
I leased a 1996 Camry and for 3 years never did a thing but change the oil and add gas. It was comfortable and if you just want to get from here to there, you can't beat it. Same with my 2 4Runners, am on the last year of my lease of a 2004 Sport, which doesn't handle bad for a small SUV and really gets up and goes. Toyota builds good cars. When my lease is up, I'm moving to the RAV, same engine I now have but lighter (quicker) and smaller.
BTW did Patty ever replace her car, and with what? She thought the RAV moved pretty well too.
BTW did Patty ever replace her car, and with what? She thought the RAV moved pretty well too.
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 18,885
Likes: 33
From: Philly (Narberth)
Originally Posted by dlq04,Mar 29 2007, 07:43 AM
The same can be said for most of the US car models today; at least for me. But there was a time:
http://www.gmphotostore.com/products...1237&display=0
http://www.gmphotostore.com/products...1237&display=0
the tail-fin era 
Thanks for sharing that site....a bit of eye candy for tail fishers
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 13,471
Likes: 35
From: Upstate NY
My wife has a 1999 Camry Solara. Best car we've ever owned. The quality and reliability are amazing. In 125k miles we've done the following:
Brake pads once (Original rotors and calipers)
Timing belt (Preventative maintenance)
Struts (Just done at 125k)
Passenger door lock actuator (Just done at 125k)
Tires and oil changes of course.
With the exception of the timing belt, it has never been to a shop for repair.
Still has the original battery, exhaust, spark plugs!
After 9 salt laden winters, no rust!
Best part? We finished the payments in October 2001.
Brake pads once (Original rotors and calipers)
Timing belt (Preventative maintenance)
Struts (Just done at 125k)
Passenger door lock actuator (Just done at 125k)
Tires and oil changes of course.
With the exception of the timing belt, it has never been to a shop for repair.
Still has the original battery, exhaust, spark plugs!
After 9 salt laden winters, no rust!
Best part? We finished the payments in October 2001.
Thread Starter
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From: Bay Area
Originally Posted by ralper,Mar 29 2007, 08:19 PM
Because, I think, that when your product has no credibility the best way to advertise is to knock the product that does have credibility. Your product can't reach up to the higher level, so you attempt to bring the higher level down.
I can believe that the Fusion is better than the Accord, I can even believe it is better than the Camry (in the areas being compared). But is it more than twice better (as the chart would have you believe)? Probably not.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 22,683
Likes: 490
From: St-Redempteur,Qc.
Originally Posted by Emil St-Hilaire,Mar 29 2007, 07:35 PM
people used to like those nice looking old Buicks!!!
What were they called ???Streetmasters,???
With the portholes on the front fenders,???
What were they called ???Streetmasters,???
With the portholes on the front fenders,???
Awesome cars,in the fifties.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 46,001
Likes: 8,484
From: Mish-she-gan
Consumers Report just published its latest findings on cars. Lots and lots of good info. Here's just a small sample.
TEST RESULTS VS. RELIABILITY
If the only things that mattered to a car buyer were performance, comfort, and safety, Volkswagen would be at the top of the heap. Its Volkswagen and Audi models do well in handling, braking, and standard safety features. But few VWs have decent reliability.
Mercedes-Benz is an even more striking example. Its cars have the fourth-highest average test score at 77. They handle well, are nicely finished, and ride comfortably. But none has good-enough reliability to be recommended. By contrast, Toyotas have been very reliable, but some models such as the FJ Cruiser SUV and Yaris subcompact were disappointing in our tests.
Cars from Detroit automakers range across the lot in reliability. Ford has a number of good cars that did well in our survey, but about a quarter of the Ford products we have tested had below average reliability. GM also builds some vehicles that did well in reliability, but about one-third of the tested GM vehicles were rated below average.
While our surveys show that reliability of new American cars and trucks has been getting closer to the levels of Japanese vehicles, Cole says there is a limit to easy improvements.
Overall we recommend a much smaller percentage of U.S. cars than Japanese makes (37 percent vs. 80 percent), mainly because their reliability is hit-or-miss, not consistent like that of vehicles from some Japanese companies. We do not recommend models with below-average reliability. American vehicles tend to be more reliable than those from Europe. The consistently high reliability of some Japanese companies, such as Honda, Subaru, and Toyota, allows us to recommend their new models.
THE JAPANESE MYTH
Honda and Toyota are lauded for their reliability and have built a number of high-rated models, including 7 of our 10 Top Picks. But we found that not all Japanese cars excel.
TEST RESULTS VS. RELIABILITY
If the only things that mattered to a car buyer were performance, comfort, and safety, Volkswagen would be at the top of the heap. Its Volkswagen and Audi models do well in handling, braking, and standard safety features. But few VWs have decent reliability.
Mercedes-Benz is an even more striking example. Its cars have the fourth-highest average test score at 77. They handle well, are nicely finished, and ride comfortably. But none has good-enough reliability to be recommended. By contrast, Toyotas have been very reliable, but some models such as the FJ Cruiser SUV and Yaris subcompact were disappointing in our tests.
Cars from Detroit automakers range across the lot in reliability. Ford has a number of good cars that did well in our survey, but about a quarter of the Ford products we have tested had below average reliability. GM also builds some vehicles that did well in reliability, but about one-third of the tested GM vehicles were rated below average.
While our surveys show that reliability of new American cars and trucks has been getting closer to the levels of Japanese vehicles, Cole says there is a limit to easy improvements.
Overall we recommend a much smaller percentage of U.S. cars than Japanese makes (37 percent vs. 80 percent), mainly because their reliability is hit-or-miss, not consistent like that of vehicles from some Japanese companies. We do not recommend models with below-average reliability. American vehicles tend to be more reliable than those from Europe. The consistently high reliability of some Japanese companies, such as Honda, Subaru, and Toyota, allows us to recommend their new models.
THE JAPANESE MYTH
Honda and Toyota are lauded for their reliability and have built a number of high-rated models, including 7 of our 10 Top Picks. But we found that not all Japanese cars excel.
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 18,885
Likes: 33
From: Philly (Narberth)
Originally Posted by dlq04,Mar 31 2007, 10:04 AM
Consumers Report just published its latest findings on cars....
HOW U.S. MAKERS STACK UP.....and Cadillac CTS scored well in our tests......
Chrysler.....One of our engineers likened sitting in a Caliber to being in a plastic ice cooler.......
HOW U.S. MAKERS STACK UP.....and Cadillac CTS scored well in our tests......
Chrysler.....One of our engineers likened sitting in a Caliber to being in a plastic ice cooler.......
A
for Dave's Caddie.... 
A
for the Dodge-Not-Quite-.22Calibre
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 46,001
Likes: 8,484
From: Mish-she-gan
Some more from CR on the topic:
MOST IMPRESSIVE
Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan
As expected, these replacements for the Taurus and Sable are practical and roomy. But we were unexpectedly impressed with their nimble handling and comfortable ride, which make them feel more like expensive European cars. Unlike many new cars in their first year, their reliability has been excellent.
MOST IMPRESSIVE
Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan
As expected, these replacements for the Taurus and Sable are practical and roomy. But we were unexpectedly impressed with their nimble handling and comfortable ride, which make them feel more like expensive European cars. Unlike many new cars in their first year, their reliability has been excellent.