File to: Unpopular Opinions

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11) 01/09/2017 at 22:30 • Filed to: None

2

35

I like the new Camry.

The grille is a bit too big on the LE/XLE and too busy on the SE/XSE, but otherwise I like it. It has really good proportions (long hood, short trunk, sweeping roofline) and the interior is really gorgeous.

With the V6, it actually has the speed to match the looks. Supposedly it’s sharper and better handling than ever; we’ll see after the first tests. But it shows promise.

Keep in mind the fact that I hate every previous Camry.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 22:34

2

For Sweden’s gonna bring the ban hammer down on you. SMH

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time 01/09/2017 at 22:35

1

Probably but I’ll just create a new burner and some guy with a GS300 will ask to join in a few days.

Vicente Esteve > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 22:36

0

I don’t.

Anima > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 22:36

6

I’m sorry but just no.

AS someone with a designer eye I cannot condone this. This car is wrong on so many levels. I don’t care it’s a Camry, but god no.. this thing is design mayhem.

interstate366, now In The Industry > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 22:38

1

I don’t hate it.

Anima > Anima 01/09/2017 at 22:40

3

Also, all I see when I look at the back of the new Camry is a gangmember’s teardrop tattoo.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > interstate366, now In The Industry 01/09/2017 at 22:43

0

But it’s no Prelude.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 22:43

1

The interior is fine, everything else is an absolute disaster. None of the design elements are working together, especially the two competing grille elements.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Anima 01/09/2017 at 22:44

0

It’s not for everyone and yes, it has its flaws, but to me it’s a step in the right direction.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Vicente Esteve 01/09/2017 at 22:44

1

It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure.

crowmolly > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 22:44

1

I think the rear looks nice. Front end looks “eh”.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > crowmolly 01/09/2017 at 22:44

0

Definitely.

not for canada - australian in disguise > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 22:47

3

I do too, it’s like a FWD Mark X. The interior is exquisite looking for a regular old midsize car too.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > not for canada - australian in disguise 01/09/2017 at 22:49

1

That’s what I first thought of when I saw it. I (briefly) hoped they’d switched it to RWD after seeing a pic of the side profile before details were released. A crazy thought, but one could hope.

IanZ - limited-slip indifferential > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 22:57

1

It’s definitely a massive improvement over the lukewarm saucer of oatmeal that was the previous Camry, but they’ve still got a long way to go before they impress me.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > IanZ - limited-slip indifferential 01/09/2017 at 23:02

0

It’s a start. It’s not the best looking car in the category, but for the first time ever, I think it actually looks decent.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 23:06

1

The front grille on both trims, the stupid tear drop rear vent thingies. All of those things are horrible. But the rest is pretty good. I really like the black roof option on the white one.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/09/2017 at 23:08

0

A mid cycle refresh away from being the best looking midsize sedan on the market IMO.

Amoore100 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 23:08

0

I don’t. Not because of what it looks like, the consumer market can go fuck themselves there, but because of what it represents. It represents that automakers can throw years of heritage, thinking, and design straight out the window for a car that I’m pretty sure I drew at age 5. The consumer public isn’t going to care, so we must. Remember when cars looked like this?

Now that is a beautiful Camry. Not just because it looks good, but because it’s harmonious. It works . It’s not someone playing thirty different electronic noises at once, it’s a symphony playing a Mozart overture. Boring, kinda, but at the same time, elegant and tasteful.

Anyways, what I’m trying to get at is that we are rapidly approaching this as our automotive future:

And no one but us enthusiasts are going to notice or care that we once had cars that looked like this:

And not honoring them would be to deface the great names of Pininfarina, Michelotti, Bertone, Wilsgaard, Opron, and Honda.

So the next question: who do I think is doing it right?

Sure, none of these are perfect, but they embody heritage, thoughtfulness, and good design principles while somehow creating entirely different cars that each carry their respective manufacturers’ image beautifully. Hmm, maybe that’s the problem. Toyota isn’t hiring very good designers. Pininfarina’s work may not be done yet.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Amoore100 01/09/2017 at 23:11

0

To each their own. I’m not saying that the new Camry is stunning, but it’s different and I like that. It’s revolution, not and evolution.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 23:11

2

The problem is it already looks like a mid cycle refresh. Remember when Honda added some plastic to the Accord’s trunk in 2011, that was supposed to look like a new tailight design? The vent on the Camry is almost as bad.

Tapas > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/09/2017 at 23:11

0

This^

Except I don’t like it when the black roof extends down to the C pillar, like in the white model and I want the vents by the tail lights to be real.

Tapas > not for canada - australian in disguise 01/09/2017 at 23:12

1

The way the grill and lights swoop down remind me of the Ghibli....

Amoore100 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 23:17

1

Hardly a revolution. The DS was a revolution. This has been going on for years.

Amoore100 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/09/2017 at 23:40

1

Ok, I take back a bit of this. The non-Sport variant has a nice rump. But that’s it. And the black plastic at the bottom still offends.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/09/2017 at 23:40

1

The person at Honda who came up and approved that should have been shot.....

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/10/2017 at 00:16

1

The cowl looks so damn high. Like the base of the windshield is several inches below it. It makes no sense and looks like it will be impossible to see out of and distracting while driving. But it could just be the pictures. I’ll reserve judgement on the rest until I see that in person.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/10/2017 at 01:31

1

Looks too much like a Nissan now. Anyway, where’s my coupe, dammit!

bhtooefr > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/10/2017 at 04:54

1

I have to say, I really like how the interior looks (although I wonder how that gloss plastic in the infotainment stack will look after a while - and I’ve got a current Toyota product with gloss plastic there).

And they’re willing to do a very loud red interior in a mainstream car. That hasn’t happened since, what, the 1980s?

The exterior, OTOH, is... busy. I don’t hate it, but it’s a bit too busy, and I’m saying this as someone who owns a Gen 4 Prius.

Also, knowing that it’s using the TNGA component set (although they’re calling its platform GA-K), I actually do believe Toyota that it’s got better driving dynamics - I’m wholly impressed with the dynamics of my GA-C-based car. It’s a bit on the soft side, as I’d expect the Camry LE and XLE to be, but it behaves quite well, and I really like the steering.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Amoore100 01/10/2017 at 09:16

1

The XE/XLE rump reminds me of the Alfa Guila for some reason. And no, this isn’t a revolution for the motoring world. It is a revolution for the Camry or even the midsize category. Instead of playing it safe and just making it boring, they’ve given it style. Some people like it, some don’t. But it’s different, and for that reason, I like it.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 01/10/2017 at 09:27

0

Ironically, that’s one of the things that they advertised was a lower cowl/hood.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/10/2017 at 09:28

0

An XSE Coupe would look fantastic!

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > bhtooefr 01/10/2017 at 09:29

0

Yeah, I’ve heard the new Prius actually drives nicely. I just can’t get over the styling.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/10/2017 at 09:51

1

Probably just the angles they took the photos from then. This is one of those designs (like a lot of recent Toyota styling) that really seems like it needs to be seen in person instead of photos.

Amoore100 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 01/11/2017 at 19:12

1

But I don’t want style! I liked the old Camry.

No square Camry, fuck that shit, but the ovoid Camry I still like.