"Marcus" (mahdigga)
04/04/2016 at 10:50 • Filed to: Camry, Toyota Camry SE, Rental, Alamo, Chihuahua
0
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"Marcus" (mahdigga)
04/04/2016 at 10:50 • Filed to: Camry, Toyota Camry SE, Rental, Alamo, Chihuahua | 0
| 8 |
Had to make a trip down south for the weekend, so I rent a standard car from Alamo. Had to pick between an Altima (eww), Sonata (eww), Buick Verano (hell no), or Camry (decent enough).
Turns out, I ended up enjoying the car. I guess it really is more fun to drive a slow car fast.
The car is very, very easy to drive. Goes, stops well. The suspension - I love it. Not super soft and floaty like the 07 Camry I last drove. Its comfortable and absorbs bumps, but you can actually whip this thing around a corner without it leaning on the sidewalls. The steering is pretty quick (but light), giving it a sporty feel; even has those thumb rests on the wheel.
Paddle shifters are great! The transmission doesn’t want to downshift, but a quick pull of the shifters, which respond quickly, and you’re off.
The engine is good enough for around town, enabling you to quickly pull away from stop lights. I would need the V6 as I do lots of highway driving, and hate having to struggle to accelerate to 80+. That four cylinder buzz though - horrible. Sounds like the engine wants to explode when you get to 5000 rpm. I was also quite appalled that you could feel the car vibrating when idling at a stoplight.
The ergonomics and ease of use is A++. I took me 1 minute to find everything I needed and everything worked perfectly. Even looks pretty cool when light up at night.
The (Entune?) Audio system works seamlessly with my phone. I had the option to plug it in with my USB, or stream over Bluetooth when I was feeling lazy or in a hurry. I liked that I could actually select my music, podcasts, etc without having to use my phone (using the touchscreen or controls on the steering wheel!). Can’t be done in my X5 - stuck with a simple Aux input right now.
Why is this here? Is this 1989? Just put a button and be done with it.
I also find it funny that you can be going this speed, with the ECO light on.
Would I rent it again, HELL YEAH! It did everything it needed, while keeping me entertained and averaging 33 MPG along the way. Only cost $104 for three-days with unlimited mileage. The $27 fill-ups were an added bonus!
Oh yeah, the dog loves it too!
dogisbadob
> Marcus
04/04/2016 at 10:55 |
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That is a cute doggy!
And yeah, the Camry is a great car. You made the right choice. The SE is the sporty model. I’d rather have a foot brake than a stupid electronic one, but too bad no more manual Camry :(
Ash78, voting early and often
> Marcus
04/04/2016 at 10:57 |
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I don't like button parking brakes, but I also have no idea why foot-operated ones exist outside of the large truck world...
EL_ULY
> Marcus
04/04/2016 at 11:00 |
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d’awwww your dog!!!!!
I drove one not too long ago in base trip. not bad at all anything. Really impressed when it read my text messages out to my, that is a good feature. Like you said, good ride and not floaty. Steering on this and Corolla at super accurate. A V6 with LED headlights is extremely rad. I’m glad there is no “bad” car in this segment anymore
jasmits
> Ash78, voting early and often
04/04/2016 at 11:01 |
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To keep their boring reputation they can’t have people running around doing handbrake turns.
Don’t ask me how I know but foot parking-brake turns don’t work so well. Oh and the electric ones don’t let you engage them while you’re moving, also don’t ask how I know.
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Marcus
> dogisbadob
04/04/2016 at 11:10 |
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Thanks!
Yeah - I rather have a electronic parking brake as I didn’t use it at all over the three days I had the car, so it was just another pedal in the way. I have the electronic one in my X5, the few times (I admit it - I’m afraid it’ll get stuck, or something electronic could go wrong) that I have used it, it’s a simple task - press the button and i’m on my way.
Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
> Marcus
04/04/2016 at 11:15 |
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Camry doesn’t suck.
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dogisbadob
> Marcus
04/04/2016 at 11:16 |
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Jusat be glad using the p-brake isn;t required.
The current gen Accord has a regular handbrake, but it needs to be engaged in order to start the car.
Snailkite
> Marcus
04/04/2016 at 11:28 |
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Yup. I always roll my eyes when I see internet yahoos shitty on the Camry. The structure is impressively stiff too.