I Know Why People Buy Camry's !

[csv8]

The missus and I hired a car, while in Briz for a few days. It was a Camry Altise with 13kms on the clock, just delivered. For a base model car, its well equipped.
Alloy wheels, indicators in the wing mirrors, self locking doors, rear centre arm rest with cup holders. USB, blue tooth, cruise control. Adequate power, six speed box. for $26k drive away its good value. Thats why people buy them.... BUT !!
We didn't like the seats, too firm and not much support, road noise is high, c pillar blocks vision, suspension too firm. felt bumps in the road...
But people still buy them!!!

[Motorbreath310]

I found it hard to get properly comfortable in them too ('13 Camry) my '08 F6 with 19's felt like a limo after the Camry. Hated it.

[nstg8a]

Biggish car, with lowish running costs, that's does the basics competently and reliably, and for a reasonable price....

Doesn't seem like rocket science really does it.

[Syndrome]

People who tend to buy these cars are not car enthusiasts. They see a car as a tool which gets them where they want to go. They tend not to have any emotional attachment to their cars.

[TC200six]

Not everyone has to be an enthusiast to own a car. A lot of Camrys are just used to go to the shops or lawn bowls. You don't need to own a performance RWD car if that's all you need a car for.

[bangm001]

Also brake pads that last 100,000kms is pretty cool!

[DFB FGXR6]

No doubting they are a good car for what they are designed to do,

But 'people' don't buy them, fleets and rentals companies buy them in large quantities and turn them over regularly, making them look more popular than they really are. Same with the Corolla, Hilux.......

[Bushbasher]

Hey, both my AU 'lane and my wifes AU wagon have done over 100k on their existing pads and discs and both still have more life in them yet. Lots of highway kms and rolling into corners helps though.

[chookaradley]

They have 2 things that are worth their weight in gold

1. A Toyota badge
2. An impecible reputation

[Kayos]

I can answer this, it takes all sorts and the death of Falcon & Commodore is all easily due to the Camry and people with the menality that they are more realiable, and better build quality. Lets not forget the tight.

As for pads lasting 100k above, really.......

Got to love the recalls of the last couple years, and the latest 1 something billion cover up Toyota got slapped with.

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

People who tend to buy these cars are not car enthusiasts. They see a car as a tool which gets them where they want to go. They tend not to have any emotional attachment to their cars.

Hmmm, just thinking how much more money in my bank account I'd have if I'd just bought a Camry instead of my "Emotional" attachments ...........

[XR Martin]

I suspect they sell as many privately as Ford do Falcons.

[Motorbreath310]

There are probably mediaphiles out there that would roll their eyes at my choice of a Samsung tv. To me though, it's nice enough, does the job, and I've heard that Samsung make a decent product.

I'm not a mediaphile, so i'm not too worried...

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

No doubting they are a good car for what they are designed to do,

But 'people' don't buy them, fleets and rentals companies buy them in large quantities and turn them over regularly, making them look more popular than they really are. Same with the Corolla, Hilux.......

...falcon...

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Motorbreath310

There are probably mediaphiles out there that would roll their eyes at my choice of a Samsung tv. To me though, it's nice enough, does the job, and I've heard that Samsung make a decent product.

I'm not a mediaphile, so i'm not too worried...

What are you concerned about your TV for? Samsung makes some of the best screens out there.

[Motorbreath310]

Originally Posted by chevypower

What are you concerned about your TV for? Samsung makes some of the best screens out there.

Providing an example of how a Camry buyer would feel if questioned by a car enthusiast.

[AndyXR6T]

You must have a pretty old car to not have those features mentioned in the first post.

I couldn't think of a more bland, soulless car

[MNM96]

Toyota Camry, transport for people waiting to die!

[Bushbasher]

Originally Posted by Kayos

As for pads lasting 100k above, really.......

Yup.

Slotted discs went on the wagon at 170k with new pads, discs were machined and softer pads fitted at about 220k-ish, I think, and the car just ticked over 351k yesterday with still about 5-6mm of material still on the pads as of 3 weeks ago when new tyres went on.

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

No doubting they are a good car for what they are designed to do,

But 'people' don't buy them, fleets and rentals companies buy them in large quantities and turn them over regularly, making them look more popular than they really are. Same with the Corolla, Hilux.......

those same fleet managers also know that when trade in time comes the cars are still worth something.Its a fair old risk to buy a commodore omega/evoke or falcon XT....it all comes down to cost of ownership.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Hired a new Camry down in Adelaide in Jan.

Great car. Big, economical, safe etc etc etc...

Hated it... Sorry, they have become way too big. We took it as a free 'upgrade' from the Cerato / Cruze sized car we booked and I regretted it.

Didn't need the extra space, and the place we were staying had the tighest parking you could imagine. We just needed a car to ride around in, only had 2 carry on bags and only had 2 people in the back a few times.

Would be an ideal car if you need to cart around 4-5 adults in comfort all the time with a heap of gear but I think calling it a midsizer like most people still think of them as is a real understatement.

If you are used to a commy or falcon they would be great size wise, but for me... not my cup of tea considering that my daily drivers are the old and new Mirage.

Having said that, at the sub 30K price they are going for, anyone who needs a large sedan as transport would be mad to scratch it off the short list.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Motorbreath310

Providing an example of how a Camry buyer would feel if questioned by a car enthusiast.

Nah Samsungs are highly respected by "mediaphiles." No need to worry there. Camrys on the other hand.... , but as people have pointed out, they do have their place.

[Bearman]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

People who tend to buy these cars are not car enthusiasts. They see a car as a tool which gets them where they want to go. They tend not to have any emotional attachment to their cars.

Exactly. I have a 100km daily commute across town and my daily driver lives outside in the weather. It gets the usual knocks etc that accumulate over time. I just can't do that to an FPV or any other prestige or performance car, it'll just get trashed. I really have to have a car that is bullet proof, cheap to run and comfortable enough to drive. I also need to not love it so in this context a Camry or Aurion would be ideal.

Besides, I have the antidote in the garage.......

[XR Martin]

Got a mate with a TF Magna that still has original pads, 120k kms and according to him the mechanic who last serviced it said there is still heaps of meat on them.

[MITCHAY]

We can't compare ourselves to the majority of people. We enjoy driving cars and modding them.

For a lot of people, driving is nothing more than a way to get around and for others it is even one of their least favorite activities. So it makes sense they would spend that money elsewhere on something they actually like doing.

Take away the styling and performance of the Falcon and Commodore and do you really have a car that's much different from a Camry?

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

People who tend to buy these cars are not car enthusiasts.

Assumption...

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Kayos

As for pads lasting 100k above, really.......

I got 75,000km on my factory Focus pads and discs, they're at about 50% on the fronts.

I installed some sort of UHF/GPS radio for the ADF in a new Camry, they're nicely built cars, but to get to an accessories feed I had to pull apart the shifter/center console and all the trims around it just to get to the back of the auxiliary socket.

Trims are excellent quality though and under the scuff trims along the floor they had a clip and spot to hold in aftermarket wires which was nice.

[superfly]

I had an Aurion SX6 for a week in NZ a few years ago and I really liked it. Was pretty quick, handled pretty well and was big. I looked at one when I bought my XR50. The missus hated the Aurion. Said it felt lifeless, not exciting to drive. Mind you, see doesn't much like the XR50 either. But it was better than the Aurion.

[Bam]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

Take away the styling and performance of the Falcon and Commodore and do you really have a car that's much different from a Camry?

Ummm, well, those aspects do deliberately set the big Aussie sedans apart from the Jap designs. The bigger engined Falcons are more driveable due to the additional pulling torque that doesn't take 2 secs to shift down 3 gears when overtaking. But you need to take away a few more things like:

* Rear Wheel Drive.
* Size and passenger space.
* Handling and ride comfort.
* Towing ability.
* Ground clearance.
* A decent set of headlights for night driving.
* Probably cheaper parts (not sure about that though).

Then you've got something like a Camry.

[Evgeni]

Wife has an 03 camry with 188000k's - rear brake pads are original. Stopping power is actually quite impressive in this, but guess it is all relative, as there is not much get up and go.
Where it does out perform my falcon is those areas which are important to her. Stereo works, all power windows work and the air conditioning is very cold. Boot space fits the kids bikes without taking them apart.
The re sale value isn't too bad either.
Only thing I have done to it is changed the alternator, serpentine belt and belt tensioner. Oh yeah, at some stage I did change the front pads and put some fresh brake fluid in. :o)