Author Topic: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year  (Read 4222 times)

Offline articsteve

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Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« on: November 22, 2006, 07:22:21 am »
The Buick that will never be.    :rofl2:

The ultimate appliance full sized sedan.   :cheers:


DETROIT - The redesigned Toyota Camry, the hottest-selling car in America, is the winner of Motor Trend Magazine’s 2007 Car of the Year award.

The award, announced Wednesday, went to all Camry variations, including the hybrid, because the car is innovative yet has a broad appeal, magazine Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie said in a statement.

“The Camry is the one car rival automakers all wish they could build. It offers something for nearly everyone — performance, efficiency and roominess — at a price point most Americans can afford,” MacKenzie said.

“Frankly, we are not going to ever defeat the insurgency,”     Billions for jets and pennies for vets; Harponi is MAGNIFICENT.

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2006, 07:37:09 am »
Was it specifically a beige coloured one named car of the year or did they allow a grey one as well.
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Offline UmroAyyar

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2006, 09:16:09 am »
Was it specifically a beige coloured one named car of the year or did they allow a grey one as well.

Hey, I just changed from a beige Corolla to a Magnetic Grey Camry. :P
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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2006, 09:41:28 am »
It is a very good looking car, but based on my test drive experience of 2 different models Saturday and the weird auto trans shifting I would pass for now.  The Altima was better equipped for the price and nicer to drive, I love that CVT.
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Offline quadzilla

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2006, 09:44:56 am »
It is a very good looking car, but based on my test drive experience of 2 different models Saturday and the weird auto trans shifting I would pass for now.  The Altima was better equipped for the price and nicer to drive, I love that CVT.

What was so weird about this auto shifting?
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Offline sirAQUAMAN64

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2006, 11:08:45 am »
Good choice.
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Offline safristi

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2006, 11:31:09 am »
  MOTOR "TREND"...talk about FALSE advertising....even their testers have silicone nadger IMPLANTS..... :P..haven't they heard from the BIG 3 Advertising Wallahs YET?...Oooh I forgot ALL they have left this year is $19.99 Between the LOT OF 'EM.... :'(
  Gues Toy_YODA came up wif da YAK_FULL_O YEN THIS YEAR :rofl:
« Last Edit: November 22, 2006, 11:33:36 am by safristi »
THERE IS NO CURE FOR "LOTUS"......ONLY TREATMENT.....

Offline ovr50

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #7 on: November 22, 2006, 11:39:53 am »
Motor Bend's COTY - the "Kiss of Death".... ::)
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and
2012 Toyota Camry SE V6 in Alpine White

Offline Arthur Dent

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #8 on: November 22, 2006, 12:17:02 pm »
meaningless award from the least respected mainstream magazine  :-\

Offline AVToller

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #9 on: November 22, 2006, 02:18:11 pm »
They only gave it the award because of the recalls.  ;) :rofl: :rofl2: :rofl:
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Offline articsteve

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #10 on: November 22, 2006, 02:29:30 pm »
Gotta link for those recalls  ???

Offline Mitlov

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2006, 09:29:13 pm »
For the record, Camry is midsize, not full-size.  It's a good transportation appliance, but I really don't see much appeal for an enthusiast.

Irony is articsteve asking for someone else to provide a link to back up an assertion.  Anyway, we've been through the 2007 Camry's airbag recall and transmission issues (no recall yet, if I recall correctly) probably a dozen times on this forum.  No need to feign ignorance.
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Offline articsteve

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #12 on: November 22, 2006, 11:06:24 pm »
For the record, Camry is midsize, not full-size.  It's a good transportation appliance, but I really don't see much appeal for an enthusiast.

Irony is articsteve asking for someone else to provide a link to back up an assertion.  Anyway, we've been through the 2007 Camry's airbag recall and transmission issues (no recall yet, if I recall correctly) probably a dozen times on this forum.  No need to feign ignorance.

For the record, Camry is midsize, not full-size.

That's right, it just seems that way.  :bow:  It's a large mid size in width.  :)  The Avalon is rated as a full sized.  It is 72.8 inches and the Camry is 71.7 inches in width.  Obviously can't have a full sized car powered by a 4 banger.  :)

It's a good transportation appliance, but I really don't see much appeal for an enthusiast.

That's quite true.  It is the ultimate appliance vehicle like I said.  The 265 HP V6 in the SE is no slouch, but any car with an automatic is not an "enthusiast's" car.

Irony is articsteve asking for someone else to provide a link to back up an assertion 

I'm in the minority for posting references around here.  You need to talk to Barrie.  I recall your E-85 thread and subsequent reference-less claims.  ;D

Anyway, we've been through the 2007 Camry's airbag recall

What air bag recall  ???   Since you made the allegation, please back it up with a link.

transmission issues

What transmission issues  ???  That 5 speed slush box in my wife's 07 4 banger SE is the best, smoothest, auto shifter I have driven.

Mitlov:  Before you read consumer complaints and become a repeater of same, as if you have actual first hand experience.  I should explain to you that the issues with the 5 speed auto are not with the tranny, but with the LAG due to the drive by wire.  If one gets the car with near zero miles new and then drives it hard then the computer learns the behaviour right from the get go; literally for the first 20 miles.  However, most 4 bangers are driven lightly during this period.  Consequently, they need to have the computer cleared and then re-programmed while driven hard by the reprogrammer.  That is what Toyota dealers are doing for ppl with pre-October Camrys. 
« Last Edit: November 22, 2006, 11:12:24 pm by articsteve »

Offline Mitlov

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #13 on: November 23, 2006, 02:29:50 am »
Those "baseless" claims of mine in the EPA thread were actually backed up with EPA statistics.  You just happen to not trust the EPA because it's an agency of the United States government.  But I actually did provide backup for my claims re: E85 from EPA statistics.

As for the Camry recalls, I'm positive we've been through this before, so I'm not going to debate it with you, I'll just provide a link:
http://www.carseverything.com/256/2007-toyota-camry-recalls.html

Offline articsteve

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #14 on: November 23, 2006, 05:24:35 am »
Those "baseless" claims of mine in the EPA thread were actually backed up with EPA statistics.  You just happen to not trust the EPA because it's an agency of the United States government.  But I actually did provide backup for my claims re: E85 from EPA statistics.

As for the Camry recalls, I'm positive we've been through this before, so I'm not going to debate it with you, I'll just provide a link:
http://www.carseverything.com/256/2007-toyota-camry-recalls.html

Those "baseless" claims of mine in the EPA thread were actually backed up with EPA statistics  Yes, about a year out of date, so in fact the price of E85 was more than unleaded gas and not a buck less like you purported.

You never give up on the BS do you?  :)  How many 07 Camrys have been produced to date?  350,000 in the USA todate.  How many AIR BAGS were subject to the recall and all in Japan made cars?

133 .... but you knew that  :)   

BTW, that is the only recall to date.   :P

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.cfm

Make : TOYOTA Model : CAMRY Year : 2007
Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.   
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 06V096000  Recall Date : MAR 28, 2006
Component: AIR BAGS
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 133
Summary:
 ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
Consequence:
 THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
 DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Notes:
 TOYOTA RECALL NO. 60B AND LEXUS RECALL NO. 6LB. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO http://HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV



Offline UmroAyyar

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #15 on: November 23, 2006, 09:40:18 am »
The transmission issue is just an issue with some people. Camry doesn't have brisk acceleration, its not meant to have that. Drive-by-wire throttle systems do have some lag, but in the Camry it feels a bit more. I didn't like that lag because I was driving a cable-link throttle Corolla, accelerated without lag from get-go or for merging on the highway. Either my car has adopted or I've adopted to it.

I haven't decided to get the ECU map updated yet, a friend of mine has done it and he thinks the lag has gone, I'll drive his car over the weekend and decide if I should get my car's ECU updated or not.

Offline articsteve

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #16 on: November 24, 2006, 01:47:04 am »
The transmission issue is just an issue with some people. Camry doesn't have brisk acceleration, its not meant to have that. Drive-by-wire throttle systems do have some lag, but in the Camry it feels a bit more. I didn't like that lag because I was driving a cable-link throttle Corolla, accelerated without lag from get-go or for merging on the highway. Either my car has adopted or I've adopted to it.

I haven't decided to get the ECU map updated yet, a friend of mine has done it and he thinks the lag has gone, I'll drive his car over the weekend and decide if I should get my car's ECU updated or not.

There is a better one in the works I was told by a Toyota rep.  Wait till next spring.  I suggest you get your dealer to clear the memory and then you take it out immediately and drive aggressively (right from the dealers lot).  Boot it from a stand still, brake down to 10 kph and then boot it again.  Try that for 20 minutes.  :)

The RAVs are much worse for this than the Camry. 
« Last Edit: November 24, 2006, 01:52:16 am by articsteve »

Offline MKII

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #17 on: November 24, 2006, 08:39:45 am »
The transmission issue is just an issue with some people. Camry doesn't have brisk acceleration, its not meant to have that. Drive-by-wire throttle systems do have some lag, but in the Camry it feels a bit more. I didn't like that lag because I was driving a cable-link throttle Corolla, accelerated without lag from get-go or for merging on the highway. Either my car has adopted or I've adopted to it.

I haven't decided to get the ECU map updated yet, a friend of mine has done it and he thinks the lag has gone, I'll drive his car over the weekend and decide if I should get my car's ECU updated or not.

There is a better one in the works I was told by a Toyota rep.  Wait till next spring.  I suggest you get your dealer to clear the memory and then you take it out immediately and drive aggressively (right from the dealers lot).  Boot it from a stand still, brake down to 10 kph and then boot it again.  Try that for 20 minutes.  :)

The RAVs are much worse for this than the Camry. 

IF YOU ARE DRIVING A 2007 CAMRY WITH A FOUR CYLINDER, 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND ARE EXPERIENCING SERIOUS HESITATION AND POWER LAG, PARTICULARLY FROM A STANDING START AND/OR AT LOWER SPEEDS, I URGE YOU TO READ THIS POST CAREFULLY, AND TO RESPOND IMMEDIATELY BY CALLING TOYOTA AT THEIR TOLL-FREE NUMBER, AND FILE A COMPLAINT.
 
My wife and I are six-time Toyota owners. Five of the six Toyotas that we have purchased were Camrys, and all but one was brand new. All but one were purchased from the same dealership since 1986. Until now, we have not encountered a single problem with any of them. We recently purchased a gorgeous metallic red 2007 Camry SE (4 cylinder) with a 5-speed automatic, and the hesitation problems we are experiencing have been an extreme nuisance from day one. I believe that this problem is unique to the 2007 Camry, and that the problem may pose a considerable safety hazard. The car, put quite simply, cannot get out of its own way. I only had mine for a week when I realized that the hesitation problems could become dangerous. I took it back to the dealership before I had owned it a week, and the service department said they had not yet heard of any such problems, as the car is an entirely new model in its first year. That seemed reasonable enough, as we were one of the first to buy a 2007 CAMRY SE in our locality. My sales associate and I agreed that the car's computer system may still have been "learning" my driving habits, and that it would resolve the problem over time. But nothing changed over the next two weeks. I recently took it back to my dealership with around 1500 miles on it, after a couple of very frustrating and nerve wracking weeks.
 
Both my sales associate and the service manager offered to take a ride with me to witness and to assess the problem. I let the service manager do the driving on the first test run, and right away, he noticed both the "two-second lag" in performance shifting from first through third gear. Even though the car is running, it feels as though it just doesn't want to go. He also agreed that this lack of performance was both unacceptable and quite unusual. The car hits second gear, and then...nothing! It doesn't stall, but it falls flat on its face for about two full seconds before it gets up and goes. This is not a car that I would even think of calling a call a "Sports Edition" in its current state. After our little incident with the test ride, my sales associate, the service manager and I decided it would be wise to test drive another brand new Camry with the same engine and transmission for a "second opinion". Guess what??? Same exact problems and worse! We took it up my sister's steep paved driveway (as I did with my own the week before), and as before, the brand new test car could not get up the hill. But this time, it slowed to a crawl going up the drive, (with the pedal depressed to the floor) and then nearly stalled, rolling backwards! The brakes had to be thrown on to keep us from slipping right back down the driveway.
 
My wife and I believe that our 2007 Camry SE is a potentially dangerous vehicle. By potentially dangerous, I do not mean that the car is dangerous at all times, but that the EXTREME hesitation may present a hazard in traffic where snap decisions are unavoidable, and more aggressive acceleration is needed. If you drove this car just once, you would never dare to pull into traffic in a hurry. The car just dies when you try to accelerate. If you round a hard corner slowly enough for the car shift back into first gear, there will be nearly two seconds of "huh?" before it shifts up to second. If you have someone following close behind you, which you more than likely will, it is quite possible that you will get rear-ended. Rightly so, because no driver would ever anticipate your car slowing down after rounding a corner, or anticipate anything as ridiculous as a vehicle that slows down before it decides to pass a vehicle.
 
My service manager's hands are tied; there is not yet a fix for this problem. I have to wait until a fix becomes available. For all we know, there may not be one for the life of the car. We were, up until now, a big Toyota Camry family. That all may change real soon, depending on whether or not Toyota recognizes the danger and finds a fix. I called the toll-free number at Toyota and they were very polite and acted quickly to get me a case number. But there is no fix available as of the writing of this post, nor has Toyota acknowledged that this is in fact a problem at all.
 
THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE, A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU DIFFERENT.
 
I cannot believe that we may actually have to drive this car in its current state until "X" amount of similar complaints are filed by Camry owners. And even then, will Toyota find a quick fix, a computer re-map, or issue a recall? Will someone get broad-sided in an intersection before we see a fix?
 
I cannot imagine what winter is going to be like in this car...we live in New Hampshire, where life is a hill, and the winters are brutal to say the least. I'm guessing the hesitation will more than likely cause severe traction problems and possibly loss of control. I'm not talking about a a noisy door panel, a loose body side molding, or a dashboard rattle. This is a serious and dangerous flaw that has been overlooked by Toyota, and I for one, refuse to become a statistic just to get Toyota to find, or NOT find a fix for this horrific problem. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of; a car that can't even make it up a driveway without slowing to a stop and rolling backwards. It is intolerable, and I aim to take the steps necessary to change it before it either drives us out of our minds or gets SOMEONE KILLED.
 
LET ME END BY SAYING THAT OUR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN COURTEOUS, HELPFUL, AND RESPONSIVE TO OUR COMPLAINTS THUS FAR. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE OUT OF THEIR HANDS UNTIL A FIX IS FOUND, OR A PROBLEM RECOGNIZED BY TOYOTA.
 
BEFORE A FIX CAN BE FOUND, PEOPLE NEED TO MAKE THEIR PROBLEMS KNOWN.
 
WE ARE DISAPPOINTED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS NEW VEHICLE, AND APPREHENSIVE EVERY TIME WE GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. IT REALLY FEELS AWFUL GETTING INTO AN ATTRACTIVE, SPORTY CAR LIKE THIS, KNOWING THAT IT JUST DOESN'T PERFORM. IF YOU ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH YOUR 2007 CAMRY, GET TO YOUR DEALER AND CALL TOYOTA NOW, PLEASE!!!!
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ee9950e/5192

Offline AVToller

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #18 on: November 24, 2006, 08:52:13 am »
That has been posted before, and is 3-1/2 MONTHS old!!!  ::) ::) What is your point?

Offline UmroAyyar

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Re: Motor Trend names Camry Car of the Year
« Reply #19 on: November 24, 2006, 09:12:01 am »
I have a copy of the relevant TSB EG656-06 which addresses this hesitation issue. Its described as follows.

"ECM Calibration: Enhancement To Shifting Performance & Smoothness". Applies to Models 2007 Camry (2AZ-FE), 5-Speed A/T).

To enhance shifting performance and smoothness during acceleration, the Enging Control Module/ECM (SAE term: Powertrain Control Module/PCM) calibration has been revised.


The hesitation or LAG when first encountered feels severe the first time. Its not such a big deal, it doesn't accelerate faster as you want it to, may be I've gotten accustomed to the required pedal pressure, I don't mind it as much I did in the beginning. The ECM is calibrated to accelerate slowly to conserve fuel?, it can be recalibrated to accelerate faster, don't know if it will affect fuel economy.