Topic: 1992 Toyota Camry Replacement

[Bill]

Hi everybody! Bill here. I have a 1992 Camry V6 5spd manual LE Sunroof and the fancy wheel option. I also have a "Ragtop" as a summer toy. So what I am looking for is a daily driver. It would be nice to a manual, with AC and other creature comforts
Since high gas prices are here to stay I am looking for a daily ride, namely the '08 Yaris hatchback, '08 Honda Fit, '08 Corolla, '08 Honda Civic maybe even a'08 (four) Camry or Accord. At the other end of the spectrum I like the FJ Cruiser and the Chevy Silverado
but my conscience will not allow be to own one of these trucks.
My question to y'all is this: "would I be happy in a gas miser or should I be looking at the Accord & Camry!

[articsteve]

In manual the 09 Accord 4 cylinder coupe 5 speed would be a ton better than the 4 cylinder Camry SE.  Now if money is not an issue, then the 09 Accord coupe V6 with 6 speed manual.

I guarantee you'd also love the 08 FJ base, in manual tranny ,permanent AWD, but the mileage would be the worst of the group.  But if you have absolutely no use for a 4 wheeler it hardly seems worth the expense.

08 Corolla is a fantastic utility unit like the Yaris.  Wouldn't want to be in a wreck in those.  Civic is very capable.  Manual is notchy and no thrill.  Drove an 06 Civic coupe for a few months in stick.

[marineboy]

My question to y'all is this: "would I be happy in a gas miser or should I be looking at the Accord & Camry!


Let's see, your old Camry was a third generation with a 185 hp 3.0v6. The dimensions were (LxWxH) 188"x69"x55" with a wheel base of 103".
The new 09 Corolla has a 158hp 2.4I4. With dimensions of 178.7"x69"x57.9" and a wheel base of 102.4".

The compact cars of today are about the size of the mid-size cars of 15 years ago. I don't think you'll be giving up much by driving a modern "gas mizer". I would suggest test driving them and see which one suits your needs.

[Leviathan]

Something in a Mazda3? You can probably get a pretty good deal on a Mazda6 these days too.

[barrie1]

Why not buy what you want and just enjoy it. If you like the full sized Silverado then treat yourself to one. The gas milage is quite reasonable on them with the newer designed engines as well. They just won another award I hear again for them. 

[1TSX]

Why not buy what you want and just enjoy it. If you like the full sized Silverado then treat yourself to one. The gas milage is quite reasonable on them with the newer designed engines as well. They just won another award I hear again for them. 

A Silverado or a FJ as a daily driver, fuel economy in mind? 

Besides, I don't think the Silverado comes in MT.

[dr_spock]

A Corolla is closer to the old Camry in size.  Yaris is smaller and not as conservative in styling. 

[barrie1]

Good question as I don't know if the Silverado still comes with the farm 4spd type of tranny or not. Even a new 5-6 speed standard would be nice as well. 

[EV Dan]

My vote goes to 09 corolla here as it is pretty much what you ask for. The 09 is wider, lower - so should corner better, has more pwr and I think you can get a sport trim with 1.8L and a manual. It also has roughly twice better mileage than those mentioned trucks and thats like an extra incentive to spent more time in it.

[Ice]

Probably best thing to do is some test driving. I imagine that smallish V6 had some pretty good low end torque so finding something thats like it will probably be an interesting experience.  The 09 Corolla's come in a few variations including the 2.4l engine...its on my list to test drive sometime soon.  I found the 140hp Civic to be quite peppy in its own right...and the EX-L is fully decked out for a pretty good price.  Yaris and Fit are quite a bit smaller...not sure if you'd like them or not but might be worth driving if they do appeal to you at all.  The Yaris is a bit cheaper but the Fit seems to be better decked out with standard safety features...unless Toyota made some changes I haven't read about.

Good luck!

[johngenx]

I drove an 09 Corolla 1.8L today, and it is no dynamo, but a very refined sedan that is now superb value.  The AT version only has four speeds (on some models) but the ratios are well chosen and the shifts smooth.  The manual trans has a nice clutch and easy to use shifter.  Suspension is soft and there is lots of body roll, but overall handling is reasonable for a car tuned so far towards comfort. The new electric power assist is better, but still overboosted at highway speed.

The Corolla is now barely more money than the Yaris and offers nearly identical fuel economy.  If you're in the sedan market, the Corolla is a clear winner over the Yaris sedan, but the Yaris five door offers more versatility.

Toyota adding content and chopping the price has really put the new Corolla in the winner's circle for transportation.  The Civic has better driving dynamics, but there is something in the Civic's seats that that literally rub me wrong, and there seems to be no way I can get comfortable in one.  Also, the DX-G AT model is $2500 more than the CE-enhanced AT Corolla.  In the $20K segment, $2500 is a TON of money.

[1TSX]

Good question as I don't know if the Silverado still comes with the farm 4spd type of tranny or not. Even a new 5-6 speed standard would be nice as well. 

   The previous gen Silverado came with a 4 speed MANUAL!?

[Cortina]

I find the Yaris drinks about the same as the Corolla. Same as the Fit. The Fit drinks same amout as the Civic. 

Have a look at the Pontiac Vibe. The Vibe starts $15,995 It is a rebage Matrix with a Corolla engine.

I would have s look at the Honda Civic. Best car on the market IMO. 35 around town too and it is roomy too. 

FJ crusier is very nice. But drinks gas like no tomorrow. So invest in a Gas station. If only Toyota would make that a Diesel.