I'm about done with the Camry, going to switch next week. I've driven about 1500 miles in a new 2012 Camry LE. Here are my final thoughts: I really like the Camry LE, it is comfortable all around. Comfortable to sit in on a long commute, comfortable and competent in all driving situations, comfortable with it's layout. Comfortable, but not boring.
Let me talk about the layout. To me, it's like an iPhone, things work how I think they will. The controls of the Camry are intuitive, they are where you think they should be and work how you think they should work. Even the cup holders are right where they should be, they don't block anything with a soda can in them and they aren't an awkward reach like some cars I've driven. To me cup holders are important, I have a two Coca Cola can (not bottle) habit during my morning commute so well thought out cup holders are an important bench mark for me!
I found the 2.5liter 4 cylinder engine to be better than I expected. I thought it would be underpowered but, in passing situations I've had no fears of being able to pass where, and when I want to. The engine is silky smooth, like you would expect. My gas mileage was in the high 20's to low 30's which was what I expected. It has the safety gear I expect, 10 airbags, stability control, ABS brakes, all the that you expect out of a world class company and car.
I keep using the word Comfortable. It's an understated car, a car that is in the background when you drive. So, if your looking for a car where you feel everything and it has the ride to match, this isn't your car. If you want a competent versatile car for all situations, a car that time has proven will go for a long long time, a car that is a great value for your money, this is it.
So my recommendation is: Buy!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
2012 Camry LE
rudiontheroad 1/17/12
I'm driving the new 2012 Camry LE. Yes, I work for a car dealership, no I'm not a car salesman, I'm the marketing guy. One of the perks of my job is I get to drive a lot of cars and I decided to write about them from my perspective. My perspective is a guy who drives 600 miles a week, is getting older (late 40's), drives hard, drives fast and drives a lot, so here goes...
The Camry. We have a long family history of Camry's. My parents each had one. My brother inherited one and he called it "the magic carpet ride." The 2012 is different, it's just a wonderful car. The Camry does everything well and nothing bad, I know..."when you try to please everybody..." line, but this is different. In some ways it is like an Apple product, in that it works the way you think it should, it is very intuitive. Controls are where you expect them, they work the way you expect them, so there are no surprises. The center stack is as uncluttered and easy to use as any car I've ever driven. My wife's car has a zillion buttons in the center stack and it is overwhelming, the Camry does not. Easy to find, easy to use, easy to drive. Hmm, that might be it. Easy to find, easy to use, easy to drive. That really is the Camry.
The four cylinder engine (no I don't have the specs, I'll try not to geek this up too much) runs smooth, I have no problem passing, it doesn't whine, and it gets great mileage. I'm averaging high 20's (no I'm not keeping track, see geek comment above.) The car has a cloth interior that is really comfortable, even on cold mornings. Visibility is great. The controls on the steering wheel are large and easy to use. It has great road manners, very competent on rough roads, a great daily ride. So, what didn't I like? Well, I like my tunes and I like my tunes loud and the Camry LE does not have a robust stereo, but I know that I'm the exception in the Camry crowd. So, just like the rest of the car, it is competent and very easy to use, just don't be expect someone to tell you to turn it down. The Camry LE has everything you need like bluetooth for hands free cell use, power windows, power locks. Would I buy one? Yes I would because, as I said before, it's easy to use, easy to drive, and easy to find. See you on the road. Contact me at rudiontheroad@gmail.com
I'm driving the new 2012 Camry LE. Yes, I work for a car dealership, no I'm not a car salesman, I'm the marketing guy. One of the perks of my job is I get to drive a lot of cars and I decided to write about them from my perspective. My perspective is a guy who drives 600 miles a week, is getting older (late 40's), drives hard, drives fast and drives a lot, so here goes...
The Camry. We have a long family history of Camry's. My parents each had one. My brother inherited one and he called it "the magic carpet ride." The 2012 is different, it's just a wonderful car. The Camry does everything well and nothing bad, I know..."when you try to please everybody..." line, but this is different. In some ways it is like an Apple product, in that it works the way you think it should, it is very intuitive. Controls are where you expect them, they work the way you expect them, so there are no surprises. The center stack is as uncluttered and easy to use as any car I've ever driven. My wife's car has a zillion buttons in the center stack and it is overwhelming, the Camry does not. Easy to find, easy to use, easy to drive. Hmm, that might be it. Easy to find, easy to use, easy to drive. That really is the Camry.
The four cylinder engine (no I don't have the specs, I'll try not to geek this up too much) runs smooth, I have no problem passing, it doesn't whine, and it gets great mileage. I'm averaging high 20's (no I'm not keeping track, see geek comment above.) The car has a cloth interior that is really comfortable, even on cold mornings. Visibility is great. The controls on the steering wheel are large and easy to use. It has great road manners, very competent on rough roads, a great daily ride. So, what didn't I like? Well, I like my tunes and I like my tunes loud and the Camry LE does not have a robust stereo, but I know that I'm the exception in the Camry crowd. So, just like the rest of the car, it is competent and very easy to use, just don't be expect someone to tell you to turn it down. The Camry LE has everything you need like bluetooth for hands free cell use, power windows, power locks. Would I buy one? Yes I would because, as I said before, it's easy to use, easy to drive, and easy to find. See you on the road. Contact me at rudiontheroad@gmail.com
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