If not Camry, then what?

[disneysteve]

Hopefully, I won't be in the market for a car for another 2-3 years. Since I prefer buying used, though, I'm starting to pay attention to the current models since they are the ones I'll probably be looking at a few years from now. I currently drive a 98 Camry. Before that, I had a 91 Camry. I've assumed all along that the next car would be another Camry.

I had the opportunity to drive a 2009 Camry this week. Unfortunately, there were some things about it that I didn't like. I'm sure I'd deal with them, but seeing as I keep my cars for a long time, I hate to settle like that.

For some reason, Toyota chose to copy the design of the very ugly Chrysler 300 with the high door panels and narrow windows. I never liked it from the outside and now, having driven one, I don't like it from the inside either. The narrower windows decrease sightlines and visibility. The higher door panels are very awkward and uncomfortable to rest your arm on. In the summer, I like to roll down the window and have my left arm resting on the opening. Can't do that on a new Camry because it is way too high. When I'm on a long drive, I will often rest my left elbow on the armrest while still having that hand on the steering wheel. Can't do that on a new Camry because the armrest is too low and too far away from the wheel. In fact, the whole door panel is farther from the driver than on my current car. I'm wondering if they did that to accomodate the growing number of obese Americans who were having trouble fitting into the seats. I've read a few articles on that topic explaining how car makers were redesigning the cars for larger drivers (and passengers). Since I'm not one of them, though, I felt awkward driving the car.

I did also drive a 2009 Corolla last week. Though it is a bit smaller than my current Camry, it isn't by much and that might end up being a better (and cheaper) option for me. I could probably get a fully loaded Corolla for the price of a lower end Camry.

If I don't go with the Camry, what else should I be looking at? Honda, Hyundai... any tips?

[bjl584]

It comes down to personal preference, since in my opinion most cars have good quality. Some other mid-sized cars comparable to the Camary are:

Hyundai Sonata, Lower priced than most and has a 100,000 mile warranty
Ford Fusion, I like the looks of this and you can get it in all wheel drive
Mitsubisi Galant, a very underrated car brand also with a 100K warranty
Dodge Intreped, so-so car, but has some good rebates right now
Honda Accord, great car also available as a hybrid
Suburu Outback, great vehicle, all wheel drive, but a little higher priced
Chevy Malibu, newly redesigned, don't know much about this one though
Nissan Maxima, ok car, there have been a lot of recalls on Nissans though

That list should get you started

[financialnut]

Get something from Ford. Maybe a Taurus or...

Kidding...

If you the Camry typically, what about Honda's mid-size- the Accord? I've seen some REALLY nice ones.

OR- a mid-sized Infinity looks nice too.

[aida2003]

You know I've got similar thoughts like you, DS, except that we'll have to replace my DH's Corolla at some point. He's got a '97 basic model with a stick shift. Three months ago he got new brakes (replaced the original Toyota brakes at 98K miles!!). It runs fine except that AC doesn't work anymore and he sees no point fixing it since it'd be expensive. So we also hope it'll last another 2-3 years.
We're biased probaby because we'd like to get either Honda or Toyota again and afraid to trust an American car... But also I'm not sure I'd like to have the same model again (Corolla or Camry even though I like them both as dependable stress-free cars).
We didn't test any cars yet but time to time I read car related forums where people share their experiences. My DH is NOT interested in cars. He views them as a means to get from point A to point B, and hence he doesn't like to care for them like washing or vacuuming. So, it's a good chance that when it's time to replace his car he'll be given my 2003 Camry and the new (or used) car will be mine.

So, back to reading forums.... After reading them I've become hesitant about Camrys beyond 2005 models. I've read plenty of people complaining that Toyota uses lots of plastic which causes rattling sounds while driving and nobody knows how to fix such issues. Then Camrys have become larger, so they must consume more gas and I'm not sure we need a bigger car. New Civics and Carollas are almost the size of older Camrys, so IMO I'd like to check out a Civic when we're in the market for a car.

On the other hand, I more often think of buying a smaller car, but with two kids I'm not sure it's a good idea. But I like seeing how new Honda Fits zoom in a parking garage or streets, though they appear smallish on a highway. They probably also get better mileage than my Camry, but would two kiddos fit in the back?....

[momof1in150]

We just bought a Subaru Outback and we love it. If you live where you get snow I don't think that there is a better car. It gets good gas mileage with the All wheel drive. We are getting about 25 miles/gal in town driving. It gets about 28-30 on hwy. I was spending $300-350 on gas when we had a VW Touareg and now I am spending $160-200 a month. A HUGE savings for us.

[sounderella]

I LOVE my '05 Nissan Altima I bought used last year. I get about 28mpg. I have not had 1 problem with it and am now at 64K miles. I do my daily commute in it and we use it for our longer travels since DH has an SUV. It's roomy and comfortable. It looks sporty and the insurance isn't bad at all. It also has a very high crash test rating.

[Ima saver]

A new red corvette!! (You knew i would say that)

[FrugalIII]

I just bought one of those "very ugly" Chrysler 300s and I love it. I'm not one of the obese Americans either. I just like a comfortable luxury car. I got a 2006 that had 4K miles on it. Looks brand new and I paid less than half what the original owner paid. My mother has a Camry and to me, driving it is uncomfortable even though I do fit into the seat just fine. Just too small. It does ride nice but not nearly as sooth as I would expect from a car that cost that much. So, to each his own. You just have to find something you like the looks of and you are comfortable in, no matter the make/model. That's why they make so many different ones. Not all people like the same thing.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by FrugalIII

I just bought one of those "very ugly" Chrysler 300s and I love it.

No offense intended to the 300 owners. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have a friend who has one and he loves it, too. He was a lifelong Cadillac owner and made the switch to the 300 and has been very pleased. Just not my taste.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

A new red corvette!! (You knew i would say that)

I'd expect no less.
But if I get a vette, it won't be a new one. I was always partial to this one myself:
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/image...t/011007_1.jpg
though I guess I'd really prefer a convertible if I was going to go that route.

[JanH]

DS has a Corolla SE and it still gets over 30 mpg on the freeway after 100,000 miles. And college kids are not known for taking care of their cars! Our neighbors have had a couple of hondas and they love them. We've had an old camry and loved it, but I don't like the new design much myself. I think the old ones were about the size of the now corollas. Our first corolla was the size of a sewing machine and ran like one. But survived forever. Funny, we've been split between foreign and domestic cars. Some good, some bad. But the toyotas were the best surviving until Hubby's truck.

[atomicrc11]

It really all depends on what you're looking for. I'm VW man myself and plan on buying another in the future. However, I do like the Toyota Corollas and Mazada 3's, especially the hatchback Mazada 3. I'd say at this point all you really need to look at are the aesthetics and feel of the car. You won't know until when you're ready to buy if that particular model year is having issues.

[Snave]

I would echo the Accord as well. I think the newest version ('08) is very sharp looking and if you are buying one in a few years, then it woudl be used by then. It got great marks in Consumer Report as well. The Nissan Altima also seems to be a nice car. The latest version might have some of the similar problems you stated with the Camry. It looks like they have made some of the windows a little smaller. Again, it got good reviews in Consumer Report. If you want to stay with a Toyota, maybe a used Lexus might work. The ES 330 is based on the older camry model and it's last year was 2006 I believe. Now, they have the ES 350 and it will have the same problems the Camry has.

[Scanner]

My Taurus has been the most reliable care I have ever owned. Not one major repair in 3 years (knock on wood).

Here's the thing though - you are looking for a certain "drive" experience. Until you test drive a car, I don't think I can sport you a recommendation.

[m3racer]

How much do you want to spend? How old can the car be and how many miles?

[maat55]

I suggest a Ford Taurus.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by m3racer

How much do you want to spend? How old can the car be and how many miles?

I don't think I'd go older than 3 years and that would hopefully put me under about 36K miles. I like lightly used, perhaps a car coming off lease.

[Daylily]

Subaru Outback. I love the AWD in the winter. It might not be necessary for you since you have a short commute.

[safari]

I recommend reading the owner's reviews on Edmunds.com for the models that you're considering.

[rennigade]

Consumer Reports rated the camry 09s as a problem car. Apparently for the 09, they redesigned the engine for a 6 speed auto transmission? Supposed to be better on gas i guess. It's new so it's been having issues. The corolla was the 2nd most reliable car. The honda civic was #1, even though they're horribly designed inside. Gotta love the E brake design and position in the 09 civics...are you freakin kidding me honda!?