Well, a bittersweet story I guess. I purchased a 2006 Toyota 4Runner after being stupid and stressed from work and bowing to peer pressure. Great vehicle, but not if you're single, don't offroad, and use it as a daily driver. Gas mileage here in Cali is already high and I watched my mileage fall below the EPA estimated on the sticker. I also was in for shock because I'd traded away my modified 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, which I'd babied and had received constant compliments on. Anyways, to preven throwing away gas money that I could put towards an eventual new home, the only thing a second Toyota dealer would do to help me from taking too big a loss on the brand new 4Runner was get another Toyota, which was fine. I wish there were still Celicas, but I decided on a Silver Camry SE V6. Great car. It isn't as performance-oriented as I'd like but so far I'm happier with it than the 4Runner. After all I can drive wherever I want, whenever I want, and at whatever speed I want, without actually watching the fuel gauge needle move...haha. A 4Runner V8 does that...lol. My first impressions on the car, and some questions I have are:
- Solid quality. The car feels very light, but built nice and rigid. The interior quality could've been improved, but it isn't much worse than other similar-priced cars I test drove. I just pray I don't encounter the rattles and vibrations many cars now suffer from for a long timel. The V6 engine is very smooth, and the transmission is nice and smooth as well. Much better quality than the Nissan I just got rid of.
- I pray TRD will make a cat-back exhaust and cold air intake for this car, like NISMO does for the Altima SE-R. 268 hp is nothing to be ashamed of, but the car nut I am is always craving for just a little bit more.
- I've never been a fan of plastic engine covers. They look alright, but in my opinion trap unneeded heat. I removed the silver one to see what was underneath and was disappointed at how unfinished the valve cover on the V6 looked like. I put the engine cover back on.
- I need to get a license plate bracket for the front of the car. I've seen what happens to the paint on a front bumper when you simply screw the plate directly in. I'm told the dealer sells the plastic things. For those of you in 1-plate states...count yourself lucky that you can enjoy the clean front end of a car and not have an ugly license plate...haha.
- I'm a little skeptical of the fabric rear wheel well liner and the styrofoam pad in the front door jams. It looks like something that will wear out and need to be replaced eventually. I'm hoping the extended warranty I purchased will cover that.
That's enough for now. So far the car is practical and has a little fun factor put in. I hope Toyota will stand behind it and it will be a sample of their renowned quality. It's not as awe-inspiring as the Subaru WRX STi I really wanted, but it has a much lower insurance premium than the Subaru, and will keep me out of trouble...haha. It's also not a bad punishment for the 4Runner mistake. I will never listen to friends and coworkers again about the next car I get
Any TRD or aftermarket enthusiasts know if any parts are in the works? I looked at AEM and Injen and nothing stated for the Camry. I hope the 2007 body style and V6 will inspire them to make something.
New 2007 Toyota Camry SE
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