Well, we might be buying another import.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

My grandpa's '07 Camry XLE V6.

For the last year or so, my dad has been considering buying a new family sedan to replace his '97 Lumina with. He bought that car ten years ago and it's provided useful transportation for all of that time, but he wants something new now. He was looking at the Altima, Accord, Malibu, Impala and Camry. The Camry, for whatever reason (don't ask me!!) grabbed his attention the most, and that's the one in the end he likes the most.

His dad bought a brand new fully loaded model last year, it's a dark grey with light grey leather interior, and I believe it's got everything (Keyless ignition, heated seats) in it, aside from navigation.
Anyways, the car's only got maybe 5,000 miles on it, and my grandpa is selling it because he doesn't trust his eyesight anymore (he is 86) so he knew that my dad was looking for a new car, and he always liked the new Camrys, so he offered it to him first.

So we went out to the local Toyota dealer today and test drove one just like it.....

Overall, the car does a good job on many aspects, but fails to exceed in really anything. It's nice, but very bland. Even the power provided by the 268hp 3.5L DOHC VVTi V6 fails to light any spark in my automotive fireplace. I don't hate it and I don't like it....it's just there. But I must admit, the dang thing is pretty quick. Somewhere between my Benz and my Buick as far as power and acceleration go. It's plenty quick, but lacks the massive torque that I love so much. The six speed auto is always shifting gears, to keep you in the sweet spot of the powerband, and my dad says that it shows the most power around town, when you're darting out of intersections and in and out of traffic, but a WOT from 70 mph ain't bad either. Somewhat better than my Benz, but certainly no Northstar!

The car retails for about $29,500 new, and the KBB value on my grandpa's is like $23,400. So we'll see what we can do and if all goes well, my dad will fly down and drive back.

We're just awaiting financing details. Then we'll know. If he buys this, our entire driveway will be filled with Imports. The Benz, mom's '05 Highlander, the Camry and my brother's '96 Sentra.
Well, atleast I'm not driving Japanese.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

No replies after 14 hours. You guys either gotta be extremely mad or extremely disappointed. LOL!

[gary88]

All this coming from someone with a Cadillac destroying a Toyota in their signature

[93DevilleUSMC]

Bro, you've gotta make the jump to that LT1 Brougham you were talking about!

[Jesda]

Your family sucks.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

George Michael only buys Toyotas. Think of THAT next time you listen to Careless Whisper!

[Jesda]

George Michael likes his cars British

Q: What kind of car does he drive?

A: He was driving a Range Rover, however he purchaseda Jaguar convertible last summer. Recently, he had a fender bender withhis Jag, but escaped unharmed.

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip.../gmfaq.html#10

Also:
On May 15, 2006, Michael was found slumped over the wheel of his Range Rover, photographed apparently snoozing at traffic lights in London. He awoke after a member of the public knocked on his window for five minutes, and was "sweating heavily and had his iPod on". He drove off weaving up the road, and then hit a traffic bollard. Later the same month, he was questioned by police after shunting three cars in the street in which he lives.[21]
In the early hours of October 1, 2006, Michael was found unconscious in his Mercedes-Benz S-Class car, causing an obstruction at the junction of Cricklewood Lane with Hendon Way, in northwest London. Police found Michael slumped in his seat in a semi-conscious state. He was taken to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead for checks, and was then booked in at Colindale police station. He was later cautioned by the police for possession of cannabis, and was released on bail pending further inquiries on his fitness to drive.[22][23] He pleaded guilty on May 8, 2007 to driving while unfit through drugs.[24] He was banned from driving for two years, and sentenced to community service again. In September 2007, on Desert Island Discs, he said that his cannabis use was a problem — he wished he could smoke less of it and was constantly trying to do so.[25]
Michael's long term partner Kenny Goss has also been treated for dependence on prescription sleeping medication, checking into an Arizona-based clinic for two months in June 2004 after encouragement from Michael.[26]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Michael

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

George Michael likes his boys British too.

[BigJon]

.... wow that is all i have to say... need more lacs in the drive way

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

No shit, except for that everyone in my family DESPISES Cadillacs. HATES them.

Yeah, my family sucks.

[caddycruiser]

Not a bad car at all, just terminably boring. The V6 is VERY quick, and as many magazines have said, has acceleration times and such on par with what would have been a muscle car decades ago.

That said, I've driven some and now our Malibu and others, and the Camry is just the squishiest of all and actually has had some random build quality issues in the latest iteration--namely loose parts, rattles, and crooked panels.

But still, a Camry is a Camry, and even if it's boring as could be, they're a terrific "daily luxury" car for soothing and reliable comfort--that's really stepped up a notch with the XLE goodies and that little beast of a V6.

I'd never buy one over something like a current Malibu (hence...one of those in the driveway, and likely another before long), but have no real hard feelings against them, and it will be a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE improvement over a 10+ year old Lumina.

Hope it works out well. Import or what have you, not a bad thing...just as long as you all have cars you like and fit the checkbook

[Jesda]

My family has bad luck with Toyota products, except that LS400 that Ian and I drove. That was truly an amazing car.

Dad's Camry, aunt's ES, and family friend's Camry all croaked. Dad's Camry was worst of all, barfing a tranny at 99k. LAME. And the interior was coming apart.

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

The family I have won't have a Toyota in the driveway, aside from perhaps a 98-00 LS400.

[96Fleetwood]

For the price of that Camry he could have bought a nice ES330. Camrys are so plain....

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

The only reason he's going with the Camry is because his dad has given up driving, and he's getting it for a great deal, plus he likes them a lot. Otherwise, he might go with the Malibu or Accord. He's dead set on a family sedan though....that's all he needs and he'll only buy what he needs. Him and I are opposite when it comes to car buying. He goes for the most sensible, logical choices and keeps them for a very long time. I buy what I want and change it up relatively often.

He thought about a late model LS400 or LS430, but he's scared of the maintenance/insurance costs, so he's given up on them.