Originally Posted By: Mykl
My primary complaints for my Camry would be the gearbox and the steering. Handling is what it is... the car is a boat and I accept it as such because it's a Camry.
I can get over the sluggish transmission because they at least gave me the easy option to slap it over to sequential and have it automatically drop to 4th gear, which greatly helps with keeping the engine on boil for merging from on-ramps.
The steering is annoying because it's too light and lacks any kind of on-center feel. I find it difficult to keep it tracking in a straight line down the freeway without frequent adjustments, but maybe that's because I'm used to the GTI. I'm getting better at it, but it feels like the car needs more caster angle and a bit less of a boost from the power steering while at freeway speeds.
It's a fine car for point A to point B, and the V-6 is a gem. We cross shopped and test drove quite a few other similar cars, and I would disagree with the idea that anything American is automatically better.
I can fully understand disappointment with steering and changing gears....I deal with the latter by driving sticks, and although the electronic clutch has virtually no feel, (no big deal, that...I "clutch" by peddle distance and engine response, not peddle feel), it still gives me control over the engine's revs...maybe I just don't know how to drive an AT...
...as for the steering, I upsized from 15s to 17"ers and find that THAT has cured most complaints...the ride is more stable, front to back between gears and under heavy braking, and on turns there's far less leaning....the larger rims PLUS performance tires replacing OEM-type touring tires did the trick...the Hankook Ventus are SOLID (though loud on concrete) and drive straight (especially well) through heavy rain...very safe ride now.
My primary complaints for my Camry would be the gearbox and the steering. Handling is what it is... the car is a boat and I accept it as such because it's a Camry.
I can get over the sluggish transmission because they at least gave me the easy option to slap it over to sequential and have it automatically drop to 4th gear, which greatly helps with keeping the engine on boil for merging from on-ramps.
The steering is annoying because it's too light and lacks any kind of on-center feel. I find it difficult to keep it tracking in a straight line down the freeway without frequent adjustments, but maybe that's because I'm used to the GTI. I'm getting better at it, but it feels like the car needs more caster angle and a bit less of a boost from the power steering while at freeway speeds.
It's a fine car for point A to point B, and the V-6 is a gem. We cross shopped and test drove quite a few other similar cars, and I would disagree with the idea that anything American is automatically better.
I can fully understand disappointment with steering and changing gears....I deal with the latter by driving sticks, and although the electronic clutch has virtually no feel, (no big deal, that...I "clutch" by peddle distance and engine response, not peddle feel), it still gives me control over the engine's revs...maybe I just don't know how to drive an AT...
...as for the steering, I upsized from 15s to 17"ers and find that THAT has cured most complaints...the ride is more stable, front to back between gears and under heavy braking, and on turns there's far less leaning....the larger rims PLUS performance tires replacing OEM-type touring tires did the trick...the Hankook Ventus are SOLID (though loud on concrete) and drive straight (especially well) through heavy rain...very safe ride now.
