Camry Hybrid...

[sykosys]

Hey, all.

If you read my into posting, you'll have read about the Camry Hybrid I had before my RL... I was so pissed about it that I shot a video, and posted it on YouTube. If you know anyone who's looking at one, they should watch this first...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-MDhDbq6jg

Kris.

[spun07RTX]

thanks for sharing your experience.

when I bought the ridge, my wife really wanted me to consider the highlander hiybrid.......I cant wait to get home and make her watch this.

[Crawfish]

Hey, all.

If you read my into posting, you'll have read about the Camry Hybrid I had before my RL... I was so pissed about it that I shot a video, and posted it on YouTube. If you know anyone who's looking at one, they should watch this first...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-MDhDbq6jg

Kris.

Nice video! Very convincing.

My wife's got an accident with her 02 Camry (that's when Toyota's quality started to go down) before Christmas, and she is scared to death to drive any Camry...

So we got a RL for me and she takes over my Pilot. Honda quality still can be trusted.

[FTM1]

Thanks for sharing that.

[shovelhd]

The admin assistant in our office bought a used Prius. She would be driving down the road and all of a sudden, the dash lights would flash, and the car would shut off. This happened repeatedly. The dealer changed the battery, the *starting* battery. Clueless. She took it back within 30 days and bought a new Matrix.

[chisoxjim]

Im actually thinking of replacing the RL with a Camry hybrid. I sure could use cutting my $600+ monthy fuel bill almost in half.

[brich]

My wife's got an accident with her 02 Camry (that's when Toyota's quality started to go down) before Christmas, and she is scared to death to drive any Camry...

So we got a RL for me and she takes over my Pilot. Honda quality still can be trusted.
Well I have to put a praise in for Toyota safety... My parents have driven Camrys for years but at the end of their last lease, the opted to step up to an Avalon. While vacationing in snow country, they hit a patch of ice that sent their car spinning. They lost control and crossed the double yellow line into oncoming traffic heading off the road. But before they could pass over the wrong side of the road, they got broad sided by 26' box truck.

My dad took the hit on the passenger side and walked away with a few bumps and bruises. Mom, who was driving had a couple broken ribs, some good bruises and only spent 1 night in hospital for precautionary measures. Moral of the story is that car saved their lives. The cab was in remarkably good shape given the size of the truck and the impact. And my parents will always drive a Toyota....Although I think I'm close to convincing my dad to get rid of his Tacoma with 100k in favor of a Ridgeline. :D

[spun07RTX]

Im actually thinking of replacing the RL with a Camry hybrid. I sure could use cutting my $600+ monthy fuel bill almost in half.

I cant tell if you:

1. are joking
2. didnt watch the video
3. assume the US version is more reliable than the canadian model
4. have never heard of a canada
5. think baseball>hockey
6. mmmm, labatts blue

[chisoxjim]

I cant tell if you:

1. are joking
2. didnt watch the video
3. assume the US version is more reliable than the canadian model
4. have never heard of a canada
5. think baseball>hockey
6. mmmm, labatts blue

not joking, didnt watch the video, and have never heard of Canada, or this thing called hockey. :D

I dont believe alot I see on the internet, especially posted on youtube. Ill do my research when the time comes, and if there are real issues I will take a pass. I just know the Camry hybrid is currently on the short list

[X-Brawn]

My Mom drives a 1998 Camry that works great with the exception of problems that come with age.

It needs a new paint job, some small interior fixes, etc. We saw a 2007 Camry for sale on the roadside with 30,000 miles and an asking price of 16,500. We even called the guy and he said he needed to sell it because he was moving to Flagstaff and his family just wanted their 4WD vehicle. Honestly no one gets rid of a Toyota except for two reasons. One, they cannot afford it anymore and just want someone to take over the payments. Or, two, it is problematic. We thought it was likely the latter and moved on.

Now, as for your BAD experience, I've had a share of my own. I had a problematic as hell S-10 (my first truck) with shot shocks the dealership REFUSED to fix, leaking wheel bearings the dealership REFUSED to fix, and several other problems. I had scheduled one appointment because as I was taking at turn I heard and felt a loud clunk, and the oil guage IMMEDIATELY stopped working. I took it in, and after they had it overnight I picked it up the next day to find out they hadn't even touched the truck. I was LIVID.

As I was leaving my tires chirped (cheap ass Goodyears on slick concrete) as I passed the service manager's kid (who was out of the way). As I drove off of the lot he called me very angrily and threatened to call the police should I ever show up there again. I counter-threatened that if he did, he'd have a big-ass lawsuit thrown on him so fast he wouldn't even have his own pension left. So, eventually I had to go back there because of continued problems. The service manager AVOIDED me at all costs. Coward. As a result, I won't EVER go back to that dealership (O'Reilly Chevrolet in Tucson, AZ). I sold the S-10 so I could get my Tundra, which I never had any major problems with.

[k757]

interesting video.

a long time ago :) here on the ROC, someone asked about fuel mileage difference between a 4 cyl Camry and a Camry Hybrid and if it is worth paying the difference. After some calculations, at the then current cost of gas and MSRP difference, I came out with: after ~100k miles, the cost difference crossed over and the Hybrid made financial sense. But the thing I questioned, how much do/will parts cost for maintenance.

I will still vote for a 4 cyl gas choice over a hybrid

[shovelhd]

The Hybrid will blow the doors off the 4cyl.

[sykosys]

I dont believe alot I see on the internet, especially posted on youtube. Ill do my research when the time comes, and if there are real issues I will take a pass. I just know the Camry hybrid is currently on the short list

Let me assure you, I didn't post that video out of fluff or simply for entertainment. I don't like being on camera, but I wanted to save others the agony. I bought the Hybrid June last year, and sold it in January. I put $3K down, and had to shell out another $8K to get rid of it, and I am not made of money. To summarize from the video (plus a little extra):

1) If you live in an area where it is cold in the winter, the gas milege really does suck when cold. It wasn't just me. Another fellow I know bought one a few months after I did. He had exactly the same winter gas milege. It changed at 0C, we had a warm phase this winter that proved it.

2) Consider the value of the car. When I bought it, it was $32K. When I sold it, it was $17K. The buyout on the lease (after 4 years) was $14K, this after 6 months. If you buy one, you're stuck with it, or you will lose money.

3) If you really insist on buying one, make sure that you buy the extended warranty for as long as is appropriate. You do NOT want to have to pay out of pocket to fix it. And be prepared to chase if something does fail.

4) If you are absolutely serious about buying a Camry, do yourself a favor and just get a regular gas version. You will likely not ever see payback on the Hybrid, and it at least has consistent gas milege. My father in law has a V6, and hasn't had any problems.

5) My wife does own an 07 Accord (want pictures?) and it consistently got better gas milege. Just a regular Accord, nothing fancy, and it didn't matter if I was driving it. (Which excludes driving habits as a cause.) Cheaper, and it's a Honda.

I originally wanted to buy an RL, and decided for a lot of reasons (including fuel economy) to go with the Camry. I will regret my decision for a long time to come.

[BruceRTL]

Hey, chisoxjim - you should watch the short video, I'm convinced that sykosys isn't just blowing smoke. Sykosy's post apitimizes (I know - that was a big word for me to) the reason why we all hang out here - to get more information. (yea I know - like my opinion counts for anything). Hopefully for Toyota's sake Sykosy's experience was isolated to this one lemon. You'll figure that out when you do your due diligence. Regardless, nice job on the video! Several people in my family have or had the normal gas Camry with no problems - including my dad. He now drives an 07 Avalon and still swears by Toyota (but he really really likes my RL).

Never heard of Canada? The Great White North is home to the greatest rock n roll band ever - RUSH! JMO

I think hockey is that thing they do on ice where they use a broom. :D

[chisoxjim]

dont get me wrong, I am not disputing that this one vehicle had an issue, I wish the owner luck.

I am just interested in almost doubling the 19 mpg gallon the RL gets. Nothing against the RL it is a big vehicle, and has served me well. But the potential of $300+ staying in my pocket, and not going to some clown like chavez, or the opec crooks sounds better every day.

[sykosys]

I am just interested in almost doubling the 19 mpg gallon the RL gets. Nothing against the RL it is a big vehicle, and has served me well. But the potential of $300+ staying in my pocket, and not going to some clown like chavez, or the opec crooks sounds better every day.

Like I said, get an Accord. You'll save the same on gas as you would with the Camry, and you'll pay a couple grand less on the sticker.

Kris.

[RidgeSS]

My vote is for the base Accord as well. The hybrid might have a little more pep, but the Accord will get you anywhere you need to be at far less risk.

[shovelhd]

I don't think the Accord has enough ground clearance for median strips. :)

[k757]

I don't think the Accord has enough ground clearance for median strips. :):eek: ... I knew someone would go there with Jim :)

[shovelhd]

Just kidding, only kidding, no harm intended

Really

[qlake]

I have a Prius that uses the same technology as the Camry and it performs flawlessly.

[arteegee]

I originally wanted to buy an RL, and decided for a lot of reasons (including fuel economy) to go with the Camry. I will regret my decision for a long time to come.

Wise words. Go with the Accordian or a Lexus Hybrid if you need rapid stealthy green transit and have the coin.;)

[OhioJeffro]

Like I said, get an Accord. You'll save the same on gas as you would with the Camry, and you'll pay a couple grand less on the sticker.

Kris.

I commute in my 2000 Accord and usually get 32.0-32.7 mpg on a regular basis, and it had a 18k sticker when I bought it new back in 2000. I think I got my money's worth. :D

[jrcrum]

dont get me wrong, I am not disputing that this one vehicle had an issue, I wish the owner luck.

I am just interested in almost doubling the 19 mpg gallon the RL gets. Nothing against the RL it is a big vehicle, and has served me well. But the potential of $300+ staying in my pocket, and not going to some clown like chavez, or the opec crooks sounds better every day.

ever consider a diesel car, possibly the diesel accord if it comes out, or a diesel vw? im getting around 45 mpg in my 06 VW TDI 36k on it and its actually fun to drive. great commuter cars!

[X-Brawn]

Let me assure you, I didn't post that video out of fluff or simply for entertainment. I don't like being on camera, but I wanted to save others the agony.

For someone who doesn't like being in front of the camera, you did a very good job presenting your problems. You sounded very clear, and carried the necessary level of emotion. You'd do very well in reviewing cars online in videos, or similar.

I'm waiting for Honda to have had the diesel in the Ridgeline for at least two model years before I trade in for it.