THE CAR COACH REPORTS:

June 23, 2017

Camry Came to Play Edition

The beige, vanilla-flavored Camry, ‘Old Reliable’ itself, has some life breathed back in to it and it’s about time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRiwSR-TiHc

All of the reviewers seem to love it. And that is saying something since it is the reviewers who’ve been calling the old Camry “beige” for some time now.I can’t say that I blame them for their excitement. I am a little excited about it myself. I have test driven and and will be posting a review on my website and on HisTurnHerTurn.com. I mean, think about it. The reliability of a Camry and the sportiness and fun of literally any other car, because let’s face it, fun and exciting and Camry haven’t exactly been synonymous.

Here is a rundown of some of the highlights. Updated suspension that offers better feel for the road. More aggressive styling inside and out. In a smart marketing move, the Camry has two configurations: the L series for the traditional, read older, Camry buyer and the S series for the newer, read younger, buyer.  Two engine options, both direct injection, a 2.5L four-cylinder and the 3.5L six-cylinder which puts out 301 horsepower. Yes. A Camry that can put out 300 horsepower.

What’s most impressive to me, though, is the fighting spirit of Toyota here. Let’s face it. The sedan market is still not picking up. Last year, Chrysler said it was pretty much killing its sedan lines, except for the venerable 300, and focusing on SUVs and Trucks; a bold move that seems to be paying off for Chrysler. But Toyota is refusing to let their sedan slip silently into the night. Sedan sales will never go away, Toyota is building for that market segment.

What’s more is Toyota put some serious effort and thought into the new Camry. And new is right. This isn’t a simple spruce up of a tried and true formula; the designers made it a practically brand-new model. I am also pretty impressed since it was a lack of care for styling and design that killed Scion and really stagnated the brand in my opinion.

Only time and sales will tell if this is new Camry will help pull sedan sales up. Though, let’s face it, 300,000 people bought the Camry last year and probably, about the same numbers will this year. At least now, some people will be able to say Camry and not wince.

But what do you think?

Post your comments on Twitter @LaurenFix

Final Thought:

We’ve all been there. Sitting in traffic, not getting to our destination and those drivers just buzz by you on the shoulder to get around traffic. Odds are we have said some unkind things out loud or under our breath and maybe thought, “why I oughta…” Well. One driver did: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/road-rage-in-kent-subaru-strikes-jeep-three-times/?utm_content=buffer620a2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=owned_buffer_f_m

The driver of a Subaru Impreza had had enough after seeing a Jeep Cherokee pull out of traffic and drive onto the shoulder to go around the jam. The Subaru driver tried to block the Jeep.  When the Jeep tried to still go around her, the Subaru driver hit the Jeep. Three times. Three. That is really making a statement. I can’t say I’ve never thought of doing that, but I wouldn’t recommend letting road rage take over and then hitting a car once, let alone three times, to make your point.

Both drivers got a ticket for noncriminal negligent driving. I’m just glad no one got hurt.

Post your comments on Twitter @LaurenFix

Love Your Car! See you next week!

–Lauren Fix