Got my 08 Camry Hybrid today

[Hugh R]

Sorry for the lousy pic, but its dark and raining. It's metallic silver with a medium gray leather interior. I ordered it in September from my brother in law who works for Toyota corporate in Torrance, CA. I love buying a car through my BIL.

They say the price is x and that's what I pay, which is at true dealer cost. I also get to order a car with only the options I want. Not the packages they sell you with extra crap. The sticker on the car is $28,310. Add on 8.25% sales tax, and registration of $399 and your at $31,044 plus whatever other dealer add ons they can get. I paid $26,601, that's out the door; a savings of $4,444 roughly. Plus, I didn't pay for any options that I didn't want.

Overall kind of cool. about 35 mpg, big interior. Driving in the parking structure at work it's silent. Get up and go is pretty decent. The upgraded JBL sound system is very, very nice. Keyless start system with the fob thing in your pocket. It apparently has some kind of radio frequency tire valve stems that send a signal to the car on the tire pressure. Working on the blue tooth phone thing right now.

Ok, no reason to post other than for a daily driver I'm pretty happy with it.

I looked at the Lexus IS350 and liked it but for about another $10k and using 91 versus 87 octane gas and 22 mpg versus 35 mpg on the Camry, I went for the Camry as a daily driver. I could have gotten the lexus through my BIL with a similar discount, but still about $10K more.

[gprsh924]

Pretty nice Hugh. Keep us updated on the real world mileage you end up getting once you've owned it for a few months. I am always curious as to how closely the hybrids meet what they are rated at.

[slodave]

My mom has the '07 model. She complains that it does not get the mileage, that Toyota claims. I think it is doing pretty good. The engine is not even really broken in yet - she doesn't drive it very much. It's a nice car. She has leather as well. She traded a BMW 740iL for it, but wanted the amenities of the BMW. Only thing I have noticed, is what everyone else does, there is a slight kick, as the engine is started.

Drive it in good health!

Dave

P.S. My mom has taken better care of her Toyota in the last 9 months, than her BMW! I have had to buff out three scratches already.

[HardDrive]

I'm sure some will turn up their noses at them, but they are beautiful cars. I test drove one with the V6 last year. Excellent fit and finish. Handled well on the road. I think they look nice as well. They did a great job with the back of the car. I think the back of the latest Lexus\Toyota sedans look a hell of a lot better than Bangle crap.

[TerryBPP]

[onewhippedpuppy]

Hippie.

Get back to us in a few months, let us know what sort of MPG real people get.

[The Gaijin]

We use half the oil per dollar of GNP than we did 25 years ago. And this is how. Inovation and free people being able to make their own decisions.

Something tells me these Camrys are pretty tough - as I see them being used as NYC taxis and "black car" limos.

Good luck with it.

[Tobra]

bet it does better than a DB4 on gas

[Hugh R]

Terry, I guess they're speaking French, right? No idea what they're saying.

[the]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Be careful, looks like it's raining.

[kaisen]

Hugh, please keep us updated on the real-world economy and any other issues. If I recall correctly, the Hybrids are built in Japan and have not suffered the same quality issues as US built new-bodystyle Camrys.

It will be nice cruising the hybrid lane in traffic!

[Steve Carlton]

Looks like a lot of car, especially for the price!

[Les Paul]

Did you drive the Nissan Altima hybrid? I read several reviews that rated it higher than the Camry for power, mpg etc.

[911Rob]

Congrats Hugh,
Sweet car and should provide you with a lot of satisfaction!
Enjoy the commuting in the new wheels.
Cheers

[TerryBPP]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Terry, I guess they're speaking French, right? No idea what they're saying.

Only one I could find. You'll have to see the episode.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by Les Paul

Did you drive the Nissan Altima hybrid? I read several reviews that rated it higher than the Camry for power, mpg etc.

I get such a good deal from my brother in law, that I only looked at the Camry. With any other car I have to go to the dealer.

[Hugh R]

Ok, reporting back on mpg. My first tank I got 33.1 mpg, not bad for city/freeway driving. I tend to drive with a heavier foot, but the pick up is great at 187 hp. Drives more on the engine than I would have expected. The EPA sticker was 33/34, so pretty close. Kind of cool shuts off the engine at stop lights very quiet and pretty quick when I give it gas, (not 911 quick like when I stomp on it) but no problem pulling onto the freeway at speed. I like it a lot, the fit and finish is excellent.

[MRM]

Very good all around. My wife and I drive Camrys that are going on ten years old as daily drivers. I have the 4 and get about 24 in mostly city driving, about 27 on the highway. My wife has the 6 and gets closer to 24 both in town and on the highway. I lose a lot of MPG under acceleration dealing with Minnesota's short on ramps in city driving. Rush hour - lots of stops and starts.

They aren't fancy but they are beautiful fusions of form and function; at 100,000 plus on each they still run like new. The money we saved on replacing them paid for my P Car and the mortgage on our second home. I would like something bigger as the boys grow, but we're having a hard time justifying anything else.

You'll probably still have it ten years from now and be as happy with it as you are today. Your BIL wouldn't mind selling to members of youe extended Pelican family, would he?

[Komenda Fan]

Camry's have always been good cars, reliable and well thought out, but what I like about this Camry, as opposed to previous generations, is that its a real looker. I would take the Camry's looks over most of the big buck Euro "prestige" brands. A great choice for your DD.