Recently, I got rid of my 2000 Ford Focus (
see my review of it here), and my husband and I bought a brand-new 2006 Toyota Camry LE. After driving it for about 500 miles or so, I feel qualified to write a review of this fine automobile.
We were looking for a midsize to replace my compact and also considered the Nissan Altima and Mazda 6. My husband owns a 1999 Protege, so he’s partial to Mazdas. However, we found the Altima too rough around the edges and a bit underpowered. And I just didn’t want a Mazda. The Camry, while ubiquitous and considered a bit boring, ultimately won us over with its long line of standard features.
We wanted antilock brakes. We got them standard. We wanted cruise control. Standard, too. Power locks, keyless entry, power windows and power mirrors all come standard on the LE, which is the mid-trim line for the four-cylinder version of the Camry. Our salesman told us 80 percent of Camrys sold are four cylinders. However, even knowing that four-cylinder engines have come a long way since their beginnings, I was still a bit skeptical that the smaller engine could power a larger car.
We went down to the local dealer so I could check out a Camry. My husband had already test-driven one; he warned me that he found the steering a bit “floaty,” like the wheel wasn’t 100 percent connected to the tires. I took it for a spin, and while I could see my husband’s point, the ride was smooth as silk, and the 154-horsepower engine motored along, responding to my foot promptly and barely making a peep all the while. The car is incredibly comfortable, too, with tricked-out features like a power seat, lumbar support (oh, my aching back) and radio controls right on the steering wheel. We also got Toyota car mats and a first-aid kit (the sticker said these items were an extra $200, but that’s all markup).
So we bought a silver Camry with all these great standard features and one extra – a power moonroof. While it’s currently mid-winter in New England and I’m not inclined to create a hole in my car’s roof, I’m sure I’m going to dig it in the summertime. As for right now, it gives the car a sportier edge and makes it stand out enough that I don’t try to get into someone else’s “best-selling car in America” when I go to the mall.
In summary, I’m enjoying my new wheels -- the first nonused car I’ve ever bought. It’s comfortable and a pleasure to drive, and practical, too – the trunk is enormous, and the back seat has plenty of room for passengers. I’d highly recommend the 2006 Toyota Camry LE.
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