Driving Impressions

We spent many full days behind the wheel of the Camry. Traveling along the Pacific Coast from sunup to sundown can be tiring. However, at the end of each day it was extremely difficult for us to find fault with any aspect of the car. Granted, the Camry isn't a sports car, yet the front MacPherson strut and the rear dual-link suspension handled the twisting coastal roads admirably. Standard gas charged shock absorbers and stabilizer bars both front and rear play a significant role in the Camry's quality of ride and handling ability. It seems soft around town, but feels firmer in corners. This car is smooth and quiet, though a small amount of road vibration comes through. Power from the 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine was quite adequate while tackling grades along the coast. Though our test vehicle was equipped with the 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, we didn't miss the available manual 5-speed much at all. Greatly assisting in this appreciation of the automatic is a little button on the gearshift lever. With a mere push of a button the driver can lock out overdrive. This keeps the transmission from shifting above third gear, providing much better acceleration performance. This ability is a welcome addition when winding your way up and down mountain passes or along twisting coastal roads. We also found it helpful on many occasions heading down city streets for a quick trip to the market.

Final Word

The Toyota Camry shares its heritage with the Lexus ES300. And that points to a big reason why the Camry emanates excellent abilities. It may not quell the race driver in you, but the Camry most certainly will instill confidence that you made a wise choice in selecting this sedan. Once you put behind the sense of regret for not having leather on the seats and the many bells and whistles that can take the price of a vehicle into the stratosphere, you will feel assured you made a wise decision. The fact that Toyota vehicles historically hold a resale value well beyond the competition will brighten your day even more. After all there is a reason why the Camry has been the most popular car in the land for so many years.