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Hopefully, I won't be in the market for a car for another 2-3 years. Since I prefer buying used, though, I'm starting to pay attention to the current models since they are the ones I'll probably be looking at a few years from now. I currently drive a 98 Camry. Before that, I had a 91 Camry. I've assumed all along that the next car would be another Camry.
I had the opportunity to drive a 2009 Camry this week. Unfortunately, there were some things about it that I didn't like. I'm sure I'd deal with them, but seeing as I keep my cars for a long time, I hate to settle like that.
For some reason, Toyota chose to copy the design of the very ugly Chrysler 300 with the high door panels and narrow windows. I never liked it from the outside and now, having driven one, I don't like it from the inside either. The narrower windows decrease sightlines and visibility. The higher door panels are very awkward and uncomfortable to rest your arm on. In the summer, I like to roll down the window and have my left arm resting on the opening. Can't do that on a new Camry because it is way too high. When I'm on a long drive, I will often rest my left elbow on the armrest while still having that hand on the steering wheel. Can't do that on a new Camry because the armrest is too low and too far away from the wheel. In fact, the whole door panel is farther from the driver than on my current car. I'm wondering if they did that to accomodate the growing number of obese Americans who were having trouble fitting into the seats. I've read a few articles on that topic explaining how car makers were redesigning the cars for larger drivers (and passengers). Since I'm not one of them, though, I felt awkward driving the car.
I did also drive a 2009 Corolla last week. Though it is a bit smaller than my current Camry, it isn't by much and that might end up being a better (and cheaper) option for me. I could probably get a fully loaded Corolla for the price of a lower end Camry.
If I don't go with the Camry, what else should I be looking at? Honda, Hyundai... any tips?
I had the opportunity to drive a 2009 Camry this week. Unfortunately, there were some things about it that I didn't like. I'm sure I'd deal with them, but seeing as I keep my cars for a long time, I hate to settle like that.
For some reason, Toyota chose to copy the design of the very ugly Chrysler 300 with the high door panels and narrow windows. I never liked it from the outside and now, having driven one, I don't like it from the inside either. The narrower windows decrease sightlines and visibility. The higher door panels are very awkward and uncomfortable to rest your arm on. In the summer, I like to roll down the window and have my left arm resting on the opening. Can't do that on a new Camry because it is way too high. When I'm on a long drive, I will often rest my left elbow on the armrest while still having that hand on the steering wheel. Can't do that on a new Camry because the armrest is too low and too far away from the wheel. In fact, the whole door panel is farther from the driver than on my current car. I'm wondering if they did that to accomodate the growing number of obese Americans who were having trouble fitting into the seats. I've read a few articles on that topic explaining how car makers were redesigning the cars for larger drivers (and passengers). Since I'm not one of them, though, I felt awkward driving the car.
I did also drive a 2009 Corolla last week. Though it is a bit smaller than my current Camry, it isn't by much and that might end up being a better (and cheaper) option for me. I could probably get a fully loaded Corolla for the price of a lower end Camry.
If I don't go with the Camry, what else should I be looking at? Honda, Hyundai... any tips?
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