2011 Camry LE 3 week review

[Stew]

Did the Beetle Friday, so i will do the Camry today.  The Camry is the better halves so yesterday was my first time actually driving it, though I have rode in it quite a few times since we got it.  Anyway:

 

2011 Camry LE

2.5 4/6 speed auto

Price:  9900

64k miles

Ok, long story short.  i don't feel a need for a long review.  he Camry is what it is and nothing more.  I have come to the conclusion it has a mission and does i well.  It is big, roomy, all-day comfortable and buttery smooth in in all of it's moves.  The ride, the lazy handling, the numb steering, the utter quiet, the fact that every control is placed perfectly to fall in hand with big buttons and guages.  The fuel mileage has destroyed the EPA estimate of 32 highway by averaging in the neighborhood of 34-35 MPG.  Acceleration is more than adequate, though quick would be an overstatement, acceleration is..........  smooth.   This is a car for a relaxing drive.  Handling is not as sloppy as you would think though.  The Camry has no issues with taking curves at extralegal speed, it just pours though the curves.......  smoothly. 

 

Considering the mission of the Camry, my faults are few.  I wish it had bluetooth.  It would be nice if the LE had standard alloys instead of steel wheels with covers.  I wish they hadn't used the silver plastic on some interior eras that was so seemingly popular in the 2nd 5 years of the 21st century (as otherwise the interior materials are surprisingly good with soft touch on the dash and everywhere that it is needed).  . 

 

I have always had a soft spot for he 06-11 Camry.  I eel they got a lot right with gen and it was a quantum leap forward in every measure from it's immediate predecessor.  I have been a huge proponent against the Camry in the past, but I understand completely what the mission is for this car and why it simply hits all the right buttons or family man or anyone with a long commute.  Any long trips and this will be car we take. 

Overall, I like the contrast between this and the bug.  The bu is quick, sporty, with a little bit of edge on it's side.  The Camry is smooth and relaxing. 

[Frisky Dingo]

This car was better than the one that replaced it in 2012 in all honesty. 

[Stew]

They did a great job with this gen and IMHO it was deserving of all the accolades it received.  In a few years I could see myself replacing the LE with a V6 SE, preferably another 11 model. 

[cp-the-nerd]

I mean no offense by this, but I kinda feel like you need more reference to put this car against. I've been inside a 2007-2011 Camry, and the interior did nothing for me besides the intuitive layout. I see it as the first gen that Toyota started cost cutting and getting complacent because they knew they had the market share locked in.

The car has no character and the flaccid driving dynamics become frightening in panic maneuvers at speed. At a driving event with a bunch of midsize cars, a 2014 Camry SE V6 was the only car to lose control in the handling courses. When the tires lose traction, the steering loses all input and you feel like you're just along for the ride. The mushy brake pedal with crappy engagement is probably half the cause of the "unintended acceleration" crashes.

Drive a 2010-12 Fusion, 08-12 Malibu, or 08-12 Accord and you'll have a new perspective of the Camry's interior and poor driving experience.

[Stew]

I have driven all of those and they are all fine cars.  I can't explain why that 14 Camry would be so different, but this 11 has no issues in handling or emergency maneuvers.  The brakes are also fine, strong quite linear actually.  Maybe newer gets just got worse?  I like it, it wasn't my original choice to be honest, but we are both quite pleased with it.