All of this assumes you are looking for tire scorching performance -- and perhaps indifferent gas mileage. If I buy a sedan, I can't imagine the need for anything more than Honda's I4. I alternately drive to work an 03 Civic LX 5 spd and a 01 Prelude 5 spd. The Civic does just fine on I 75 and gets 38-40 mpg. Heck, lets put a "hemi" in the Camry or Accord next.
I wanted to see how Toyota dropped the Avalon 3.5 liter V6 into the all-new 2007 Camry. The horsepower is down a notch, but the Cary probably is making do with regular gas, unlike the Avalon. The bigger news is how elegant the Camry looks -- it's a cross between the G35 and the TL. Could just as easily have been called a Lexus. A few photos are on the toyota.com website. The official roll-out is in March. Honda engineers must be frantic. I hate to say it, but the new Camry somehow makes my '04 Accord look dowdy.
Actually, I am pretty sure the current Avalon uses regular gas too. But how well does it handle compared to Accord? That's the big difference there; you get either a soft ride (Camry) or tight handling (Accord).
Well the most recent Accord isn't as responsive as past Accords and with a decent set of tires the Camry's performance envelope isn't all that much different. Besides, sport sedan buyers have sportier options than Accord these days. The Camry and Accord are both mainstream family sedans. But lets wait to see how Toyota packages (especially safety related options) and prices the new Camry.
I own both a new '06 Avalon and just sold an '05 Accord EX V6 - the new Camry IS much better looking than the Accord and it's the SAME V6, same HP (268 hp) as the Avalon. Remember, the HP ratings on all cars dropped (Avalon from 280 to 268) with the new testing standards last fall. The V6 will run quite well on regular, as that's all I've used in the Avalon - premium is required for "maximum performance". There's still a Civic in the garage for use behind the RV. It does appear the Honda engineers have their work cut out for the next generation.
From what I've read the Accord in '07 won't be much different than the current model. Seems like Honda's best engineers were working the Civic, minivan, and pickup truck.
Honda just gave the Accord a minor restyling for '06. Since the current Accord came out for 2003, expect the next version for 2008.
Remember, the HP ratings on all cars dropped (Avalon I didn't take that into account. In any case, with the extra torque the 3.5 will provide, the Camry will race away from an Accord from a stop, that's for sure. Camry will have a SIX speed automatic, as well. The Camry SE will have a tighter suspension, probably tight like the Accord but without the jiggling.
wouldnt it also cannibalize sales from the lower end lexuses, as well? seems a fine line to me between an avalon (stretched camry) and a lexus. i glanced at the new lexuses at the LA auto show, and i miss the old IS300/IS300sportback. im weird though.
the civic looks much improved, the minivan is equalled only byt he sienna, and the "truck"...? well, 2 out of 3 aint bad! has a ridgeline run at baja yet?
Yup, and was doing very well until about half way when the poorly chosen tires gave out. Two Ridgelines were very near stock, had minimal preparation, mostly to the safety regs of the race. Regardless of the nay sayers and nit pickers, the Ridgeline is a truck and a very good one in its class.
"Regardless of the nay sayers and nit pickers, the Ridgeline is a truck and a very good one in its class." Come on Kent; the Ridgeline is the perfect truck for people who need a Civic. A load in the bed obstructs access to the spare, its V6 gets similar fuel economy to GM's new V8s and it isn't cheap. No wonder sales are barely meeting goal. Had Honda brought this thing to market 3 or 4 years ago it would have been a winner. Today, it's another Element. But regarding the next generation Accord - I expect some major platform changes including an AWD option (probably starting with the Accord's platform mate the Acura TL). Like the Camry, I expect the Accord to grow in size a little. I'd sure like to see Honda offer a head's up display. One of my cars has that and it works great. Honda's cloth seats could stand some major improvement, too. A fully reclining passenger seat with flip-up leg support (like the optional BMW seats) would be nice.
"All of this assumes you are looking for tire scorching performance -- and perhaps indifferent gas mileage. If I buy a sedan, I can't imagine the need for anything more than Honda's I4. I alternately drive to work an 03 Civic LX 5 spd and a 01 Prelude 5 spd. The Civic does just fine on I 75 and gets 38-40 mpg. Heck, lets put a "hemi" in the Camry or Accord next. " I gotta agree with TWW. All our Accords have been I4s and they've all been perfectly fine for the intended use. However, we do have a V6-powered minivan for family outings and weeks-long vacations. I wouldn't be surprised to see market segmentation between I4-FWD cars and V6-AWD/RWD cars in the not too distant future. With V6s exceeding 250HP, FWD becomes less and less "user friendly."
"SoCalMike" wrote And unlike the 2005-2006 Accords, their taillights still have amber turn signals. ;-)
Let's see now, the above is in your never humble opinon, as opposed the the Automotive Writers who gave it Truck of the Year in Detroit this year. I'll not even mention the Motor Trend Truck of the Year since it is slightly tainted with Motor Trend's tendency to go with the advertisers. No, it isn't cheap, but when its competition is trimmed out to the Ridgeline's level, it becomes a real value. If a Civic driver wants a truck, I'd suggest the Element ... cheaper, lighter, and very versitile. Where would you rather have a spare, in a locked compartment shielded from damage and theft, or hanging under the bumper subject to both? For what it's worth, I neither own nor desire a pickup or any other truck. What's the price difference between Hondas and BMWs? Heads up displays? Seen the new Civic dash? Close enough without the expense and visability problems that some people have with HUDs. Of course you have perfect knowledge of the auto industry and I should be chanting, "I[m not worthy, I'm not worthy ..." [/QUOTE]
"Where would you rather have a spare, in a locked compartment shielded from damage and theft, or hanging under the bumper subject to both?" I'd like the spare where I could get to it when I needed it. Have a nice day, Kent.
You're a total cook. You're one of those cooks that drives on underinflated tires, so you can spend you're day on the side road fixing a flat.
Too many Toyota trolls. Camry is a grandpa car. Admit it. The new Avalon.. guess who is buying them?? It's a Buick but in a different skin.
