Convince Me Not to Get a Camry

Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/03/2020 - 15:03
Last edited 13/03/2020 - 08:58

Hey OzB, I've been tasked with buying a car for a family member. They've given me a 13-15k budget and want the best car for the money obviously.

Key requirements:
Sedan or Wagon
Auto

Wants but not deal breakers:
Reverse camera
Newer than 2014
Less than 130k

I've instantly been looking at Camrys. My last 2 commuters were late model Corollas and I love the Toyota reliability.

Is there anything else I should be seriously considering in this price range? ie. a far newer Hyundai i30/i40? New/near new Trax?

Update: Seems to be a decision between Elantra and Camry now.

Poll Options expired

  • 160
    2018 Hyundai Elantra with 40km
  • 94
    2015 Camry with 100km
Automotive Car Toyota

Comments

  • jimbobaus on 12/03/2020 - 15:04
    +43

    Nope.. get a camry

  • brendanm on 12/03/2020 - 15:08
    +13

    Aurion

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/03/2020 - 15:13
      +1

      It's basically just a bigger engine right? Not sure they'd utilise it.

      • brendanm on 12/03/2020 - 15:36
        +3

        Yeah, they are just nicer to drive with the bigger engine, and from my experience, get better economy.

      • uzz30 on 12/03/2020 - 15:58
        +4

        Same car, generally better equipped and have the superb V6 engine also used in Lexus cars.

        • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/03/2020 - 16:03
          +1

          Thanks both, I'll add them to the list.

          • Hangryuman on 14/03/2020 - 09:36

            @Typical16-bitEnjoyer: you could be camfortable in a camry - if it took you to cambridge …

            OTOH - a friend bought a ?2010 Aurion for $10K and took me for a ride - I was pretty impressed.

      • bigbadboogieman on 14/03/2020 - 16:46
        +1

        I used to drive a 2010 V6 Aurion AT-X but had to sell it because I switched work to a place where I couldn't drive. Unless someone comes up with a cheap electric car with manageable serviceability in the future and people start abandoning petrol cars, Aurion is the car I am going to buy again.

      • mox on 15/03/2020 - 17:14

        I've spoken to a few cab drivers that rate the Aurion as one of the best cars out there. Either way, you can't go wrong with a Toyota.

    • GordonD on 13/03/2020 - 18:29
      +4

      I was looking through Carsales for something around that price range. I was surprised that the Aurions at that price point were later model ones that the Camrys. With fairly reasonably low mileage. And they had the V6. It was like people were so focussed on Camrys they were forgetting that Aurions were just a Camry with a different badge and engine.

      • brendanm on 13/03/2020 - 18:42

        Exactly, people look past the good old Aurion, and bargains can be had.

      • DiscoJango on 13/03/2020 - 20:06
        +3

        Most luxury cars are like this. Eg: people will always search for a bmw 3 series, but not really know about the 5 series, so you can pick up a bargain. Same goes for the Lexus GS, Holden Calais etc

        • Hangryuman on 14/03/2020 - 09:37
          +1

          I loved the silence in a Lexus GS300 and was ready to buy but my partner said 'too big' - I wish (but I didn't need a car so meh)

    • jonagrah on 14/03/2020 - 13:45

      The 3.5L V6 is a great engine. Smooth and plenty of power if you need it.

  • spackbace on 12/03/2020 - 15:08
    +4

    Corolla Sedan

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/03/2020 - 15:14

      Certain Camry models have reverse camera at that price whereas the Corolla doesn't. Unless I'm incorrect?

      • spackbace on 12/03/2020 - 15:17
        +2

        A search reveals one option within budget, with reverse camera

        Or a 2014 with very low mileage, but a touch above budget. Does sound like the usual old lady owner situation, might be worth a look at

        • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/03/2020 - 15:25
          +1

          Indeed I was incorrect then! Thank you. I didn't think they were available on Corollas.

        • uzz30 on 12/03/2020 - 17:29
          +1

          On the other hand, a Carsales search yields 27 Toyota Aurions equipped with a reverse camera and meeting your criteria Australia wide. Have I convinced you not to buy a Camry yet? :)
          PS: There are 44 Camrys / Camries / Camrai ….. what is the plural of Camry anyhow?
          PPS: Spackbace is in the industry and has consistently offered excellent automotive advice IMHO. But his search was limited to Victoria, if you are willing to extend the search to other states, there should be a lot more Corollas to look at.

          • Hangryuman on 14/03/2020 - 09:39
            +1

            @uzz30: plural of Camry = Camri

            graffito>graffiti
            cappuccino>cappuccini
            spaghetto>spaghetti

  • kyle on 12/03/2020 - 15:09
    +13

    I've yet to see a good Camry driver.

    • jimbobaus on 12/03/2020 - 15:11
      +26

      Ive seen plenty… BMW drivers or VW Golf drivers however!

      • Seraphin7 on 12/03/2020 - 16:44
        +6

        VW Golf drivers

        Yes! I'm glad it's not just me!

        I've always wondered if you have to be $#@! to buy one, or you just become a $#@! after purchasing one … can anyone enlighten me?

        • Cave Fire on 12/03/2020 - 17:27
          -2

          Well, the performance plus size makes the drivers want to take risks.

            • SlavOz on 12/03/2020 - 20:59
              -6

              @spackbace: Not me mate. I've always said I rarely feel the need to hit over 4k RPM unless I'm on a racetrack, which you've consistently criticised me for. I'm either an overly safe driver or I'm a bad driver. Can't be both.

              • abuch47 on 15/03/2020 - 14:18

                @SlavOz: Hired a gt and can understand the 4k now slav. 10speed auto means you dont need it much. Sports plus loves to drop down real low for peak acceleration though so definitely did get over 4k. Still cant understand ya politics.

  • quirki on 12/03/2020 - 15:10
    +5

    Don't get a camry…please?

  • elgrande on 12/03/2020 - 15:11
    +12

    It is your OBLIGATION as a regular Ozbargain member to get a Camry.

    Any other choice of car will ruin both your reputation and the reputation of Ozbargain as a whole.

    P.s. who approved your new photo?

    • skywards on 13/03/2020 - 20:50
      +1

      I thought the obligations were either Corolla or Camry?

      • payless69 on 14/03/2020 - 10:52
        +1

        A true Ozbargainer changes his Corolla batch to Camry

  • His_Holiness on 12/03/2020 - 15:12
    +7

    You could get a younger Elantra or Cerato for a 13-15k budget which would have the balance of a new car warranty.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/03/2020 - 15:21

      Not a fan of Kia.

      Hyundai is very tempting, i30/40, Elantra, and appear to get good reviews on here. They're on the radar.

      • jimbobaus on 12/03/2020 - 15:31
        +8

        FYI Kia and Hyundai are the same car
        come out of the same factory
        have interchangeable parts

          • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/03/2020 - 16:37
            +1

            @Typical16-bitEnjoyer: Um, happy to discuss the reason for the negs? Is there something I'm missing?

          • HighAndDry on 12/03/2020 - 17:24
            +2

            @Typical16-bitEnjoyer: The singular of data is not anecdote. (It's "datum" but I digress..).

            Any car will have nightmare stories, Kia and Hyundai have, on average, better reliability histories.

            Not my negs though, my vote would be for a Lexus.

            • OpayuOnam on 14/03/2020 - 15:50
              +3

              @HighAndDry: You're on the money with the Lexus choice (bargain reliable luxury with many creature comfort feature and always a quiet ride).

              As for Hyundai/Kia, I want to add my 2 cents, they are nice cars but they are built down to a price. And you can tell this if you look closely. Look at paint quality, panel gap, material quality and you will see why they are cheaper. As for the long warranty, I haven't had a good experience with Hyundai.
              i45 or whatever that large sedan is called, nice enough car for the price but many many things fell apart within 5 years, items you wouldn't even think of like the window switch broke (it wouldn't auto lock so had to manually hold it), door handle stopped functioning… Now all fair and acceptable as nothing too serious, but the warranty team deemed these as "consumables" and did not want to fix under warranty!!! Can you believe that a window rocker switch is considered as consumables? Anyways the cost wasn't worth it to argue over (couple hundred dollars) so we just shrugged.
              And in contrary to this I've had a Lexus fix an issue out of warranty simply because "this should not break this early, and we've never had it break before, we're going to replace that for you and send it back for inspection to find why it broke this early" and this early was on a 5-6 year old car, well out of warranty (it was a trivial issue but expensive to fix, IIRC around $3-4k, the aircon would sometimes exhibit a high-pitched noise). We were all very surprised by the attitude of the staff, needless to say have been going back for the services to them!

              Another negative point for Hyundai and it again comes down to lower quality materials used, my old man has a Prius C and Hyundai i20 (both pretty much built down to cost cars), difference is i20 was purchased brand new and Prius C was a second hand 4 year old with about 40-50kkm on the clock,both similar price when purchased and both purchased around the same time. The Prius C now has 190kkm on it while the i20 has about 60kkm. It would be reasonable to think the i20 would feel newer right? Wrong, the Prius C with double the km feels like a newer car and the i20 small things are falling apart… Both cars are being treated the same and driven in similar conditions. The only thing i20 has going for it is the newer tech and toys (like CarPlay and better Bluetooth streaming) but the novelty of these wears off pretty quick and you're left with a car that just doesn't feel right… And the Prius C has held its value much better than the i20 even with all the extra KM.

              If you're happy to go older you might be able to stretch to old school ES300 from 2003-2005 which some have map and reversing cam for less than $8k (these care are bullet proof… I've got one with 220kkm on the clock and it's so hard to let go because there's nothing wrong with it, and everytime I take it to service the mechanic praises it.).

              If you are willing to go higher KM you can find the rare ES350/ES300h with higher mileage well within your budget and they are incredibly comfortable machines as well. I've seen both in the past 3 months with 150-300kkm for around $14-16k, but they go as soon as they come as they are bargains.

              Now be careful about test driving the ES if you don't intend to buy, because once you experience the quiet and comfort you'll be spoiler and it'll be really hard to go back to eco boxes (I'm not kidding on this, I didn't even want to get an ES as I was after a Camry like you, but I just test drove one because my mate kept pushing me, and guess what I ended up putting deposit on the first ES I drove!).

  • Fergy1987 on 12/03/2020 - 15:19
    -6

    Here is the test

    Are you over 70 - Buy a Camry
    Any other age - Get something else

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/03/2020 - 15:28

      And what would you suggest in the category "something else"?

      • Fergy1987 on 12/03/2020 - 15:43

        Mazda 3? - I mean the Camry isn't even a bad choice. If you want it. Get it. Who cares what we all think. They are built like tanks.

        • spackbace on 12/03/2020 - 16:20
          +4

          No to Camry, but suggest a Mazda 3 which would be similar vintage… Seriously?

          Yes, I negged you, because your follow up suggestion has the same driving dynamics, and in some cases actually worse (road noise on Mazdas are shocking).

          I mean, if OP's friend is female, under 28yo on p-plates then yes, buy a $15k Mazda 3, you'll fit in with all the other Mazda 3 owners

          But don't suggest for a second that a Mazda 3 drives any better or differently to a Camry/Corolla. It's another A-B car.

          • Fergy1987 on 12/03/2020 - 16:28

            @spackbace: Relax

          • Soothsayer on 13/03/2020 - 17:23
            +2

            @spackbace:

            But don't suggest for a second that a Mazda 3 drives any better or differently to a Camry/Corolla.

            Seriously? Gone full Toyota salesman mode in this post..?

            Last time I checked, a CVT drives a little differently to a conventional auto at the very least. Not to mention the huge engine differences between the three.

            I also must have missed all the young p-platers trading in their Yaris' & Corollas for Mazda3's..

            • spackbace on 13/03/2020 - 17:41
              +1

              @Soothsayer: I've driven many a used car, as well as my sister owns an older 3.

              They're not cars which put a smile on your face. Again, just another A-B car. If you think differently then you really need to drive more cars 😂

  • BertieBrown on 12/03/2020 - 15:37

    Ok, I think Camry’s are good vehicles, as are Toyota’s in general, however one reason I personally wouldn’t buy a Camry is because Camry’s are too low to the ground, and I prefer a higher vehicle so that in an accident my head, and my brain, are not necessarily going to be at higher risk from a larger vehicle hitting me in a side impact accident.

    Many SUV’s these day’s don’t have four wheel drive capability so that’s not really that much of an impact anymore.

    But if I had a family, and I was putting little babies in the back, I would definitely be buying a higher vehicle.

    Just my thoughts.

    • jimbobaus on 12/03/2020 - 15:42
      +13

      Higher vehicle means higher centre of gravity.
      not always the "safer" choice

      • BertieBrown on 12/03/2020 - 15:49

        I agree that higher centre gravity means more possibility of roll over, but anecdotally, I’ve only ever driven higher drive vehicles, and I’ve never been in a situation where I was going to roll the car. I have had three accidents, one at fault, two not at fault, where if I’d been in a lower vehicle I would likely be dead if they’d been side impact driver door against front of other car collisions.

        But I think you make a good point that should be weighed up when people are thinking of purchasing a vehicle. :)

        • jimbobaus on 12/03/2020 - 15:53

          neg vote wasn't me btw

          • BertieBrown on 12/03/2020 - 16:04
            +5

            @jimbobaus: Thanks jimbobaus :) I’m generally nonplussed with the negs.

            It’s more when folks get into agro, and personal stuff, that it just goes too far. But I totally understand that people might disagree and feel like a neg expresses their feelings, in which case that’s what the negative/positive is for.

            It can be a little frustrating sometimes not necessarily knowing exactly why I might be getting a neg, but people often react defensively, and aggressively to any criticism, so I can also understand when folks don’t want to engage, or might think they’ll get an argument so just prefer to neg and leave it at that, which is fine :)

        • shaybisc on 13/03/2020 - 07:51
          +2

          The idea of a Camry tipping over gives me the chuckles - Camry hoons fanging it and losing it on a high speed corner.

          • Hangryuman on 14/03/2020 - 10:19

            @shaybisc: fanging it - not in the Camry dictionary

            more likely runnning off the road falling asleep from boredom accidents

  • Baysew on 12/03/2020 - 15:47
    +3

    Resistance is futile.

  • Charlie Sierra on 12/03/2020 - 15:56
    +20

    Don't get a Camry.

    Get two.

  • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 16:05
    +16

    Do not get a Camry.

    We had two Camrys (Camries?) back in the old days. The V6 was a little thirsty but the Sportivo was acceptable.

    We only used it for a few dozen road trips before it was decommissioned with just under 300,000km. One couldn't survive a gentle 5 car pileup on the freeway, and the other was an absolute mess after a fender bender at 80kmph (actual suicidal idiot pulled out onto a main road).

    The aftermath was shocking. I couldn't find my driving sunnies.

    Cost of servicing was very high. We had to do it every 6 months and it didn't just cost us 20 minutes each time, we had to buy the filter and oil which barely comes up on OzBargain.

    All in all, the money sunk into ownership would have easily afforded me a few rounds of drinks at a swanky hipster bar.

    • Duckie2hh on 12/03/2020 - 16:09
      +1

      I wouldn't describe a 5 car pile up on the freeway as 'gentle'.

      • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 16:12
        +13

        Tell that to someone in a 6 car pileup on the freeway.

      • spackbace on 12/03/2020 - 16:16
        +8

        woosh

        Lol re-read the whole comment for proper context… ;)

        • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 19:24

          Proper context is the road is full of idiots. Op, do not get a car for this family member if you truly care about them. Get them to catch the train.

          • spackbace on 12/03/2020 - 19:25
            +1

            @[Deactivated]:

            Proper context is the road is full of idiots.

            No, proper context is the whole comment has been written sarcastically

            • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 19:26
              +2

              @spackbace: Woosh

              So was my comment :)

              • spackbace on 12/03/2020 - 19:27
                +2

                @[Deactivated]: tshow's sarcasm > your sarcasm

                • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 19:29

                  @spackbace: True but then Tshow has a few good years (decades?) over me :p

                  [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 19:29 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
                  • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 20:09

                    @[Deactivated]: You will actually be very surprised by my age (which I'll never disclose).

                    I just sound old AF because of my very traditional upbringing which happened in the old world.

                    • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 20:19

                      @[Deactivated]: Did you know that plastic bags become popular in the 1960s?

                      • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 20:20

                        @[Deactivated]: No but that's not going to give you any indication of my age because I have never habitually used plastic bags nor paper bags. I hated dealing with waste packaging.

                        • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 20:24

                          @[Deactivated]: Yet you have fond memories of carrying goodies in paper bags home in the rain :)

                          Edit: Looks like it only became common in the the mid-1980s in Australia. Thanks to Wikipedia, you're now a 70s baby instead of a 60s one.

                          • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 20:28

                            @[Deactivated]: You missed an important detail. I wasn't raised here.

                            Leave the 60s on the drawing board.

                            • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 20:31
                              +1

                              @[Deactivated]: I wasn't aware of that little detail. It does change quite a few things. I would add the 50s to that drawing board too then :p

          • HighAndDry on 13/03/2020 - 08:41
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: In the context of the current coronavirus outbreak…… hmmmmm

            • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2020 - 08:51
              +3

              @HighAndDry: Statistically,risk of idiot drivers > risk of being exposed to COVID19.

              • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2020 - 09:03
                +1

                @[Deactivated]: I haven't stayed in the city for a few weeks, I have been keeping to myself after work, my work involves wearing a mask and washing my hands all day long.

                My compulsory annual blood test reveals excellent health.

                … and I am not old AF…

                If I am going to die from COVID19, good luck everybody.

                • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2020 - 09:39
                  +1

                  @[Deactivated]:

                  If I am going to die from COVID19, good luck everybody.

                  Thank you. Please do send news in the highly unlikely event of that occurring.You are, and always will be, my canary in the mine ;)

              • utopia on 13/03/2020 - 22:55

                @[Deactivated]: Statistically,risk of idiot drivers > risk of being exposed to COVID19.

                Someone should put out the stats of Covid19 mortality compared to the deaths caused by drivers in each country… That'll be eye opening!

                • [Deactivated] on 14/03/2020 - 15:17

                  @utopia: The difference is that there is some element of contribution to road statistics, even just by simply by being on the road.

                  COVID19 only requires you come in contact with someone who has it, someone who may not have any symptoms or even know they may be infected.

      • brendanm on 12/03/2020 - 16:33
        +3

        I wouldn't describe your grasp of sarcasm as "good".

      • ProlapsedHeinous on 13/03/2020 - 19:49

        Please do pay attention Mr. Bond.

      • mox on 15/03/2020 - 17:19

        2 to 3 people came of it with the use if their legs, pretty good?

  • dogboy on 12/03/2020 - 16:14
    -8

    A Camry is the second most boring car you can buy, beat out only by the Corolla. For extra boring points, get it in white. Boring cars for boring people. You only live once, do you really want to drive these pieces of shit? For some reason, all the worst drivers on the road seem to drive Corollas as well. Can't stand them!

    • netjock on 12/03/2020 - 16:18
      +5

      The alternative is driving a piece of shit of a bank account with almost no money because it is in your car.

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 12/03/2020 - 16:31
      +1

      The family member I'm buying for wants reliable, cheap, comfortable, exciting, in that order.

      You mustn't drive enough if you think Corollas are the worst. In Melbourne it's easily a draw between BMW drivers and tradies.

    • iampoor on 12/03/2020 - 16:37
      +2

      Those boring people are likely your landlords, enjoying the capital growth while you pay off the property for them.

      You must be from a younger generation to not think that bloody Volvo drivers are the worst of the lot!

      • [Deactivated] on 12/03/2020 - 16:42
        +4

        Ok Boomer

        (Am I doing this right?)

        • iampoor on 12/03/2020 - 19:44

          I wish I was a Boomer…then I wouldn't feel poor!

        • HighAndDry on 13/03/2020 - 08:50

          The more times I see this (unironically) in the wild, the less sense it makes. I'm not even a boomer, but it's just like - you mean the generation everyone complains is buying up all the property and keeping wealth to themselves?

          • [Deactivated] on 13/03/2020 - 08:58
            +3

            @HighAndDry: Ok Boomer.

            Just because you worked hard for many years, you think you deserve to have money and opinions.

      • dogboy on 13/03/2020 - 14:46

        lol no - Gen X

    • Charlie Sierra on 13/03/2020 - 08:32
      +1

      Camrys are boring, are they? Oh you've done it now, buddy. Once I'm done with my spreadsheet for my stamp collection, I'm writing a strongly worded letter to my local paper!

    • HighAndDry on 13/03/2020 - 08:48

      Honestly, some people aren't car people and just want an A-to-B car. Heck, even car people can be commuters who need to get to work and the shops regularly without feeling like they're rolling the dice every time, and every cent they save can be put into a more specifically just-for-fun car.

      (And just on top of that, as someone who does enjoy driving, I don't give a F what colour my car is, it's for me to drive, not show off, and I'm on the inside driving it.)

  • Euphemistic on 12/03/2020 - 17:03

    Why sedan or wagon? And is it really sedan or wagon? Often a hatchback will have better boot access than a sedan and be the same size. Will they be using the wagon bit at all?

    Why not a Camry? Obviously if the advantages of a wagon are important then a Camry is the wrong vehicle.

  • GangGang on 12/03/2020 - 17:07
    +3

    Make sure you include a dashcam and insurance.

  • FireRunner on 12/03/2020 - 17:23
    +5

    Get an 80k high yield investment vehicle instead

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 12/03/2020 - 21:19
      +1

      Have they received that job offer from Westpac?

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