Test Drive Toyota Camry Solara 2003 - 2008
Princess on the Pea
In the business class, where the prestige of the brand is above all, the representatives of a large German triple are traditionally dominated - Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. However, in Russia, the Toyota unexpectedly became a reason for the St. Bala - especially not from the highest society. In the struggle for wallets of fans, she leads with a crushing, discouraging advantage. What are you so seductive, the princess on the pea? Of course, I would like to spin intrigue to keep you impatiently, and to reveal the secret of the success of Camry only under the curtain. Yes it will not work, because the main reasons for this success lie on the surface.
Whatever they spoke about prestige, and the price matters always. If you ask how much the yacht is, it means that it is not able to own it only a beautiful phrase. When one yacht costs a million dollars, and the other five million, it is clear that they are addressed to buyers with different welfare. But even the owner of the cheapest of them is entitled to be proud of its yacht if the sudine of this level is adequately perceived in the circle of millionaires.
The pledge of Toyota-Camry is that it is very successful in the ratio of price and prestige. The car is almost twice the cheaper E-class, five BMW and A6, while in the business class it is already taken for their. And here Camry has almost no competitors. Hyundhe-XG and Kia-opir? Objectively, they hardly inferior Camry. But climb into a business class with such ... emblems, sorry, is too early. Skoda superb? Yes, this is a noble European car (although it is a stretch from the trade wind model class below). But, first, the brand Skoda in Russia does not associate with prestigious cars. And secondly, the superb is one hundred percent staff, the car is not for personal use. The only direct competitor of Nissan-Maxim remains. But in the dispute between him and Camry the latter playing the latter.
What is the price?
The base price of Camry is quite attractive $ 29,800. And for such money, a machine with a sufficiently powerful 2,4-liter motor in a fairly decent configuration R1 is proposed. The same modification with an automatic box costs $ 31,300.
By adding a parking sensor and a leather interior with electrically regulators of the front armchairs, we get a complete set of R2. In this form, the 2.4-liter machine comes only with a machine gun for $ 33,800. Finally, for $ 39,800 you can buy a top version with a 3-liter V6 engine, an automatic box, in an even riching configuration.
Even if Camry was in all respects mediocre, for $ 30,00040,000 it would only take her for the fact that this Toyota (the reputation of the Japanese brand number one in Russia is very high). But, having tried at different times all the modifications of Camry, we can say in advance that this car is interesting not only at the price. Refresh the memories behind the wheel of the 6-cylinder machine.
Manual box is possible only for 2,4-liter machines in the basic configuration.
Mirror with autocession of the prerogative of machines with a motor V6
Double-sided parking sensor appears on 2,4-liter machines with leather interior
List of standard equipment
Equipment R1 (2.4 L Engine):
ABS with electronic brake distribution
Amplifier emergency braking
Frontal and front side airbags
Fastening for children's armchaks of Isofix
headlight washer
Fog lights
Automatic inclusion of headlights and overall lights (illumination sensor)
Rain sensor
Immobilizer
Climate control
Electric windows
Mirrors with electric adjustment, folding and heating
Central castle with Du
Cassette / CD magnetol with 6 speakers and remote control on the steering wheel
On-board computer
Heating front seats
Steering column adjustable tilt
Driving chair with adjustable lumbar support, height and angle of tilt pillows
Make-up mirrors with backlit from the driver and passenger
Folding in the proportion 40:60 rear sofa
Velor interior with wood trim
Leather trim
Light alloy wheels with tires 215/60 R16
Equipment R2 (2.4 L engine) additionally:
Front and rear parking sensors
Electric drive front seats
Leather Salon
Equipment R1 (engine 3.0 liters v6) additionally:
Window airbags
VSC dynamic stabilization system
TRC anti-test system
Internal mirror with automatic darkening
Cruise control
Sunscreen in front of the rear glass
Outside and inside
But if I saw who the portrait of the princess, would not be envied Louis. Eh, Alla Borisovna with your mouth ... But the need to be impartial forces to agree with Mikhail Shafutinsky, who claims that there are no ugly women with so-so-so-so.
In fact, Camry appearance is simply too Americanized. And this, you see, an amateur. The model was created primarily for the US market. Hence the disproportical body silhouette with long skes and shifted out the interior, lush molds and smooth surfaces with a minimum detail. Put the bbw Camry next to some Oldsmobil or Chrysler you can not say that a foreign car.
The interior is resolved in deliberately simple, concise style. However, in contrast to the appearance, there is already some hint of the noble breed. From the salons of American classmates, the internal decoration of Camry is fundamentally distinguished by the highest quality assembly, a scrupulous study of parts and more solid finishing materials. It is not surprising that this car is so popular overseas. Camry is almost one hundred percent American, only incomparably better.
Huge make-up mirror, massive cover True America
Above the intra-alone mirror
The glove box is wide enough, but not very capacious
Unfortunately, Camry's focus on the overseas market is also manifested in a variety of budgets by the standards of the European business class of solutions. For example, one-room climate control. Seat heating without intensity regulator. There are only six speakers of the audio system. And the wooden decoration of the cabin is a frank plastic.
For rear passengers Adjustable ventilation deflectors
In addition to boxing armrest, the floor console contains universal cup holders and a tray for trifles
Mirror folding electric drive already in the basic configuration
Of course, by and large all these are little things. But if you are brought up on prestigious European cars, let even used, definitely pay attention to them. That's just from the manifestations of snobism there is one very effective medicine. Recall the price of Camry again. Well, who from European firms will offer you almost five meters of iron, a huge interior and a full all-inclusive equipment for only $ 30,00040,000? And such a price must explain something.
Switches of the dynamic stabilization system and parking sensors are driven to the bottom of the torpedo. Use it uncomfortable
The rear armrest flashes with no covered cup holders. Holy simplicity
Magnetol accepts CDs, and cassettes
The automatic for today's standards is a simple total 4-speed, without manual switching mode. But it works very gently and adequately
By the way, about the cabin. Camry, according to his status, should be successfully acting as a car personal staff for the passenger. Well, behind the car expected spacious in width can be pressed without problems even threesome, and the planting-landing process of difficulties does not cause doorways wide and high. It is only surprising in the car in a car of such a level of reading lamps and a frequency armrest deprived of the built-in boxing, with unfinished wells of the cup holders. But we agreed to not pay attention to the little things.
Behind the wheel
For the first time I meet in the business class model such a high landing of the driver almost like in a minivan. People at the age will seem very comfortable (and I, despite my 34, partly share this opinion). However, hesitated at the sports low, with straight legs, almost vertical back and lowered down the battered ranges of adjustments do not allow. Yes, it seems that Camry's character is not drivers.
This is evidenced by amorphous, without tangible lateral support front seats. Perhaps they are designed for typical American anatomy of size XXX ... XL. I with my L-XL in rapid turns felt in them, as in Kaftan from the Barsky shoulder. In addition to the shapeless chairs, two more small flags were found in ergonomics. Uncomfortable buttons for disabling the dynamic stabilization system and parking sensors, as well as the glasses of the dashboard with a certain illumination. But it is really little things.
But the rest of the ergonomics is almost flawless. Unlike expensive German cars, in Camry there is no more complex control system for secondary functions, in the multi-level menu of which it will be broken in the multi-level menu. Thanks to this, you can sit in the car and immediately go. And from the first meters of the journey there is a feeling that you are already familiar with the car so conveniently arranged and all controls work logically. People who are not so young and promoted to choose Pepsi (exactly as Camry is addressed), it will definitely like it.
Controls
1. Power window buttons, internal central locking lock, remote control and folding mirrors. 2. Dynamic stabilization system switches and parking sensors. 3. Rear fog lamp switches and headlight washer, headlight corrector, instrument illumination knob. 4. Remote control audio system. 5. Side computer control panel. 6. Cruise control. 7. Display of onboard computer and clock. 8. CD / cassette radio. 9. Alarm switcher. 10. Climate control. 11. Seat heating switches. 12. Socket 12 V.
Dashboard
1. Coolant temperature pointer. 2. Tachometer. 3. The indicator of the position of the ACP selector. 4. Speedometer. 5. Run meter. 6. Fuel level index.
From the area of \u200b\u200bmodern technologies, Camri got only an optimal instrument panel, which is a black hole that flashes the lunar light after turning on the ignition. Cool! Lunar tidy does not want to turn off.
The visibility is quite decent. Thanks to the high landing, the hood is visible almost to the edges. Mirrors are large enough. And the rear head restraints are completely interrelated and almost do not overlap the window. Nevertheless, the parking sensor is almost a 5-meter liner. It appears normally on the 2.4-liter version, starting with the R2 configuration. Moreover, double-sided parking sensors (sensors are located in both bumpers), with the possibility of shutdown.
Security Kamry Camry's crash tests did not undergo in Europe, the model is sold in meager quantities. But according to the results of similar tests in America (USNCAP), the car was awarded the highest rating. However, just a 3-liter version equipped with six air-beans can be repeated. 2.4-liter modifications supplied to Russia for some reason are devoid of window curtains. Sorry, but in business class cars, it is simply unacceptable to save safety. And this is a question for the Russian representative office of Toyota.
The second question concerns the lack of 2,4-liter versions of the system of dynamic stabilization. However, the more or less convincing answer to it we know in advance: the 2.4-liter engine is not as powerful so that the electronic collar is for him a necessity. But after all, you can lose control over the machine not only from excess thrust. And the owner of the prestigious car has the right to feel protected in any road situations.
For the carriage of children in special armters on the back sofa, the standard of Isofix stands are provided (which, however, does not interfere with the use of crushers with conventional fasteners). But the front passenger airbag is not turned off. Therefore, the instruction prohibits installing a children's chair on the right front seat, unfolded back.
We ship suitcases
Thanks to the displaced forward, the salon and the high feed is a luggage bag with Camry turned out to be a huge 520 liters. At the same time, it is not badly planned and allows you to transport a long-term sofa backing the sofa in the ratio of 40:60. True, the window between the cabin and the trunk is not enough. But nevertheless it is good. Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi for the possibility of transformation of at least $ 500 degree.
By the way, the sofas backs are equipped with duplicate blocks that are activated from the trunk. By setting them to the Lock position and locked the trunk on the key, you will additionally secure a valuable swinging. Now, breaking the glass, penetrate the trunk from the salon will not work.
Camry trunk is just a huge. That's just the opening in the bottom of the narrow
Transformed trunk. For a car purchased in private use, this is an important moment.
But for some reason, the lid of the trunk is deprived of the inner handle (again saved on matches?). And if it is unlocked from the cabin, then close the dirty cover still has to hand.
Dimensions of the car, mm
Salon dimensions, mm
On the roads ... He knew old Andersen, how to distinguish a real princess! If my eyes tied up, I would think that I would eat in the biggest Mercedes. Because for business class car smoothness is completely unreal. Approximately 120 km / h car just boil over asphalt. The suspension is painless and silently swallows absolutely all I have just not tried open hatches on the shock absorber. The motor is also not heard. Up to 4000 revolutions, even in kick-down mode, some intangible force carries a car. And after four thousand to the salon, only muffled, delicious baritone breaks through. The machine, the gift that the modest 4-speed, works so smoothly and adequately that its presence also remains unnoticed. What are there $ 40,000 there? The comfort of Camry is driving at least $ 80,000! She is a real, one hundred percent princess. Only dressed in a modest dress from the American supermarket.
And only when you start to inflate the tempo, Idilly gradually collapses. After 120 km / h in the area of \u200b\u200bthe middle racks of the body sharply breaks down the energetic aerodynamic noise as if the side glass fell. At about the same time, a stacker on the waves of asphalt appears, the steering wheel in rapid turns is empty and the thin connection of the driver-road starts to be lost. In principle, handling remains reliable and predictable. However, going actively on Camry is not interesting. The car is removed from you and keeps at a distance. Well, it is explained. High riding comfort and minted driving categories are almost always incompatible.
But if you perceive Camri as an ideal car for comfortable movement in space (and this statement is close to truth), the ABS sports settings and dynamic stabilization systems are surprised. The standard brake modes are very effective and convenient to manage. But when there is an emergency to beat on the pedals, ABS enters into action very late on the asphalt remains black stripes with rare proposals. I think, in part, because of this, the car sharply shakes towards an emergency braking on a mixture (for example, when the right wheels come to the gravel side of the sidelines). The dynamic stabilization system DSC reactions are also like a chess player. During the test, I repeatedly imitated the loss of control over the machine. But I rarely managed to make myself waiting until DSC stretches the help hand. In most cases, the nerves handed over before and I myself began to pull out the car. Then why do you need DSC?
I suppose the reasons for such inconsistencies should be sought in the market priorities of Camry. The car was created primarily for America and taught ride as accepted in this country, comfortable and leisurely. But the driver values \u200b\u200bare promoted there (that is, to spend money on the filigree convection of driving qualities) is meaningless consumers will not appreciate anyway. For them, the main thing is that ABS and DSC are in the property inventory. And in order to seriously revise the mechanics and the chassis electronics for Europe are not the volume of sales of Camry in the old world. And an indirect proof of the car turns out of very good in mediocre just on the speeds of velocities or modes ... Finally, the choice of motors. Of course, the 3-liter V6 rides powerfully and noble. And in a good way, the real business class car must be equipped with just such an engine. But the 159-strong 2.4-liter motor is not a mistake. For its volume (and most importantly, for its price), he is lucky very thoroughly. In addition, we found out that Kamry's character is not at all sports. Therefore, if I had to buy a car for my blood, I could hardly overpay $ 6,000 for the V6 engine and a slightly better configuration. However, to argue about it, before buying Camry, you must first dorat.
... and without them
It is clear that the owner of the business class sedan does not particularly worry off the off-road abilities of his car. But in our conditions, even the departure from the yard littered with snow can turn into a trial trace. For such adventures, Camri is adapted significantly better than most classmates. The joke of whether the ground clearance is 175 mm like other parquets. With such long legs, you can even turn to the primer, which leads to the forest or water. True, it is necessary to remember the long skes of the body and low hanging exhaust pipe in the rear wheel area. In addition, for confident ride on our roads it is desirable to establish the protection of the engine compartment.
But even more than the lumen, the suspension is striking the energy intensity. On a broken rubble grader, according to which everything sneaks at a speed of 1020 km / h, Camry allows you to keep all 3040. Of course, no one says that it is necessary to mock so much. But where other cars are already embroidered by other cars, Camry even the beer belly does not dare to worry.
Operation, service
Camry is distributed standard for Japanese cars a factory warranty in three years or 100,000 km of run. And this is good. It is bad that interservice intervals make up only 10,000 km instead of the generally accepted 15,000 km. Not only that every extra visit to the service will take money and time with you (the latter loss for owners of expensive cars is especially unpleasant). So also service is overloaded from this. When only 19 Toyota technical centers work throughout Russia, it is not surprising that with such large sales volumes on a planned one, it is necessary to record already in three weeks. It remains only to guess to whom and why such unreasonably short intersavice intervals are needed.
In consolation, you can only say that you will probably have to deal with the service only about the scheduled maintenance (or, God forbid, body repair). Usually in the heading we buy a car, we are not talking about it, but Camry managed to establish yourself as a very reliable and trouble-free car.
We liked
Ease of landing on the rear sofa due to high doorways
Rear head restraints in a non-working position take off and do not overlap
The headlight washer is turned on separately from the glass washer
And:
Phenomenal smoothness
Pacific Motor
Favorable price / equipment ratio
We did not like
Many budget decisions: single-union climate control, seats heating without an intensity regulator, cheap pseudo-shaped finish, etc.
Window security curtains only in the 3-liter version
Amorphous front seats
And:
Aerodynamic noises after 120 km / h
Small interservice interval
Toyota Camry V6.
Total information
Body (number of places / doors)
Sedan (5/4)
Curb weight, kg
1520.
Full weight, kg
2015.
Speed, km / h
225.
Acceleration 0-100 km / h, with
9,1
Fuel consumption, l / 100 km highway / city
8.3 / 15.7
Fuel reserve
70.
Engine
Location
Front cross
Design
petrol, 6-cylinder, V-shaped, with four top camshafts
Number of valves on the cylinder
4
Diam. cylinder x piston stroke, mm
87,5x83.
Working volume, SMZ
2995.
Compression ratio
10.5: 1.
Power, hp at rpm
186/5300.
Torque, kgmm at rpm
27.8 / 4300.
Chassis
Drive unit
on the front wheels
Transmission
automatic, 4-speed
Gear ratios I; II; III; IV; Z.Kh.
2.93; 2.2; 1.41; 1.02; 3,15
main gear
2,81.
Suspension:
Independent, spring, with transverse stability stabilizers
in front
Type Mac Foodson
behind
Multi-type
Steering
Rack type with amplifier
Brakes:
Disk, ventilated front
Tires
215/60 R16
Prices for spare parts and then $
TO1 (10 000 km) 190
TO2 (20 000 km) 280
TO3 (30 000 km) 190
Oil filter 15.
Air filter 25.
Filter Fuel 41.
Ignition Candle (1 pc.) 16
Brake Front Pads / Rear 91/58
Tip steering thrust 79
Steering thrust 130.
Ballery Lower 69
Front shock absorber / rear 91/58
Front wing / rear 213/425
Hood 447.
Front door 442.
Rear door 397.
Front bumper assembly (facing and amplifier) \u200b\u200b457
Rear bumper assembly (facing and amplifier) \u200b\u200b490
Windshield 362.
Side glass 183.
Front headlight assembly 268
Rear lamp assembled 120
We decided:
The attractiveness of Camry is based on four components: the reputation of the brand, riding comfort, reliability and price. But that you like this car, you must favorably perceive Japanese cars created for America, and be a calm driver.
Alexander Konov, Maxim Goncharov
A source: Journal buy cars [13/2005]
