Am I getting old? (2012 Camry Content)

[EdRacer71]

Really, am I? So I like the Camry. That is a phrase I thought I would never utter in my entire life! I have always thought of them as point a to point b cars. But this new Camry SE....I really like it! I took a friend and his wife to the airport on Friday, and will be picking them up again next Friday, and he offered me the use of his car while he is away in exchange for the shuttle service. So I have been driving this car since Saturday, and I gotta say I am impressed. It handles well, has decent power, a great nav/bluetooth/stereo system that was easy to synch even for someone who's never done it before. The seats are comfortable and supportive, and the heated seats are great for me right now, as I pulled some back muscles last week. Add to it, I even like the looks of this car, inside and out...hand stitched leather on the dash is a great touch. The car in question is just like the one below, color, wheels and everything.



So is this it for me? Am I crazy, or am I going to have to start pulling my socks up to my calves and wearing sans-a-belt shorts?

[MZMDCM99]

I find them good looking as well.

Haven't driven one yet, though.

[Tiny4cyl]

Front bumper needs work

[BRealistic]

Parked in handicapped?

But serious time.

As you get older and shop for new family oriented vehicles, you become part of a major demographic.
Everybody likes to think they are youthful and edgy just like everybody else... but at some point you and others like you become a group with major buying power.
And that means companies will target your dollars, and design vehicles to appeal to you.

Sucks, don't it?

[EdRacer71]

Parked in handicapped?

But serious time.

As you get older and shop for new family oriented vehicles, you become part of a major demographic.
Everybody likes to think they are youthful and edgy just like everybody else... but at some point you and others like you become a group with major buying power.
And that means companies will target your dollars, and design vehicles to appeal to you.

Sucks, don't it?

Well...the scary part about that is I don't have a family. Hell, I don't even have a serious girlfriend at the moment. Scaring me even more is the fact that I am thinking of replacing my GTI with a mk5 Jetta Wagon. Mind you, a FR-S will soon be in the works as well....but, wow!

Oh yeah, the picture above isn't mine. I am a responsible adult and would never park in a handicap space, even for just taking a picture! Wait, did I just say I am a responsible adult? Sheesh!

[chrismkay3]

no you aren't getting old. the new camry is pretty sharp and a good all around car. no shame in liking one, i also like the new camry.

unless i'm getting really old, and by comparison you are young compared to me... OMG I'm getting old!!!

[classicjetta]

I was just pondering the other day how a '12 Camry hybrid would be a really good fit for me. Although it's still a bit bland, it's considerably less so than any previous model.

[rlfletch]

Well, you clearly need glasses if you find that car attractive so, yes, you are getting old. 1991 called they want their tacky skirts back.

[c0mmon]

i seen one today while i was taking a walk and said, damn that looks pretty freaking good for a family sedan. Both the headlights and tail lights were aggressive but not over-bearing. Combine that with the perception this car will treat you well over its lifetime it's kinda easy to like

[2.0T_Convert]

I think it looks edgy and fresh but unlike a Sonata I think it will still look fresh even 5-10 years from now.

[87Euro]

About 3 weeks ago, loaded and nice with the v6 in it, I haven't seen it yet but headed to La in about a month to drop off my kids, so I'll drive it around there - then they are bringing my kids back over after the month they are spending over there, we will line them up;-)

My dad got me into drag racing back in the day so should be fun

[Inspector Detector]

Oh no, the Family Camry

[EdRacer71]

Oh no, the Family Camry

was that someone wearing a Klan hood and tighty whiteys jumping on the left at the end of the video?

[adrew]

This is the best old Camry commercial:

[invisiblewar]

I think its a pretty nice looking car. Im 22, about to be 23. I never liked the last generation though, especially the rear, the new generations rear is just lightyears better.

[RobMarkToo]

wow, and I had totally forgot about the "who could ask for anything more" jumping in the air at the end of the commercial thing they did that for the entire 80s I think.

[dcmix5]

My wife had a Camry just like that one in the second commercial.

I am proud to say that I totaled the living **** out of that thing one Friday evening. The hood flipped open and smashed the windshield and everything.

[Burnette]

First thing I thought when I saw the pictuye of the grey Camry in the Op's post was, "doesn't that Camry look just like it a 2007 model"? Except for the headlights it's essentially the same outside. For me the design suffers from the Pontiac-ish "bell bottom" look, the aero kit is too flaired at the bottom, making the wheels/tires look tiny and inset.
I hear you on the heated seats (I have them on my car, nice to have). It seems that the interior amenities are what really have captured you. Maybe you are getting, lets say, more refined in your automotive needs.
You can get those same things in a nicer looking wrapper though.
But hey, they sell a ton of Camrys and Accords for a reason, decent cars, decent looks, decent prices. They hit the middle of the market. You're not getting old, you've just become an average American car buyer!

[Mabe]

I'm 31. 10-13 years ago I drove a slammed MK2 VW with rock hard suspension, stripped interior and loud exhaust. Last month I puchased a reasonable 7 pass SUV with a good warranty.

I also no longer slam coors light but now sip craft beer. On the plus side, my pay check last month was larger my entire tax return when I was 20 and I have friendly interactions with police.

[Shin Akuma]

Looks like a TSX, it's cool I guess.

[nerdnac]

I just traded in my 2001 SE model, couldn't wait to get rid of it. Lots of rattles and squeeks inside and the paint was going downhill fast. What threw me over the top was 3 random rust spots popped up on the roof. I have a 2006 Sonata and 2007 Ram that haven't had as many issues as the Camry had in less than 2 years.

The best thing I can say about it was it did hold value well, 33,000 miles on the clock and it cost me less than 14 cents/mile to own. Not bad for a new car (Pais $20k, got 15.5k on trade).

[Zstampe]

I love the 12 Camry se's! I'm 27, with a wife and a newborn daughter though. My best friend bought this car brand new and I've loved it since he bought it.

[AQ]

I just traded in my 2001 SE model, couldn't wait to get rid of it. Lots of rattles and squeeks inside and the paint was going downhill fast. What threw me over the top was 3 random rust spots popped up on the roof. I have a 2006 Sonata and 2007 Ram that haven't had as many issues as the Camry had in less than 2 years.

The best thing I can say about it was it did hold value well, 33,000 miles on the clock and it cost me less than 14 cents/mile to own. Not bad for a new car (Pais $20k, got 15.5k on trade).

2001 or 2011?

[CWmk6gti]

they look alright but if you think there quick there not.. but its a family mans car so who needs quick.. do it!

[BsickPassat]

Well, you clearly need glasses if you find that car attractive so, yes, you are getting old. 1991 called they want their tacky skirts back.

the rocker panel trim in 1991 was just black... nothing tacky about it. At least the 2012 SE won't rust out like the old 2nd gen Camry did... I know... I had one.

the 2012 SE is attractive to me... more so than the rest of the lineup.

[BsickPassat]

they look alright but if you think there quick there not.. but its a family mans car so who needs quick.. do it!

... the V6 is pretty quick. somewhere from 5.8 to 6.5 seconds 0-60, depending on the test....

if that's not quick... then your sporty MK6 GTI isn't quick either.

[DowNnOuTDubin]

I had to use a 09' Camey rental once when my GTI was in the body shop.. I really disliked driving it, just felt very stale to drive. I'm also looking at into getting a wagon, but still don't think I could handle a camera, unless it was a all-trac Camry.

[stascom]

I see a minivan in your future...

[vdubspeed]

lol

[EdRacer71]

I see a minivan in your future...

that will NEVER happen!

[Fe2O3]

that will NEVER happen!

Famous last words
But seriously, the Camry is among the unbeatable in reliability and long distance driving comfort.
If these cars had horrible reliability that required you virtually reside in dealer service centers, TCL would be all over them.

[WoodOne337]

Yes, you are getting old. Go drive a nice Audi or VW. You will still be OLD, but you will feel young.

[masa8888]

The new Camry is a very decent car, but there are much better options out there if you want a driver's car with some creature comforts. Going from a Mk3 GTI to a new Camry will feel like stepping into a luxury car, but that's only because the Mk3 is so outdated in comparison. I had 3 mk3's back in the day, and I remembered getting a new Buick LaCrosse rental (2004 model) and I felt like I stepped into the most refined vehicle on the planet. Now I get to drive new cars from different makes regularly and I feel like I lost the rose-colored glasses. Bottom line, go out there and test drive a bunch of new cars and report back.

That said, the new Camry looks sharp though I feel like they've cheapened the interior every generation since 1992.

[EdRacer71]

cheapened?

[vdubspeed]

You're selling yourself.

I can already hear it...

"I took my friend to the airport in his Sienna...WOW! I never thought I would like it but the leg room is awesome. It had TONS of room and was even peppy. Kind of reminds me of the old VR I had in my mk3."

Go ahead bro...die a little...it's okay