Camry?

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: cmf
I also don't think Toyota manufacturers the parts in America, it's just assembled here. Assembly is mostly automated, and again it's the quality control that matters.


Since you brought it up, the Camry is built in Georgetown, KY, and has 80% or higher domestic content, which is higher than any other midsize sedan to my knowledge. The Fusion is technically an import, not because it's built in Mexico, but because it has less than 50% domestic content (more like 20-30% as I understand).



The profits still go to Toyota in Japan. I did not mention the Ford. I DO look at the content % when I buy a vehicle. At least Ford is an American company that in the long run should be better for the US. Remember the Corporate structure and administrative offices of the American companies provide many jobs in this country too.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Well again, since it was brought up, johnachak, I didn't say you mentioned the Ford; someone else did, the one to whom I replied. And to be clear, Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. is a public company, as is Ford Motor Company. Profits go to shareholders, not to a specific country.

This is really getting off-topic though. The OP asked for experiences with the Camry. Let's not turn this thread into something it wasn't intended to be.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: cmf
I also don't think Toyota manufacturers the parts in America, it's just assembled here. Assembly is mostly automated, and again it's the quality control that matters.


Since you brought it up, the Camry is built in Georgetown, KY, and has 80% or higher domestic content, which is higher than any other midsize sedan to my knowledge. The Fusion is technically an import, not because it's built in Mexico, but because it has less than 50% domestic content (more like 20-30% as I understand).


What is the point of some cherry picked argument?

The facts are out there...if you look a little deeper than the top ten or some cherry picked models.

Of the 58 cars assembled in NA with domestic content of 75% or higher...Eight(8) of them are built by foreign based manufacturers, the other fifty(50) are all produced by Detroit based manufacturers.

Of the 140 models available with 10% or less domestic content...one hundred sixteen(116) of them are built by foreign based manufacturers, the other twenty four(24) are produced by Detroit based manufacturers.

Whether it matters to any particular buyer is completely up to them, its their money they can do with it as they please. But lets not purposely distort the real big picture with slivers of reality, cherry picked for that precise purpose.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Well again, since it was brought up, johnachak, I didn't say you mentioned the Ford; someone else did, the one to whom I replied. And to be clear, Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. is a public company, as is Ford Motor Company. Profits go to shareholders, not to a specific country.

This is really getting off-topic though. The OP asked for experiences with the Camry. Let's not turn this thread into something it wasn't intended to be.


Well, again, since you cant seem to just leave it alone and persist in posting half truths....NO...You are simply flat out wrong again.

You may have a point in regard to the net profits, they do get distributed...but what happens to the gross profits...ie those cash revenues that are earned against sales, those gross profits are assigned to many different areas of the business. Sure a small portion ends up as net profits, but a large part is reinvested into the company. R&D, engineering, marketing....all those jobs in offices get funded by those gross profits....long before the net profits are announced. Look at total employment numbers for engineers and other white color employees for a real look at the truth
It's not all about the net profits...it's also a important factor to consider where the bulk of R&D and other company functions are taking place and where that investment is made. Then again, if you or some buyer doesn't care in the least, so be it...like I said it's their money.

Now, I'm sure you and others will chastise me for taking this thread even further off topic...but the solution is simple....if you stop posting your simplified versions of reality, I'll stop correcting you...it's up to you, and you alone.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Geez, seriously? cmf brought up the Fusion, I didn't. He claimed (incorrectly) that Toyota imported parts in from elsewhere, I didn't. johnachak brought up the "profits" topic, I didn't. I didn't bring bring up the topic of who makes more domestically-produced cars, you did. We're not talking about 58 different models here. We're talking about mainstream midsize sedans.

I agree with you that cherry-picked arguments aren't helpful to the original topic, but the thing is, I'm not making them. In fact, if you read my previous post, I think it'd be real nice if this topic could stay ON topic.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
Now, I'm sure you and others will chastise me for taking this thread even further off topic.


I'm not going to chastise you for it, nor will I argue with you; I'll just quit posting. People of good will can agree to disagree without losing their cool. Good day sir.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: warrior
Originally Posted By: johnachak
Chevy Cruze? Or a Malibu?


GM went out of business for a very good reason. Stay far,far away from any GM product. Stick with Honda. I personnaly prefer the accord to camry. Most honda's are made in the USA. Many GM's made in MEXICO. JMO...


Hokie....why is it that only the people who responded to this post get an argument out of you? Why didn't you step in and let this misguided, uninformed poster know that we should stick to the topic? Why wait for those who respond to the tripe to step in?

This is the post that started this thread going off topic...but it didn't seem to warrant a response from you(or the mods) until someone else stepped in and called it out...why is that?

 

[johnachak]

johnachak brought up the "profits" topic, I didn't. I didn't bring bring up the topic of who makes more domestically-produced cars, you did. We're not talking about 58 different models here. We're talking about mainstream midsize sedans.quote

I merely mentioned this:

Chevy Cruze? Or a Malibu?

and I got a tirade on why GM was Bad and Honda is good and then the American car slamming started. I should not have tried to defend my idea, obviously.

The original poster mentioned he would consider a Cobalt. Obviously at least he took my comment as intended.
The Cruze seems to be a big improvement and it is right in the type / size of vehicle he is looking. I wonder if it has a manual available??? I do know the drivetrain has the 100000 mile warranty that seems pretty standard in this vehicle class.
It's only 5 years though.

 

[supton]

I've thought about the Eco Cruze, it sounds interesting. But want to wait it out, until the bugs are shown for what they are (who knows, maybe it'll be a great deal used, once shown to not have issues *and* after the depreciation hit occurs). Eco comes in stick, so as to get the high mpg's; but oddly enough they made the gas tank smaller than the standard Cruze, which is kinda annoying if you ask me.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I'll be glad to tell you why, LS2JSTS. That post by warrior was mostly opinion. He stated that he didn't like GM and his preference for the Accord over the Camry. You can't argue someone's opinion. That'd be like you saying that your favorite car color is blue and me saying that's dumb for such-and-such a reason. In fact, you'll note that I've spoken up numerous times in GM's defense in Nick R's thread about his new cars, because I've had excellent service from the GM vehicles I've owned. So though I disagree with what warrior said, it's opinion vs. opinion, which I don't like to do.

I spoke up when cmf mentioned that Toyota doesn't manufacture the Camry parts in America. Because the Toyota Camry IS the original topic here, I responded that Toyota does manufacture parts here.

Then the conversation started veering toward where profits go and all that, and that's been discussed AD NAUSEUM on this board, and there are plenty of other threads to read on that. So that's why I called for the topic to remain on-topic, because the "profits" rabbit hole is often non-ending, and often gets threads locked, which the OP probably wouldn't appreciate because all he was asking for is feedback on a Toyota Camry.

 

[LS2JSTS]

This is an opinion?

"Most honda's are made in the USA. Many GM's made in MEXICO. JMO... "

I agree with you in the larger sense...but it's statements like this that should expect a response in any thread...regardless of whether it's an owners thread or off topic. This is a statement of fact that is based in nothing more than an uninformed consuemrs mind.

 

[johnachak]

Originally Posted By: supton
Eco comes in stick, so as to get the high mpg's; but oddly enough they made the gas tank smaller than the standard Cruze, which is kinda annoying if you ask me.


I agree completely. In another thread one poster bought the regular Cruz over the Eco for just that reason. I often wonder if it has to do with the many people who like to say how little it costs to fill up their car. I see that you and your wife actually follow how much actual mileage you get. Many people are preoccupied with the under $30 fillup. Then there are those when you ask hows the mileage and they say I dont know but It costs me $60 to fill the thing up and that isn't good.

Sorry if I triggered stuff that messed up your thread.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS
I agree with you in the larger sense...but it's statements like this that should expect a response in any thread...regardless of whether it's an owners thread or off topic. This is a statement of fact that is based in nothing more than an uninformed consuemrs mind.


I agree, and dishdude had already corrected the facts on where the Cruze and Malibu are made before I had ever read the topic, so I didn't respond to that post.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: Mustang_Cougar
Originally Posted By: mpvue
...the '12 has the 2.5 and 6 speed just like the Mazda3.

Unfortunately, the M/T is only available w/the "Sport" trim, the lowest of the three (Sport, Touring & Grand Touring). Thus, if you want the sill extensions, nicer wheels, hatch spoiler, Bluetooth (amongst other items), you have to forgo the Sport and get the A/T-only Touring or GT. Note: The A/T is shiftable, though I'm not sure it's especially useful (and no paddles, only gate).

Also, with the furthest seats up, there is virtually no storage space. In our situation (two little kids), it's not a problem 99% of the time; that said, I'll probably be buying a rear hitch and basket carrier for the occasional road trip. It is a fun car to drive though...peppy, if not powerful and tracks really well (independent rear suspension), w/decent gas mileage (I'm getting ~25 w/AC on). Very happy w/this purchase so far!

M_C

all the important stuff (drivetrain, wheels, suspension, keyless entry, A/C, power windows/locks) is the SAME on all models, so to me, all the other stuff is fluff. as long as I've got alloy wheels, power windows, A/C and a CD player, I'm good

yes, storage space is quite minimal, so for long trips we use a roof box.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: supton
25mpg, that would bug the wife. 36mpg down to 25 would bother her in principle, although she'd probably get over eventually. She also doesn't want fancy wheels--17" rims are lost on us, although I haven't priced rubber lately. Don't forget, we'd need to immediately buy snow tires (Nokian WR's sorta work, but not well enough in our opinion). But I guess even if came with 17" rims we could get 16" (or 15"?) rimes and snows?

We very rarely chat on the phone period, so no Bluetooth is fine; unless if the spoiler adds mpg's she wouldn't want that either. iPod connection, keyless entry, and auto up/down windows--now those are options she'd want. Why can't that be standard on all cars now, just like a/c?

That's one of our issues with the Mazda5--once you put the seats up you have no cargo capacity. If you're getting 25mpg it seems to be only a 3mpg (10%) or so hit plus another 10k for a minivan; out here parking isn't a problem (no city issues). That's one of our hangups; it's so close yet not quite.

25mpg is MIXED local driving; hwy is around 30. I don't think you'll find a regular minivan doing close to that in mixed driving.
btw, my numbers are real world, what I've experienced in the last 2 yrs, not what is published.
but whatever. the vehicle works for me, YMMV.

 

[Autobahn88]

Well, Toyota just announced a big expansion at their Canadian plant that will translate into the hiring of up to 500 new good paying Canadian jobs. At least they are contributing to our economy.

 

[SkyGod]

I've had my 2011 Camry about 1 year,just past 25,000 miles.
Bad little 2.5/4.
Passing is effortless going from 60-80 in just a few seconds.
Doesn't get noticed by the cops...much.
Just got nailed for 83 in a 55 passing a hay truck.
Mileage is consistent 30 mpg,mostly rural roads.

 

[cmf]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Geez, seriously? cmf brought up the Fusion, I didn't. He claimed (incorrectly) that Toyota imported parts in from elsewhere, I didn't.


Are you serious? "I don't think" is hardly claiming anything; I worded it that way because my knowledge of where Toyota's parts come from for that factory is severely dated. I appreciate that you corrected me because the truth is what's important.

I also never said the Fusion was a domestic product. I was saying it rates high on dependability recently and is a product made in Mexico. Actually, "Made in Mexico" indicates that it's not a domestic product but I'll cut you some slack since reading comprehension doesn't seem to be one of your strong points.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: cmf
Actually, "Made in Mexico" indicates that it's not a domestic product...


To my understanding, the factory of final assembly being in Mexico does not disqualify a vehicle from being "domestic". It can still be a "domestic" product if it's made in Mexico, if its domestic parts content is high enough.

 

[supton]

Meh, my brother works for (worked at?) the Louisville plant for a few years, and my parents live a town over. No doubt they benefit from the plant. That's my only comment on this murky topic.

I think the wife will go out and test drive some cars. I might too, today, as I have to watch one kid and I don't know what else we might do for the day. I hate car shopping (well shopping in general) but it's necessity of life I guess.