If you did not buy a Volvo....

[jblackburn]

I never drove the ECO model - they didn't have one on the lot at the time, but that would probably be the route I go. I drove a LS with the 1.8 NA engine, and a 2LT with the 1.4T and automatic. I was pretty impressed with even the LS (base) model - it was pretty nicely equipped for a small car. My only complaint is that you can't get freaking cruise control on the stick UNLESS you get the automatic or ECO model.

The new TDI (I drove a Golf with it in a manual) is a torque monster from a stop. Stab the gas and it just accelerates smoothly and quickly. It's no rocketship, but you can barely tell it's a diesel either unless you're resting your foot on the clutch pedal waiting to change gear again and feel the vibration. VW's 5-cylinder is very torquey as well (unlike our 5-cylinder motors). The new Jetta drives pretty nice, but the interior does feel cheap. Not as cheap as the 2012 Civic, though. Yuck.

[FCPEURO]

I do like the TDi engines that VW have. And I also agree that the new Jetta is cheap compared to the old one, which is why I would not buy the new model. I would rather spend money on an off lease used one.

[jblackburn]

So, after months of shopping around, I've found the new car I'm going to buy.

And you're not going to believe what it is...even I can't believe that I like this car as much as I do.

Around town, it's docile and quiet, soaking up bumps and potholes with ease. Very little engine or road noise comes through, and you can't feel the 6-speed automatic change gears at all. It's perfectly happy to get up and move from stoplight to stoplight with ease and with the air conditioning on - something the T5 Volvo has ALWAYS struggled with from its terrible 1st gear ratio. I felt like the Ford Fusion was kind of slow too in the same scenario.

The interior is very nice - one of the nicest I have seen in a normal midsize car. Everything's well laid out, and to my surprise, nothing feels cheap like most cars nowadays do (especially the Japanese ones)

Mash the pedal down on the highway on-ramp, in a split second, 4-cylinder engine pipes up and easily gets up to 75 mph by the top of the ramp. I was keeping up with a V8 Tundra going up the ramp (and those things are quick!). 80 mph is insanely smooth and feels like you're doing about 50 - I was completely surprised when I looked down.

But I think that the thing that put the biggest grin on my face was when I dropped it into "Sport" mode with the manual shift mode and threw it around some curves. To me, there is absolutely no point in buying a mundane car that just can't make you smile. It might not have the torque pulling out of corners like the T5 does when you floor the gas, but the transmission is geared just right to where I was coming out of corners at 40 mph and close to 4500 RPM (the Volvo's turbo lag is horrible from that speed and in 2nd gear), the engine was right in the power band, and the handling is EVERY BIT as good as the S70's - something I haven't really found in ANY other sedan besides the Mazda3.

That's right ladies and gentlemen, it was a 2012 Toyota Camry. The LE (base) model, even. I'll probably go for the SE 4-cyl model in blue or red (a bit sportier looks and suspension/tire upgrades), but even the LE's handling was great!

What astounds me is that it's...well...a Camry. And I liked it. I've hated just about every other Toyota I've ever driven...a 2003 Tacoma (total piece of crap excuse for a truck), 1994 and 2001 Camrys, 2007 Corolla, 2005 Highlander, Lexus ES300, and my girlfriend's 2002 Camry V6. Even my parents 2007 Honda Accord is pretty bleh. But this is seriously a good car.

2012-toyota-camry-se-pictures-side-view-3.jpg (175.97 KiB) Viewed 809 times

For comparison, I've also test driven:

• 2011 Civic - awful
• 2012 Civic - still awful
• 2012 Chevy Cruze (really like, but it's slow)
• 2012 Ford Fusion (nice car, but a loud engine and stupid transmission)
• 2012 Ford Focus
• 2011 Chevy Malibu
• 2005 Civic (loved it; almost bought it when my transmission died)
• 2011 VW Jetta
• 2011 VW Golf TDI
• 2012 Hyundai Elantra
• 2012 Hyundai Sonata

[FCPEURO]

I had a feeling when I saw the top of the dash that it was the new Camry. My girlfriend has the 2010 Camry SE 4 cylinder and besides the engine, I hate her car. But, from what I have read about the new Camry is that they fixed all of the issues that the last gen version had. So, after reading your review of it, I am ok with her getting another Camry when her lease is up.

[obayha]

Well, I'll put my .02 worth in and say that my third(not driven much) auto is a 82 Toyota FJ40 Landcruiser. Bought in 87 wrecked in 93 and stripped down and restored for the last 8 years. I have owned different FJ40's since 1975 and it's my toy. Terrible on gas mileage but it's not driven much.
I know you're question was" if you did not buy a Volvo", but I figured it's general car talk.
Shane

[KlubMarcus]

I'd get another Corvette. Fit and finish aren't as good as a Volvo's, but it's a supercar you could drive everyday. I had a Vette as my only car for years. I beat the snot out of them, 10k between oil changes according to the owner's manual! Insurance was cheap, too. I got my only 3 tickets in my entire life during the Vette years, all dismissed. Ha Ha! The problem is that they hold their value so they cost so much more compared to a Volvo with comparable years, mileage, and condition.

[matthew1]

I like the late-70s to '82 Vettes for some reason.


Whoo!

C3 concept car, 1965:

[RobTheModd]

Coming from the mazda world I was SOOOO close to picking up another rx7.

The last one was putting down close to 440hp before it met its demise. Found a couple I wanted but being under my parents roof they had a bit of a say in it. So ended up with the 850, and now a s70.

Probably would have picked up a rx7 again if not for them.

[jblackburn]

57-59 Vettes ftw! I want one of those or a 68 Mustang some day.