2008 Toyota Camry SE test drive

What do the Guide Rating stars mean?

Back in ‘91, I laid eyes on my Camry. Before buying Cherry - that's her name - I read auto mags and combed the streets of N.Y.C. in search of Camry owners to interrogate about their cars. For me, dropping cash for a car was BIG. Since then, Cherry has served me well! Cherry and I have a tight bond and although she’s tipping the odometer at 170k, offer me your firstborn for it, NOT A CHANCE! Now I’m reviewing a ‘08 Toyota Camry, SE V6, sedan (3.5L 6cyl 6A), base $24,915 (as tested $30,383). Can old reliable’s lil’sis hold her own?

There is just something about a red car... When I first laid eyes on this "Barcelona Red" beauty or ‘Ms. Red’ (my pet name for her), the first thought that came to mind was -- definite chick appeal! Aerodynamic in design, taut lines that sweep rearward, an impressive blacked-out honeycomb grille flanked by sleek catlike tinted headlights, oh yeah, we likes! The ground effects or front and rear lower spoilers and rocker panels will get you a stare or two or even three anywhere you roll. Integrated fog lamps-- really nice touch. The funky trunk rear spoiler and dual exhaust with chrome tips give the car a little bit of street cred -— hey, nothing wrong with that.

It certainly is no secret that Toyota has built up quite a rep over the years for reliability. I felt secured by the fact that I was certainly not going to be disappointed by the sleek, yet somehow athletic looking number that boldly stood before me. Besides, I was already a proud Camry owner and my vehicle has never left me stranded, nor has she ever led me to file bankruptcy due to endless repairs. Anyway, it was the weekend, I had a sexy car to test drive, so I was definitely up for the challenge of hitting those legendary Jersey malls full-force in Ms. Red to do what I do best —- CHARGE! The byways to get to those malls can be tricky and in some parts, road treacherous, so here was the ultimate opportunity to test out my hot red diva. I grabbed my gear and we were off and running!

There is abso-tuta-lutely NOTHING lilliputian about me! So comfy leather seats (optional) and power driver’s seat with lumbar that hugs your tush are a major plus! (Cherry is still cushy after all these years). This 5-passenger car offers ample front and rear leg room. Even the base model includes air-conditioning, power windows, door locks and mirrors. My thing-a-ma-gig radar immediately scanned a roomy cubby and stowage areas in the chic brushed aluminum console. I broke out in a sweat when I noticed the huge glove box where I could toss in my super-sized makeup bag (shut up!); a cavernous, mommy’s-dream trunk and rear seat center pass-thru -— swish! The dashboard’s layout makes sense; no head scratching here. The manual adjustable tilt, telescopic steering wheel comes equipped with audio controls. For music lovers, Toyota gives good sound; a digital AM/FM/CD/MP3 player with 8 speakers, standard. And to complete the sporty look, an optional sunroof.

As far as safety, all Camrys have a front seat advanced airbag system, full-length side curtain airbags and driver’s knee airbag. Anti-lock brakes are also standard. For moms, safety is always first. The 2008 Camry gets kudos in government and insurance industry crash tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the Camry five out of five stars for front and side impact testing, and a four-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Camry the highest possible rating, "Good," in both frontal offset and side impact testing.

Got a need for speed but you want a Camry? The front-wheel drive, four door, SE V6 is your choice. With 268 hp, 248 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels and a firmer, lowered suspension, this vehicle is one of the fastest in its mid-sized sedan category. Want a manual with your V6? No can do! A 6-speed automatic transmission comes standard with the V6, but it will do 60 in 6.5 seconds. But don’t get it twisted, your neck won’t snap as you whip down the turnpike. Since the SE has a sportier suspension you’ll feel bumps and thumps along the way more so than in the other Camry models, yet the steering is oh so tight (36.1 ft. turning circle). Even during quick maneuvers, like almost missing a Macy’s exit, my body did not get tossed around. Watching this body rolling all over the front seats -- not a pretty sight! The four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution will stop the vehicle with authority—knowing this should help you sleep better at night.

Love a quiet ride? You’ve got it. To this day, my ‘old workhorse’ still shushes out road noise. Fuel economy? Even though the SE is somewhat quick, fuel-wise, your pockets won’t pay the price. The SE is not half bad on gas with an 18.5 gallon fuel tank, it takes regular and gives 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway. The SE’s EPA estimates are not far removed from the 4 cylinder Camry which averages 21mpg city/31 mpg highway. I averaged about 23 mpg tooling around in Ms. Red but who the heck is counting?

It was fun riding in Ms. Red. If my heartstrings weren’t still so attached to old reliable, I would probably throw caution to the wind and consider purchasing not the sportier but the more luxe Camry model XLE. I am all for sporty, don’t get me wrong, but since we gals have more stuff that jiggles inside, road bumps and thumps are not that easy to absorb. The SE’s sport suspension could use, in my opinion, a tad bit more tweaking. Whenever I’d hit a major bump, I actually felt my innards being rearranged! I’ve driven other sporty models like the Mazda MX-5 Miata and didn’t feel an urgent need to call my gynecologist! (Too much information!)

Since many folks are brand loyal, Toyota owners will love the fact, that the Camry line continues its long tradition for being one of the most sensible buys among mid-size sedans. In the not-too-distant past, I’ll admit, I enjoyed driving Ms. Red’s rivals, the newly redesigned Honda Accord and the Chevy Malibu, they were pretty legit contenders and easier on the pockets. I know, the comparison becomes cagey as far as performance when stacking the Camry SE to her competitors but I likes what I likes, hardly any jiggling! Even though over the last few years, Toyota has received some strikes regarding its reliability, many can still count on this tried and true for overall dependability in a family sedan, and I am one of them. Oh btw, I still think my Camry has a few kick-ass years to go and she’s still able to keep up with the youngins! -- Ruth Logan