over bumps and leaning heavily through turns. The steering is light and not
particularly precise.
If that lack of driving fun matters, the Camry SE has stiffened suspension and much
sharper steering. While not quite as crisp as, say, an Accord, the SE is more of a
driver's car, with minimal loss of comfort.
Unless your driving is done largely around town, we think the extra $2300 or so Toyota
charges for the V6 engine makes sense. It's a refined powerplant, one that copes well
with even a full load of passengers and luggage. The V6 requires premium-grade fuel, a
definite consideration for high-mileage drivers, but uses little more than its
4-cylinder kin. A 4-speed automatic transmission is standard with the V6, optional for
4-cylinder Camrys, which come equipped with a very good 5-speed manual.
In many applications the base 4-cylinder powerplant would be a standout, delivering
impressive power with smoothness unusual even among today's highly developed
4-cylinder engines. But an engine that needs to be kept at fairly high rpm to be
effective, as this one does, may not be what most people want or need in a decidedly
non-sporty passenger car.
A side benefit to ordering the V6 engine is the replacement of the rear drum brakes
with discs. The all-disc system provides sure stopping power, and can be augmented
with optional ABS. Four-wheel discs are also supplied when ABS is ordered on
4-cylinder models. Next Page