In some respects, the Camry is an enigma. Finding fault with the basic package isdifficult; who would complain about a roomy, easy-riding car that is beautifully
assembled and is sure to be as dependable as the sunrise?
But there are areas in which the Camry falls short. Certain competitors--the Accord,
for example--are more fun to drive, yet no less comfortable. Others deliver more
performance, with little, if any, loss of refinement.
And there's the matter of what you get for what you pay. The Camry's base price is
reasonable, and the DX lacks only air conditioning to make it a good choice. But a
V6-powered XLE, without pricey options like a sunroof, is just over $25,000, and
that's a fair chunk of change.
If you're looking for good, traditional middle-of-the-road transportation, bolstered
by exceptional quality, the Camry delivers. But if you want to build performance and
handling agility into the package, it gets expensive, and a number of competing makes
offer a little more for a little less.
On the other hand, that price premium does have a downstream plus. Camrys hold a
relatively high percentage of their value over time, so you'll get a little more back
when it's time for your next car.