Hello everyone, my name is Bill and I've worked as an auto parts specialist for over 30 years. I grew up riding around in VW Type 1s, Datsun Z cars, and various GM products. Naturally, my personal preferences have tended to sway towards those brands. My career has exposed me to various European brands over the years which I've also owned with mixed results. However, in recent times my life situations (eg: putting 2 daughters through college) have warranted more economic choices in automotive ownership. So, my Volvo and Audi have been replaced by a Honda Accord. My oldest daughter had been driving a 2011 Nissan Sentra but unfortunately the car was a total loss in a recent car accident (no injuries, thank goodness). Trying to find her another used car in the present market was certainly not easy. After a week of persistent searching, I finally found a clean 2009 Camry base model with only 70k miles. A thorough pre-sale inspection revealed a minor power steering leak, an exhaust flex joint that's seen better years, and foggy headlight lenses. My local Toyota dealership verified a clean service history and no recalls. Other than that, it has fresh tires, brakes are 50%, and it's mechanically sound. I've spent the past week getting the car ready for her. I did the standard maintenance items (oil/filter change, air filter, cabin filter, pcv valve) and polished out the headlamps. The p/s and exhaust issues aren't serious right now but they will be addressed in the near future. It gets detailed tomorrow and she takes delivery on Sunday afternoon. This will be my first ownership experience with a Toyota but I have no apprehensions. Given their track record on maintenance, it almost seems like the Camry has become what the Volvo 240 series was in the `70s and `80s....safe and reliable transportation. Time will tell.

 

Welcome to the forum and congrats

 

As you said, camry is a reable and a strong car .If it. well maintained,it will serve you a long time.However , I don't see it a "girly"car , girls usually prefer more lighter and smaller cars .

 

lol...I don't think of our new Camry as a 'girlie car' either. Then again, the desert sand mica paint and beige cloth interior don't exactly scream masculinity...kind of 'gender neutral' if you asked me. In any case, she drove it over 100 miles today. The Camry is a modest step up from her Nissan Sentra in both size and power. She's always preferred driving my 2007 Honda Accord over her previous Sentra because it's "smoother & quieter". Now she's driving a car that's probably smoother & quieter than my Accord, so win/win.