Camry Hybrid Experiences?

[djmeredith]

I'm looking for a "new" car and I'm considering the Camry Hybrid. Specifically a 2011 or 2012 model year. If you have any experience with this vehicle please let me know
what you think. Thanks!!

 

[LilyWDW]

My cousin owns one.

She calls it the worst purchase decision she had ever made.

 

[djmeredith]

My cousin owns one. She calls it the worst purchase decision she had ever made.

Yikes! Do you know any specifics about why it's been a bad purchase? Thanks!

 

[ceecee]

My husband has one, it's a 2009. He LOVES it, thought of trading it in for a Priuz but he just can't part with it. Seriously it has been a great car. We have put no money into it except oil changes and a filter change. He gets 37 mpg in town and over 40 mpg highway. It is a very nice car inside as well, feels like a luxury ride. We also put new tires on it at 60,000 and it rides and feels much better on the road now, not that it was bad before. DD needed a car to drive to college next year and we thought of giving her the Camry, decided to give her my 2009 Honda CRV instead and I bought a new one, love that car as well. We looked for a used Camry for DD and they are hard to find, the dealer said people keep them. The few we did find were so expensive so that is why we decided to trade up and give her one of ours. They hold their value.

 

[supersnoop]

I'm looking for a "new" car and I'm considering the Camry Hybrid. Specifically a 2011 or 2012 model year. If you have any experience with this vehicle please let me know
what you think. Thanks!!

Be sure to compare the price and features to a non-hybrid model. Very rarely does the extra cost of the hybrid make up for the fuel savings.

 

[DawnM]

I would need far more specifics.

My cousin owns one.

She calls it the worst purchase decision she had ever made.

 

[DawnM]

We bought one in March, 2014. We love it.

DH gets over 50mpg. I get more like 40. I am a bit more aggressive of a driver than he is! He is constantly telling me how to drive to get better mileage. Whatever, it is still more than double my Sequoia.

We made sure to get the 2014.5, which apparently fixed some issues of the earlier model (I don't know what they were, DH researched it all and was adamant we get the 2014.5 model.)

We shopped online and finally found a dealer to match the price we wanted, $5K off sticker price.

GREAT CAR!!!!!!!

 

[LilyWDW]

1) They have had to dump a lot of money into it.

2) The savings in gas has not been nearly enough to offset the increased cost of the vehicle.

3) The savings in gas really are not that much better then their other vehicle.

So, to her, they spent a lot of money which they have not seen much of a return on compared to similar and less expensive vehicles.

 

[rackerlee92]

We bought a 2012 Camry Hybrid 3 months ago. So far we LOVE it. Ours is the LX model - all the fun options.

We've gotten over 40mpgs on the highway. It's super quiet, responds well and is just a great ride and drive.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[djmeredith]

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far!! I'm looking at a 2011 LE model with only 32,246 miles. It's a local one owner car and they're asking $16,940. I've looked at reviews and value info online and this seems like a good deal. Any other opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[supersnoop]

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far!! I'm looking at a 2011 LE model with only 32,246 miles. It's a local one owner car and they're asking $16,940. I've looked at reviews and value info online and this seems like a good deal. Any other opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

According to KBB.com, a similarly equipped non-hybrid model should cost you $2,000 less. A rough calculation based on the EPA estimated gas mileage, driving 12,000 miles per year, and gas at $3.49 per gallon, you'll save $340 per year on gas. How important is it that the car is a hybrid?

Full disclosure; my wife's car is a hybrid and mine is electric. There are many reasons to choose a car like this, but, since this is the "budget" board, I have to point out that you'll spend more money on a hybrid, even over the long term.

 

[DawnM]

I don't know about the OP, but we "did the math" before purchasing. Dh says we will break even on or before 2.3 years. We drive more than 12K a year though, more like 15K to 18K.

Our other cars are 10 years old and 12 years old, so we will most definitely save $$ in the long run. we keep our cars a long time.

Dawn

According to KBB.com, a similarly equipped non-hybrid model should cost you $2,000 less. A rough calculation based on the EPA estimated gas mileage, driving 12,000 miles per year, and gas at $3.49 per gallon, you'll save $340 per year on gas. How important is it that the car is a hybrid?

Full disclosure; my wife's car is a hybrid and mine is electric. There are many reasons to choose a car like this, but, since this is the "budget" board, I have to point out that you'll spend more money on a hybrid, even over the long term.

 

[djmeredith]

According to KBB.com, a similarly equipped non-hybrid model should cost you $2,000 less. A rough calculation based on the EPA estimated gas mileage, driving 12,000 miles per year, and gas at $3.49 per gallon, you'll save $340 per year on gas. How important is it that the car is a hybrid? Full disclosure; my wife's car is a hybrid and mine is electric. There are many reasons to choose a car like this, but, since this is the "budget" board, I have to point out that you'll spend more money on a hybrid, even over the long term.

Thanks for that info! I drive at least 25,000 miles a year. Sometimes more. How would the numbers work out on that (you seem like a numbers person and I am not, lol). And if you don't mind me asking, what other factors should I consider regarding choosing a hybrid? Thanks again!

 

[supersnoop]

Thanks for that info! I drive at least 25,000 miles a year. Sometimes more. How would the numbers work out on that (you seem like a numbers person and I am not, lol). And if you don't mind me asking, what other factors should I consider regarding choosing a hybrid? Thanks again!

With that type of mileage, your payback should be in the 3-4 year range. How long do you intend to keep the car?

The main concern with hybrids is if the battery has to be replaced, which could set you back ~$3,000. I wouldn't expect that to be a problem until ~200,000 miles or so.

Keep in mind that resale value drops more quickly on options than the base vehicle, so don't expect much of a premium for the hybrid when you try to sell the car in a few years. The original premium was about $7,000, and you're only paying $2,000 over the base resale value now. That gap will continue to close.

 

[djmeredith]

Thanks again to everyone who provided info!

Update:

I test drove the 2011 Camry Hybrid and it didn't wow me. I also drove a 2012 Camry LE with super low miles. I liked it a lot, but still wasn't really impressed. Before today I had already narrowed my search to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry because of reliability. I have owned 2 Honda Accords, both of which lasted 10 years. My parents have owned 5 Accords dating back to 1989 and all were great except one that was purchased used.

From everything I've read and heard from friends/family I think both the Accord and Camry are very reliable cars. So for me it comes down to how does it feel when driving and which interior am I more comfortable in. Over the last few years, I had read that Honda had skimped on interior touches compared to Toyota. After comparing a 2012 Camry today to my Dad's 2012 Accord, I totally disagreed with the reviews I read. But then I also realized that my Dad's car is near the top of the line, while the Camry I drove was a mid level. So to be able to compare apples to apples, I am going to test drive a lower end model Accord tomorrow. I really did go into the Toyota test drive with a completely open mind, even drove an hour away to see that specific Hybrid car. Then drove a regular Camry as well and really liked it when I first got in, I just didn't think it was as comfortable as the Accord. I definitely haven't ruled out a Camry all together since they are less expensive, but I must admit I'm leaning towards another Accord at this point.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

In the Atlanta market: 2014.5 Camry LE 4 cyl, auto is listed on Autotrader.com by the Nalley group for 18,400.

Toyota is discounting the 2014.5 a lot because the 2015 is "refreshed" and should be available soon..........making the outgoing model "obsolete".

 

[supersnoop]

You might consider the Ford Fusion Hybrid. I've been very impressed with the Fusion model; it really does compete with the Honda and Toyota models is quality and reliability.

 

[Windjammer]

I would also suggest looking at the Ford Fusion hybrid. I bought one about a month ago. Price was around $26,000. Fuel economy has been 47 MPG.

Steve

 

[dmank]

My Dh traded in his 2009 hybrid A few months ago. He loved it and would always watch his mileage. It was also super quiet and very nice inside. He isn't very good at keeping cars a long time though and was concerned about the battery dying. So he traded it.

My mom has a 2010 hybrid and drove it for three years and then got a minivan in order to haul around my car. My dad sold his accord and is driving it now. He doesn't like it as much as the accord. I think he doesn't like the keyless start. Neither do I actually but that is a different story.

You can't go wrong with an accord or Camry!

 

[djmeredith]

Update: finally purchased a car today and went with a 2011 Accord EX-L with only 18,500 miles. It's a Honda certified pre-owned car that was leased by repeat customers to this dealer. I spent a little more than I planned to when I first started looking, but felt like I got a good deal on the car I really wanted. Thanks again for all the advice and tips!