20th Sep 2012, 19:11

You do not drive resale. That's when you sell or keep it.

I look at application, then the fun factor. Meaning performance, handling, comfort, strength or safety, and styling. Maybe my opinion, but I would despise a car that I would be possibly paying on for 5 years, that has Prius styling. Some others are so plain and drab as well.

Also, rack up the miles or have issues, and see how great resale is. My worst was a 3 year old Acura TL Type S, new, 34k, and I got 10k for it with 41000 miles on it. Worst resale ever for us. When you have major issues, even if warrantied, the Carfax haunts you at resale time. Why did we buy one? It had great performance, ride and handling. It had a weak transmission, or should I say that plural.

21st Sep 2012, 15:03

Clearly a LOT of people find the styling of the Prius and Camry just fine and dandy, seeing as how the Camry is the single best selling car in the US, and the Prius is the best selling hybrid in the US.

So somehow making a claim that these cars are either bland or unexciting, sort of ignores why these cars sell as well as they do. It's an invalid comment. Sure - some people want to drive cars like a Corvette or a Mustang. Those consumers are in a totally different demographic than people who just want a family car to get them back and forth to work.

22nd Sep 2012, 09:30

That's true. Gas is 4 bucks a gallon, and styling goes out the window. My friend with her Prius hates cars; it's turn the key and go cheap. If I had to work a few more hours a week to own a fun family car, it was the direction I took.

My first was a new white 280zx 2 Plus 2 T Top with a rear seat for kids. I couldn't wait to drive to work! And I know quite a few still doing the same.

My son with a family started with a new Mustang GT Convertible with rear seat for the little ones. You don't have to go bland, even though you have a young family. Get the Vette later.

24th Sep 2012, 14:29

Again - how is this even an argument? If everyone wanted a Mustang, Corvette, or whatever then they would be the best-selling cars, wouldn't they? If the Camry is the best selling car in America, how could that possibly be quantified as a failure? The only counterpoint here is the claim that it, along with the Prius, is bland? I know a TON of people who feel exactly the same way about Mustangs.

For someone like me with a 40 mile each way commute, blowing tons of money on gas for a car that gets poor fuel economy, isn't my idea of how to use my money.

25th Sep 2012, 12:41

My Corvette gets 30 MPG in 6th gear, barely above idle on the interstate. I only am driving solo. It's aerodynamic, and barely loping on the interstate. City it drops to 17.

Maybe you need the extra seats to commute? I guess I could carpool with a co worker and split the gas. Results are indicated on the heads up display.

We drive in Florida, and convertibles make it nice to drive. The Mustang GT Convertible is not a waste of money either. True, this is a Toyota review. If someone buys a Lexus convertible and can afford one, is it a waste of money? In an area of 12 month nice weather; you decide. Some buy for enjoyment and quality driving of life. It's not just pinching fuel at the expense of enjoyment. Maybe driving 80 miles daily has become tedious for you. If you drive that far, consider a longer 4 day work week. Or work a bit of overtime and step up. Or get promoted for more effort! Worked for us.

26th Sep 2012, 11:57

Once again, Corvettes have absolutely NOTHING to do with a Toyota Camry. And again, there isn't an argument here at all, given that the Camry is the best-selling car in the USA. If the Corvette were the best selling car, then perhaps there would be an argument. But there isn't, so please give it a rest.

27th Sep 2012, 09:04

I guess now we are going to constantly see the comment of how the Camry is the best selling car in the US; big deal. Now let's see if it holds that spot longer than the Cutlass Supreme did in the mid-70s to the early 80s; only time will tell.

28th Sep 2012, 20:14

The topic was boring commuter cars, not best seller cars. Boring, bland, potato shape vehicles that you are making payments on for 5 to 7 years. No wonder the long commute is so depressing! Doesn't have to be that as the only choice or alternative. There are thousands of other car choices to evaluate and buy, right after reading Car Survey.

29th Sep 2012, 10:39

Let's put this topic in another way. So let's assume that you're a company that makes some sort of widget. You are in competition with other widget makers. Your company's model of widget happens to sell the best out of any of the others. Would it be wise for you to stop selling or change that widget?

But in any regard, design is indeed a subjective thing. Some people think one car is beautiful and another is bland and boring. But clearly enough people find the Camry attractive enough to buy, and since they are in fact the best-selling car in America and have been now for almost 2 decades, well I'd say that more or less concludes the debate... doesn't it?

30th Sep 2012, 07:47

No. It concludes your comment. You may be driving solo and we have a family. There are many choices. Do you buy a car only over reliability? It's important to us, but so are many other factors. Handling, room, performance, ride, creature comforts, more amenities etc. I am sorry, but I am not making payments on a vehicle so bland and plain. The Prius is one that I cannot stand to look at. I know gas is extremely high, and it's just another huge compromise. Just because something sells well over a bad situation, does not make it better in my mind. I never sat on my laurels in life. I pushed harder and came up with innovative ideas with sharp design. I am sure it is coming. In all fairness, I like many of Hyundai car designs. I would spend more time studying the wind tunnel and refine the potato design. But at 4 bucks a gallon, some are just turn key and go. And visit their chiropractor after a trip.

30th Sep 2012, 12:41

The best selling vehicle of all, for over 2 decades as # 1, has been the Ford F Series trucks. I have to agree the newest F series are great looking finally.

What does best selling really mean? I take it as more applications and utility foremost. I look at many categories and applications, no matter what new vehicle I buy. If it's hideous, I move on.