On January 8th I purchased a 2007 Titanium Metallic Toyota Camry SE Sedan. To date, I am very happy with this purchase and would do it all over again if I had the chance.

To make this review more helpful to all, I will discuss the pro's and con's of my Camry and the benefits over other similar model cars like the Accord and Altima.

Since I was looking for a commuter car, I chose the SE Camry for a few reasons. One, it comes with Sport suspension and 17" Alloy Wheels STANDARD as well as Bluetooth and a 6-Disc JBL Stereo. The LE & CE models come with standard suspension and beautiful wheel covers.

Some standard features on this model are as follows:
-158HP 4-Cylinder Engine
-5-Speed Transmission
-17" Alloy Wheels
-Front & Side Curtain Airbags along with Drivers Knee Airbag
-Sport Suspension w/ Anti Sway Bars
-4-Wheel Disc Breaks
-Tire pressure Monitoring System
-Fog Lights
-Chrome Exhaust Tip
-Sport Interior
-JBL AM/FM Stereo with 6-Disc Changer with 6 Speakers
-Keyless Remote
-Cruise Control

The following options were also included on my SE Camry:
-Heated Outside Mirrors
-JBL 6-Disc in-Dash CD Changer w/MP3. Bluetooth and 8 speakers
-Satellite Radio Capable - Sirius or XM
-Sport Convenience Package
-Rear Spoiler
-Rear Bumper Applique
-preferred Accessory Package

For 2007, Toyota has finally listened to their customers and upgraded the Camry from the inside and out. First, the new and improved exterior styling is great. The car resembles the LEXUS IS and if you remove the “badging” this car can easily be mistaken for a BMW 325i. With the SE model you get 17" "stylish" alloy wheels that make the car look lower to the ground and give you an improved ride.

On the Inside, Toyota made some great upgrades. If you get the Bluetooth feature and have a Bluetooth capable phone, you can make and receive phone calls by the touch of a button on your steering wheel. Your car can place these calls by voice recognition when you specify the name or number of the person you wish to call.

On the JBL sound system you can now listen to MP3's. Since we are moving away from CD's, this is a great feature. Toyota even provides an auxiliary jack input so you can plug in your MP3 player.

With the SE model you can get excellent Sport cloth or leather seats that are 8 way adjustable with lumbar support. This helps on long road trips because the seats are very comfortable.

The Camry can easily carry four adults comfortably. I have read reviews where people say it can carry five or more but this is not the case. (Unless of course they are elves)

Toyota also changed the color of the dash to an attractive silver that lights up blue at night. As an option, the SE model also comes with an auto dimming mirror with a built in compass. The heating and cooling controls have been redesigned and are very simple to use. No more confusion to adjust the cars temperature. Now you just turn a dial and you are ready to go. The stereo and bluetooth controls are installed on the steering wheel so you have easy access while you are driving.

The ride of the SE Camry is nice and smooth but you have to recognize with the Sport package you will feel more bumps on the road because the ride is a bit stiffer than that of the CE, LE or XLE models.

Mileage - I am getting 26mpg in town and 35 on the highway. The beats the 24/33 that is listed on the sticker.

Now that you have heard the high points of owning an SE Camry, let me tell you about the CON's to be aware of:

First, all 2007 4-cylinder Camry models have an acceleration delay that very easily could lead to an accident if you are not aware of it. If you are pulling to a stop sign and you want to gun the engine to make your turn, be advised that the engine takes time to recognize your command and can cause a delay in acceleration. Toyota is aware of this issue and they are working on a fix. If you are a normal driver and not a speeder, this will not be very noticeable. But if you are a lead foot, be aware this issue or it could cost you dearly.

Cost - Toyota knows they have a winner with the Camry and you will pay for it if you do not shop around and know how to negotiate. The Accord LX and EX are $500 to $2500 cheaper in some cases but if you do your research, you can get a great price on your Camry. The sticker on my car was $24,391 and I negotiated the price to $20,500.

Cupholders - This one frustrates the hell out of me. The two main cup holders that are located by the gear shift are from the 80's. They are made for small cups of coffee but not for the regular sizes of drink we get at a grocery or fast food store. Unless your thirst is at a minimum, they can be very useless to say the least.

Accessories and Modifications - I am into tuning my automobiles to get the very best performance. With my 07' Camry I am currently at a standstill. Aftermarket and OEM accessories are on backorder or are still in production. One great example of this is the Sirius satellite radio that Toyota offers as an option for the Camry. I ordered it from the dealer and it has been on back order for nearly 60 days for "performance issues" I tried to purchase an after market accessory but nothing is available at this time either.

Now that you know the pro's and con's, let me give you a brief side my side comparison to the Camry's to biggest competitors; The Accord and Altima

If I based my decision on drive alone, I would get the Camry all over again. The ride is smoother and with the Sports suspension, the Camry is more fun to drive and more agile around corners.

In terms of styling, the Accord is so bland. The only thing that has changed on the Accord over the past several years is the bumpers and the tail lights. The interior of the Accord is nice but it as well needs a refreshing. The Altima has a very nice interior with very comfortable seats. The exterior of the Altima is nice until you get to the front of the car; the front bumper design is very bland and lacks style. It resembles that of a car from the 80's.

Engine/MPG - Both the Camry and Accord are listed at 24mpg city with Altima coming in at 26mpg. The Camry also comes in with 157 horses with the Accord at 166 and Altima at 175.

For me, the decision came down to Toyota's overall quality and the styling of the Camry. When chasing between the three of these models it is really all about preference since all three cars are listed as "Recommended" in Consumer Report's for 2007.

The bottom line is simple; the 2007 SE Camry is a quality car with a quality company that stands behind it. This is a great for the everyday commuter or the daily family hauler.

If you have any questions about my review or have any questions, drop me an email.

T~