When we came back from South Korea we decided to buy a new car. We knew we did not want a large Car, Van, or a Truck. This is because Victoria has a lot of wide streets but a lot of streets as thin as an alley.
What We Bought
We bought the Toyota Camery V3, that is a mid-sized sedan.
Toyota's hybird sedan, that was built in a factory in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.
They hybird has a system known as regenerative braking, and it charges the batteries through the brakes.
It space for five in the comfortable cabin. Our car looks sleek and a sloped face that fashions the hood and windshield into a racked-back plane. Prius ranks among the most aerodynamic production vehicles on the market. It contains Toyota's high-voltage and high-powered Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) power train that runs on a thrifty but conventional 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a battery-powered electric motor of permanent-magnet design.
Toyota uses the HSD to control all energy produced by the two plants and apply it directly to the front wheels in infinitely variable measures through an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT). The system achieves high fuel economy figures -- up to 60 mpg for running on city streets for the class of a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV). A dashboard video screen illustrates energy management; with icons representing the gas engine, electric motor, drive wheels and battery. Arrows depict the energy flow, with one running from engine or motor to wheels when either plant supplies power, or back to the motor and on to the battery when recharging.
It has a new front fascia with redesigned bumper and grille, headlamps and fog lamps.
It has a 1.8-liter in-line-four engine hits 130 hp for Corolla's primary trims of the entry-level CE, sporty S and deluxe LE. Transmissions include the standard five-speed manual stick or optional automatic three-speed for the Corolla CE and a four-speed automatic on S and LE.
It has a silver grille, (the grilles match the color of the car and so do the wheels), blacked-out headlight extensions and 16-inch alloy wheels. It rides low on a sport-tuned suspension slammed down by half an inch; while in the cabin there are sport seats, silver-colored instrument plates with Optitron meters and a leather shifter knob.
The Corolla XRS has more power too, due to a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with Toyota's valve , labeled VVTL-I for variable valve timing and lift with intelligence. The engine that produces 170 hp at 7400 rpm and 127 lb-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm. The engine starts easily, and we hear only we only here a little noise, (when we hit a pothole in the road).
Our car has sport-tuned suspension, that includes front dampers mounted between the shock towers for improved handling and ride. Increased rate coil springs and shocks are featured at all four wheels; while ride height is decreased by 15 mm. A front wheel drive car, steering is power assist, rack and pinion.
The wheels are 16'' aluminum alloy equipped with 195 and 55R Michelin performance summer tires. Tire pressure sensors monitor inflation rate, with 4-sensor ABS and EBD, (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) offered as standard equipment.
The sporty exterior touches include side skirts, a rear spoiler with LED taillight and a colored front grille. High strength steel surrounds the passenger compartment. There are side impact beams, floor cross-members and front crush zones utilize varying thickness steel to help disperse impact energy. There are three-point seatbelts are located at all five sitting positions, and rear headrest are now standard for all rear seats passengers. Advanced dual-stage air-bags further increase the security of what is arguably one of the safest small cars on the road today.
The front seats have a sport style and have lateral support. In the back there is a comfortable 3 seat bench, that has no hump in the middle of the floor. All of the seats have enough space in front of them to make sure your legs won't get cramped. The carpet, door panels, rubber mat, seats, roof liner and front panel are all silver. The material is leather.
Back rest support and angle adjustment are great. In the fount seat there are two small armrests, between the seats. We can control everything, (but the windows), from the control panel. Every thing in this car is automatic, the transition, gears, windows and the lights.
This is the first car we owned with a keyless entry power door lock, and an alarm that goes off when anyone tries to touch our car.
The mirrors are standard size, and can be adjusted on the drivers side of the car. There are two mirrors behind the visor. The compartment on the dash, can hold our Manuel, a map of Victoria, (even the taxi drivers have a problem finding streets), my make up kit and a flashlight. On the left side are the two buttons that open the trunk/boot, and gas cover.
We have a power moon-roof with sunshade, tinted glass and a light when we open a door. On each side of the front doors are large pouches where we can store items, (my knitting, small smokeless ashtray, and cigarettes are in my side). You can't imagine what my husband has stowed on his side!
The 3-spoke leather wrapped sports steering wheel and leather shifter adds a dash of spiciness to the interior. Our car has cruise control, air conditioning and an AM/FM radio and a single disc CD changer with six speakers. The sound quality is great.
There is no ash tray, in the front, and where is use to be in older cars is a two cup holder. In the back there is a small ashtray, with a lighter, that can be removed to plug in a small TV, so children have something to do, and don't keep saying, ''Are we there yet?''
The trunk/boot is large, and can hold a spare tire, our emergency kit, two large suitcases, and the junk my husband can't part with.
The regular price is $14,000.00 CAD, and we payed $7,100.00. CAD, plus taxes, accident insurance and licence plates. The car comes in a variety of colors, but when you are buy at a blue book price, the company won't order anything for you. That means what to see is what you pick. We had a choice between dark green and silver. We bought the silver one, because light colored cars are easier to see at night.
It comes with a Manuel and that is helpful when we want to change the clock, (we bought it before day light saving time came into affect), program the radio stations we like, see how our route finder works and find out how to put in a CD.
Our car has a warrantee for 100,000 miles or for 5 years.
Now we have met Canada's challenge of ever person saving 100 liters of energy a year. We recycle or trash, use 40 volt lights, turned down our temperature 2 degrees, and bought a hybrid car.
If you would like to know more about the company the link is:
https://roadandtravel.com/roadtests/2005newcarmodelguide/toyota.htm
My Final Thoughts
It drives nicely and doesn't stray off the road. If you want to try and save money, on gas, I hope you'll try a hybird car.
We have had our car for over a month and are enjoying it very much. If you like to drive a stick shift car, this model is available with that.
Thanks for reading my review.
©LL2005
