just a couple hrs ago when I was driving, I stopped in front of a redlight and a 40+ yrs old man with glasses was behind me and switched lane and lined up against me, I knew its on. It looked like the new SE trim with body colored panels and some pretty good looking rims, its shiny black color. He stares @ me with a mean face and I looked at him. light turns green, my R/T was wayy faster than his, I 1/2 floored it because I don't want wheelspin and not sure if he wants to run or not, when I got 1/4 a car on him, he jumped on it, spins the tires the second I heard that I go WOT and started pulling away from him slowly, he was in my blind spot during most of the race so I did not know how close he was to me, by the time I looked back at around 60, I was 1.5 car a head of him, pretty sure he was racing, then to 75, I got abt 2 cars on him and changed into his lane because theres a slow moving car, then after that I went back into the slow lane doing 60 because I already won and proofed it. Then he does the rice boy flys by and did like 80 down a 50 street. What a stupid guy there was a lot of traffic too, thats why I slowed down. Do you guys think the new camry is slower than the older ones? or maybe his car isn't broken in yet?
That guy must be sad, just brought a new camry and a dirty maxima beated it out of nowhere. Do you think its the 4 cyclinder model? is it possible to hang with me with the new i4?

 

There is no way that was a 4 cylinder Camry. If my 2000 Altima is able to destroy a 2000 Camry then I seriously doubt the 2002 Camry is any different speed-wise. I think Edmunds.com tested it at 7.7 0-60 for the 6cylinder for the 2002 Camry. Do you have auto?

 

he has a gle

 

and it's a 99...and stock...



BUT STILL!

Car had to be a V6, and he might not have been driving it to it's Limit. I highly doubt a 4 banger would hang with you like that, especially with you at WOT. I say it was a V6, not fully broken in, or the guy was scared to floor it completely..

 

Also, I think Edmunds is off, 'cause I doubt those cars can run into the 7s. The new Lexus ES300 with a stronger engine then the Camry V6, runs a 8.0 0-60

 

it was more like I was afraid to floor it, he probably reached 100 by the end of the street, I stopped at 75 and he kept going and dodging traffic

 

I would have stopped too. I don't like racing in thick traffic. You never know what stupid move the other car might make and you can't react in time.

 

yeah, when we started there was no traffic, once I saw traffic I stopped

 

The 2002 Camry has pretty much the same engine as the older Camry, but with electronic throttle and several changes to the emissions system.

My family also has a 99 Camry XLEV6, and it is pretty even with my 4th gen Maxima. Both engines are pretty smooth, but the Camry has a much much better automatic transmission.

 

I think it is pathetic that the Camry has gone now 3 generations with virutally the same V6. Toyota really doesn't know how to stay competitive power wise.

 

did youjust park next to that car and take pictures?

 

From the enthusiast's standpoint, Toyota is a bit behind now in engine performance for the Camry's V6. But that engine has sold very well for Toyota. The previous gen Camry was the best selling car in America for four years straight! (I think the Accord won last year.) So, while we Maxima owners are saying how powerful our V6 engines are, Toyota accountants are laughing their way to the bank with record Camry sales.

The marketing people at Toyota probably say that Camry drivers do not need or want 255hp. They are probably correct, as 75% of Camry owners purchase the 4-cylinder. The Camry is a safe and practical family car, and a great one at that. It is not a sports car (although the new 5th gen Camry handles better). With 192hp, our 99 Camry feels plenty fast. It is comfortable, well built, quiet, and reliable.

 

I agree with what Eric L. said.

Other than that...you can't expect much of a difference between the Japanese FWD sedans with ~200hp 3.0 V6.

 

Don't get me wrong- I know the Camry is a great car. But 192 hp is mediocre to say the least when the competition is offering 50+ more. Three years ago, 190 hp was fine, but not in 2002. You do have a valid point- most Camry buyers do not really care about horsepower. However I do and it just disappoints me to see that new attractive sporty styling with an anemic engine (compared to the competition) under the hood. And I am not being Nissan biased, I hear the new Accord is going to have 240hp. Using essentially the same V6 for THREE generations is pathetic in my book. Bottom line is I wish Toyota would give the Camry the engine it's new styling asks for.