WVGasGuy,

This is a family car, not a sports sedan. Since I purchased it with that in mind, and was looking first and foremost for good fuel economy, I'm fine with that. Actually I was originally looking to purchase a Prius and get 10 more mpg. If I'm by myself on two lane roads I'm trying to pulse and glide rather than sling it around the curves.

However, if someone is looking for something with better performance but fuel economy above the 20 mpg of sport sedans then an HAH might better fit the bill. My understanding is that it's got spirited acceleration and handles well, but still gets mid-20s on mileage.

 

BTW, I test drove an SE. It had nice pickup with the V-6, but no better than an LE or XLE with the same engine. Even though it's the Sports Edition I didn't notice any major differene in handling in my limited test drive.

I only drove the SE4c and the hybrid. I have never driven a Camry in the past. If the SE does not seem much different to you than the LE or XLE then can you tell me if you find a difference in the Hybrid as opposed to the LE or XLE? I found the handling of the 4CSE to be decent on my test drive but I did not drive the others. I assumed that the Hybrid has the same suspension setup as the LE and XLE. Perhaps not?

My main concern, since I live in the hills of WV is that the hybrid leans excessively and if your take a normal curve at or above the speed limit it really does slid people around on the seats. It doesn't make for spirited driving. I don't mind a lot since I didn't buy this for that purpose, but as I said in the other posting I'd like at least to be able to not waste momentum going down hill by having to brake around every turn (something I didn't have to do in my previous vehicles).

 

This is a family car, not a sports sedan

I absolutely agree! The point is though if I plan to drive it consistantly 15 mph OVER the speed limit (as AKM stated), I probably need a sports sedan to do that safely.

I like the high FE but I don't consider this a safe car to be driving at high speed (at least on the roads I travel). I think safety would come before FE to me and I'd rather have a sports sedan getting 25 mpg than a TCH getting 29.1 (as in AKM's posting).

 

ORCRONE, I'm meaning these comments towards the posting AKM has made. He certainly has the right to drive as he feels, I simply felt that if I wanted to continue driving like that then there are numerous cars out there that I'd rather have that get in the mid 20's.

 

I realize that. Most people purchasing the TCH (at least on this board) are doing so for fuel efficiency reasons. I know I didn't purchase mine for it's acceleration or handling. Although good, there are alternatives that are better. I was just pointing out another alternative for someone that wants better than average fuel efficiency, but more performance than the TCH provides.

Actually, if I didn't need the ability to carry four or five people I would have found a used Toyota MR2 Spyder, gotten almost the same mileage as the TCH and had a lot more fun slinging it around two lane roads. Most of the time I'm driving solo, so it would have been fine. But there are too many times that I need to put 3 or more in the car. So my mid-life crisis will have to wait until the kids are gone.

 

So my mid-life crisis will have to wait until the kids are gone

Better hurry, going through that crisis when gas hits $4 is going to be tough!

After 1 Vette, (2) 300ZX's, AudiTT, 350Z and the Infiniti FX I figured I needed to "exit" my mid life crisis. Funny thing is most of my friends and my wife that there were normal. Now with the TCH and my new driving habits they really think I'm in some sort of crisis.

 

The only car like that I've owned was a Z-28 convertable. Because of it's gearing I got 26 - 27 mpg on the highway, although around town was a different story. I almost bought the Toyota MR2 a couple of years back. But with 38 mpg highway it would not have been an expensive one to keep. Don't care if I don't have a tremendous amount of power, but love driving with the top down.

I know what you mean about driving habits. My wife now complains that I drive too slow, within 5 mph of the speed limit. Anytime I think she's going to say something I pipe in ahead of time and say "Wow, will you look at that mpg gauge". At least she doesn't see me try to pulse and glide. I only do that when I'm alone. I can only take so much ridicule.

 

Where did I say that I drive 15mph+ over most limits on country/mountainous type roads?

I said CITY roads (expressways and such).

This is a COMMUTE car not a hot rod and I do not drive it like one.

I guess I just commute a bit faster then most and I have no trouble discerning between the two.

 

The only car like that I've owned was a Z-28 convertable

Let me guess, a '69 Z28 Hugger Orange with white stripes and a 396?

 

Where did I say that I drive 15mph+ over most limits on country/mountainous type roads? I said CITY roads (expressways and such).

Sorry, we're not connecting. I never said you drove on country/mountainous roads. That's me. I did see where you drive expressways at 80mpg and city roads at 15+ over the limits. I always consider "city" roads as lower limit streets with stop signs and red lights, not expressways. Perhaps I'm wrong on that definition. Perhaps it's just my inability to understand "city" as being in a rural area it certainly has a different meaning to me.

Reguardless, on both types of roads are roads you say you're driving at either 80 (10 to 15 over the limit?) on freeways and city streets at 15 over the limit. It's not a positive or negative observation on my part just trying to understand why the TCH would appeal to that driving style.

Bottom line, it's really none of my business why you like it. I bought one, you bought one, we both have our reasons and that's OK.