Best and Worst Makeovers.

"At every new-vehicle introduction, manufacturers wax pedantic about rigidity and refinement, evolution and redemption. Sometimes it’s true. Sometimes they’re dreaming.

It’s the job of forecasters, visionaries, and reactionaries within each brand to figure out what you want, or might want, and cobble together an approximation thereof. Coming up with something you want to drive and be seen in, at a price you want to pay, is tough.

This task becomes more grievous when instead of a blank sheet of paper, designers have an existing platform to renew. Throw in budgetary constraints, engineer-on-designer infighting, and random managerial directives, and it’s a miracle any great cars make it out of the factory doors. Ultimately, some models are resurrected with the glory of a phoenix rising. Some are less attractive. And sometimes, they’re total stinkers."
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WalterMax - 9/13/2006 1:55:10 PM

-1 Boost

Looks like Toyota didn't do enough bribing towards Car & Driver. How can they bash on the #1 selling car in the US. Most Toyota dealerships don't even have Camrys in stock, doesn't the market show the popularity of the new Camry?

Car & Driver have some biased views!

1970toyotamarc - 9/13/2006 4:26:31 PM

0 Boost

C&D has become the biggest Toyota basher in the country. It's become absurd. (Obviously) I love Toyotas, and have driven almost every generation, including the back in the day Coronas. But the last generation was perhaps the worst looking ever. This new one still makes me turn my head to see it as it drives by. And many others agree. It definitely belonged on the best makeover list, but how could there be room when the Cobalt is on it. Every day my respect for C&D dwindles.

S4cabriofox - 9/13/2006 6:16:26 PM

+1 Boost

You guys have to admit-

The Camry is not an attractive car. It wasn't ever good-looking, but anonymous, how its buyers liked it. The new one, however, could be tweaked and badged as a BMW-- yes, the car you both find so disgusting.

It has oddball styling that definitely won't appeal to everyone. It for sure doesn't appeal to me.

Give me an Accord! Honda is underrated on this website. I think it makes cars that are better than Toyota's; sales aren't everything.

BMW530i - 9/14/2006 7:52:52 AM

+1 Boost

People don't buy the Camry for style: they buy it because of value.

BMW530i - 9/14/2006 11:37:57 AM

+1 Boost

Where do I say the Camry sucks in my post, Will?

Chronoseus - 9/14/2006 8:43:25 PM

+1 Boost

Car & Driver must be retart n blind. Oh i forgot stupid too, i drive MB, but i gotta say that this new Camry is really much to expect n looks great. I comment on facts n reality, they just seem to have a problem with the badge. Maybe any of the cars they drive get bash everywhere else, so they take the opportunity to bash others. Fact speaks for themselves n the fact is Toyota did a great of not the best makeover with this Camry, the last one really said nothing about himself.
Taurus - Fusion, great
Grand AM- G6, not so sure
Civic SI- Civic SI- boring, preety much the same
Sonata - Sonata- OH HELL YESSS
Cavalier- Cobalt- depends on oppinions,but on performance yes they did better
Neon- Caliber- 2 diff cars, not coparable
Venture-Uplander- Whatever
Impala- Impala- Jesus help them
Too bad sucker, what u guys say doesnt really matters, u guys have no credential n nobody listens 2 u guys anyways. Ever heard subjective n objective?? Jeez...

00JT - 9/19/2006 4:48:22 AM

+1 Boost

Funny how they called the last generation Civic Si an "awkward turd."

Makes me wonder how such an article was allowed to be published. Car & Driver is very biased against Toyota, and yes they do favor American brands. They had nothing good to say about the new Camry yet praised the G6 for being much better than the Grand Am. Sorry, but thats not much of a compliment.