2012 Toyota Camry SE: I Like Big Buttons and I Cannot Lie

The arrow buttons are used to change tracks and folders, so the volume buttons are still needed. Of course, all are a substitute/convenience for (heaven forbid) actually having to use the touchscreen or the volume knob.

I'm tired of magazines
Saying flat butt-on-s are the thing
Take the average car man and ask him that
She gotta pack much back

So Fellas (yeah) Fellas(yeah)
Has your girlfriend got the butt-ons (hell yeah)
Well shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake that healthy butt-on

Sir Mix-a-lot!!! What a hoot. I knew it was a Takahashi post when I saw the headline because he's getting out the old tapes. Should've had Sir Mix on the picture in the screen though.

"I'm tired of magazines
Saying flat butt-on-s are the thing
Take the average car man and ask him that
She gotta pack much back

So Fellas (yeah) Fellas(yeah)
Has your girlfriend got the butt-ons (hell yeah)
Well shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake that healthy butt-on

Babys got back"

Sir Mix-a-lot!!! What a hoot. I don't know why but I knew it was a Takahashi post when I saw the headline. Should've had Sir Mix on the picture in the screen though.

I like that the screen display album art.

I can't believe at this price the Camry doesn't have automatic climate control.

Mark- The older folks who drive the Camry and need the big buttons unfortunately won't get the Sir Mix A Lot reference....

Very funny, Sir Marks-a-lot!

carguy622 - The XLE trim and the hybrid versions have auto climate control. Same goes for the Sonata, where you have to get the turbo SE or the Limited trim to have auto climate control.

carguy622,

The MSRP for midsized sedans top out at $32,000 loaded. This car is still $4,000 short of the loaded price for the midsized sedans of most manufacturers.

Hello, shiny steering wheel hub!

Just broadening the appeal of my blog posts. The Harry James song info should take care of the older folks.

Hey, Frank's first big singing gig was with Harry James.......the guy played a mean horn.

@se_riously: True on the Sonata, but a Kia Optima EX will come will auto climate for as low as 23,200. The value proposition has always been stronger with Kia than Hyundai, though.

@ jdubbs115 - Since we're talking about value, a 2012 Camry XLE I4 can be purchased for $22,981 in NorCal according to truecar.com and that vehicle comes standard with moonroof and auto temp control. An Optima EX AT will have auto temp control and comes in at $21,724 but has no moonroof. To get the moonroof, you'd have to buy the $2,635 premium package that comes with other stuff too. It all depends on what options you really want/need and what you're willing to pay for.

To clarify though, a fully loaded Optima will come in significantly under a fully loaded Camry. Depending on how you choose your options, the difference in price gets smaller.

@se_riously: I was going off of Kia's website, since deals can be found in nearly any region for nearly any car. Toyota's website pins an XLE for $24,485 (more), and though it includes a moonroof, it does not include a leather interior, smart key with push button start, or an auto-dimming mirror. The Camry may counter with a touch screen (no nav without adding a package) at this level, but no matter which way you slice it Toyota's asking price is higher. Worth it? Fewer people are beginning to think so...

"The volume buttons are too far apart and I'm pretty sure no human thumb has that much range of motion to use them without shifting the hand position"

I don`t know, I think Dirk Nowitzki would do just fine.

Bodyblue, my only gripe with the buttons on the wheel (when I called them Playstation controller buttons) concerns the appearance, because otherwise I like the style of the new Camry interior. I'd tend to agree with Mark's assessment of the steering wheel controls' ergonomics, but I'd take this over the Accord or TSX's controls any day.

To give credit where credit is due since I usually hate on Toyota, the Camry and FRS or whatever they're calling it do raise my perceptions and make up for many past faults.

Just from a test drive (alone) I can list several advantages of the Camry SE 4 cyl. over other cars I have driven.

1. Very smooth and responsive engine (unlike the 4 cyl Fusion)
2. Cooperative automatic transmission with paddle shifters with rev matching. Nice.
3. Firm suspension on the SE-- a big surprise.
4. The 6.1" screen is standard, along with Bluetooth.
5. Decent aspect ratio tires (P215/55/R17)-- for diving into potholes with no fear.

Two downsides:
1. The SE had a manual transmission, but now Toyota has removed the manual completely from the Camry lineup.
2. Package bundling-- yuck

Anyway, after driving it, I think I could justify buying my first auto transmission car in over 30 years. Actually, the big obstacle would be freeing myself from AWD.

"To give credit where credit is due since I usually hate on Toyota, the Camry and FRS or whatever they're calling it do raise my perceptions and make up for many past faults."

Kind of like me and GM. I am really trying to have an open mind.

BB I just got teary eyed. First our uniting over the Jetta, now you're warming to GM and I'm warming to Toyota. Merry Christmas and God bless us, every one.

I really am happy to have Toyota back on good form. If everyone is going to buy one by default, it is nice to know they're getting something good.

ROFLMAO! :) :)

This might dry your eyes a bit stov:

http://www.autoextremist.com/on-the-table1/

Delorenzo always says it like it is.

Toyota's got the demographic right. If you want a Jitterbug phone equivalent, it's the new Camry interior controls.

Or people that live in cold climates that wear gloves. But by all means go ahead and stereotype....it does save a lot of time.