Time to put on my flame suit. When I bought my 2000 Toyota Camry it was the car of the year. This car was the first new car I ever had. I did make sure that the car I got was the one I wanted. It wasn't so boring, as it was a Gen 4.5 with the updated headlights and tail lights, and I had the sunroof and spoiler as well as the alloy wheels. This set my "cookie cutter" car apart from the rest of them.
I made some mods in 2008 - 2009 to really set it apart. Nav system, OEM fogs, and the black halo headlights.
I still can't get rid of that car. It has been with me for 10 years, and it was a different time. It was indeed an american built car, and a good majority of the parts say "Denso Detroit, MI" on them. I think all that has happened in my life since I got that car and it is crazy.
In 2000 - 2001 I would agree with the Camry being the car of the year, but their re-design in 2002 was horrible. The Gen6, (current generation) looks alright,
but I wouldn't call it car of the year.
Anyhow, I love my Camry and I want to see how many years I can get out of it. It is going to be my wifes car and the Camaro my car.
Here is something else I've come across here in College town. Not to stereotype or anything, but it appears that asians prefer Toyotas. I had someone I knew that had an Asian student staying with them, and wouldn't look at any other car besides a Toyota. You could have tried to give her a "GM" toyota (Chevy Prism) and she wouldn't take it.
Maybe it is the brand loyalty that made it the car of the year this year.
The Camaro got me back into looking at GM. It helped my dad was retired from there and I could get the GM discount.
