We have an 88 Nova (Corolla) , an 01 Camry, and my 93 Bonnie. The 88 has been pretty good, but it has needed it'* share of repairs. Burned valve being the expensive one...

The 01 camry really has to wind out to get up to 70, it will do it, and do it great for a 4cyl 135 Horse engine, but you gotta rev it higher. That could add more wear to the engine, over an iron 3800 rolling 3k to get to 70.

Miles and age being the same, i'd take my 93 over the Camry on Reliability. The tires on that car were crap @ 20k. Parts will cost more on the Camry when it goes. The 3800 is in tons of GM motor vehicles, you could find parts from 2 door coupes to minivans.

That camry is great, it handles and stops better, and it'* nice inside. Sure there'* no HUD, or gain slider, or whatever, but with cloth buckets, floor shifter, their good cd player/component speakers, it'* a great car. The materials are better then any GM car, only downside - parents didn't get a stick. :?

I have a friend who won't buy anything buy toy-ota. He'* had as many expensive repairs as any GM I've owned. My 2000 has had some small issues, but has never let me down. I also don't understand the 'issue' of materials. The plastic on the camry might have a different texture or shine, but its still plastic. Fit and finish between my SSEi and his camry is equal. My leather seats look less like living room furniture than his, but are just as comfy, and durable.

IMHO, I think the asian car makers have built a perception of quality that exceeds the reality.

Our 2000 Bonnie has been flawless. My neighbor traded her '95 Bonnie for an Avalon, or fancy Camry. It had to be flatbedded to the dealer when it was about 8 months old. I know this is probably an exception, but it is fun to talk about

The choice seems simple to me, if I could get two Camrys for the price of a Bonnie, I'd own a Bonneville, not two Camry'*. The bonneville is a much nicer car to drive, it quieter, rides smoother, is more comfortable, should I keep going. When you drive in a Camry, they feel kinda cheap to me anyways. I work at a detail shop, and our main customer is a local Toyota dealer, and let me tell you, I haven't seen one as nice as a Bonneville yet. Most of the Lexus' they send us aren't even Bonneville quality.

The reliability should be about the same for them, they both have good ratings from what i understand, however, I'm pretty sure the Bonnie will be cheaper to maintain due to having some really old engine technology that is basically indestructable. We have over 125k on our 2k SSEi and this is what has been fixed:

Lower intake manifold gasket @ ~75k
Rear window motor/cable or whatever on both sides.
Hood was repainted under warranty due to corrosion.

I can't think of any other time we had it to the dealer, but I could be forgetting once or twice. You can't really beat only having a car in the shop 3 times in 125k, especially when its a modded car. But really, if you like the Bonneville better than the Camry, get the Bonneville, if not, then don't, its pretty simple. Also, what dealer did they tell you that a Camry was better? A Toyota dealer perhaps?

Shawn

I know a guy with a 99' Camery that drives for a living. It has 152K on it and it is horrible. Once he crossed the 100K point the performance dropped big time. With the A/C on he has to floor it to move safely from a light. He said the next car he'll get is a 03' Bonney SSEi. The last time I talked to this guy was two years ago.

Well.. take it out for a spin.. or see if you can rent the both kind of cars for a week to get accustom to both cars and judge for yourself.. everyone in Toyota forum will say Camry.. everyone here will say Bonneville.. but it is you ULTIMATELY who has the choice.. and it is YOU who would have to pay and live with that car choice for the next few years..

I had my share of econo reliable car.. and some ballsier not so good on gas car.. and to be honest.. I am glad I have the bonnie.. I can drive this boat gently and be good on gas.. but yet.. if someone wants to play.. I just romp on her.. up over and gone the only car that has kept up and or beat me was a corvette and Jim'* Aurora by half a car

[quote]
Jim'* Aurora by half a car

GO for the BONNEVILLE, itwill grab everyone'* attention when you drive by, and you will love how this car handles. I already have 150,000+ km on my car and it drives like a dream. Everyone at work thinks my car is brand new and it'* a 2000. Just my 2 cents. Take one out for a test drive and you will buy it that day.

If you want a great driving car with a lot of extras and safety features (dual airbags, side airbags, cadillac stability system, heads up display, heated leather seats) that is also a blast to drive then get the SSEi

Test drive both and see for yourself. Just remember, I don't think i've ever seen a camry do this....

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