Hey there Everybody!
New to the forum... found this site through priuschat.com. I am the proud owner of a new 2007 (3 weeks old) black Toyota Camry Hybrid. I love this car. In July 2006, I traded my trusty and beloved 1997 Mercedes-Benz E320 on a new Volvo S40. I loved my Benz... and, like an old friend, I was sorry to see him go. But with the car only getting 17 MPG on premium, and iminet repairs piling up like I-Phone buyers at a 10% off sale... it had to go. So I compromised and bought a brand spanking new 2006 Volvo S40. Thinking hey, A near luxury european sedan, sporty, better on gas... fun to drive, the S40 seemed like a logical choice. I figured I'd be happily motoring for at least 3-4 years. Well, 14 months and numerous repairs later (things like inoperative air bags, jamming seat belt, dead CD changer, courtesty lights dangling by the wires, windows binding, ect ect ect), I have now found bliss in my new 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. My Volvo was pretty much loaded, minus leather (which I did not want anymore, too much to care for), yet even w/ a sticker of 29K... it was missing key items that my Benz had like an auto dim rearview mirror. When I found my black TCH (the last of three remaining 2007s on the lot) I was thrilled. Having done my research I knew the Camry Hybrid was quite well equipped (many of the standard items not even available in the Volvo) Not five minutes into looking at the car... the quality difference was more than apparent. Doors that do not have to be slammed to shut properly. REAL carpeting (the Volvo had felt, not cut pile), controls that operate smoothly and intuitively. Having owned an older Lexus ES300... I am familiar w/ Toyota quality and comfort, but wow... what a difference even a decade can make. The TCH, especailly compared to the Volvo... feels every bit like a luxury car. Controlled, serene ride. Excellent interior silence, a great JBL sound system (w/ MP3, sat, aux input). Puts the "premium sound" (part of a $1,950 premium package) in my S40 to shame. The TCH is, in my opinion, a lot of car for the money... and then is a technical and economical marvel to boot. So... hence the question: What did you trade in to buy your new Toyota Camry Hybrid? I bet we will be suprised, since the TCH (except for the Altima which is available in only a few states) is the largest and most opulent hybrid sedan for under 50K. I moved from a Volvo w/ pleasure.