gm4life

I have for the past 5 years, noticed a significant increase in Camry's in my town Dubuque Iowa. (On the Mighty Mississippi River where WI and IL meet!) But who is buying them, to answer that I took a drive around town to see what kind of people are in Camry's. You must understand Dubuque town within Dubuque county and is one of the few in areas Iowa that tends to vote more liberal due to the high numbers of Irish people and union people working at John Deere a major employeer in the Dubuque Land area. Also we have a large number of highly acclaimed both private and public schools. All my childern are in private schools in Dubuque the private school system in which I have taught for almost 30 years. My church parking lot has changed dramatically, from Buicks and Mercurys to Camry's... Let me explain, the new 2007 Camry has become a popular model with people in the last half of their life, trading fine Impala's (2000-2005), Sables, LeSabres and even some Lumina's in on these wonderful new cars. (hahaha just kidding on the wonderful) The people that are buying these in my community aren't under 50 even 55 for the most part but tend to be older couples/empty nester's. Sitting aside of there Suburban or Silverado is a Camry. For many it is the four cylinder high volume/low priced LE with bolt on wheel covers beige, white or silver variety that seem to sell the most. It is rare to see a V6 model or SE/XLE model in my town. The 2007 Camry in my area has a been a hit but with the wrong crowd, people trading in Buick's on Camry's. Intrestingly enough the new Avalon never caught on well like the Lucerne but whom is driving them? The Buick Lucerne is driven mostly middle-aged males or 55-70 year old couples. Intresting I thought indeed. The car buying groups are switching the old farts that would be buying Impalas are buying Camry's and more young people are buying the Impala's. I see more and more young people in G6's, Impala's, Lucerne's and even DTS's. While the Camry seems to be attracting a group of buyers in there golden years but why? That is what I will never understand, as old farts continue to buy Camry's I will laugh and wonder why and let Chevy/GM reap the good things that come from younger owners. Not to say I don't see old people in Impala's just less and less of them... So is this good or bad? I say it is some of both anyone noticed anything similar?

Still an ugly car. Cool graphics/color combo and rims. $h!ty interior is right.

Hey I warned her. She is rather young tho, like early 20's... I know her through work.

Really... Even the RX? (That I secretly always sort-a like along with the LX, only Lex/Toy models I would buy)

Really, I dislike the Q7, oh I forgot the FX-35.

I have a friend nice lady but somewhat well dingy I would say and she is getting new or slightly used luxury CUV/SUV. She has enlisted my help to help her look and decide upon one. She basically has narrowed it down to four CUV's... I suggested the Lincoln MKX (said no) Caddy SRX (said no) and also the Buick Enclave (said no and it was too big). My friend likes image and the Cadillac nor Buickish/Lincoln image prolly appeal to her. Can't make her buy one. The options... Given this list what would you guys suggest/buy for yourself if you had too in order... -2007-2008 Lexus RX-400H AWD -2007-2008 Lexus RX-350 AWD -2007-2008 Porsche Cayenne V6 AWD -2007-2008 Audi Q7 3.6 Quattro Under or Around 50K no less than 40K she says... No BMW either and talked her out of a Benz... Here is what I would get out of those and suggesting to here in this order... 1.) Lexus RX-400H AWD *Good Looks/ great Fuel Economy, decent price point, good build quality* 2.) Porshe Cayenne V6 AWD *Its a Porsche, Porsche good looks smooth powertrain and nice off-road* 3.) Lexus RX-350 AWD *Solid CUV and nice styling and good build quality* 4.) Audi Q7 3.6 Quattro *I think its ugly and whimpy with the V6, decent interior tho* (my last choice by far!) Please help me and my friend and also list why you like which ones and for what reasons in the order you would suggest them. Thanks so much for all your help in advance I know GM/Domestic stuff well not so much this forigen stuff. Please help!

-I actually think the DTS has very nice styling cues.

My list... OWNED... Current Rides 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix LE Sedan 3.1L V6 - Artic White - 115K 2001 Chevrolet Impala Sedan 3400 V6 - Sand Drift Beige Metallic - 55K 2005 Pontiac Bonneville SLE 3800 Series II V6 - Cranberry Red Metallic - 15K Old Rides 1971 Pontiac Bonneville Hardtop 7.5L V8 4bbl. - Aztek Gold/Cream Cordova Top 1973 Chevrolet Nova SS 5.7L V8 4bbl. - Onyx Black with White SS Stripes 1977 Pontiac Bonneville Sedan 5.0L V8 2bbl. - Mojave Beige Tan/Cream Cordova Top 1987 Olds Delta 88 Sedan 3800 Series I V6 - Deep Red 1992 Cadillac Sedan Deville 4.9L V8 - Cotillion White NOT OWNED... BUICK SAAB HUMMER GMC HOLDEN OPEL etc...

I think doing a package on the G8 would be a disaster.

That looks like fun anyways.

Well 98 thanks again for your kind words... And that sig I just love it! Viper also thanks for the kind words also. Blu is right C&G is real people with a passion for cars.

Watch what you say about Pontiac's and the G-body cars. I have two Pontiacs, and one of them happens to be a G-Pontiac. What do you drive buddy? The G-Platform aside of being a little old is still amazingly effective at what does best a comfortable touring/interstate car. I understand its old but I would not consider a G6, G5, Torrent or Solstice even Grand Prix umcompetive junk. (Have you taken alook at Lucerne or DTS sales, they have been pretty impressive.) Go back too Bulgaria, and drive your 4-banger Toyota. Seriously I prolly have nicer cars than you. Just watch what you say you are on a GM forum and are now bashing some of GM's best cars.

You could do that, Carguy, but I would just make a lower level LeMans for the V6 people.

Thanks Guys... Fly- We hope to be able to be of service... Fly thanks again for the desktop page. Custom-I am laughing too. 98- We can get you a new sig via photoshop if you'd like... N thanx for the kind words... Dave- I know getting to know everyone takes a while to get used too. But you are a great bunch. Night er well morning everyone. (Depends on where you live I guess... Night for another 18 minutes here)

Poncho and Bobo I agree. I think Poncho is right on the money with 320 N8* and a 6spd. auto that is the big thing. I don't know if they expect anything different.

Son is 17 and 1/2 and loves car more than me. Car and Driver forums. No and he always puts Chris at the buttom. But uhhh pleasure to have gotten to know you sir.

98 you will be at thousand very soon I just noticed that.

98... You don't but he has only done it a few times. Like the autoshow and some photos. He has never really said anything much. But enjoys looking over my shoulder. He honestly did do the photoshop above for me and it turned out pretty good. Except for few errors. Well you 98 have always been very kind to me and I apperciate that. When people are good to you, I think you owe it to them to let 'em know. We have a enough "asswholes" in the world pardon my english as it is. Thats why I rarely post around C&D. Also my sons signs when he is done posting. Only a time or too.

I know you'll get there fast. Thanks for the congrats.

Avalon and Impala aren't in the same pricing class. Compare LeSabre to Avalon fine. Not Impala to Avalon. I hated all generations of Camry's the last one I like was the 96ish model before the till 2001 generation you all liked.

I think that says it all thanks again guys. My son wanted to thank you all too. He posts sometimes under my name and did the Chicago Autoshow thing for us. **Good kid...** Sorry my son typed it up there is a spelling error or two. He is just learning photoshop and doesn't proof read just like me.

I agree but the refresh looks decent better than the old at least.

Gee Custom I don't know...

This is crazy the goverment limiting something has been proved to fail time and time again. Damn tree huggers. This is what happens when the gov't gets to much power.

Never ever put a V6 into a GTO standard. That would be a silly move. Call it a LeMans but not a GTO. Then might as well do a Firebird/Trans Am.