Camry vs. Hilux!

[Snoozin]

Interesting thread title huh?

Anyway, I'm pitching this question at you, the revered members of the Toyspeed community. Shortly, I'm going to be faced with this choice when I get to "choose" (loose term really given the options...) my next work vehicle.

So ladies and gents, on the table we have:

- Camry GL poverty spec sedan
- Hilux poverty spec ute, 2wd unknown yet if diesel or petrol 2.7

Any idea on what the Camry's towing capabilities are like? Maximum load is likely to be a KP Starlet on a lightweight single axle car trailer. A relatively good stereo is important, as is semi-decent economy for when I use it for personal trips away.

So, all you dealer dwelling folk - hit me with some opinions!

Thanks, Richy

[xsspeed]

Will it be new or used? I drove a brand new camry atara(sp?) last week and tbh, it wasn't that bad (better than expected). 2.5, felt like it had a bit of power, though the steering wheel paddle shifts were a bit optimistic.

A general rule can be applied to work and rental cars, whereby they transform into 4wd/offroader.

[Snoozin]

Will be brand new.

[xsspeed]

Single or double cab hilux would be my next question, and being 2wd, are they the low commercial spec ones (ie not jacked for offroading)

I could drive my in-laws new hilux all day, but its the turbo deez 4wd, and ride isn't very harsh. A couple of years back I had to drive down one of Kate's company cars to wellington, was a turbo deez navara 2wd, so povo spec. Now unless I am mistaken this featured leaf springs on all four corners and was awful for the 8+ hour trip.

My point kind of being that IMO if you are going to spend ages in the car go for comfort, the kp on a single axle would IMO be fine to tow behind a camry.

/arrange test drives at toyota for camry/hilux/ft-86

[Snoozin]

Double cab, unsure if it's lowdown spec or what. The Rangers we used to have were always the 2wd jacked spec versions.

[xsspeed]

Also which dealership? Manukau toyota seem to get a good rep for service and deals on cars.

[~SlideWays~]

I'd go for the Hilux purely for the Utility aspect.

Modern Hilux's will be much more like cars than earlier ones, proper coils up front etc.

Although I wonder how good it would be at towing because it would be very light at the back.

[xsspeed]

I'd go for the Hilux purely for the Utility aspect.

Modern Hilux's will be much more like cars than earlier ones, proper coils up front etc.

See my comment re the navara I drove though - that was brand new in 2010 at the time. Just somethng to check

[mjrstar]

we have a poverty spec 2.7 d/c work ute which are pretty horrid really.

If you don't need the ute-ness for anything in particular i would say go with the camry for the sake of a bit more ride comfort etc..

ildly OT but the new diesel uttes in 4x4 spec are actually not a bad machine much nicer to drive than the wheezy petrol.

[Leon]

I'd say Camry will be way easier to live with, but the Hilux would be more utilitarian for carrying engines around during weekends etc. So depends which is more important to you.

I suspect you'll find the Hilux painfully slow for any towing duties.

[1I1]

If it's the 1KD (3L T/D) towing shouldn't be too much of an issue. Infact a 2WD will tow a lot nicer than a 4WD Hilux (lower height, better gearing etc). Only thing is that a 4WD SR5 has better brakes.

Hilux will tow 2250kg braked / 750kg unbraked

One point that puts me off a ute is unless you have a canopy or hardlid it limits the amount of secure storage space to the back seat.

Camry should be (new model due soon) 1200kg braked / 500kg unbraked

[BZG Wagon]

If it's a spec'd camry vs. poverty hilux, then Camry hands down.

[Snoozin]

Also which dealership? Manukau toyota seem to get a good rep for service and deals on cars.

Unsure tbh, I don't think deals will be a problem with the size of the company I work for though

It's poverty spec either way - the Camry seems like it will achieve more than a Hilux tbh. Undoubtedly more comfortable as a weekend roadtripper, it also seems to have an aux input which I'm a bit keen on.

[xsspeed]

Only reason I mention manukau is that they offered the new hilux's to the guys at cornwall park for cheaper than the supposed good deal that the incumbent supplier said was his absolute lowest price, plus threw in all the options available. Plus the guys arrange a time to pick it up for servicing, leave you a loan vehicle and have it back on the dot when they say they will.

[Nuty|Mike]

Could get you a good deal on a Euro




You know you want it

[Bling]

Nationwide deals on that? /hijack


As for the OP, is it going to be your daily on the weekends / 24/7 or what? I drive a pathfinder half the time at the moment and enjoy the comfort offered compared to a car. Granted your roads won't be as bad as mine

If it's going to be your daily though then probably car. Tow 4x4 can always be borrowed etc and car will probably be nicer to cruise around in.

[matt dunn]

Could get you a good deal on a Euro

VW

You know you want it

lol, Before I make any comments you dont work for a VW dealer do you??

If it's a spec'd camry vs. poverty hilux, then Camry hands down.

I'd be 100% opposite.

We have has a late hilux as a drive vehicle for a month while we were car less. The wife had it as the everyday vehicle and loved it.
It was a 1KDFTV so the common rail diesil and was double cab 2wd.

Rides as comfortable as a car,
and power wise they are great for towing.
We used it to tow a massive fully enclosed trailer with my race car it is to Invercargill and back, more than enough power to pass at 100kmh,
and was really good up the dunedin hills too.

If we had the cash we would have got one as an everyday car over the 2005 Fielder Z we have now.

[Snoozin]

Hah I wish I had the option outside the Camry and Hilux, but these are the 2 options for me as it's a company supplied car, and that's all we lease for account managers.

Cool as though, good to hear the Hiluz rides well, this is one of my main reservations about it. Petrol vs diesel will make or break the choice I think, if diesel, I'll go with the ute, if petrol I will go with the Camry.

[matt dunn]

Yeah I dont think I'd be keen on a petrol Hilux either.

[samlloyd]

Get the hilux.