How To Find The Right Auto Dealer

Whether you plan to sell your car, buy a new or trade your car for another car dealers have much support. These individuals or groups can be found through a series of funds, but you must be aware of the unsavory activities, which some of them.

Are you planning on buying a car? Do you have a certain car that you want to sell? If you live in one of these situations, a good choice for you would be in contact with a car dealer. It is an individual or group that buys, sells, and often, crafts cars and other types of vehicles. Generally purchase of a car dealer may also be beneficial, since such persons or companies usually relatively lower prices. In addition, by selling your car to a car dealer, you have a better chance to give your car a reasonable price.

But where exactly to find auto dealers? First, you can get some legwork and drive around to find your city, automotive shops and car repair shops. Probably, these companies are operating in conjunction with car dealers, and some may even dealers. This option has a certain advantage, because it would allow you to personally meet as soon as the person or group from whom you buy a car or sell your vehicle. On the other hand, if you are on a tight schedule, you can use the automatic search for dealers in the yellow pages. This allows you to contact more car dealers within a much shorter time. You should be aware that if you limit the auto dealer would you call that in your district or city. Another way to find car dealers is available on the Internet. With Google, Yahoo or any search engine, you can "auto dealer", followed by the name of your city on the field and made available in a few seconds, you would be able to provide a range of sites developed and maintained by car dealers in your area. If you choose this option, you should be careful and look at counterfeit Web sites and shady dealers. Make sure that the car dealer you have elected has his telephone number and address in its website.

Moving on, regardless of how you get in contact with a car dealer, you should be aware of certain things to remember. First, there are a lot of auto dealers out there, scams to their customers. For example, some car dealers would convince them that your current trade with a new car with less funding. If you have traded your car with a new one from the dealer and have a deposit, he would call a few days later and tell you that your car loan payment has increased. If you can not pay the loan, the dealer will take back the new car, and if you try to ask for your old car, he will tell you that he had already been sold. To avoid this from happening to you, you should never give the dealer or the title of the keys to your car until you have signed the purchase contract. Apart from that, there are other types of illegal acts by some auto dealers.
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2008 Honda Odyssey Review

Specifications

Model as tested	2008 Honda Odyssey Touring
Base Price	$40,610
Price as Tested	$41,245
Engine Type	3.5L V6
Engine Size	3.5 liters
Horsepower @ RPM	241 @ 5700 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) @ RPM	242 @ 4900 RPM
Transmission	5 Speed Automatic
Wheelbase / Overall Length	118.1 inches / 202.1 inches
Ground Clearance	4.3 inches
Curb Weight	4,691 lbs.
Fuel Capacity	21.0 gallons
Fuel Type / System	Gas Engine / Multi-Port Fuel Injected
Tires	Michelin Energy LX4 235/60R17
Brakes	4-Wheel Disc Brakes, Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)
Passenger Volume	168.3 cubic feet
Cargo Volume	38.4 cubic feet

Performance / Safety / Warranty

EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed	17 / 25 / 20
Air Bags	Driver, Passenger Dual Stage & Side Air Bags, Side Curtain Air Bags
Basic Warranty	36 months / 36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty	60 months / 60,000 miles

Options and Charges

Destination Charge (delivery, processing, and handling fee)

$635

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Six Tips for Lowering Youd Insurance

If you were very worried when the car insurance this year renewed and found that you increase your prices, do not despair you are not alone. You can still save money Your reward With a few simple steps.

We all know that it is not exactly cheap car in those days. As gas prices fluctuate up and down and income not keep pace with inflation, it seems most of us are looking for ways to reduce costs.

All you have to do is just ask someone, was in an accident in recent history. The cost can quickly mount. The financial responsibility for themselves and the persons involved to quickly assemble.

Here are some tips for you cut some corners. You can still protect your car insurance carriers, but more on the financial liability. This work may be in your favor, because if you are a safe driver then your liability is minimal.

1st Comparison shop. If you have a good driving record and buy a safer car, your premium rate should go.

2nd Find out what your insurance will cost before you buy a new car. Auto insurance typically charge more for cars, the expensive to repair or not fare well in accidents.

3rd Ask your insurer for discounts. These cost savings can lower your insurance premiums more than you might think. Combination of two or more cars on a car insurance.

The purchase of a car with airbags or other safety equipment and take the highest pro-rata rate you can afford. Your deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket, in case of a claim, your insurance company begins to pay its share.

The higher you are deductible, the lower your premium, it is as simple as that Just be sure you are able to absorb a larger part of your loss in the event of an accident.

4th Make serious attempts to improve your ride. The more tickets and accidents you have, the more your car insurance costs.

So take your advice and start to drive carefully. This will help your vehicle record, and if your car insurance company informed of the change. They are new as a safe driver and hopefully reduce your car insurance in the process!

5th Consider dropping comprehensive and / or collision coverage, if you drive an older car. Physical damage coverage's like these reimburse you for damage to your own car. All this depends on the state in which you live in.

Obviously prices are different if you live in NYC and drive in comparison to Philadelphia. Your best bet is, as always, to shop and compare prices and services from many airlines.

6th Check your policy regularly and keep your coverage updated. Your car insurance rates fluctuate due May adding or removing a driver from your car insurance and replacing an older vehicle with a newer one.

For those of us who drive, auto insurance is a necessary condition legally enforced. Although we hate to pay what we think are high and ridiculous premiums, the financial security we gain from this policy is a trade-off we simply can not afford to live without.
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Matchbox Jeep

As the only child has its advantages. I remember Christmas is a particularly good time of the year with a lot of presents and nobody harassed me to play with them. Without doubt, the most popular moment in my childhood was unwrapping a brand new, shiny toy car. Just like driving a lump of metal around the ground for the clock at the end kept me amused I am not sure, but the car tax was a damn sight cheaper I know that much. Well, I long for the heydays again and Jeep May, with the answer.

The Jeep Patriot is essentially a mini-Jeep, a matchbox toy version of the Cherokee or Grand Cherokee. It's Jeep's goal to attract as many families in the Patriot as possible and are marketing it as a sensible, affordable alternative to the family sedan.


A few things are immediately obvious. Despite the "mini" (and I use my Mini in comparison to a Boeing 747) proportions, the baby Jeep is still most definitely from the same family as its bigger brothers. The seven front slot grille and round headlights are as synonymous with Jeep, as the contour of the nose to an Aston Martin. The styling combines aggression on the street with off-road tradition, although the front has been fairly low to the ground meaning any serious off-road action could be a problem.

Switchable four-wheel drive is the de rigueur for all would-Off-road candidate. There is also space for the whole family (mobile, as this is the goal of the demographic) with a lot of space and boat-a washable interior allows even the messiest weekend trips to enjoy, without a large bill valeting upon return.

A magnificent 2-liter engine is economical diesel under the hood of the "Diesel Sport derivative and makes a fair fist of things when on the road. In fact, an average running back around 42mpg, a statistic you do not need to decipher Einstein to know that for a SUV, it is extraordinary. Of course, the downside to this economy is the low rev range is not the punchiest and you need the full rev range to make any kind of rapid progress, but you will not have the look of horror as a fuel gauge drop before your eyes. The six speed gearbox not let the side down and allow either the Patriot to make the best use of these speeds you are hunting.

The car is the amount more than juvenile and adult height that crippled the Patriot corners to fight more effective than other 4 x 4 fellow countrymen. The smaller proportions not only assist in the prevention of body roll but the handling is responsive and has a nimble has the feeling that you forget what kind of vehicle you drive.

The interior is perhaps an aspect that has reached reviewers for their red pens, but I do not agree. While the build quality is not compete with the Germans, let alone the flair of the Italians but we are missing the point. As already mentioned, the Jeep a family can do everything it can to throw and stay untouched. Throw mud, Ribena and ice on the dashboard (Note: no responsibility taken from this author, you should do this), and it will wipe clean in seconds.

This 4x 4 is the antithesis of the Italian flair, the Bruce Willis of the subway-sexual world we live in. The front is square, the back is space - even the wheel are somehow place. In fact, with the exception of the wheels and the lights, that must've crawled through the conveyor belt in the assembly plant, there is not a curve on the car - and it is better for them.

The robust its intention to go anywhere, take something in reality. The Jeep is really a serious alternative to the other family cars on the road. At £ 15,000 ($ 30000) price tag that you do not set off either. Perhaps, however crucial it is really a small 4 x 4 and as a consequence that the usual off-road vehicle Haters you slip by unnoticed.

In summary, the Jeep Patriot makes you feel like the manliest man ever, while gently wrapping his arms around protecting your family. It can on the 4 x 4 proportions of a matchbox toys, but this is a car, will be pushed from the field and around the floor until the heap is worn out.
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Start Photography With White Balance

Always wonder why some pictures have a yellow or blue tint? Why did this happen? Now it has to do with how the camera sees colors in a scene. Correct White Balance is one of those technical aspects of photography, which are often overlooked or misunderstood. But it can make a big impact on your photos, so it is important to understand how color works in photography.

What is white balance?

The color is in the temperature measured in units of Kelvin. Warm colors have a low degree Kelvin, while cooler temperatures have higher degrees Kelvin. For example, the flame of a candle has a Kelvin temperature of about 1500, while a blue sky Kelvin has a temperature of about 9000th The human eye is very good at adjusting for differences in color temperature. Unless the temperature of light is very extreme look like a white wall is generally white. But a camera is not with a human brain behind it (yet!) And so is unable to make the same adjustments. The result is a color that looks to either "cold" or even "warm".

Set the white balance

The purpose of adjusting the white balance is to say that the camera matters either warm up or cool things, depending on the lighting situation. And how are we doing this? Most digital cameras have automatic and semi-automatic settings. The most common are:

Automatic: if the camera takes an estimate on the correct white balance. In most of these conditions is pretty much, but in tricky situations, lighting, it is easily fooled.

Tungsten: for shooting under artificial light (artificial) lighting as an indoor lamp. Since this type of lighting is very warm, the setting cools the colors easily.

Daylight: Filming for the outside. Colors appear under a sky can be blue, so this setting is used to a warm-up scene.

Various brands cameras also have more variations on these settings, such as conditions for clouds and flash photography.

Manually adjust the white balance

In most cases with the help of automatic or semi-automatic settings on your camera good results. But if it's just not doing it for you, or you like me are a complete control freak, most digital cameras, you can manually set the white balance.

This can be done in two ways. Some cameras have a setting that allows you to set the white balance in degrees Kelvin. To do this course, you must know the temperature of your light source. This is easy to find out with a few test shots. For instance, if you shoot within the framework of a standard house globe, you know that the temperature of the light is quite low. Adjust your attitude to a small number and take a test shot. Then review and adjustments as necessary, until the color in your photos look right.

The second method is the tried and true grey card. By holding a neutral color in front of your lens, you are basically the camera to say what looks white. It fits all other colors. To do this, you must have your white balance for manual setting.

With all the automatic settings, digital cameras have allegedly to make our lives easier, it is simply too lazy and let the camera do all the work. However, put in a little effort into learning why things work and how they are doing, you have the edge next time you are dealing with a difficult situation and lighting will help you, your photography.
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Get Discount from Birmingham Airport Parking Hotels

A nights in a comfortable hotel and airport saves trouble driving on the airport at an early morning check-in. An airport hotel with parking package costs less than airport parking alone.

So we have an easy way of booking airport parking online and offers a number of parking spaces, offers discounted prices and short distances from the airport. You can get detailed information of UK airport hotels should you need it.

Parking4less, understands that most people are looking for "value" and "convenience" when it comes to pre-booking airport parking lot.

Right now, there is an special offer from Birmingham Airport Parking Hotels. You can find the various Birmingham Airport hotels with an airport parking lot as part of the hotel package, from 2 to 4-stars and all the hotels offer half-board deals in rooms with eight or 15 days free parking and a shuttle service to the airport. This method is suitable for avoiding traffic too early flights or to rest after a long haul return flight.

Ultimately, you do not want to spend much time and effort trawling around the Web for information on appropriate parking and the payment on the odds! So, visit the site and get the discount.
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Learning Spanish Lesson

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to get to grips with a new language very quickly? If learning a new language, there is often a key that opens the door faster. This article will be that key!

The biggest difference between the English and Spanish languages is that their are many Spanish words, a gender, what that means that the spelling of a word will be affected by, or what the word refers to. If that sounds a bit strange and not a simple lesson Spanish at all, let us a few examples.

A Spanish word for medical doctor is medically means a male doctor. If you wanted to write about a female doctor, you can use the word medica.
If you just read Spanish and medica, you know, that with reference to a female doctor, a male medical doctor. A word to the conclusion in O, if his describes a male and an A for a female, easy!
Sex, which words are used, before the object of the sentence so good, that is clear, if we set a good example. Medico means male doctor to say, "the male doctor" We could say, "el doctor" to say, "the female doctor" We could say, "la medica" so that "el" is to say "" for a male and "La" is to say "the" for a female.

I hope that you still think this is a simple Spanish lesson, because there are a few more, which must be observed.
We have seen that "La Medica" is "female" doctor, but the gender rule, if we want to say "A female doctor", this, we could say, "Una medica. So, if we want to say: "A male doctor" we can "UN-medical".

Finally, there is something to consider. If we have a group we need to know how gender impacts on the words in a sentence to describe to the group. In English we say, "the doctors" regardless of sex, the doctors in this group, but it is not so easy in Spanish. More than a female doctor could be called "Las medicas. More than a male doctor could be described as "Los Medicos".
The complication arises when you have more than one person to speak or write, but the group is composed of men and women, if this were the case that you always use the masculine option so that a group of doctors from the men and Women will be "Los Medicos" even though it fifty women and a man!

I hope you noted that a simple lesson in Spanish and that the beginning of a greater appreciation of the Spanish language. It is essential to learn Spanish, that the correct gender to the words in your rates, you would not lead to any insult?
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Easy Guide to Follow Basic Spanish Language

In this article we want to help you with an easy to follow guide to the basics of the Spanish language, focusing on the differences between Spanish and English sentence structure.

Sentence

If you want to understand basic Spanish you need to know that the main difference between English and Spanish is in such a way that the sentences are constructed. First, we look in a typical Spanish sentence.
"Me gusta el vino Espa? Oil".
This phrase means;
"I like Spanish wine."
Do you find that in the English version of "wine" comes to "Spanish", but in the Spanish phrase "vino" comes before "Espa? Oil"? This is because in Spanish the adjective (as an adjective is word is used to describe something, in this case we have "Espa? Oil, which means Spanish), always after the noun (a noun is basically another name for a thing, in this case "vino", so wine).
So, if I wanted to say, I like white wine, in Spanish, I would say, "Me gusta vino blanco". Blanco means white in Spanish.
The rule applies regardless of whether we are on a drink or a person.
The English phrase "A Spanish man".
Dignity in Spanish for "Un se? Or Espa? Oil"

Have you noticed Another difference between the English and Spanish rates? In the example we have, we can see that "Espa? Oil" begins with a lowercase letters, or small "e" in English but say that if "Spanish" We use a big "S", this is because any reference to a country in the English language should be a large letters at the beginning of the word, but in Spanish would only with a capital letter, if the name directly countries.
When we say "Soy de Espa?"
This translated,
"I'm from Spain"
Because we used "Espa?" If the name of the country, there will be a capital letter. Therefore, when I say;
"I am américano" (I am an American man). In Spanish we have a small "a" as opposed to;
"Soy de América" (I'm from America). Because we use the word for the Americas (that is a proper name), we use an "A".

How to identify issues

In English, we can change a statement to a question by adding the word DO and a question mark (?). As an example, the statement "You have a pencil" I could say something, as I hand over a pencil or merely a fact. But if I say, "Do you have a pencil?" There is no doubt that I am asking a question.

There is no word to do, Spanish, we need a different way of knowing that the sentence we have only just begun, is a question. To do this, the Spanish language uses two question marks "¿?", of an inverted at the beginning of the sentence and the standard quality to an end. Therefore:
"Tiene un lapiz," ( "tiene" may mean "you" and "lapiz" is "pencil")
This statement becomes a question of if we add, and ¿?.
"¿Tiene un lapiz?" If the question mark at the beginning of a sentence you know that you have to change the tone of your voice to make it into question.

We hope that these few tips lead to understanding basic Spanish a little easier for you, and hopefully you'd be happy about learning more!
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2008 Toyota Camry Summary

Introduction
Neither a rocket scientist nor a car critic is needed to figure out why the Toyota Camry has been America's best-selling car nine of the past 10 years. This mid-size sedan does just about everything well, and it's supported by Toyota's well-earned reputation for quality, reliability and value retention.

One year after a wheels-up redesign, the 2008 Toyota Camry changes not at all.

The Camry benefited from a complete overhaul for 2007, starting with a new, airy interior and continuing with more powerful engines, more transmission choices and increased fuel efficiency. Yet the hallmark of this sixth-generation Camry is Toyota's effort to shake the stodgy, plain reputation the car had developed in some circles. The Camry's aerodynamic styling shows more vitality than we've come to expect from a car many have labeled, and not necessarily in unkind fashion, as Japan's Buick.

Wash-and-wear, no-worries reliability is not a bad thing. Owners depend on the Camry, and they're seldom disappointed. This four-door sedan seats five in reasonable comfort, yet it's relatively compact and easy to park. It's smooth and quiet, but it can accelerate with vigor. Its cabin is attractive, functional and as refined as anything in its class. The Camry is thrilling in no respect, and no particular aspect of its performance is outstanding. Yet it's good in nearly every respect, bad in almost none, and it has a steady, set-and-forget quality that many drivers appreciate. It's pleasant to drive in all circumstances. In SE trim, with the manual transmission, it approaches fun.

Models range from the surprisingly well-equipped Camry CE to the near-luxury Camry XLE, with nearly all the bells and whistles. In between are the popular LE, a modest step up from the base CE and available with the V6, and the SE, decked out with suspension, tires and trim to please the sporty crowd. Toyota's four-cylinder engine is not the strongest, but it's more than adequate with the manual transmission. The smooth V6 is one of the most powerful in the class.

The Camry Hybrid features a combination electric motor/gasoline engine powertrain and a super-efficient continuously variable transmission, or CVT. The Hybrid is a good performer and one of the most fuel-efficient mid-size vehicles anywhere. It's also a great statement for environmentally conscious buyers, though it's worth noting that all Camry models offer good EPA mileage ratings and low emissions in their respective categories.

Since its debut in the United States nearly 25 years ago, the Camry has earned a reputation for smart design, pleasing function, build quality and durability. It's not all hype. The 2008 Toyota Camry remains the benchmark by which its competitors are judged.

Lineup
The 2008 Toyota Camry is a four-door, five-passenger sedan offered in five trim levels, including the gas-electric Camry Hybrid.

Camry CE ($18,570) features a 158-hp four-cylinder engine. It's equipped with cloth upholstery, air conditioning and pollen filter, cruise control, power windows and mirrors, manual tilt-and-telescope steering wheel, a multi-function information display with outside temperature, a 160-watt stereo with six speakers, single CD player and auxiliary jack for MP3 devices, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and 16-inch steel wheels.

The CE comes standard with a manual transmission; a five-speed automatic transmission is optional ($1,000).

The Camry LE ($20,025) and LE V6 ($23,640) add an eight-way power driver's seat and remote keyless entry.

All Camry V6 models get a 268-horspower 3.5-liter engine and a six-speed automatic with manual shift feature.

The sporty Camry SE ($21,240) and SE V6 ($24,915) add a firmer, lowered suspension, flashy styling cues, unique interior trim, fog lights and P215/55R17 tires on 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

The high-zoot Camry XLE ($25,000) features glossy wood-grain interior trim and comes standard with the automatic. Leather comes standard on the XLE V6 ($28,120). The XLE models add dual-zone auto climate control with an electronic ion filter, a JBL audio upgrade with 440 watts, 6CD changer, Bluetooth wireless telephone interface, power passenger seat, power sunroof, split 40/20/40 reclining rear seat, rear reading lamps, manual rear window sunshade, 16-inch alloy wheels. An automatic comes standard on the XLE.

The Camry Hybrid ($25,200) has a 147-hp version of the four-cylinder engine, mated with a 40-horsepower electric motor and continuously variable (CVT) automatic transmission. The motor augments the gas engine's performance and captures energy that would otherwise be wasted as the car slows and brakes, so it can reduce fuel consumption substantially. The Hybrid is equipped comparably to the XLE four-cylinder, and adds Toyota's Smart Key pushbutton-start feature.

Options include premium JBL audio ($1,000) for the LE and SE; it can be packaged with a voice-activated navigation system in the SE ($2,200) or XLE ($1,200). Stand-alone options include power tilt/slide sunroof ($940), leather-trimmed interior ($1,040), heated front seats ($440), auto-dimming rearview mirror ($150), heated outside mirrors ($30), 16-inch alloy wheels ($410).

Safety features on all Camrys include a full complement of airbags: dual-stage front impact airbags, a driver's knee airbag, upper body-protecting side-impact airbags for front passengers, and head-protecting side air curtains for the front and rear seats. All models come with anti-lock brakes (ABS), which aid steering control during a panic stop. The ABS features Brake Assist, which applies the brakes more quickly and consistently when it senses the onset of a panic stop, and electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), which balances brake application front and rear for optimal stopping distance. A tire-pressure monitor is standard. Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control are optional ($650) on the CE, LE, SE and XLE, and we strongly recommend getting it.

Walkaround
This latest Toyota Camry is as bold a statement as Toyota makes with its top-selling, bread-and-butter vehicles. The message in that statement? Reliability and consumer confidence do not necessarily require blandly conservative styling. A year after the current Camry was turned loosed on American roads, the 2008 model's visual impact has diminished only a little.

Yet if Toyota wanted to make a stronger fashion statement with the country's best selling car, it couldn't risk doing so at the expense of function. This sixth evolution of the Camry is the largest ever, though not by much. Its wheelbase is more than two inches longer than models built before 2007, and its track is a hint wider, with wheels pushed further toward the corners of the car. Yet, thanks to a shorter rear overhang, or that portion of the body that extends past the back wheels, this Camry maintains the same overall length as the previous generation. The result of this reconfiguration is more interior space, and particularly fore-aft length, with the same external footprint as before.

The flashy new styling (first introduced on the 2007 models) starts at the Camry's nose. The front end is fresh, and easily the boldest element of the new look, with sharp points, curving cut-lines and entertaining surface planes. The hood dips broadly through the middle, pushing visual heft out over the front fenders. The grille wears a Toyota emblem prominently above softly slanted, horizontal slats. The single-piece fascia blends all the diverse elements into a smooth aerodyanamic look that's several steps away from the pro forma, overly inoffensive, just-another-midsize-car-from-Japan look.

The side view is less fashionable and somewhat bulky looking, with a high beltline, symmetrical windows and square doors, graced with a barely discernible character line running through flush-mounted door handles. The wheel openings are circular, which on a car with a lower profile might suggest sporty intentions. On the Camry, they draw attention to the expanse of sheet metal between them, and instead whisper sedate. An odd but increasingly popular, miniaturized rip on the squared-off trunk lid of the BMW 7 Series finishes the side profile.

That bustle-like hump gives the trailing edge of the trunk a slight aero-lip that suggests it's there to reduce rear lift at high speeds. An oversize Toyota emblem perches atop the license plate recess. Proud taillight lenses mirror the outline of the headlights, angling down and inward across the trunk lid seam, closely tracing the pattern set by the headlights and grille. The bumper wraps around the back end, capping the corners beneath the taillights and sweeping into a soft, horizontal indentation that, on the V6-equipped models, finishes in cutouts for the chrome-tipped dual exhausts.

The sportier Camry SE is the easiest model to distinguish, and perhaps the boldest of all. The inference of aero treatment on the trunk lid is boosted on the SE with an honest spoiler. A black honeycomb-style grille sneers forward from smoked-tint headlamps, while a full body kit flares the lower edge of the car outward, emphasizing the sport model's lower ride height. Six-spoke, 17-inch aluminum wheels fill those circular wheel wells nicely.

There's also aerodynamic massaging that isn't obvious to the eye, particularly on the sport-tuned SE and the other specialty Camry, the Hybrid. Engineers focused on making the underbody as flat as possible to smooth airflow under the car and reduce noise. On the SE, they also tuned the flow to balance downforce, or the aerodynamic force that presses the car to the pavement, nearly equally over the front and rear tires.

With the Camry Hybrid, the aerodynamic focus was on efficiency. Unique wheel spats and underbelly pans reduce the coefficient of drag (Cd) to a low 0.27. This reduces the amount of energy required to move the Hybrid at a given speed, and in turn helps increase fuel economy.

Interior
Inside, the Camry offers a welcome counterpoint to its exterior styling. While the outside has been touched with a splash of pizzazz, the inside has been brushed with shades of elegance. The treatment is not quite up to, say, Lexus-level luxury, but, especially in the top-of-the-line XLE, this Camry raises the bar on interior polish for mid-price, mid-size sedans.

The cabin is trimmed with a brushed metallic finish in the CE, LE, SE, and Hybrid. Real-looking glossy wood grain is used inside the XLE, including surrounds for the door-release handles. The fabric upholstery combines breathable, waffle-texture insets with smooth bolsters and backing. The leather upgrade isn't quite kid glove, but it feels expensive. On the less positive side, the hard plastic covering the roof pillars looks cheap, and the mouse fur headliner disappoints.

Today's midsize sedans are roomy vehicles, yet the feeling of roominess in the Camry is tempered by direct comparisons with the competition. In headroom, for instance, the Camry matches the Ford Fusion, but trails the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata by almost an inch and a half in front. Camry loses to all four in front-seat legroom. It's mid-pack in hip room, and near the top in rear legroom. The seats are comfortable front and rear, though the seat bottoms are short on thigh support for taller occupants. Rear-seat passengers in the XLE enjoy a luxury rarely seen in this class: reclining seatbacks.

The sloping hood delivers good sightlines from the driver's seat. The thick C-pillar, or that part of the body supporting the roof behind the rear doors, looks less imposing to the driver than from outside the car. Low-profile rear-seat head restraints leave the view in the rearview mirror mostly unblocked. Outside mirrors are placed farther rearward than we'd like, forcing us to physically turn the head for quick checks instead of just glancing sideways.

Almost everything inside the Camry speaks refined function. The speedometer and tachometer are large, circular and easy to scan, save for brief periods at dusk and under certain types of street lighting, when the luminescent instruments on all but the SE can wash out. Those in the SE, which are black on white with sharp blue-ish backlighting, avoid this eye-straining fade. They're part of this sporty model's unique interior treatment, which features dark charcoal or Ash gray hues and a grippy leather-wrapped, three-spoke steering wheel.

The window switches are clustered nicely on the driver's door armrest, just below the mirror switch and door lock, so they sit right where the hand rests when the driver sets forearm on the door. However, only the driver's window switch is lit at night, and it's not very bright. That means the other switches in the cluster, including the locks and mirrors, must be located by touch when it's dark, rather than by sight.

Controls for audio and air conditioning are easily manageable, clearly labeled and logically positioned in the center stack, with audio above and climate below. The pastel blue-green lighting around the optional navigation system reminds us of Miami Beach, and we love the separate on/off switches for the audio and navigation systems. The dual switches are a departure from most other vehicles today, which have a single on/off switch. So if you want the nav but no audio, you have to crank the volume all the way down, and still run the risk of picking up interference.

The cabin offers lots of usable cubbies for storing things. Cup holders and assorted nooks and covered bins are located conveniently about the center stack and console. A large glove box spans the lower dash between the center stack and passenger door. Only the front doors get map pockets, which are fixed, hard plastic that allows most everything stored there to slide. A similar material forms the magazine pouches on the back of the front seatbacks. A covered storage bin in the fold-down center rear armrest doubles as cup holders for rear passengers. On the SE and XLE, it also conceals a pass-through to the trunk. The SE offers only this pass-through, rather than the folding rear seat on other models, thanks to an extra brace behind the seat the stiffens the body for sporty handling.

Trunk space is adequate. Compared to the competition, Camry's maximum trunk space of 15 cubic feet trails all but the Accord. The XLE's reclining back seats exact a slight penalty in trunk space, dropping it 0.5 cubic feet compared to other models. The Camry Hybrid takes an even bigger hit, losing 4.3 cubic feet of trunk space to its battery. The Camry's trunk is fully finished, with a grocery hook, and utility box. The XLE comes with a luggage net that keeps cargo from sliding. There's no pull-down handle inside the trunk lid to spare fingers the grime and grit that can accumulate on exterior surfaces in winter.

Driving Impressions
A long, attentive drive in the Toyota Camry might be described as a convincing experience. By that, we mean the driver won't need further convincing as to why the Camry is the perennial best-selling car in the United States. No particular aspect of the Camry's performance is outstanding. On the other hand, it does most everything very well, and nothing badly. It's easy to see why this sedan is a favorite for small families, commuting and all-purpose transportation.

We drove LE, SE, XLE, and Hybrid models. Lengthy sessions with four-cylinder manual and V6 automatic models seriously impressed us, and only the four-cylinder automatic left us wishing for better. We were impressed not only with the overall packaging, but also with the clear distinctions among the different models, both inside and underneath.

The LE with four-cylinder and automatic was competent, but well short of inspiring. Performance-wise, this isn't surprising, given the weight burdening its relatively small engine, which is no better than average in power output. The four-cylinder is buzzy. And we felt some torque steer, a light left-right tugging at the steering wheel under full throttle. It's a common phenomenon with front-wheel drive, but we expect it more with lighter, relatively high-powered cars. The LE leans in corners. Fit and finish are very good, with zero buzzes, squeaks or rattles, and tight tolerances between panels and parts. Yet wind and road noise are audible.

The LE V6 is another story, because there is no shortage of power here. The 268-hp engine eagerly spins all the way up to its programmed limiter at 6500 revolutions per minute, and it's silky smooth throughout. It pulls without stumble from 1000 rpm in any gear, which is why it's far more effective with the automatic transmission. The driver won't feel as if he or she is waiting for the transmission to find the right gear so the car can get going. The LE V6 will feel very familiar to longtime Camry owners: just a little smoother, tighter and more powerful than older models.

The SE, on the other hand, is a fresh and welcome departure from Camry's heretofore conservative legacy. Finally, there's a Camry that's fun and entertaining to drive. Steering turn-in is more precise than we'd expect in a Camry, and cornering is solid and stable, with little body lean. While we never doubted the stopping power, brake pedal feel and travel are still sedan-grade: a bit soft and long for our enthusiast-driver preferences.

The manual transmission in four-cylinder models shifts cleanly, if not with sports-car crispness. We really liked it in the Camry SE. Clutch engagement is smooth and easily managed. The brake and gas pedals are close enough to allow heel-and-toe shifting, which enthusiast drivers enjoy, though the process is not accomplished with sports-car ease. In all, we enjoyed the four-cylinder much more with the manual transmission, because it allows the driver to keep the engine working in the rpm range where it's most powerful. It makes for an engaging driving experience.

We like the SE V6 just as well, however. It's a car in which the driver might want to actually use the sequential manual shift feature on Toyota's new six-speed automatic. In manual mode, the transmission will hold the chosen gear without shifting up, and it will downshift immediately with a click on the lever. The shifts are smooth, but quick and reassuringly certain.

If there's any vestige of Buick-ism to be found in this Camry, it's in the high-trim XLE. It's more than just the entry-plush interior, but ride and handling, too. The line-topping Camry is more soft and floaty than firm and planted. That doesn't mean it's wandering or imprecise, however. We were entirely comfortable and assured piloting it at a leisurely pace along gently curving two-lane byways and on lightly traveled or rush hour-packed, multi-lane highways. It's just that the XLE is best suited for the set-it-and-forget-it mode of driving, and it doesn't actively invite driver participation in the task. In any case, we found it very enjoyable, a good place to relax and enjoy the great sound system.

The Hybrid tucked right in between the LE and the XLE, in performance. It's hybrid powertrain combines a 147-hp version of the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a 40-hp synchronous electric motor, yielding a net 187 horsepower. That's more than V6 Camrys offered a few years ago, and the Hybrid can operate on just the electric motor at low speeds. The instantaneous torque from the electric motor also augments acceleration. The Hybrid isn't as quick as the V6 Camrys, which are among the strongest in the mid-size class, but it's noticeably quicker than four-cylinder models, and particularly four-cylinders with the automatic.

For the most part, the Camry Hybrid is just as easy to operate as any other Camry, but there is a learning curve to mastering all of its idiosyncrasies. For example, press the push-button starter. The car comes to life, ready to drive, but this isn't always obvious. The Hybrid is a very quiet car at a stop. When it's started, and sometimes even when you press the accelerator, the gas engine does not immediately fire, so you won't hear it or feel its slight hum of vibration. As a result, you may not realize that this Camry is ready for action. So you'll press the start button again, thinking it didn't fire the first time, and actually turn the car off. The way to tell is to look for the Ready light next to the speedometer. If it's on, and if the shift lever will slide into gear, then the Hybrid is ready to go, whether the engine is actually running or not. We occasionally struggled with trying to figure out whether the car was running or not, which led to awkward parking lot situations.

Beyond that bit of familiarization, the Camry Hybrid is just, well, smooth. It's not exactly a performance machine, nor particularly fun to drive quickly, as the SE might be. On the other hand, its solid acceleration, secure-under-the-seat feeling and smooth, quiet operation are exactly what we expect the typical Camry buyer is seeking.

In terms of ride, handling and interior comfort, the Camry Hybrid could easily fool us into thinking we were driving an XLE, except for the visual differences. The Hybrid's gauges include a graphic display of the powertrain&39;s status (gas, electric or both), a welcome, real-time fuel economy gauge in place of the tachometer and a unique, abbreviated shift gate. The transitions between the electric motor powering the car to operating gas only, to motor and engine together, are much smoother on the Camry than what Honda offered in last year's Accord Hybrid. Those transitions are noticeable, to be sure, but they're heard more than felt.

Active safety features are integrated into the Hybrid's Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management package, or VDIM. This system adds Electric Power Steering (EPS) and Electronically Controlled Brakes (ECB), or a brake-by-wire system. These are unique to the Hybrid because the EPS provides steering assist when the car is operating on the electric motor alone, while the ECB allows the regenerative braking that charges the battery during stops. In short, VDIM manages a variety of steering angle, yaw rate, deceleration, brake pressure, brake pedal stroke and wheel speed sensors, which in turn allow the system to anticipate and help prevent a loss of control.

Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control are optional on the CE, LE, SE and XLE, and we consider this the weak link in Camry's safety package. Empirical evidence increasingly suggests skid-management systems reduce accidents and injuries.

2008 Camry Review Summary & Specifications
The Toyota Camry sedan is still fresh from a complete redesign for 2007. It does nearly everything well, and nothing badly, and it makes comfortable, pleasant, reliable transportation for up to five. There's a model for nearly every taste and budget. All are reasonably economical to operate, and the Camry Hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient mid-size vehicles available. The styling and interior may surprise shoppers expecting another Japanese-brand Buick. As the no-brainer choice for a rock-steady, all-purpose sedan, the Camry is hard to beat and easy to understand.

NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Tom Lankard reported from Ojai, California, with J.P. Vettraino in Detroit.
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