We recently had a new addition to our family…
Meet our friend Camry!
She came to stay with us for a couple of weeks to give us a crash course in what life would be like if we had fewer kids and could buy a zippy little car to roll around town in instead of a humongousaur truck that fits 3 Dudes, bulk shopping trips, beds from Ikea, and Baby Dog Daughter.
Don’t get me wrong; I love my truck (although I would LOVE a new one even more), but there was a lot about the Camry that I loved too.
First, the gas mileage that thing got was nuts. I wanted to cry when I saw how little cheese it cost me to fill it up. And, I only went to the gas station twice in two weeks. Even though I drover her like a thousand miles. My old school, gas guzzler and I have a standing Costco gas station appointment every Monday and Thursday.
Second, the parking versatility was awesome. I can’t just roll up in a teeny weeny city parking garage and leave the Pilot any ole where. My baby requires a little space. I have to search for a spot that will allow me to get in without wrecking it and out without binging the heck outta my doors, or those of the adjecent car. And parrallel parking is a beast. Not in the Camry. I was parallel parking like a mother. Or someone who actually knows how to do that.
Third, it had all kinds of hi-tech-ilicious thing-a-ma-jigs in it. USB plugs, satellite radio, cool in door cup holders, Entune. Maybe all of you new-ish car drivers aren’t impressed by this type of stuff, but I have a cassette player in my ride. A. Cassette. Player. Do you know how frustrating it is to have a cassette player and only have New Kids on the Block to shove in it?! Look how 2012 this thing looks inside…
Fourth, it was remarkably spacious. All three Dudes fit pretty comfortably in the back…
Well, comfortably-ish. They get a little buck if they are required to touch, and there was a whole mess of touching in here, especially because we still have two Dudes in booster seats. But, with only two of them in there, it was perfect, random football helmet wearing and all (he wasn’t going to or coming from a game, he just likes to wear it)…
Finally, driving it was fun! It took the curvy roads around my house like a race car. I felt very Dannika Patrick I mean, um, black-chick-who-drives-a-Toyota-in-Nascar while I was shooting around my hood. I’m sure my neighbors hated me and my awesome driving. Although, if they would move it already, I wouldn’t have to lap them.
Sadly, my life with three kids who love having a DVD player and a third row of seats and a cassette player the ability to fit all of their random gear, soccer teammates, and furry friend in the back for a road trip, doesn’t really allow me to snag myself a Camry to rock.
But it’s on my list for one day.
And, in the meantime, I can’t say I’d be sad if someone showed up on my doorstep with a Sequoia for me to enjoy!
What are you getting Wordful about this week?!
Link up, visit my co-host, Seven Clown Circus, and then enjoy some links from this week’s features…
*Little Miss Camry came to visit me courtesy of my participation in Toyota’s Women Influencer Network. I have fully loved being a part of #ToyotaWomen and all opinions are my own. As per usual.
Eh. We have a tape deck in our ’04 minivan too (and at home because all those radios still work and we still have tapes (we might not listen to them regularly, but there might be a day when my Force MD’s cd is broken and at least I will still have the ability to listen to Love Is a House. Priorities!). Anyway, was it hard to go from being up high to being low? Every time I get in someone’s low car it’s an effort to feel normal because the van is so high. The new Sequoias are nice! Was the Highlander killed?
That is a pretty sweet test ride! We don’t have a cassette deck, but we also have zero fancy (wish we could plug in something with music files on it). I don’t think we’ll be a car family for a while, either.
I tried to drive a sedan, a Camry to be exact, but I just couldn’t make the switch from SUV to car. I’m a truck girl.
Oh how fun!!
Oh, what a fun post and review!
Love the random football helmet wearing — I mean, why not wear one, right? And you gotta have some extra piece of mind knowing that he’s protected from any head injuries or random falling objects he may encounter during regular daily activities!
I love a good, efficient sedan. The cars they are producing now (’12 and beyond) are so smooth and have such amazing features and gas mileage! But, since motherhood I’ve switched to a crossover which I do enjoy and now dislike whenever I have to ride low!
…and that helmet just because literally made me laugh out loud! Just cute!
That’s what DH and I keep dreaming about – a smaller car! That’s not gonna happen for more than a decade for us! Unless we win the lotto and get each other fancy sports cars – no kids allowed! LOL!
Ah! It’s so pretty and shiny and new! I bet it doesn’t even smell like apple juice and pee yet!
I share the dream of downsizing my vehicle. Wouldn’t it be nice to not be a toy chest on wheels for once?
Thank you for the feature on “Red Vintage” from Pride in Photos!! Yipee! You are too cute…Your foster daughter Camry…very funny. I love Toyota cars too…great minds think alike☺
Laurie
Oh, nice looking car! And wow at all that interior space!
I dream of the day when I can drive an *cough* Accord *cough* again. (I know, competitor, but it’s my very favorite car.)
I totally hear you on this. We had a rental for a couple days the last time our beach wagon was in the shop. That little car was so zippy & sleek. Loved driving it. Would make a great second vehicle- if only the hubs fit in it better. But large families need large vehicles- no way around that.
Your car was made by some of my friends at the plant right here in my town. They do take pride in their work. Hope you enJOY it.
I bet parking was a dream, too.
I do love this car! We are slowly becoming a complete Toyota family. Right now I’m driving husband’s Hylander because it just has more room than our Jetta. I do miss my Sedan but love sitting higher up in the SUV. I THOUGHT I would never, ever become a mini van mom but after last summer’s long road trip all crammed in the back I said, That’s it we are getting a mini van. I have my heart set on the Sienna Swagger Wagon and am pretty excited about it. :)
I seriously need a new car, only I know I can’t downsize. I need to go big or go home at this point (or maybe it’s more like go big or not be able to get home?). The question for me will be, which beast will be the easiest for me to park???
Thanks for the feature!!!