42 — Friday, November 1, 1996 - North Shore News ai Fram page 41 as performance and fin-to- drive attributes, Given the high cost of labor and parts these days, the Camry’s low repair frequency is particularly importanc. Time is also a valuable commodity to the modern family -— a retiable car means less time spent vis- iting the service shop. The redesigned 1997 Camry carries over the practi: cal attributes of its predeces sor while adding slightly mote aggressive styling. a tad more interior room, anid iMproving on features, such as satery, whieh are important to family ear buyers. The Camry hasn't moved upmarket, ay new models often do. In fret, at may have moved downmarket a bit. The 1997 price is slightly higher than in 1996, but has- at jumped as mvach as an all- new design might justify. The Camry station wagon and coupe have been discon- tinued for 1997 because Foyora says they just didn't sell enough of them. That jeaves the four-door sedan with its new wedge-shaped, styling. The Camry’s new shape isn’t particularly innov- ative, but it has a fresher, younger, sportier look. The sloping hood offers better forward visibiliry while the rounded rump of the previous model has been replaced with a chopped-off rail and narrow tailights. In practical terms, a 50 mm (2 inch) stretch in the wheelbase has added about ty - high in dependabil 12 mm (.47 in.) more rear tegroom and headroom to this five-passenger sutomo- bile. Toyota also claims that the Camry is more rigid and offers more crash protection. The base 2.2-litre four- cylinder engine now has 133 horsepower, up from 125, while the optional 3.0-Jitre V6 offers 194 horsepower, up trom 188. Both af these engines feature dual overhead camshafts and four valves per evlinder. The sis otters dower wear ratios fora quicker fauneh tevl, Trans levels are now CE, CE Vo, LE and NPR V6 Cb and LE models have the four evlinder engine with a stan dard Gve-speed manual trans mission or optional four: speed automatic, CE V6 and ALE V6 Camrys have a stan dard four-speed automatic transmission, The automatic transnis- sion now automatically selects Power or Normal modes depending on the driver's dri- ving style. Previously, this fea- ture was driver-selectable. In addition, an on/off overdrive cancel switch is located on the floor-mounted shitter. Anti-lock brakes are stan- dard on all but base CE mod els but anly Vo models have four wheel dise brakes. A new traction contro) systenr is available on XLE models only. My weeklong test-drive in a V6 model revealed that the Camry is still an casy car to drive with a quiet passenger cabin and extremely smooth, willing powerplants. At high- way speeds, the V6 is very _ “Direct from the » National Arts Centre in Ottawa . 9 sold out shows 9 standing ovations Par ee quiet, turning over just 23,00 np. in fourth gear ata steady 100 km-h (62 m.p.h.. Around town, it has a silky smooth feel with good throt- tle response, Fuel consump: tion averages 10.4 litres per 100 kilometres (27 m.p.g.rin city and highway driving. Both the manual and automatic transmissions are quite campetenr, although | IAN WILSON FULLERTON ESSO 1801 CAPILANO ROAD NORTH VANCOUVER 984-9194 nonced some tranny whine on the automatic transinission in first or second gear. A manual transmission is no longer available with the V6 engine. A combination of more horsepower, a firmer suspen: sion, and shehtly: more responsive steering provides a sportier feel ta the 1907 Camry. Pwoulda’t say the Includes: Labour to install new snark plugs; Perform cylinder balance test; Check and adjust timing; Check ana test H.T. witing, distrOutor cap, rotor, Check P.C.V. vaive; Check and adjust idle speeds (rpm's); Final ignition system analysis; Road test. Most cars & light pick- ups. Vans and mini-vans extra, Ask for detalls. Labour only- parts extra _—_ 2 _s MILO VANAELST AMBLESIDE ESSO 1392 MARINE DRIVE WEST VANCOUVER 922-3925/922-0138 ty Camry is fun-to-drive, bat if is an enjoyable car to drive in the city or out on the freeway, The new interior is simple and uncluttered with easy-to: use rotary ventilation eon: trols, casy-ta-see white on- black round instruments, a covered storage bin, and a new 12-voit power onder. f particuiarly fike the ilhuminat cd fing around the igninos hey hole so that it’s easy to find at night. The Canry's 14 cubic foot trunk has a practical shape with a flat floor and vertical sides with further access to the rear by folding down the split folding rear seats, Live all Toyotas, the Camry comes with a standard three year/60,000 km war ranty snd a five year/ 100,000 kar major components and powertrain warranty, 1997 Camry’s start at $21,178, INCLUDES: iubneation: up to 5 Ittes of Protec 10W30 motor oil, new of Mter, mete fitters extra, most cars; ask (Gr details. * Prices may vary on luxury and diese! equipped vehicles. Ask for details OR LESS MOST 4-CYL. cars PLUS TAXES GA LESS MOST 6-C¥L. V6.& Va CARS PLUS TAXES . é PETER WILLONER & TONY HORVATH MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY ESSO 2747 MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY NOATH VANCOUVER 985-5712 deaccem eran Aaa, Swe the folowing: Weseass ORES scans = MBALINATOR wemmammcom EF rivers Gq WALKER Perna) mene DLL valid onty st the above focations DXGE ALTERNATORS & STARTERS nd