Every Toyota Camry Has A Story–The Camry Effect

By Ashley

When I first heard about “The Camry Effect” and how people were telling stories about their cars, I’m not going to lie, I chuckled a little. How could people be so tied to their cars? Then, I thought about it for a minute… and I thought about our car… just happens to be a 2008 Toyota Camry. I started my own little sentimental journey down memory lane. Cars really kind of are symbolic of different stages and times in our lives. Our Camry is no exception.

Thomas and I were living the life of a young married couple out on our own in a new place. We commuted together to and from work… every day. We got a dog, moved into a house, then…? Well, obviously! We started talking baby! We knew for us a baby would (among a MILLION other things) mean needing a second car. We talked, and looked, and shopped, and priced (and saved and saved)…

When I was 9 months pregnant, after several weekends of test drives, comparison shopping, and discussions, we walked into one of our local Toyota dealerships. That day, Thomas negotiated and paid for our used (but good as new to us) 2008 Toyota Camry. Bluetooth syncing, sunroof, great speakers, amazing condition, low mileage, automatic everything… and of course the latch system for car seats. We officially had a “fancy car,” a date night car, a car that Thomas said was not for food or drinks or the dog! Ha! 2 years later, that rule has held up!

Our 2008 Camry was the car that we took on our last fancy “date night” in when I was 2 weeks away from having our son. It was the car that we took to eat dinner the night before I went into the hospital. It was the car we took on our first “date” (a quick trip out for ice cream) after he was born. It’s now the car that our son points to and says “Pop” because he knows that it’s his “Pop’s” car. It’s the car I take out when I go for a mommy night out, and the car we take together when we manage to schedule (after actually finding) a babysitter and go on a date. It’s the car that we will probably end up giving to our son when he gets behind the wheel. That’s thinking a little too far ahead for me though! He’s still my baby… for now.

So, there you have it. I guess I never should have chuckled when I heard that people could “feel” about their cars. Obviously our Camry is important to me. Not even 2 years, and so many memories already. Thanks Toyota.

About Ashley:

Ashley has a background in teaching Kindergarten and working with children K through 8th grade. She is now a SAHM and President of our local MOMS Club chapter. She writes her own blog at Momicles.