Worth buying Camry Convenience Package?

[conerstone]

Is it worth it to buy Camry upgrade Convenience Package for $1,780+Tax. I am somewhat interested to have VSC/TRAC, but I don't know if it is really useful for Canadian Winter Snow.
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Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)
Advanced Traction Control System (TRAC)
8-way Power Adjustable Drivers Seat
Lumbar Support (Power)
Recline (Power)
Vertical (Power)
Driver Seat Fore/Aft (Power)
Driver Seat Headrest-Vertical
Electrochromic Rear View Mirror with Compass

[Jucius Maximus]

I have seen the compass in other cars and it's useful if you're driving in unfamiliar areas

But I would pay that money just for the stability control and traction control.

[Drew_W]

But I would pay that money just for the stability control and traction control.

+ a million. This should be a no brainer. Safety is of utmost importance. And yes, you can probably make do without TRAC/VSC (and many do), but if it gets you out of ONE sticky situation, it will be worth much more than $1780, believe me.

[hagbard]

Since when is staying alive a "Convenience"? I probably won't buy it though, I'm not convinced of its usefulness. Rather put it into a AWD.

[conerstone]

Since when is staying alive a "Convenience"? I probably won't buy it though, I'm not convinced of its usefulness. Rather put it into a AWD.

anyone else?

[gilboman]

Since when is staying alive a "Convenience"? I probably won't buy it though, I'm not convinced of its usefulness. Rather put it into a AWD.

VSC is more useful than AWD if you are losing control of your car or just past the limits. AWD won't do anything to help you whereas VSC will help you regain control

[ssainani]

VSC is more useful than AWD if you are losing control of your car or just past the limits. AWD won't do anything to help you whereas VSC will help you regain control

but it's also fair to assume any new car with awd will have some sort of vsc too

[mohitk]

but it's also fair to assume any new car with awd will have some sort of vsc too
Nope - Most Subarus will give you VSC as part of a package - base models have it rarely

[myapple]

anyone else?
Save your money and buy a good set of winter tires instead.

[ES_Revenge]

VSC is more useful than AWD if you are losing control of your car or just past the limits. AWD won't do anything to help you whereas VSC will help you regain control
x2

Since when is staying alive a "Convenience"? I probably won't buy it though, I'm not convinced of its usefulness. Rather put it into a AWD.

Save your money and buy a good set of winter tires instead.

AWD, stability control and winter tyres all do different things. Stability control is always a good idea--whether you have AWD or not. (Note that you should always have winter tyres where there is winter and you are driving your car.)

Winter tyres can, of course, prevent a situation where stability control would intervene (as it would never try to correct a situation that didn't occur in the first place) but certainly not all situations where it could. What are winter tyres going to do for you on hot summer day or in the rain or on gravel, etc., where some emergency situation arises where you have to take evasive action?

AWD on the other hand, is completely different from stability control other than the fact that it could reduce the need for the traction-control-only intervention portion of stability control. AWD will certainly not correct an incorrectly yawing vehicle (under/oversteering/sliding/skidding) which is what stability control attempts to correct.

Saying you shouldn't get or "need" stability control because you have something else like winter tyres or AWD, is pure nonsense. It's the same nonsense that says "I can drive in winter with all-seasons because I'll just 'slow down' ". :rolleyes:

[mr_raider]

VSC and TC are not that useful in a 3500 lb FWD car with a weak 4 cyl engine. JUst go light on the gas in winter you'll be fine.

The v6 version is something else, TC will avoid you from bouncing your tires when you floor it. And it will help more in winter.

VSC can come in handy if you push your car close to the limit when cornering, which you shouldn't in winter.

I drove a Nissan SE-R for 6 years with no ABS, TC or VSC and it was fine. Just had to be careful in winter not to overwhelm the tires. Damn thing had 170 ft-lbs of torque, weight 1300kg and produced mad torque steer.

[hagbard]

x2





AWD, stability control and winter tyres all do different things. Stability control is always a good idea--whether you have AWD or not. (Note that you should always have winter tyres where there is winter and you are driving your car.)

Winter tyres can, of course, prevent a situation where stability control would intervene (as it would never try to correct a situation that didn't occur in the first place) but certainly not all situations where it could. What are winter tyres going to do for you on hot summer day or in the rain or on gravel, etc., where some emergency situation arises where you have to take evasive action?

AWD on the other hand, is completely different from stability control other than the fact that it could reduce the need for the traction-control-only intervention portion of stability control. AWD will certainly not correct an incorrectly yawing vehicle (under/oversteering/sliding/skidding) which is what stability control attempts to correct.

Saying you shouldn't get or "need" stability control because you have something else like winter tyres or AWD, is pure nonsense. It's the same nonsense that says "I can drive in winter with all-seasons because I'll just 'slow down' ". :rolleyes:

Not "nonsense" at all. For what I need, AWD makes more sense that stability control, that and winter tires. Come and talk to me when you've driven 35 accident free years.

[gilboman]

Not "nonsense" at all. For what I need, AWD makes more sense that stability control, that and winter tires. Come and talk to me when you've driven 35 accident free years.

possibly, but the point is if what you need is to regain control of your car when it is skidding/losing traction, AWD/winter tires will do nothing to help you at all.

so you do not need ability to regain control if you lose it, which is entirely your choice. but 35 accident free years mean absolutely nothing. that's like a smoker/obese man saying 35years of chain smoking and mcdonald's everyday hasnt resulted in poor health. could be true, but that doesnt mean chain smoking or being obese is not bad for you.

[xg3]

Not "nonsense" at all. For what I need, AWD makes more sense that stability control, that and winter tires. Come and talk to me when you've driven 35 accident free years.

lol.. yes.. you are the world best driver.. please write a book about your 35 years of accident free driving...

for all i know, you have had your liscence for 35 years and never driven a single day hahah

[new_vr]

VSC and TC are not that useful in a 3500 lb FWD car with a weak 4 cyl engine. JUst go light on the gas in winter you'll be fine.

Why is VSC not useful? It's not dependent on the which wheels drive the car, or the strength of the engine. It helps keep the car going the right way, by braking each wheel independently, something that the driver can not do own their own.

[KawaiiTentacleBeast]

Mmm AWD is starting to be overplayed nowadays. I should buy a SRT4 or something for the next car just to stay ahead of the curve.