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Comments
Don't know what model it was because it drove by going the opposite way (presumably test-driven as I was within a mile of the Toyota dealership), and I was surprised to see one cruising down the road. Much more awesome than the pictures lead you to believe!
All I can say is WOW! Count me in for an SE Sport Edition V6 in either silver or black with smoked windows! What a sweet ride!
I'm not Corolla shopping as the Solara is going to look nice next to my Highlander if Toyota makes the convertible.
However, maxamillion is correct. I used to think that the Civic and Corolla were very comparable. My neighbor traded her '02 Civic for a '04 Corolla S, and I am amazed at how much better the Corolla feels versus the Honda. Much more refined and feels like it should cost a lot more.
Now that I have vented about Toyoguard, I will try and stay on the Solara subject now.
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Mackabee
Paint sealant and sealant cleaner - I would like to hear if anybody has a Toyota with this and one without and whether they notice any difference. To me I rather put my own wax or polymer sealant on rather than pay a lot of money for something that is probably no better. Put Liquid Glass or Klasse AIO or some other polymer sealant on your car every 6 months and you should be fine.
Glass Etching - As stated above, it's possible to get this done for free, and if not a kit would run about $20.
Fabric Protector - Plenty of low-cost options that would do the same thing. Not worth it.
Undercoating/Sound Shield - Toyota already makes fairly quiet cars, if the sound shield does make any difference and somebody really wants it then they should simply haggle on that alone, not be forced to take it on 75% of the cars sitting on the lot. The undercoating/rustproofing stuff to me is worthless. The cars come from the factory already prepared in this area so no need to pay money for something Toyota already gives you. Also I've heard from some people that the rustproofing compared to another car without extra rustproofing actually rusted faster, and they were both used under the same conditions, climate, etc. As far as I can tell rustproofing is simply not worth it and I would actually not take it for free.
Free oil change - Worth maybe $20?
Free loaner with warranty work - As stated already, most dealers will do this for free anyway, and some brands build this into their regular warranty. Kind of a rip-off to even pay for this. A good dealer will do this for you anyway.
And with an invoice price of $159 on all this, it's clear $600+ is a total rip-off. Even $300 is way too much. If someone just really wants this stuff, then the invoice price seems reasonable. The question is will the dealer roll over and give this stuff to you for invoice or will you have to haggle like crazy to get the price knocked down? And as I said, invoice is not dealer cost. And of course the region paid less than dealer cost, so I estimate they paid less than $100 to get this stuff put on a car, and that may mostly be the labor costs. Bottomline, it's a scam. If someone just really wants this stuff then the invoice price of $159 seems reasonable, but even then I think that's too much. There's nothing in this package that's worth anything in my opinion.
And also there's the $525 "administration charge." Since I have no connections I have no idea what a dealer outside the regions is paying to Toyota over the usual stuff. This $525 charge is beyond destination charge and the other usual stuff. Add in the $40 extra freight charge and you have close to $600. So what extra charges are dealers in other regions paying? Are there true advertising charges that Toyota makes them pay? I don't know, so I can't say for sure if this "administration charge" is a total rip-off or not, but judging from everything else they pull I would say it is. Somebody would have to have connections to really know for sure. As a customer I don't know what's going on behind the scenes but on the surface it seems the Gulf/SE regions is ripping people off.
Distributors admin fees...we don't have a TDA so what is the difference of a $575 admin fee or the rest of the countrys TDA being the equal if not more added to the invoice?
It is OK not to want an option. It is OK to express your views, I respect that. But I hope you really are not that passionate about car packages and options.
If a vehicle had the Toyoguard "option" when it was new then why isn't that same package valuable enough to be listed as an asset on a vehicle when it's sold again, whether it's a Toyota dealership or some other? Maybe I've missed them, but I don't believe I've ever seen this item listed on the option list for a used car at any dealership.
Since we know this doesn't happen that pretty much sums it up for me that it's all "fluff" and total profit. Shame on you Toyota - you could do something about (if you wanted to).
I have a 2000 Solara with no repairs since I bought it new. I would love to have a new 2004 Solara, but I would resist any attempt to pay more than a fair price - and the Toyoguard has no value to me and no place on any sticker associated with a company with quality vehicles like Toyota.
'nuff said..
"15. Should I buy rustproofing, fabric protection packages, paint sealant, and other dealer-installed items?
Of course not. Most new cars are covered against rust perforation for several years and up to 100,000 miles. Want to protect your fabric? Go to an auto parts store and buy a can or two of Scotchgard. New cars have clearcoat paint, which offers protection from the elements. A little elbow grease and a jar of carnauba wax will keep the finish protected and looking great. By investing a little time and effort into your automobile, you can save hundreds on these highly profitable dealer protection packages."
Unfortunately most dealers will do whatever they can to try and get a customer to buy this stuff. But at least with other brands and regions you have a choice. The problem here is 75% of the cars are forced with this stuff on them. Can you just imagine if all Toyotas in all regions were forced with this stuff on them and charged extra by all these dealers? Lots of people would complain, not just me. I just want some of the people in here to realize that this package isn't worth it. If it's not a rip-off then feel free to educate us. This has gone off topic and doesn't belong in here so I'll let it go. But yes it does bother me that Toyota buyers in these regions are at a huge disadvantage compared to other Toyota buyers in other regions simply because most of the cars are forced with this stuff on it.
My .02
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Mackabee
That picture is real. The Solara convertible should be very nice. It's hard to tell with something hiding the back end.
They posted an article and picture about the Tiburon on Auto Express. It said they'll show it and release more info at the Frankfurt auto show in 3 weeks.
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Mackabee
For example: for the last couple years, on the RAV4 the Quick Order and Upgrade package both included floor mats. For the 2004 model year, mats have to be added PIO/PPO. I'd be willing to bet there will be quite a few 04 RAV's sitting on lots in October without floor mats.
Should the salesperson have caught the missing floor mats and made sure he ordered some ? Absolutely.
Could the customer have asked if the mats were included ? Yes
Should the salesperson have to throw the floor mats in ? Yes/No/Maybe - It all depends on how the store works, pay plans etc. There are infinte variables.
Should we ever assume anything ? No
Remember the saying about assuming things.....
The average customer is usually a bit nervous when buying a new car, so the sales people should take time to help in the buying process, not take advantage.
add Power Moonroof $ 23,319
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Mackabee
But, back to the Solara. What a beautiful car!
Is it done at the port, or at the dealership?
It comes with XM availability. Does that mean it is part of the head unit? I know that I will pay a monthly fee, and I see a button labeled "SAT".
Does that mean I can push that button and the satellite is engaged with station markings showing on the head unit, playing beautiful digital music thru my 8 speakers?? I am ready right now to go pick up my car! But alas, I must wait 6-8 weeks.
Thanks to you guys....Solara's rule!!
Anyway, what color combo did you go with? I was thinking about trying to get the ground effects done to my SLEV6, but I don't know if that is possible yet....Thanks for the info and I await your outcome,...nervously!
The performance of the car is great. It is a very smooth but powerful ride. The stereo and air flow is great. You really feel like you are driving in style. The appearance is also great. Everybody who sees it comments that they think I'm driving a Lexus SC.
There are a few things I think that I'm a bit disappointed with though. First, I really wish the passenger side had power seating. It just doesn't make sense with a car pushing $30k. Also while the driver window is fully auto (opens and closes all the way with a button push) the passenger and sunroof aren't. They are auto, but you need to hold the button the entire time to get those windows fully opened and closed. Also the sunroof has a bar that pops when it opens and closes which just sounds akward and makes me jump every time I hear it. Finally, I think it is very hard to judge where the back of the car is. You can't see anything past the window. This might just take me a little while to get used to since I've never driven a sportier car before but I'm scared I'm gonna hit someone whenever I back up.
So there it is. Don't get me wrong, I love the car and the positives way outweigh the negatives but I do wish that a few other things were included.
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Mackabee
I got my car for $500 off the sticker price. While I love the car the demand is not that great on it. I had called many dealers before the car came out and now I get calls every other day saying that they have in cars. I got a call from the same dealership 4 days in a row about the same car. Any dealer who can't sell a brand new car in 4 days should be questioning the demand. When the new camrys come out I'm sure you won't be able to get one without ordering it for a couple of months.
Wait a month or two, play one dealer against the other and you'll see the price come down. It is hard for a dealer to ask for the sticker price when he has 3 of the exact same car in his inventory for a couple of weeks.
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Mackabee