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Now, Toyota has committed to build about 13k Solara Convertibles. More than likely one fewer unit than demand. Do I need to spell it out??
Well guess what, she got me to give in. For our troubles, the dealer bought out our HL lease and let us have the Solara at the invoice cost. What a nice car, a little cowl shake at low speeds over bumpy roads, but hopefully I will get used to it. I look forward to conversing with you all.
Funny you mention rattles. Rattles drive me crazy (i'm talking the small ones that you can only hear sometimes with the radio off). I've had 10 new cars in the past 8 years, and have yet to find the rattle free car!!! (this includes Mazdas, Hondas, VW, and a few Toyotas). The Highlander had a few, our Matrix has a few, but no where near as bad as the S2000 I had 3 years ago. Talk about a rattle trap.....
Many cars ago, I had a loaded up '92 Camry V6, I really believe that car was as about as good as it got for a $20+k car 12 years ago..I replaced it with an Maxima, then an Explorer then a similar '96 Camry...even that was not as good as the '92..
There have been several vehicles since, but I must say, in comparison, the Solara is a very well built car for the $$...
I got it for 26100 + 200 for the alarm.
luve luve my conv. ;D
Can you send me a copy of the TSB for the roof cables? My email is tombonds@yahoo.com.
I'm not sure if it is my imagination, but seems like now that I've been driving with the roof up for the last couple of months, the wind noise is more than I remembered from last Spring when I first got the car. In the summer, the only time the roof was up was up if it was raining, so wind noise wasn't an issue.
Thanks
I am considering purchasing Solora (SLE). What should I expect to pay?
Also, I have read a number of reports about rattling and veering. I have not test driven one as yet, but wanted to know if anyone found these so annoying that ended up dumping the car?
Thanks,
You might be able to find one at a smaller dealership upstate but most of the bigger dealerships around ar at or very close to sticker. Regardless, the car is still a great value even at sticker......
FYI, I vacation in southern Florida several times a year. The dealers there are asking $3,ooo-$7,000 above sticker, depending if SE or SLE model.
I also wanted chrome wheels but this option is not available, except after-market. I plan on ordering them from Wheel Concepts in California at a great price, even after paying for shipping.
Arctic Frost White Pearl exterior
Tan top and interior
Navigation system
Vehicle stability control
Carpet/Cargo mat set
(Accessory codes: FE NV PC VS CF)
Purchase price was $30,353 plus
Sales tax ($2504.12)
CA license fee ($262)
CA tire fee ($8.75)
Document fee ($45).
MSRP was $32,596, so purchase price was 93.1% of MSRP. I contacted six online car purchase sites, and this was the only deal I could find below MSRP. These cars are in very short supply right now, and the dealership I used had to do a trade with another dealer to get the car.
I bought from Toyota of Glendale through their Internet Sales unit. They offered the final price on their initial response. No haggling, since I couldn't find another offer even close to this one. Their standard offer on the convertible is $800 over "invoice", although their definition of invoice includes dealer holdback and wholesale financial reserve. Here's the breakout of "invoice":
Base $25,795
Navigation $1,163
Pearl paint $187
VSC $559
Carpet/cargo mat $114
Destination $540
TDA $300
Gasoline $6
Holdback $593
Fin reserve $296
Total: $29,553
I'm pleased with the deal...all discussions by email and phone, and in and out of the dealership in 45 minutes.
My only two issues are 1) The rear headrests as people have mentioned. They block 50% of the rear window. I had a Celica convertible before this and I'm used to the major blindspots in convertibles, but the headrests make a tricky situation worse. And 2) the acceleration hesitation that is experienced when in the process of slowing down for a yield for example and then accelerating when you aren't quite stopped. I find that to be quite annoying. I'll try using the manual shift but I really don't like the idea of having to do that as 'workaround'. I wonder what the reason is for that delay/hesitation. It's as if the gears aren't actually engaged until the accelerator is depressed and when it does "catch", there's a lurch.
I'm a major Toyata fan, loved my Celica and am very happy with my Solara. I couldn't wait for them to come back out after the short hiatus they took to re-vamp them.
(please ignore that the title says "engine" hesitation -- it was definitely intended to address the tranny hesitation problems)
I also would like to direct you to this article about hesitation:
http://www.pittsburghpostgazette.com/pg/04345/424551.stm -- this is referencing just the Highlander and Lexus, but any resolution that Toyota comes up with for the problem should apply to all models, or so I would think.
The Solara is a GREAT car, and a very good value. It offers plenty of power and refinement. The Mustang is more of a statement. The interior is great, but the materials used pale in comparision to the Toyota.
One thing I really like about the Toyota is the relative rarity of it. Most people have no idea what it is as most have never seen one. With the Mustang, there is a very good chance that you will see yourself "coming and going" in no time.
As a past Mustang GT owner, well, it is still not out of my system.........
Friends have told me it's not a good idea having a conv. in the city, but I cannot think of good reasons for not having one.
I fell in love with the car when I saw it on the road and decided to trade in my 2002 Sebring coup. for the Toyota. Now I just have to find one.
As far as price, they're selling for sticker or even higher because they know that if you don't buy what they have on the lot, someone else will. They're a hot commodity right now with low supply.
Good luck! I'm enjoying mine thoroughly since I got it in December.
I'm looking forward to driving with the top down, but not yet here in Michigan. I just ordered MTK chrome wheels from Belle Tire for $572.00 complete with locks and trade in of my Toyota wheels ($40 per wheel). (Does anybody know where I could get a better price)?
Wheel Concepts in California wanted $550.00, but the shipping would have cost $250.00 (both ways), plus $25 for locks and $30-$40 for mounting. Of course the wheels would be factory originals chrome-plated.
I've already had two compliments on the car and I haven't put the top down yet.
Solora XLE Convertible. I live in upstate
NY. How does this car handle in the snow
and different weather conditions? I am also
looking at Honda Accord and Mazda 6. I would
like to get a convertible, if I could drive it
year round.
I did not see that comment with any other convertibles. Has anyone experienced this?
I just bought a Solara SLE convertible and I just don't see what they are talking about. I test drove and Audi S4, BMW 325, Chrysler Sebring, and the Solara SLE. The smooth ride and lack of noise of the SLE was very comparable to the Audi and BMW (and my 6'1" teenage son can actually sit in the back). The handling and features were certainly nicer in the $50K cars (price when you add navigation, etc.), and it would be nice to have a completely automatic top. If I didn't care about money and didn't need to cary anyone in the back seat, I'd take the Audi. However, I would put the performance and quality of the Solara much closer to the Audi and BMW than it is to the Sebring.
If you want a convertible for $30K, the Sebring simply cannot compare. The engine noise was pronounced, and the interior was not finsished nearly as nice. I like the exterior styling of the Sebring better, but I spend more time looking at the interior
If price is your main consideration, then you may want to try to pick up one of the 2004 Sebrings that are still on the lots. Dealers are being told that they can't have 2005s until they clear them out. It's still a good looking car and a decent value.
I understand convertibles lack the structural support supplied by the roof, I was just concerned that I didn't see the comment in other convertible reviews.
As you did, I plan several test drives of several makes and what the actual driving experience is.
Question: can you be more specific on your comment of not having a "completely automatic" top? Thanks.
On the Audi and BMW, there are no levers (they are automatic). What is really nice, however, is that a compartment opens up to swallow the roof when it retracts, eliminating the need to put on a cover. It is covered automatically with a pannel that looks like part of the body. Also no need to carry the cover in the trunk. Really cool, but perhaps not worth $15K extra.
The real deal killer, however, was that neither the Audi nor BMW had room for my teenagers in the back with the front seat set where I like it (I am 5"10"). The back seats were for emergency use only. Perhaps in 3 years when they are both gone
WInd screens are available online for less than $300, while the dealers charge around $400. I ordered one for $270 (they are available for less, but I used a site that had a few more references). When it arrives I'll let you know if I recommend using the site.
Love the look of my car, but not too happy about maintenance issues....on my 3rd or 4th go round with my check engine light coming on...problem with the gas cap seal that the dealer can't seem to get fixed. Visors need replacing because they rattle. Driver window switch needed replaced and now the window itself rattles. Also doesn't have the gumption I hoped for....hit the accelerator and the car has to think about it for a second before it responds...I've become quite the conservative driver!
But, when it's 70 and sunny I forget about all that!