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Toyota Camry Solara: Prices Paid & Buying Experience
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Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
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either Cosmic Blue or Silver. How does the
Cosmic Blue look with the black top. I recently
saw one with the tan top and liked the blue color,
but would prefer the black top. I also found a Silver
with pinstripes that looked good.
I think it depends what you are used to. This car may be a lot different.
Performance: The gas mileage is on par with other mid-size cars that have a few less ponies under the hood. I can brag about that .029 coefficient of drag which is in Porches territory. The ride is nice but leans toward plush from my vantage point. My other car has a rim package and is lowered a couple inches so I'm used to more road-feel. I can't wait to wear out these Bridgestone Turanza tires as they squeal like a pig when trying to create some lateral G-force. Michelins baby! Learn to ignore the low-speed cowl-shake and you'll be a happy camper. It still disturbs me but this is my first rag-top and I'm just glad it doesn't make use of a stiffening bar ala the PT Cruiser.
Outside: I've gotten lots of positive comments on this car, more with the top down than up. We've taken to calling it "The Cream Puff" and my little sister throws in the adjective sizzlin as in sizzlin' cream puff but she drives a lumbering SUV so there's that. She loves those tail-lights and my NSX driving sales exec at work admires the "nice lines". The only car that I've seen since then that I wish I had considered was the Audi A4 drop-top. That thing looks sweet and doesn't rise toward the back so rear-ward visibility might be better. The rims are on the generic side so I may pimp them out with some chrome ones but they will be the same 17" diameter so the ride doesn't get too crunchy.
Inside: I was sold on the interior; it's elegant in a brushed metal, fake wood sort of way. The stereo is nice but there's a hole in the mid-bass response. It reproduces the thump of the kick drum but it doesn't go boom along with the bass guitar. As a bass player, I try to compensate by tuning the equalizer on the negative side and drive the volume to 50 or higher to rock out the jams. The climate control can bake cakes or freeze ice cream depending on the setting. I generally leave it set at 74 degrees unless I'm riding with the top down at night in where 80 degrees is a better setting.
Overall: It's my third Toyota and won't be my last. The Lexus-smooth engine with the 5-speed and the accommodating cabin stand out on this car. It's a fun car for a grown-up with kids. My daughter likes being picked up from school in the Cream Puff, that's all I need.
Another day in Paradise...
Dad/\/\an
1. The rear visibility is tough. I am 6'2" and it is tough to see out the back top up or down, but I like to sit low.
2. Get the 18" wheels, they make a big difference in the look and feel of the car.
3. As I said, 2027 miles and not one...not one problem. Hand washed it 4 times, no leaks. Fit is tight. No issues with ext or interior. Only thing wrong so far is the miles per gallon calculation, it is off by @2.5 mpg. So far getting on average 21.7 mpg, 60/40 mix of hwy/city driving.
4. Stares, everywhere!!! The car flat out is a head turner!!! Friend who has a Lexus SC cries with the thought of the price he paid, cost to maintain, and lack of room he has every time he sees my car.
I have had many cars, GM's, Dodge, Nissan, Toyota's, Acura's. To date, two stay with me always, a 1984 Supra and this one. I put 220K on my Supra before it was stolen, yes, someone wanted it, I expect to do the same with this one. Toyota has it right!!!
I highly recommend that anyone looking for a top down experience look carefully into this car and BUY IT! I will keep updating from time to time, especially after the first service.
They threw in the windscreen when I bought mine but I'd pay for it if they had not done so. Unfortunately, I lost one of the little clips that secure it to the back so I have to wedge the little strap under the head-rest for now. My wife's long hair stays in place much better with the screen installed. It's like having an open sun-roof as far as wind/noise is concerned. It adds a nice touch too.
Cheers!
Dad/\/\an
Anyway, it is a GREAT car and a solid value but it cannot really be compared to the Solara. Other then the convertible top, they are different cars. The interior of the Mustang is cool to look at but CHEAP to touch and feel. Fit and finish is good at best, the Solara has Lexus like fit and finish both inside and out, which is really dumb to say now that I typed it since Lexus IS a Toyota.....
Btw...the SC430 should do things better than the Solara..it is twice the price...One major drawback to the SC is in fact the ride..between the 18" wheels and run-flats, even the dealer service department admits that there are issues with "harsh ride" .
As a daily driver though, I'll take the Mustang. No jitters, shudders, and flexing at 25-40 mph on less than perfect roads. Of course this won't occur in the living room so I'll be able to enjoy the real benefits of my Solara (if I still owned it). I suggested the living room bit but it was a tight fit to get it around the dining room wall so my wife nixed the idea.
Admittedly, the 'Stang was tight..but let's see it in a year or two....
The windscreen has two tabs that fit into two slots that are already located on the horizontal surfaces next to the back-seat side windows. You slide the tabs into the slots and then pull the skirt back toward the rear seat and use the little hooks to catch the back side of the rear seat. No tools, no drills, a couple minutes at most and that includes removing the wind-screen from the trunk and taking it out of it's included zipper/cloth bag. BTW, the windscreen fits very nicely in the trunk if you slide it in under the cargo-net area with the legs pointing toward the front of the Solara.
Cheers!
Dad/\/\an
Hope this helps.
With the windscreen in place can you access things on the back seat?
Would it preclude having a dog in the back?
Thanks,
Jim McConnon
A couple of comments on the forum: 1) This is a great place to read about other's experiences and get questions answered. 2) Don't believe anything dspencer or tyresmoker are writing, it changes from post to post. They're probably a couple of kids that don't even own a car just messing with us here.
My experience so far:
Likes:
1) Arctic Frost Pearl with Tan Top/Interior is the Best! Especially when viewed up close. Well worth the $200 paint charge (what's up with that?). I love the Lexus-like styling.
2) Interior is far superior to anything under $40,000 in comfort and amenities. We test drove the Saab convertible and couldn't get over the cheap plastic-everything interior.
3) Ride and power are perfect for what it is, a sporty (not sports car) four passenger convertible.
4) I defy anyone of normal size to ride 100 miles in the back seat of a Mustang, or most other convertables for that matter. Plus, this one has an actual trunk, which means you could take it on a real live trip, with luggage and other people.
5) Toyota quality - say no more. Anyone that buys the crap Detroit is selling these days deserves the headaches (been there, done that). I've owned 5 Toyotas and don't have any complaints yet.
Dislikes:
1) Drive-by-wire lag in acceleration. I was about to take it back for service when I found out from postings on this site it's normal. Funny, I didn't notice it on the test drive. This is only a problem for normal drivers. If you have a lead-foot you'll never notice.
2) Upgraded JBL CD Changer Stereo has typical factory-installed mushy bass response. Can't be compensated for with EQ. And why doesn't it play MP3s? Expected more from JBL.
3) Rear-visibility. Although improved on the 2006 model, it's still not good with the top up. I can deal because I'm used to hauling a boat with my 4-Runner. Still, some bigger side-views would help.
4) Wheel styling is nothing to write home about. Maybe after this car is paid off I'll buy something decent.
Have to wait a few months for the winter driving review, but it's front-wheel-drive, which should really help.
Changes from post to post?... Yeah...Pal, I had a Solara convertible in my garage probably before you even knew they existed...(delivery- March 2004). My posts change? Where? I have been on this board since it began telling it the way I see it.
As far as dspencer..it is his opinion, just as it it yours...if he prefers his Malibu, let him...
1) Who buys a $30,000 car without driving it first?
2) If you prefer the GM-type no-road-feel, loose-steering ride, how can you say you prefer the Mustang's ride qualities over the Solara's? Since the Mustang has a tighter, bumpier, sports car type ride that statement makes absolutely no sense to me.
Some minor cons: The top opening button and all-windows down button should light up at night and be more easily distinguishable. The backseat is somewhat difficult to get into and out of. Rear Visibility takes getting used to, but I haven't had any major problems. I agree with 1840sky's comments, but I for the most part I really like the stereo (it is big improvement over the stock radio in my Mustang)
Second. -My 2000 Mustang is just a fun car for shows and good weather driving with the top down. It isn't a serious commuter. It didn't replace the Toyota. Nothing replaced the Toyota except a check in the bank. I have other cars for serious driving as well as the company Avalanche. The Mustang is a V6, not a GT, Cobra, etc. so it has a suspension system similar to a base coupe. It is not really tight and the shocks have some give. Of course it has 42,000 miles on it and is 5 years old. It is a Ford which means that it feels looser than a GM car. I haven't had a problem with lack of road feel. The Mustang convertible feels like a normal rental car but since it is a convertible it has been beefed up to avoid flex -of which it has none. It also doesn't have those rear seat headrests that block visibility. It essentially has the same visibility as the coupe. I'll probably buy a 2006 Mustang convertible eventually and will also keep the 2000. The 2005's have lots of problems judging from the Forum owners. The Mustangs have a club, newsletter, shows, meets, etc that I'll get involved in. This may sound tacky to the Toyota/Lexus crowd but it should be fun. I went through the sports car phase in my life and never again. When you get my age you end up with crowns and tooth-jarring rides are not for me. I think that the Solara ride is just fine on good roads and Toyota buyers love it. I'm not an advocate of road feel. If everything rode like my 2003 Deville I'd be very happy. The Solara convertible is a fine car -much more sophisticated than any Ford, GM car or Chrysler ever built. This is why Toyota is such a great seller. Most people love them. I'll never buy another one but I doubt that anyone at Toyota will commit hari-kari because of my decision.
ClaireS, Host
Coupes & Convertibles | Vans & Minivanns
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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What happened is that alot of Toyota customers complained that the beige boot got grimy (also the shifter knob and ebrake handle).So they substituted it with black or grey. I've just ordered a white one, beige interior. The dealership is going to swap it with an 04. You could always order a beige one from a Toyota parts department. Your boot should have been at least be grey to match the top trim of your car. Black does not sound right.
Invoice: $26,829
$1000 over invoice
sub total: $27,829
tax (if 7%): $1948.03
shipment: $540
Reginal adjustment: 190
Total cash price(deal): $32,455.06, which is how much you will pay for this car?
Any other fees such as doc.fee?
Thanks!
I brought mine in 3 times before they would do it, and the 3rd time, I brought pictures! But the leaking has stopped.... finally!
I have a 2004 Solara convertible (White with Tan top, this seems important to everyone :-) ), which I had to have the entire top replaced, including all bars, belts, etc. The explanation was the alignment was off which created the fabric to rub against the molding and the fabric to tear. It was suppose to be completed in 3 days, and my car was in service for 35 days! All the parts were on back order from overseas! I also had problems with the windows leaking water, and had to bring it in 3 times, finally I took pictures of the leaks in order for the dealer to fix it... what a waste of my time. My convertible is now starting to vibrate and rattle again, which is how I found the problem the 1st time!
IM SCARED TO BRING IT BACK! AND THE DEALER HAS BEEN NO HELP AND A JOKE!
Time to file the Lemon Law, any suggestions?
Thanks
I have a heavy foot and even at high acceleration the ride is very smooth. Undoubtedly, I would prefer to keep this car if it was anyway possible, but my budget cant accommodate the maintainence and the gas of an 8 cylinder car.
floor mats,first aid kit etc. This is about $1000 over Edmunds
Invoice price. I will most likely get the Blue with Black top. Is
this a good deal? I am located in upstate NY.