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Here in Minnesota, we don't have much choice in the winter besides the Car Wash. All in all, I think it's better to get the road salt off in the car wash with its risks than to not wash it at all.....
Lexus RX330
Lexus GS300
Mitsubishi Murano
Kia Sorrento
Ford Escape
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Camry
My wife has decided that it's time she had the 'fun car' she has wanted since we were DINKs. While at the local Toyota dealership to test drive the Highlander and Camry we 'discovered' the Solara. After extensive research (cable TSB withstanding) I am convinced that the SLE is the best quality and value in our price range. I have starting website pinging the dealers in AL/TN/GA with offers of $29,000 and I'll buy it today for the SLE with Vehicle Stabilty Control as the only option. I think that the Toyota Protection package is nice but have no interest in paying for it unless my total comes to $29,600. I am hoping that a B/C dealer in the small/mid sized southcentral cities will (as has been indicated here) do the deal. Anyone out there having any success getting anything significant off of MSRP recently? The local Huntsville, AL Toyota dealer is selling them for >MSRP - but not to me.
As far as do-it-yourself treatments, you could do far more damage to the cloth than protect it. Keep it clean, and most importantly, keep it dry.
There are no differences between the 2004 and 2005 convertible.
I didn't know what it was, but when I got a new top they showed me the cable had basically snapped. I paid an extra $80 for a new cable, installed.
No more wind noise or water leak.
-juice
So far, the car is great (only 77 miles at this point). This is my fourth convertible over the past decade (Sunbird, Sunfire, Sebring), and it certainly seems to have the best build (for the price, it should).
The boot sure is difficult to install, though.
Cheers
A comparably equipped (except no NAV available) Sebring cost a couple thousand more than the Solara and the Solara is 100% better as far as fit and finish goes.
I acknowledge that the Solara has a noticeably better build than the Chrysler, but I owned a 1998 Sebring for 4 years, and didn't have any problems with it.
You are right. The first five years, I had no problems whatsoever. After its fifth anniversary, however, it seemed that everything went at once. Antilock brake system, a/c, and a few other electrical problems all hit within a couple of weeks. I didn't think it was worth putting more money into it so I checked the availability of the Solara. I was lucky enough to put dibs on an SLE V6 that was on its way to the dealer. The Toyota is a great car. We test drove a 2001 Sebring, but the Toyota is better in every respect.
1. The outside temp gauge seems to be pretty inaccurate. Anyone else notice this? The ones on my Chryslers always match the local radio temp announcements.
2. Has anyone bought the accessory wind screen? Is it worth it for $395? What if someone is in the back seat?
3. Is it just me, or is the boot a bear to put on?
Overall, I'm totally delighted with this car. It's been a long time since I've paid sticker price, but I have no regrets thus far!
Cheers
Randy
2- i would like to know this my self, if somebody has it and if it is a do it yourself job? i test drove one with it and it did work keeping the noise down but i can tell you that when you use it you can not have anybody in the rear seat.
3-i can tell you that i bought my 08-18-04 and i have not drive the car with the top up and i have use the boot about 8 to 10 times and i am getting use to plus the car looks so much better with the boot on, my personal opinion and several others tell me that.
Thanks
P.S. Where to people buy the wind screen? Our dealership does not know about it.
"engines will run a lot cleaner for the long haul"
Octane has nothing to do with running cleaner. Octane is simply an anti-knock indicator. Engines that are designed and have the appropriate sensors to run, knock-free, on 87 octane will gain nothing by using a higher octane. It is simply money thrown right out the window to use a higher octane than the car is manufactured to use. The only time one should spend the extra money for the higher octane is if you notice ping or knock. Otherwise it is just needless money down the drain.
I've been peeking around, mostly out of curiosity, and locally I haven't seen anything below $28k for a V6 (no-haggle price).
-juice
The back seat is plenty large. I've had a 6' guy in his 60's in the back and he had no complaints at all. I've only rented the Sebrings but I can tell you, hands down, the Solara is twice the car it is. The 325cic is much LESS car for the money. The only thing I like better about it is the fully automatic top and ability to get park distance control. In the end, I just thought it was too sporty and rough. The Volvo C70 surprised me. I really like its looks but it seemed very aged and out of date and the fact that you can't get navigation was a blocker since that is a must for me. PT Cruiser, didn't look at it seriously but I can't stand the standard crusier so I wouldn't be a good judge.
I have to say that, for the money, a fully loaded (Nav & VSC) SLE is the best car you can get for the money. I paid MSRP for mine, the same as BMW and Volvo wanted.
After a 2 1/2 month wait.. I finally got my 2005 SLE. First convertible... I am hooked.
I very nearly bought the Cruiser, but settled on the Solara mainly because of the six cylinder engine and the fact that my golf clubs fit easily in the trunk (and not at all easily in the Cruiser's trunk).
I still think the Cruiser is a good vehicle, and was impressed by its apparent build quality.
Surprisingly perhaps, the Toyota V6 gets better mileage than the PT Turbo 4.
It does burn regular, right? I think the PT turbo would prefer premium.
Pity, Toyota's 2.4l now seems torquey enough to serve as a base engine and it could lower the starting price a lot.
-juice
If you bought it, you MIGHT be able to trade it even for a Solara today...if you hurry.
Congratulations on your Saab.
As far as slow? Dont think it is slow, i think it is plenty ample for the car that it is.
Bottom line: you cannot lease a Solara ragtop for $479 a month, like you can the Saab. When you lease, you are shopping for and buying a payment, not a car. Be happy with the payment that you bought.
I was in a different position when we were shopping, because we were purchasing. The Saab didnt make the first cut.
Look at it this way. Either load up the Solara and put $10k cash in the glovebox, or buy the Saab. I know what most people would do......
He said he BOUGHT a 9-3 not leased, he didn't say anthything about Toyota quality in his post and I never even saw a mention about "$479".
By the way, you can lease a Solara for under $479. In fact, you can lease an SLE Convertible with $0 down for 36 months $422.00 The Saab lease is with $1,500 down, which you should never do.
Exactly what post did you read that made you come to all of those conclusions?
$422 with zero down is news to me.What are they using for a residual? Money factor? Mileage? Transaction price?
I am looking at a $32.4 car, 60% residual, 12k, 5.9 rate, full list with zero cap cost and coming up with $491.31 plus state sales tax and fees.
In any case, the Solara lease I quoted was for a SLE Convertible (no options) MSRP $29,650 36 mo. 12k, not including tax.
The question then becomes "lemme see, you mean I can lease a $42k Saab ragtop for about the same payment as a $32k Toyoter? Why that is a no-brainer, I will take the Saab"
I personally think Saabs are junk, but their leasing (at certain times of the year) cannot be matched. They had a $299 24 mo. fees only lease a few months ago on the 9.3 sedan. At the time, you could not get an Accord for that, so I put a few people into the 9.3 because they were payment shoppers and this was the best "deal" on the market at the time.