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Glad your problem has been resolved with your Solara. Can you tell me what was done to resolve the problem?
Thanks- PNC
are you saying the dealer cannot duplicate the pulling to the left? OR
are you saying the dealer can duplicate it, but can't (or won't) fix it??
The add-on wood dash parts from www.exoticwooddash.com do not look exactly like factory parts, since they are added on the top of the existing parts, but they also do NOT look cheesy, especially if you do not over do it. The match to the factory wood is really close, and no one has ever thought that my added trim was not factory. Us picky ones are the only ones that would know.
As far as I can tell, it is not possible to remove the parts without leaving a huge, unfixable mess. It is possible there are some solvents that would work, but they may damage the plastic as well. Hey - it looks good, and will be there when I sell the car.
You can always order the kit, and look at it for a while, as I did, before taking the plunge. Take a LONG time and be careful. The 3M adhesive sticks instantly and forever. It will look great for the life of your car.
There is no way a 90W bulb can only draw a "stock" 55W. The harness does not control the power to the bulbs. If they are 90W bulbs, than they are trying to draw 90W, up to the limit of your wiring system to supply it. If they are not bright because of wiring issues, the extra power is being dissipated in your wiring harness as HEAT, just like an overloaded extension cord in your home. 90W is nearly double the stock wattage, so you should feel the wiring with your hand after the lights have been on for a while. If the wires are warm or hot, you should hold off on the bulbs until you replace the harness. There may also be a relay that should be upgraded for higher capacity.
Also - just in case you are ever stopped - such bulbs may not be legal for street use in your state, and you might get ticketed for them.
The beauty (or lack thereof) of the wood dash is in the eye of the beholder. Some people like the looks of them and some people hate them. One thing is for sure, there is no real wood in the Solara, so if you want some real stuff, you will have to add it yourself. I bought the complete kit from www.exoticwooddash.com last year when I got my Solara. I installed all the pieces except for the cup holders and ignition switch pieces. I love the look and I think it makes the car look classy.
I took lots of pictures when I first got my Solara last year and I put them on a website. I went overboard with the pictures, but it was new and I was in love with it (still am). If anyone is considering adding the dash kit, please take a look and you decide if it's right for you.
If you do decide to add one of these kits, they are PERMANENT! Once you stick them on, that's it. You should test every single piece for fit and finish and make absolutely sure they are aligned before you stick them on. Don't whine about it looking cheesy a week later. It's up to you to decide if you can live with it. I think the match is almost perfect and it would take a real sharp person to tell the difference between the stock plastic wood trim and the real thing.
Here's a link to my pictures:
Hope this helps you decide.
Incidentally, I've never had any problem on-center with any of the Solaras I've driven, so it sounds like an anomoly.
the bullet and buy the complete kit.....As they said, you only go this
way once...
Jrays...thanks for the pic...Nice looking and great looking car!!!!!
If anybody wants to see the choices, you can go to any of the Southeastern dealership websites. I believe you can "build" a Solara there and see the different color combinations. At the 2000 Atlanta car show, they had a Red Flame/Silver Fawn Solara right inside the door as you walk in. It was the first car everyone saw, and as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have that color combination. The two-tone paint job is not for everyone, but most people like it.
do you have to use the same wattage?
brian
Note: the higher the Revs/mile, the smaller the overall diameter of the tire.
205/60HR16 - 785 Revs/Mile -- original size
215/60HR16 - 771 Revs/Mile -- fit fine, you can't go any taller without rubbing the strut tower
225/60HR16 - 757 Revs/Mile -- rub on strut tower
205/55HR16 - 810 Revs/Mile -- can you say 'funny looking'??
215/55HR16 - 796 Revs/Mile -- still to short to look good
225/55HR16 - 783 Revs/Mile -- too wide for 16x6 wheels, rub on fender @ the local pothole(s)
Size Calculator
Enjoy...
Note: the higher the Revs/mile, the smaller the overall diameter of the tire.
205/60HR16 - 785 Revs/Mile -- original size
215/60HR16 - 771 Revs/Mile -- fit fine, you can't go any taller without rubbing the strut tower
225/60HR16 - 757 Revs/Mile -- rub on strut tower
205/55HR16 - 810 Revs/Mile -- can you say 'funny looking'??
215/55HR16 - 796 Revs/Mile -- still to short to look good
225/55HR16 - 783 Revs/Mile -- too wide for 16x6 wheels, rub on fender @ the local pothole(s)
Size Calculator
Enjoy...
ral - asside from what cliffy wrote, the Bridgestone tires just plain suck and I would never pay actual green dollars for even one of them. Sure they were quiet, but wore 2x faster than any other tire I have ever owned - and - they runout in corners, spin under acceleration, and have absolutely NO snow/rain traction. Pay the $$ for 4 GOOD tires, your $25k car will thank you.
i'll report back when i get the tires and have driven on them a bit, and relate whether i'm a real smart fella, or an idiot like cliffy alleges i very well may be...i'll use the one current tire with the most tread left as my new spare....
Thanks for any responses.
SOLARA1
As far as lightening the mood, thanks. I've been scolded lately by the moderators for a couple of posts that were taken without the needed grain of salt. Somehow, smiles don't seem to come through in writing and that can change the whole meaning of some posts.
Anyway -- make sure the tire pressures are exactly equal; if they are, try adding pressure to the front tire on the side the car pulls toward (if it pulls left, add air to the left front tire), in 2-psi increments. Make sure you go down to the local auto store and get yourself a GOOD tire gauge, too -- and never rely on the integral tire gauge in the service station air hose. if this doesn't work, take your car to an independant tire store and have them check the rims to make sure they aren't bent, the tires to make sure they're not wearing improperly, and if all else fails, have THEM check the alignment.
I agree with Sungirl that it is very annoying, and frankly dangerous at times, to have to keep the steering wheel turned to the right to keep the car straight.
I would really appreciate any suggestions or potential solutions that anyone else has. I want to be a satisfied Solara owner, but I am losing my patience. I promise not to become a big ranter about this in this forum. I am just looking for help.
Thanks
2) have you test drove another solara on the dealer's lot, while yours is in the service area, to see whether that solara pulls?? (do this in case their answer is, heck, all solaras pull)
3) i would advise you contact the attorney general of the state if the following has occurred:
a) the dealer can duplicate the same pulling problem that you describe.
b) you can show that now all solaras have the pulling problem you have.
c) the dealer has had three opportunities to fix the problem, but can't.
you might also look in a phone book, find an ad for an attorney that does not charge for initial consultation, and might specialize in the type of case this might be (product liability/lemon law-- not sure), and run the situation by him or her.
i may give my dealer a call and talk to the service guy who worked on my car-- when i had the tires rotated a few months ago, it pulled, so i took it in and it don't pull at all (they didn't re-rotate the tires as a fix, i know that), and steers straight as can be. maybe i can pass along some info as to what they did.
I will have some pics up on my web site so if you are interested please feel free to visit http://home.cfl.rr.com/poman
Good LUCK!
Poman
99 Black TRD Supercharger Solara with 35,000 fast miles
When inspecting the aligment on my Solara they found that the car is in Toyota's specs and based on my car's specs should favor the right slightly if at all.
It is this companies professional opinion (as it is mine) that my car does have a problem in pulling to the left, but it is not an aligment problem. They could adjust the rear alignment some to attempt to counter the left pull, but they could not guarantee that this would solve my car's problem.
It is also their professional opinion that my Solara's problem is likely related to a problem with the transaxle/drivetrain. They have even offered to speak with a Toyota rep on my behalf to share their independent evaluation.
I am really saddened to think of all the time I have wasted trying to get someone at Toyota to fix this problem, and the only progress made by Toyota is that they agree my car pulls to the left, but it must be a road crown problem since the aligment is in specs. I highly suggest that anyone with a pull problem visit a 3rd party alignment specialist and take their documentation back to your dealership.
Hehe don't panic! Why do I want to take it to the dealer again for something they couldn't do a damn thing about it? The increment is small enough not to make a difference on the tire wear. If you don't believe that, then most of you here with the car pulling to the left would have tire wear problem. My tires are wearing just fine. The car drives straight on the straight roads for me and I'm happy about it for now. You guys can file the complain and I'll wait for the actual correction meanwhile.
I've been following this tread about the Solara pulling to the left regardless of the road surface. I have had my 2K SLE V6 for over 9 months and there has been no 'pulling/drifting' with my vehicle. I have the Michelin MXV4 Plus tires with about 16.7K miles. On several occasions I have let go of the wheel and the car remains reasonably straight for a few seconds, then begins to wander a bit to the left - no pulling is evident. I keep the tires inflated to about 34psi in front, and 32psi in the rear.
I am wondering if I'm the only Solara owner that doesn't have this problem. BTW - I also had a 1999 SLE V6 that did not pull/drift either. This car had the Bridgestone tires.
Maybe the roads here in Virgina are smoother/flatter than in other parts of the country.
2K SLE V6 - Silverstream - still smooth & creamy!
all told, the bill came to:
$85 times 3 = $255 for the tires
$7 times 3 = $21 for computer balance
$2 times 3 = $6 for tire disposal
50 cents * 3 = $1.50 for ohio excise tax
sub total = $283.50
plus sales tax 6.5%
total = $301.80
I couldn't see buying 4 new michelins of the same size for over $400... or change to a different size than 205-60-16..when i could just buy 3 new potenzas and put my never-used spare to work for me.... ; if i find that i screwed up somewhere down the road by going these cheapskate route, i'll let you know. if i can get another 30000 miles on these new set of tires, that'll put me up to 60,000 on the solara and i'll be ready for a new car by then anyway. i'll make sure i rotate this set every 10000 miles (instead of waiting until 20000+).
99 V6 5 speed Fairway Green SE (with Dwight Yoakam in the JBL in-dash CD)
also, would anyone know if an aftermarket air filter for a different car would fit in the solara??
If you are looking for aftermarket parts for Solara goto www.camryman.org and post a message in the forum. If you are looking for aftermarket filter there's the K&N filter charger for the Solara or if you prefer cold air intake there's a few out there for it. Besides that, Mufflers, carbon fiber hoods, interior modifications, and mostly, TRD superchargers and suspensions for starter.
every time your drive down the street. I bought mine in Rochester NH
this past November and I have yet to see another one in the area as
compared to the Camry that are all over the place. as I have a 2000
and have no problem with steering deviation.