Toyota Solara

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Comments

  • das01solaradas01solara Member Posts: 9
    Hi all,

    I have just ordered a new Solara SE V6 (5 sp with leather), and while waiting for it to arrive, I have read the prior 650 posts. Although I did my research before choosing the Solara, I have learned a lot about this car from this group as well as the S. Vs. Honda etc group. It was interesting to note that so many were choosing b/w the same cars. For me, the American cars were never an option for reasons that have been laid out here many times before. I also had the A4 (used) in the mix, as the lone four-door. I was looking for a sporty, reliable car that could reasonably fit four on occasion. I loved the Honda's looks at first, but was shocked to find the V6 only mated to an automatic (you should have seen my face!) In the end, I became attached to the idea of a V6, 5 speed was mandatory, I wanted long-term reliability, and couldn't afford the European cars that fit that bill w/o going several years used. The Solara became the logical choice for me. After reading all of part 6 (couldn't access the earlier parts), I have the following questions/comments:


    1. Yes, ralph, you are nuts. But seeing as I also bought a 5-speed V6 in fairway green, maybe I'm nuts too.

    2. The issue with the clunky struts, which may or may not have a TSB associated with it: Is this still an issue with the later models? Not clear if this was something with the 98-99 years only. At least it's nice to know about in advance so I'll know it if it happens.

    3. After reading the story about the alloy spare, I re checked and I can only find the words "full-size spare" in the 2001 brochure. Perhaps they changed the brochure or am I missing it?


    4. The dreaded coin box problem! It's almost comforting that this is in the top five of recurring complaints as this will never strand me on my way to work (no tolls!) Is there a separate ash tray? That's what I use currently.


    5. The real biggie: The Left Pull. I like to drive with no hands and my eyes closed and this could be a major problem. I liked the "safety feature" theory post too. Seriously, this seems like the most serious issue I'm likely to face. A while back someone mentioned something about the REAR wheels being off-true and this seemed a plausible cause and would appear to be resistant to front-end attempts to correct. Any further insight? Also, is this only a problem on earlier models?


    6. Lastly, thank you Evaddave for providing the logical answer to the seat belt light mystery. I was starting to scream at the screen until I got to your post. Right up there with "I keep the windows UP when it rains". Perfect.

    Keep up the great work guys (and gals)

    dave
  • automophileautomophile Member Posts: 780
    Peugeot
    I also saw the Peugeot coupe in Eurpope over the summer. In person it is even more gorgeous! Too bad they started to improve the cars AFTER they stopped selling in the US!

    Added Wood
    Every time I'm in my Solara, I appreciate the few added wood pieces. It REALLY makes a difference. I hated paying for the 60% of the kit you throw away (I mean - wood around the ingnition switch? Give me a break!), but it is really worth it!. I friend visiting from out of town got in and asked if I had a new car, it looked so different from a year ago.

    PS
    I'm still considering another car to get 4-doors, but whenever I look at and drive my Gorgeous, Comfortable, Quiet, Zaino'd DPWhite Solara, I know it will be hard to give up.
  • st22st22 Member Posts: 3
    And one thing is clear - nothing's perfect - not even Toyota! And I know this comment will get a lot of "conventional wisdom" from someone who had some bad experience last century, but has anyone noticed the smiles on folks getting out of the 2001 Stratus/Sebring coupes? Chryco design with Mitsu engineering. Anyone here with an open mind actually driven one of these things? And, they look like a full generation "younger". Yeah, Solara is pretty darn nice, but now, I'm really wondering about the next choice!
  • denniswadedenniswade Member Posts: 362
    and they didn't think the new car really stepped up to the plate -- they were pretty disappointed in it. It is a pleasantly styled car (always has been, actually) but the powertrain and build quality are still a long way from Toyota standards. Best thing to do is drive yourself and see if you agree with the critics (just like the movies!). I have two friends with Sebring convertibles (not the latest one -- one is a year old and the other is about 5 years old), and they've both had multiple problems with the tranny and drivetrain.
  • radracerradracer Member Posts: 96
    Unfortunately, the 2.7L engine in the convertible is made by Chrysler...why they put the smaller V6 in the heavier cvt I have no idea. Only the coupe is available with the Mitsu 3.0L, but that's the same one used in the Eclipse and the Eclipse has had numerous reliability problems...remember the Sebring is too new for owners to start reporting major problems. I love the rear of the Sebring, but the Concord front is ugly.
  • bluenote1bluenote1 Member Posts: 1
    Hello- First time post. Has anyone else had a problem tying down the trunk lid? I know the car wasn't exactly designed for moving things around, but I would have expected that there would be better provisions on the inside of the lid to tie down to. Great car, except for a few minor annoyances. Comments/help please. Thanks
    '00 SE 4 cyl. 5-spd./ gold
  • jedonnabjedonnab Member Posts: 5
    What I am saying is that the price quote is $24,269 plus doc. fee, sales tax, and license, minus $1000 factory rebate. The total net selling price is $23,269. After taxes, etc. it will be $25,668. My second choice is the Lexus IS300
  • das01solaradas01solara Member Posts: 9
    I'm no expert, but just having gone through the same process, I can give you some of my numbers for comparison (you didn't say SE v. SLE.)

    SE V6, MT, moonroof, sports package w/leather, lojack 1, $23,036 plus fees as you listed.

    If your car is comparable, our #'s are similar. $200 is haggle-able and you can usually get them to toss in the Lojack for "free"

    I also noticed the drop in price since only last fall - I went back to the dealer with 22-24K in mind for 98-99's and found I could now get a new one for that price. My hope is that they had them overpriced before and corrected accordingly rather than something more sinister.

    BTW, this site has great stuff regarding this process - very helpful for first-time new car buyer. Read esp the holdback and invoice info.

    hope this helps,

    dave
  • fourefoure Member Posts: 1
    Hi! Just want to share some info about tire replacement on my SLE. I installed a Dunlop SP5000 on my original 16" alloy wheels with 225/50/16, all the tires were clear no rubbing.Drove it in complete circle at 30mph, expecting some rubbing due to tire rolling not a sound. I would say that there is about an inch clearance in the front strut and only 1/8 in the rear. I went thru some potholes again no rubbing.
    Right now the car is very responsive and the ride is not hard at all. There is a slight difference in the speedometer maybe 2 to 4 miles. I did not feel a change in ABS .I was told that the tires were within the tolarance of the ABS that it will not affect its calibration. Ilove the cars handling, ride and looks.
  • curlyqcurlyq Member Posts: 54
    Has anyone had any success in dealing with Toyota regarding the excessive paint chipping? My six month old car looks like it has been driven on gravel roads not highways.
  • jedonnabjedonnab Member Posts: 5
    It's a SLEV6, ready my post #645. By the way what is lojack 1?
  • kwylliekwyllie Member Posts: 13
    Took my 99 SLE in for 15K service today. One of my kids had stepped on the cheap plastic cupholder ring when getting out of the car and broke it. I asked the service guy how much to replace it. Eighty dollars is the price, but he said Toyota realizes this equipment is sub-standard (the designer might have been the same person responsible for the coin box) and will replace the holder on warranty, once. Evidently they redesigned the cup holder in the newer models, although I doubt any design can hold up to the destructive capabilities of kids.
  • nori10nori10 Member Posts: 24
    I had my CD case in the back seat while my cupholder(s) was open, and then I braked hard and the CD fell on top of the cupholder and the right one broke off.... what a cheap plastic cup holder.. hehe !! tried to super-glue in on back but on luck. So kwyllie, you had your cupholder fixed for free??? Do you think my dealer will fix it too, or is it just that your dealer is nice?
  • radracerradracer Member Posts: 96
    if you pay me $80 i will make you a better cupholder.
  • das01solaradas01solara Member Posts: 9
    That post doesn't say SLE or SE, but if it's an SLE that may make comparison a little more difficult.


    Lojack is the car retrieval beacon system. If you report the car stolen the police can find the activated signal. The theory is that they can get the car back before significant damage is done to it (else you may not wish to get it back.) They have 5 levels with progressively more bells and whistles. Dealers quoted me a price of $595 for this option, which is what it's listed as "MSRP" on the Lojack site. The fact that there's an MSRP rather than a flat price listed further confirms that the dealers probably pay a lot less than that for it. I have no experience with the key immobilizer system so I went with a belt and suspenders approach.


    http://www.lojack.com/foryou/lojack.htm

    What are other folks experience/opinion of these two security systems?

  • radracerradracer Member Posts: 96
    if your car is stolen let it stay stolen and get the insurance money. they will strip your car within 2 hours. it takes 24-48 hours for the cops to get your car back using lojack and lojack is poor technology that smart thieves can easily get rid of or trick since it's not GPS based
  • johnmk2johnmk2 Member Posts: 2
    westsolara & automophile
    thanks, but it seems like most people bought their wood dash from exoticwooddash. Has anyone tried the factory wood dash, or the ones from woodtrim.com and woodcorp.com ? since they have less pieces than the one from exoticwooddash.com, I won't have to throw away that many useless pieces. Do they match better?
    thanks
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    I have to take issue with a couple of things you said. First, there are several advantages to LoJack that you missed. The biggest one is that the system is actually run by the police. This is no small advantage. There have been people who bought used cars and were unaware that the car was equipped with LoJack. When they reported the car stolen, the system automatically set off the homing beacon.

    Next, you don't have the luxury of letting thieves keep your car. Most stolen cars are recovered but usually after a couple of weeks. In that time, it is generally not something you want back and you never know where it has been, how it was used or what was in it. In states that have LoJack, recovery times run around 4 to 6 hours in most cases.

    If your stolen car is taken by experts with a chop shop, they generally will not take it immediately to the place where it will be dismantled. It is set somewhere to "cool off". This is how thieves determine if a car has LoJack without exposing themselves.

    There are GPS based recovery systems available now. They are much more accurate in locating the car. They generally have a start up cost plus an annual fee. LoJack is a one time fee. The GPS systems require coordination between the police and a third party to tell them where the car is.

    LoJack isn't the future of stolen car recovery. It is presently the best integrated and least expensive tracking system. Hopefully, GPS systems will supplant the homing beacon but until they are run by the police and costs come down, LoJack is the way to go.
  • vineee1vineee1 Member Posts: 16
    has anyone heard if there will be any changes in the solara for the 2002model year. i lease a 99sle now and love it and would like to lease a 2002 but kind of hate getting the exact samr car
  • radracerradracer Member Posts: 96
    no body change until 2004, but it might be offered with VVTi engines, good for an extra 10-15hp.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    While we will not see a major body style change this year, we should see a "freshening" for 2002. Radracer is correct about the complete overhaul in 2004 but Toyota normally has minor changes in the 4th year of a body style.
  • kwylliekwyllie Member Posts: 13
    To nori10:

    According to the service guy, this one is on Toyota. They did order me a new one, so I'll let you know if it really is free. If it's not free, I won't replace it because it will just break again someday. Eighty dollars for a eight dollar plastic piece of junk is just your typical parts ripoff. I do love my Solara, so a cheap rear cupholder is easy for me to overlook.
  • denniswadedenniswade Member Posts: 362
    Tell em they shouldn't be drinking in your car anyway, so you took it out!
  • kwylliekwyllie Member Posts: 13
    It's true, they are replacing it for me free of charge. Whether it's just a dealer thing or Toyota blesses this, I don't know. I'm not asking any more questions.

    I was thinking of banning my kids from the car altogether, but that would be cruel. They like to ride in it too. Thank goodness they are not yet old enough to drive it.
  • hud116222hud116222 Member Posts: 46
    Bill479 and all. I am still trying to build the car I want. They won't put a 5 speed in a SLE V-6, but I have been assured by the regional Toyota people that they will build me a SE V-6 with leather package and WITHOUT the spoiler. They said they will just give me the spoiler; unattached. (hopefully with no holes in the trunk) I read with interest the comments that there will be some new touches with the 02's. Does anyone know if that would include different options?

    I did a bit of checking on the Peugeot 406- absolutely beautiful! Priced at $41,000 American dollars on their website in the United Kingdom. That stopped me there, so did not check on shipping costs or emission control standards.
  • denniswadedenniswade Member Posts: 362
    eat candy in the back seat -- those sticky fingerprints NEVER come off!
  • kwylliekwyllie Member Posts: 13
    For the future, it's not candy I'll worry about. But that's off topic.
  • denniswadedenniswade Member Posts: 362
    Let's not borrow trouble, shall we? I'm sure you'll raise em right!
  • evaddaveevaddave Member Posts: 156
    Anyone else have trouble with their tuner? Recently, my radio started acting funny--I'll be listening to a radio station, and then it'll magically tune up a notch. Shortly thereafter, it'll tune back to the original station. The amount of time before tuning back varies. If I manually tune back to the station I was listening to, the radio will tune down a notch, as if I hadn't manually tuned back.

    I have the JBL Premium 3-in-1 system.

    -Dave

    '00 SE V6 5spd
  • canccanc Member Posts: 715
    Does anyone here have a Solara SE (4 cylinder engine)? If so, I'd like to know your actual gas mileage (city/highway). Thanks in advance!
  • jakutajakuta Member Posts: 16
    For those in the Southern California: Interested in the subject car? Email me at jakuta@hotmail.com
  • curlyqcurlyq Member Posts: 54
    Has anyone used this stuff on their car to protect from rock chips? Any information would be appreciated.
  • canccanc Member Posts: 715
    Would anyone here recommend purchasing an extended warranty for the Solara? I've been reading many posts on other Toyota forums, and most say that it's not necessary. I'd like to know if this is the same for the Solara.

    Thanks
  • silverstreamsilverstream Member Posts: 1
    www.xpel.com has Scotchcal clear bra kits for the Solara.
    Hood, Fender and Mirror Kit for $110 and Bumper Kit for $110. I have used the headlight protectors and they also work great. Cheaper than replacing a headlamp assembly. I do not know what the Solara's cost, but a Pathfinder's is $140.
  • curlyqcurlyq Member Posts: 54
    Has anyone bought one of these accessories from Toyota? How do they look on the Solara? Do they come in colors to match the paint finish? Do they have a soft protective inside? Thanks.
  • solara11solara11 Member Posts: 78
    I have had just about every problem imaginable with my Solar 00, DE V6, and my latest is a weird pulsating humming noise when at a complete stop!!! Anyone else have this? Water pump, oil pump? I just left the dealer today after an oil change and "NEW" windshield wiper blades! I do not even use them until the ice and snow are COMPLETELY melted! My car was born 3/3/00!?! Any comments?
  • solara11solara11 Member Posts: 78
    I have had just about every problem imaginable with my Solara 00, DE V6, and my latest is a weird pulsating humming noise when at a complete stop!!! Anyone else have this? Water pump, oil pump? I just left the dealer today after an oil change and "NEW" windshield wiper blades! I do not even use them until the ice and snow are COMPLETELY melted! My car was born 3/3/00!?! Any comments?
  • solara11solara11 Member Posts: 78
    I have had just about every problem imaginable with my Solara 00, SE V6, and my latest is a weird pulsating humming noise when at a complete stop!!! Anyone else have this? Water pump, oil pump? I just left the dealer today after an oil change and "NEW" windshield wiper blades! I do not even use them until the ice and snow are COMPLETELY melted! My car was born 3/3/00!?! Any comments?
  • ral2167ral2167 Member Posts: 791
    my comment is...well, you posted three times... same message..what's up with that? sounds to me you got a lemon.... it happens.... is the dealer good at resolving whatever problem crops up? perhaps you can cut your losses and shop the car around? can you afford to do this?
  • denniswadedenniswade Member Posts: 362
    I wouldn't buy it when the car is new -- you get nothing for it if you decide to trade it in or sell it after 2-3 years. But if you plan on keeping it a lot longer than that, it can be helpful. We had a long-term lease on my wife's '93 Celica, then bought it out. We got Extended Care when we bought out the lease, and they fixed several things that would've cost us hundreds of dollars more than the cost of the warranty (my wife drove the thing like it was a truck, and managed to bust three motor mounts and a transmission mount, two strut bushings and a bunch of little stuff that all got fixed for nothing just before we turned the car over to my daughter). Can't beat it.
  • das01solaradas01solara Member Posts: 9
    Welcome back. I'm sorry to hear about your ongoing woes - sounds like no fun. Did the noise start before or after the oil change? I'm no mechanic, but sometimes my car will act funny (idle differently, etc) immediately after an oil change. This used to alarm me but it always goes away.
    On a different subject, was it you that had the trouble with the alloy spare (or lack thereof?) I'm waiting for my car to be delivered and wanted to know the full story before then - if you don't mind repeating it.
    thanks in adavance, and good luck,
    dave
    '01 V6 5sp SE (someday!)
  • radracerradracer Member Posts: 96
    Anyone interested in a $150 voucher? It's for any dealer in socal from valencia to orange
  • pbcpbc Member Posts: 44
    The right door speakers seem to crackle or pop whenever I listen to something with low bass. For instance, listening to Howard Stern in the morning, I have to adjust the bass to -3 and still get the occasional pop or crack sound (he's got a super low voice).

    I don't hear it on the left side so I went to the dealer and asked them to take a listen. Instead the guy simply said that he has to do the same thing on this car (a Rav4) when listening to Stern or anything with low bass. And said I don't hear it on the left side b/c my leg is their. Somehow I don't buy this! I've sat on the other side of the car and still hear the occasional pop on the right but not the left which leads me to beleive one of the speakers on the right are shot.

    Any suggestions? Does anyone else experience this (I'm sure someone hear listens to Stern as well)!
  • solara11solara11 Member Posts: 78
    Ral2167: The 3 posting thing was a result of me not paying attention to the new delete and spell check options. It has been a while since I have followed the discussion, and I use a Web TV that makes the little buttons almost unreadable. A new car is out of the question, now! I am not sure if I got a lemon, or if I expected better quality from Toyota.Das01Solara: The noise was after the oil change, but not right after. It started about 20 miles later. It was damp and cold out, but the car is usually so quiet, that my passenger thought it was someone elses elseThe noise continued after I got to my home, and I have not driven it today. Hope it goes away, as I feel I live at the dealership. The guys make jokes I should be on payroll!
  • jedonnabjedonnab Member Posts: 5
    I am still trying to find out if the price that I got is a good price. Can anyone help? I got a quote from a dealer of $24,269 + 45 doc fee + tax = $1945.12 + tire fee $5.00 + $364 license minus $1000 factory rebate and the GRAND TOTAL OUT THE DOOR IS $25,628.12. This includes: leather package, 6 disc in dash DC, moon roof, carpeted floor mats. Toyota has a factory rebate going on until April 2, 2001. I know that they will run more specials around the holidays. Right know I have a 97 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 and I am trying to get out of it ASAP, it has given problems since day 1, I like the car, and the body shape better than the Solar, but you all know American cars don't hold their value, and they are only good ail 140k miles.

    Can anyone help?
  • black00black00 Member Posts: 48
    I think you should take a look at the invoice prices, available here at Edmunds.com.
    If what they're quoting you is up to $500 over invoice, I personally think you're doing a good deal (others may say you should only pay $200 over invoice...). Obviously, this depends on the demand for the Solara in your area, but given the factory rebate they're probably not selling them that fast.
  • curlyqcurlyq Member Posts: 54
    I bought my 2000 in August using invoicedealers.com and was very pleased with the price quote I received, which as it turned out came from the dealership closest to me.
  • solara11solara11 Member Posts: 78
    Although I like my Solara, my 1997 Cavalier was the only car that never gave me any problems. As for resale value, I bought my 00, SE V6, package 4 for $22ish, and Carmax will only give me $16,000. A Dodge dealer offered $14,000! Solara did not to too well with resale value! I would recommend a lease, as I paid cash, and was miffed by all the Toyota, Honda boo a, about quality. My 2 cents, the Solara is as American as any car, just made in Canada with the Corollas!!! If you are lucky, yours wont pull left like many, many others!
  • wayne1638wayne1638 Member Posts: 3
    I am looking for an SEV6 with leather pkg and 5 spd. Also wanted side-air bags but the dealer is telling me Toyota is not making the SE with side air bags. Is this true? How do I check the dealer's story? This seems wierd because I can configure the car w/side air bags on many websites, including Toyota's.

    Any advice appreciated!
  • 99solara99solara Member Posts: 51
    For what it is worth I have a 1999 SE V6 5 speed with Side Air Bags. The dealer had to locate the car because I did not want leather ( ouch in Texas summers ) and the combination was not easy to find.
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