Toyota Solara

JGT74

Over the weekend I picked up a 2001 Solara SE V6, with what amounts to OPt Package 4 of 2000(JBL, 16" Wheels, Keyless entry, spoiler, 5 pc mat set) Silver with Charcoal Interior. The car seems great so far. One slight rattle on rough roads from the back seat, I'll wait till my first oil change to have that looked at.

Laters

solara11

So they have bad upper managemnt. I work for Verizon, and our managment is just as bad, amybe worse. It is all about skimming, IPO, and #'s, not peopole or what people want. The company will not fold, remember the last time the government bailed them out My latest car interest is a truck, a Ford (don't start, please!!!) Escape, but the dealers in my area want sticker, or around $500 less than sticker!?! Not much into haggling, and I knew i sound not have mentioned cash! I do not under stand why SLE would have a differnet exhaust than SE, and they would externally look the same? Anyone have any comments? Also Sebring is still on the burner. Dodge wont even ansnser any of the Car quote company inquiries from me!
Marnie>> get used to the paint, it only gets more chipped!

cliffy1

Most dealerships have a recommended maintenance program that goes well in excess of what your maintenance book calls for. Go over the list in your book and compare it to the dealer's menu. go back and ask them how much it will cost to just do those items from the book.

waynee

I too had a creaking leather driver's seat in my '99 SLE. It started making that noise after I had the car for two months. I would most often hear the noise when I shifted my weight, or on some bumps. The dealer had to have the seat sent to an auto upholstery shop; their fix was to reposition some of the springs in the seat. It's been fine for over 12 months since then, and the seat looks and feels the same after their work.

robmb52

I get those weird noises coming from the rear wheel wells. I too thought it was loose
gravel from the road. But, every time I take a slight corner, I hear it. Weird. Anyone
have any input. Also, the question was asked already, but no one answered. At 30,000
miles, what HAS to be done and what doesn't have to be. The manual recommends a lot
and it will cost close to $400-$500. Any input into these two concerns will be
appreciated.

Thanks.

Rob SEV6

codak

I don't have the maintenance schedule in front of me right now, but I'll tell you what I plan on having done at 30,000 miles. I will just have an oil change, tires rotated, and antifreeze replaced. I think in the maintenance schedule there are things like check fluid levels, which my dealer does anyway with an oil change, and check the brakes, which I just had done at 20,000 miles. My brakes were hardly worn, but it only cost $20 to have them checked.
The one thing I'm not sure about is having the transmission fluid replaced or flushed. I think if you have an automatic transmission, it would probably be a good idea to do this, but I have a manual transmission, and I didn't think I had to have transmission fluid replaced. I asked the question a few weeks ago if any manual transmission owners had their transmission fluid replaced or planned on having their transmission fluid replaced, but didn't get much input from anyone. Hope that helps a little.

kdonkor1

I spoke to one of the Toyota service guys and he said the only things that I REALLY needed to do was get the transmission fluid (for manual too) and coolant fluid replaced. I'm getting my tires rotated too. This all comes to a little over $100.

cardude4

Are you refering to the standard SE 4cylinder, 15 inch wheels, no frills model, or are you saying that SE V6 and SLE V6 have different mufflers and springs. Their is no mention in any Toyota literature, or even in Edmunds. SE V6 and SLE V6, depending on package chosen have minimal differences, such as leather, sunroof, rearview mirror, climate controls, and outside temp feature.

cardude4

Are you supposed to replace the Toyota Long Life "Factory Red" Antifreeze at 30K??? Thats not very long life for coolent, rather the norm! Isn't this type of antifreeze the same as Dex-Cool, same ingredients, different color? Dex-Cool is good for 150K, and that's GM.

cardude4

Are you supposed to replace the Toyota Long Life "Factory Red" Antifreeze at 30K??? Thats not very long life for coolent, rather the norm! Isn't this type of antifreeze the same as Dex-Cool, same ingredients, different color? Dex-Cool is good for 150K, and that's GM.

y2ktrd

I would probably change the air and fuel filters,rotate,oil change and replace the trans fluid also.Don't worry about the antifreeze,the car isn't even a year old!...the so called 500 dollar service is just a money maker for the dealers.Alot of the things described in the 30k service is just alot of "fluff" to make it look good on paper to make you think you got your money's worth.

automophile

The '99 SLE had a "Sport" Option. The dealer told me that the muffler has a valve to reduce bak pressure at higher speeds. That's all I know!

radracer

The SE has a "sport" option as well. There is absolutely no suspension or muffler change from the SE and SLE. The suspension is also not stiffer...it just seems stiffer because of the 16" wheels. If the springs were even just a tad stiffer, bouncing would be significantly decreased when coupled with the 16" wheels.

denniswade

Never EVER do more on a Toyota for scheduled service than it says in the owner's manual. Everything else is just a come-on. Ditto extended warranties.

cliffy1

The muffler that your dealer was talking about is the standard muffler. it is called a two way exhaust. I have seen a cut away of this and it is neat. What happens is that the muffler is made in three chambers with a small tube connecting them. As the first chamber fills up, the fumes are bled off to the second and third. There is also a big, wide tube connecting the first and third chambers with a heavy spring valve at the top. If the first chamber builds too much pressure too fast (such as under heavy acceleration), this valve is opened and allows a much more free flow out of the car. This prevents back pressure which can rob you of horsepower.

This exhaust is the only difference between the Camry and Solara and is why it gets 6 more HP.

automophile

Thanks, Cliffy. Based on your somment, it seems that this muffler the same on all Solaras?

The exhaust is so important! I understand the reason that the ES300 has an additional 10-15 horses or so is only because the exhaust headers are better.

radracer

No, the ES300 gets more horsepower not only from the double exhaust pipes, but also from the VVTi engine.

solara11

Doesn't ES300 have the same motor(engine)? Looks just like it! Any comments???

solara11

30k, and you need to change it???

automophile

My '97 didn't have vvti, but it did have 210 HP and nice exhaust headers!

cliffy1

The Camry, Solara, Sienna, Avalon, ES300 and RX300 have the same engine however... the Solara has the two way exhaust, the Avalon, '01 Sienna and the Lexus models have VVT-i plus the two way exhaust. This accounts for the HP difference. The '97 ES didn't have the VVT-i and I think it was 200 HP, not 210 but I have been wrong before.

robmb52

That's a good point. I thought my Toyota (2000 SEV6) came with the new type of Anti-Freeze. Isn't that stuff suppose to last over 100,000 miles?

About the transmission fluid, auto/manual, I would change the filter, fluid and gasket ever 30,000 no matter what type of car, fluid, or transmission I had. That's one thing I don't want to mess with. Cost me a whole lot more money later if I neglect it now.

Rob SE V6

radracer

My mom has one, it's got 200hp and is a lot more preppier than my Solara

solara11

Now that constuction season is over and snow season is coming, here anyway, does anyone have a suggestion on what product is good to remove tar and fresh road oil from the tires and wheel wells??

fastdriver

solara11-

Why worry. I thought you were going to dump the Solara and buy a Chrysler? Did you change your mind?

fastdriver

PS Their stock is down to $44.39 from a high of $80+ in January.

solara11

It's gotta' look good for trade in! Can't trade a grubby looking car. I am not so sure I am going to trade my car. It has only 14k, is paid for, and with winter coming, I don't want to get a "new" car and take the chance of an accident. I might keep the old car at least for the winter. I bought mu Solara in March, I think, and didn't really et to see if it handles well in the snow. Around Chicago, we get blizzards that would shut down any other city, but Chicagoans keep right on working, when everyone else stops. It is imperative to have reliable transportation. Thats why the thought of a Ford Escape. Every Ford I have had, I regretted having. I don't like Rav4, although I hear is due for a redesign, maybe have better engine choices, and nicer interior choices. Gas prices being what they are, I dont want a big SUV, especially around here where gas went up to almost $3.00 a gallon at the beginning of summer, other parts of the country complained about $2.50 a gallon.


P.S. My companys stock price is "under water" like DC! Doesn't mean we are a bad company, or have a bad product, just top heavy! That will change when the shareholders grumble a bit, just watch.

automophile

The Escape has gotten good reviews, and actually has more room inside than the Explorers! You might also look at the new Mazda offering - it is probably very similar. I gotta tell ya though - THAT 4-wheel drive unit is what you should be driving in the snow!

denniswade

is better in every way than the current generation, and they're heading for showrooms as we speak. Check em out, you may find something you like!

radracer

Where is the V6?

denniswade

Where is another option to make it more expensive?

The new model, similarly equipped, will actually sticker for less than the previous version. This is supposed to be a small, affordable 4WD drive for young folks -- not a LandCruiser wannabe.

automophile

and a bit off topic - our brilliant Government announced today that they have completed a study and found that .....SUVs are prone to rollovers! DUH! And the more people inside, the higher the weight above the center of gravity and the tendency to roll increases! DUH again. I wonder how many rocket scientists it took to figure that out!

solara11

of your vehicle, duh!!! If I have a big one, and the other guy has a smaller one, than I must compensate for the little guys out their!!! Or I MAKE you all look BAD!!!! Such is life!!!

radracer

Do people really buy the 4Runner with a 4cyl? Are they nuts? C'mon, this is a 4000lb car, 150hp just doesn't cut it! 4cyl's are a waste of money. those are the cars on the highway that go from 80mph to 60mph when we reach a tiny little hill.

mmccloskey

I noticed that Toyota has posted the info on their 2001 Solaras. They state the SLE-V6 comes standard with the ECT-i (Electronically Controlled Transmission w/intelligence). Do any of you know if the 2000 SLE-V6 came with this same transmission as well? I have a 2K SLE-V6 and was wondering. Thanks.

Michael J.

denniswade

Since the SLE is the loaded version.

billmahan

Got behind on all the posts, but just a few quick notes:

1. Our '00 SLE V6 definitely "pulls" to the left. Two different dealership have tried to fix it, (alignments, tire pressure, etc.), but nothing can keep this car in a straight line for any length of time. I really believe it is a defect.

2. Have had a few rattles in the rear A pillars that neither dealership can seem to find/fix. Both said they might do more harm than good if they took everything apart and tried to put it back together. It's really annoying to have such a quiet car overall and have these few rattles continue.

3. Toyota Customer Service. Well, you just have to keep at it. My initial calls to Toyota only found very rude employees as I explained my ****** problem(I promised Cliffy1 that I wouldn't mention the exact problem!), but I finally found someone at Toyota Customer Assistance in Torrance that took care of my problem. No small claims court or lawyers. So while I think things could be better, I have to admit that they did come through in the end.

4. Paint chips. Flame Red has a few minor ones after one year, but no more than our '97 Camry.

Chrysler? I'd rather walk.............

solara11

When was your car built? My 00 SE V6 has the same problems, and I reported them to NHTSA(whatever???), but have not followed up with them. There may have been a bad batch of Solara's in Ontario. This is something I am very aware of(pulling left), but do not like being a cry baby whiner, as the dealers dont know how to fix it, and I am a busy American Joe!

solara11

Does anyone know if it is necessary to change the coolant to 30k, or are the service manuals somewhat generic??? Seems the purpose of Ethylene Glycol was to prevent so much excessive pollution, like anti-freeze waste being put into mother Earth! Toyota seems to be more envirometally conscience than say, Mitsubishi, known worldwide for destuction, destrucion, destruction! Any comments???

denniswade

It will tell you if and when you need to change fluids. The dealer will happily change it every 1000 miles if you let him.

fastdriver

billmahan & solara11-

The tires are warranteed by the TIRE manufacturer, not Toyota. Call the tire company and tell them that you have a problem and that you would like a factory approved tire dealer in your area to look at them.

I had this problem for 10 1/2 months and 11,000 miles on my 300M. The car not only wanted to go left, it felt like someone was under the hood pulling the wheel left! Of course my "award winning 5-STAR" dealerS had NO clue what the problem was! I solved my own problem with Goodyear at 11,000 miles. The tires were defective! I got 4 new tires for FREE! If I listened to my dealerS telling me that this was a characteristic of the car or that they all did it or that it was the crown in the road, my 300 would STILL be going left! Sometimes you just have to take the bull by the horns and get a little crazy! You spent hard earned money on this car. It SHOULD go straight!

fastdriver

codak

I believe that the maintenance schedule says to change coolant every 30,000 miles. The one thing I'm confused about is the transmission fluid. I've gotten differing opinions on it. The maintenance schedule says nothing about changing transmission fluid for manual transmissions; for automatics under severe driving conditions, it's to be changed every 30,000 miles. Can anyone give me a definitive answer about manual transmissions, whether transmission fluid needs to be changed or not? The dealer indicated to me that it did, but I take everything that they say with a large grain of salt.

cnman

My 2000 SLE came equipped with the "homelink" overhead contol panel. I don't have a garage and had no desire to purchase any remote accessories for this item. I ordered the color matched sunglasses storage panel from my dealer
(about $45.00 "ouch") and replaced the "homelink" panel with the eyeglass panel. An easy swap if you work carefully to remove the original remote control panel with a thin tool (a butterknife). The panel releases by inserting the tool into the slot under the rear edge. After removing the remote panel the "Homelink" wiring is tied and tucked away. Now there is an drop-down overhead panel that is useful, and here in the southwest sunglasses are standard equipment for most people.

y2ktrd

I found my optional sunglass holder in my glovebox
when i got my 00 SE.It was in a little box and i just swapped it for the remote panel.

ral2167

in an SLE, i don't think it comes with that sunglass holder as the homelink is standard...you have to order the sunglass holder....in an SE you have the option of a sunglass holder or some kind of "homelink wanna be" that uses your own remote control to open the garage door... am i right? nuts?

cnman

There was no sunglass holder in the glovebox of my SLE at delivery. Maybe the dealer took it and resold it to me later! Did any of you SLE buyers out there get the sunglass holder in your glovebox?

mmccloskey

Howdy -

I had a '99 SLE-V6 (and now have a 2K SLE-V6) and neither came with the sunglass holder in the glovebox. The overhead homelink unit is standard with the SLE. There is a very slim tray that opens below the auto-climate control. This is/can be used for a very petite pair of sunglasses or clipons (which I use). Since I use the homelink to activate exterior lights upon departing/arriving when it is dark, I chose not to replace to homelink component with an overhead sunglass storage compartment.

To boil it down, the SLE does not come with the overhead sunglass storage as a swap for the homelink.

Hope this helps.

2K SLE-V6 - 7 K miles and still smooth & creamy!

Michael J.

ejy

This is a cross post from the tire topic... Any advice is welcome.

How do I determine if I can go with a wider tire on my '99 Solara (on stock 16x6 alloy wheels)? It has Bridgestone 205/60 HR16's on it now and I would like to go with the 225/55 HR16 Michelin Pilot XGT H4's given that they are just slightly smaller in diameter and less than an inch wider. I live in eastern NY so snow/wet traction is a must, but I want performance as well. The Bridgestones worked well for the last two years, but now it is time for a real tire. My main concern is clearance with the wider tire. Thanks in advance for any input.

radracer

you will have no problems with clearance unless you lower your car, but if you drive 90-100mph for 5-10 minutes or longer at a time, the wide tires on the narrow 6" rims can cause inconsistencies in temperatures.

solara11

I too wold like more rubber on the pavement! Any suggestions?

ejy

Again, cross-post with the tires discussion:

Well, after much discussion with Michelin, Toyota, a local tire company, and tirerack, I decided to put Pilot XGT H4 215/60HR16 tires on it. The Michelin book says 205/60 to 215/65 will fit the car fine and the 215/60 is the closer to original size of the 2 choices.

The 215/60 is .4" wider and .5" taller than OEM.
The 215/65 is .4" wider and 1.3" taller than OEM.
The 225/55 is .8" wider and .06" shorter than OEM.

Also, it was determined that it may be necessary to do some body mods to fit the 225/55's and I don't want to take that chance. The 16x6 wheel size also concerned the local dealer, because that tire would push its limits just a little to far...

I will keep you posted on the ride/noise change after I get them installed this weekend.

'99 SE V6 5-Speed w/ 22,500 flawless miles (and crappy, worn Bridgestone tires)