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But hey, if I'm running errands with someone and it's too much effort for them to get in and out, they can just sit in the back and relax if it's that comfortable, right?
I even drove 15 hours in one day with 3 people in the car (to get home for the holidays) and the person in the back seat never complained (more than enough room for them... she was also 5' 9" tall).
The doors are big and can be an issue depending on where you live and go. If you are in a normal parking area, you'll be fine but if the spots are a little smaller than normal (as they are for me at my work), it can be a squeeze getting in and out.
If you are really worried about getting door dings (like I am) just park far away evertime and you won't have any worries about the door size.
Good Luck!
We solved the problem on our '04 "Absolutely Red" Solara with a perfectly color-matched OE style bodyside molding kit from "Trim Gard" in London,Ontario, Canada. Go to www.trim-gard.com.
The moldings have factory-formed spear ends, and mount with 3M Foam Tape.
I applied them myself and they look great!
If they don't have a dealer in your area, they will ship direct to you, US or Canada.
Anyone knows if there's any solution to it.
Many Thanks!
Thanks
Unfortunately, the tires seem not good enough. I have Bridgestone Turanza EL42. One tire exploded on my first trip. Really sad about it. And it is not covered by warranty. They are bloody expensive. About $200 including mounting, etc. here.
I like my tires... quiet and held up well when I accidentally curb checked my car this winter. Tire held up well, wheel did not, I have two chunks missing from it... looks bad, but don't have the money to buy a new one (probably will cost $300-$400 for a new wheel).
I think this product should be helpful. This is a big concern of mine considering this is the first time I've owned a convertible with a canvas top.
Thanks Tyresmoker on your NAV system opinion - picking my vehicle up tomorrow night.
I place a chrome tag frame at front with 2 screw and hold up fine. I believe two will do unless you add a metal frame which is heavy.
I still love my Solara, though.
For you new owners (or anyone who had a chance to try one out), what was the rear vision like with the top up?
FWIW, the Sebring looks to have much more side window area, plus a bigger rear window, with a smaller blind spot (also helped by not having rear head rests that stick up).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
The only thing this car is really missing is a memory seat feature. And that is really nit-picking.
Any thoughts?
My wifes new conv. has the v6 and i have to admit, the engine is as close to silent as they come. My point? it all depends on what you are looking for as far as a driving experience. The 4 is far more economical (btw..the V6 does NOT require premium fuel) but the V6 delivers a much better overall driving experience. Drive both cars back to back..that should make your decision easy.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
1. IV versus VI: '00 SE V-6, stick, 215/55's has performed extremely well since 5/00 purchase. The biggest surprise continues to be fuel econ. Would you believe 25-27 city/31-33 hiway? Like 'smoker sez: drive both btob.
2. BTW, since the 2003 MY, only the four may be had with a stick. As a nation, we appear shiftless (speaking from a clutch, pressure place and throw-out bearing standpoint)..........ez
He said this a second car, he is primarily looking for fuel economy and he "occasionally" does road trips and would like to be able to pass faster than a Geo Metro.
The 4 cylinder is slower than the V6 and will make more engine noise when he passes, but it is quite adequate for a second car. It is not that slow with the standard engine. Just cruising along on the freeway on a long trip, even the 4 cylinder is quiet, but the engine will be nosier during the few seconds the revs are up while passing.
If he said maximum performance was his number 1 priority, the the V6 would be the best choice.
Picked up my convertible last night. Thoroughly impressed. I have an Absolutely Red with Ivory top/interior and the NAV system. The ride is quiet and tight. The NAV system really increases the impressiveness of the console. My only concern is the rear visibilty - but the mirrors are well placed and should counteract any visibility difficulties.
I would highly recommend this car to anyone - looking forward to the Midwest summer.
I'm new to this site, so will be interesting to see what your experiences you have had with your Solara.
Thanks..............:)
Totally agree with the nav system, finishes the interior nicely.
Enjoy!
[I can't link it without showing my email address. But you can get there via www.philly.com]
She test-drove the 4-cyl 5-speed, and liked the car a lot. "...surprisingly decent performance."
Also, "The fit and finish on the test car was excellent, inside and out. Notice, if you can, that the '04 Solara has smaller gaps between sheet metal pieces - down to 0.5 millimeter or less - than its predecessor."
BTW, I going to sell my 2003 Jetta 1.8T fully loaded for a SE Sport V6 Solara because I don't like the turbo and the leather seats. I've had a turbo before but it was a manual tranny which had a very short turbo lag. But this Tiptronic is no much fun to drive with the long lag. The leather seats seem to be too hard on my lower back pain.
Keep me posted. Thanks
I know what you mean by the tipotronic/1.8T kicking in slow.. its takes like 1-2sec before the engine responds to your throttle, thanks to drive-by-wire....useless technology and the turbo lag.
I really cant recommend you the solara for a person who has been driving german car.( not that the solara is a bad car) Have you looked into passat V6 or audi A4's? To be solara was dead boring. It was quiet as hell, luxurious and maintanece free... well you cant complain..I guess. but I wanted something more! so I got the vw.
I will be the first to admit, the car was a blast to drive, I was never left with the feeling the car was built to last...Good luck with the V-dub....
2. The V6 use regular, not premium.
3. The VW GTI VR6 is not at the same class but in the same price range. The GTI is comparable to Corolla in compact sedan/hatch back. The Hp and torque is not on the par with Solara V6 but has good acceleration due to its much lighter weight. Plus the internal space is far behind the Solara at the back seat as weel as the trunk. They are for different buyers. More than one magazine has comment the interior materials and design is comparable to Lexus than Toyota which I strongly agree. So if you want a luxury coup with good performance but smooth and quiet ride under 30K out of door, IMO, nothing could beat Solara V6. Even so, it's not perfect and none is. So write down your preference and set the priority before doing the comparing test drive. This will help on making decision.
Sit in a Solara and a new ES330 back to back and you will see and feel a difference.
It's nice enough for the price though since an ES330 costs more.
Toyota knows of the issue, and I have been e-mailing them at toyota.com, per the recomendation of my attorney. I guess it's just a batch of vin's and from what it sounds like, we both have been blessed with this batch! I suggest all of us hit their e-mail center and complain as well as calling the 800 number, but, my attorney states "keep it in writing!
The car is great, except for the pulling and eventual tire wear issues, and hopefully not an accident. My car was purchased in January, it's an xle fully loaded with dvd, and the 17" wheels. What ever you do folks, don't go an upgrade the rims and tires, it will give Toyota an excuse to cut you out of any possible settlement, however, the Japanese will NEVER call a recall, they will call it a performance upgrade.
The race shop I am now talking to states to switch the tires, but I am not going to spend that money, and now that the factory rep has cleared the car, I have been told NO dealership will touch the car and my only option is arbitration, GREAT service Toyota!!!!!
I will be performing substantial tests at several shops, proving what Toyota already knows, this car has major problems in the front end. For My dealership tried the TSB and IT DID NOT WORK folks, trust me, I almost hit oncoming traffic!
They stated their best mechanic "Tweeked" it and now it was fixed, yet I still pulls to the left, and with the smallest little bump, even from a reflector, the wheel kind of jerks to the left. I even took the service manager out for a ride and scared him, before he admitted, yes it has a problem. But the factory rep avaoided me, and they would not give me his/her name or phone number to take him on a ride. He just drove it and stated, correcting the car and having to tap the wheel is acceptable, that my friends is BS!
I will post additional problem and solutions, for Toyota has assigned a Lemon filing person to my case?????? They know of the issue, and even whick VIN number have the problems, trust me.
Don't acept the BS, start writing their customner service e-mail address and unload on them!
Funny, I wear the same belt and now, it doesn't happen any more. Toyota is sneaky and will notice a problem, repair it, and if you don't complain, never mention it!!!
The seat looks great, but the pulling is still annoying and get's worse day after day.
They never have fixed it and I just make sure I have both hands on the wheel at all times.
Other than that (I know, except for being killed...) it has been a great car. But I thought they would have fixed this in 4 years! Good grief.