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thank you
MrShiftright
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Thanks for any input/advice.
The back seat is not a problem as long as you remember it is not a minivan. Putting the seats in with the top up is a bit of a hassle but you can fix that in about 10 seconds. Using the valet feature on the passenger seat makes it pretty easy for the kids to get in and out of the car.
What of the interior light adjustment? Is there one?
Thanks for taking the time.
Now, do you have any knowledge in regards to the LED on the dash? Can it be brightened/adjusted manually? Or is it a pre-set?
Thanks!
Other people on this board have suggested that you might want to try dealers away from the urban centers. I guess you'd agree on most things over the phone before driving the big distance.
One thing though. There is NOT a 6 disc changer in the console included with NAV as it says on the website "MSRP sticker".
I'm not too concerned but I was hoping.
Solara convertible = 13k units of production per year.
It is going to be awhile before you see these cars "stacked up" w/ discounts and rebates on them.
Sure, us east coasters will see discounts on them in February, but why wait? Miss the rest of the summer & fall seasons to save five hundred bucks?
But it's ok because I love it!
By the way, I was supposed to pay MSRP but I actually got it for $200.00 cheaper because we had agreed on a price when we thought I was getting a 2004. The 2005's were $200.00 more but they wrote up the contract for the MSRP that we originally agreed upon.
Also, I've heard some things here about Toyota but I can say that was one of the best experiences I've had, especially in the F&I department. I was never even asked if I wanted to add on any "extras" which I was very impressed with. In and out of F&I in less than 20 minutes, including them searching and finding a better rate than the 3.95% I already had gotten through my credit union.
Here is a little investment advice. While any of our four wheeled friends are simply appreciating liabilities, one can minimize the "whack" by looking at the whole picture. Take a look at the residuals on the three mentioned cars and look at total cost of ownership...The Toyota will come out WAY ahead.
Cash buyer? Big deal. With next to free money out there why would you dump so much liquid in such a purchase? And if your answer is that you are a big spender, spend a little more and get the leather seats...who drives a convertible with cloth seats anyhow?
When I picked up the car on Sunday, I noticed some white dots that looked like maybe overspray from something on the hood. The guy who delivered the car (works with my salesman who isn't there on Sundays) told me "No problem, just bring it in on Monday and we'll get those off and give you a good wax job." I think I said before my time in F/I was less than 20 minutes and no "You really should get..." crap.
Well I didn't make it in on Monday but went in on Tuesday. He gave me the keys to my salesman's demo and sent me on my way. 2.5 hours later I got a call and picked up my newly waxed (and all white spots gone) car. While it was there they drove it and thought it shook a little too much (I hadn't noticed) so they balanced my tires and checked the alignment (I only had 70 miles it).
It has been a really good experience and I'm glad that I made this decision!
I'm also going to write the owner/GM.
am fundamentally opposed to paying MSRP. But after test driving several cars, I re-checked my list of "must haves and wants." Realized the Solara conv. had 99% of what I wanted and no other car is close to matching its features at that price... I paid a hair under MSRP in May.
Narrow your focus: what do you really want?
Other cars you mentioned are very different: I belive the T-bird's only a 2-seater, and rear-drive?; while the Mustang is rear-drive, an older design, and less roomy than the Solara. Plus, even though I loved both Mustangs that I owned, Toyotas are generally more reliable than Fords.
By now, you probably can find a smaller dealer to knock off a few hundred $. If they won't, ask 'em to throw in free wheel locks, a car cover, oil changes, etc... anything to soothe your pain from paying MSRP.
Try this test: If you had done no homework and did not know MSRP vs invoice, would you be willing to pay $27-29k for this car?
I said yes, and asked "where do I sign?" Nearly everyone on this forum agrees the Solara offers great value for the money. And people are on waiting lists for the chance to pay MSRP.
By the way, save a few grand and get the SE. Contrary to another post, nothing wrong w/ cloth seats in a convertible.... Haven't seared my legs on hot seats and my shirt is not soaked w/ sweat by the time I reach my office!
Good luck!
Even Ford shys from Cloth in the Mustang and offers a fine grade of leatherette.
The German strippers? Vinyl too.
Interior cloth fabric and the sun just do not get along over time. Reminds me of dirty underpants.
Cloth wears much better then any leather interior. Cloth may fade over many years of abuse, but leather fades, dries, cracks, and rips. Look at any older convertible with leather and you see a worn out interior. Not to mention the near burns a leather interior can inflict when left out in the sun with the top down or the sticky, sweaty sensation it causes. I think you are being much too harsh on cloth.
Anyone else having this issue?
A family member has an SC430 and even that car has a fair degree of shake with the top stowed.
Anyway, if the factory is involved, dont worry until they figure what the problem is or is not. BE SURE TO DOCUMENT EVERYTHING, every conversation and contact etc.
One more thing, try and drive another car, whether it be at the dealership you bought yours or another dealership (may have to act like a buyer again- whatever it takes) so that you can experience what the car should drive like, so that you may be able to dispute any "that is normal" claim.
A am assuming that you bought a brand new "zero mile" car, not a demo or one with even a few (couple hundred) miles on the meter.
Topper, thanks for the info on the rattle, I am experiencing one in the same spot. Have printed your post to show the dealer.
Question for all owners: Has anyone purchased floor mats that fit well? Toyota wanted $205 for the mats although it looks (on the website) like they've dropped the price to $184. I think that's crazy. I don't need a trunk mat, just inexpensive, preferably beige, mats that fit the front well.
As an FYI, I purchased a 2004 SE for $400 off of MSRP in June. I shopped nearly the entire state of Florida and that was the best I could come up with.
Arctic Frost Pearl w/tan top, ivory interior. Had the upgraded stereo & power seat package (which I didn't want and the reason they discounted it a little.)
All of my research on convertible top care lead me to purchase RaggTopp cleaner and protectant which I used for the first time yesterday. Hope the protectant works well - it rains almost every day during the summer here.
Having owned 3 previous convertibles (Sunbird, Sunfire and Sebring), I was shopping for a new one to replace my beloved Sebring that the wife made me trade in on our Pacifica last fall. I was all set to sign on the dotted line for a PT Cruiser convertible (I have the hardtop, and it's been a good car), when I decided to just look at the Solara. To my utter shock, a loaded SLE is the same price as a loaded Cruiser GT!
Dealers here in Minnesota generally have a couple of Solaras on the lot, but they cannot sell them, as they're owned by Toyota (not the dealership) and are only for test drives. Well, needless to say, after the test drive, I was hooked. Put money down last Saturday on a 2005 SLE (Lunar Mist/stone/black top), and now have to wait 60 to 90 days for it to be built. Apparently, the market here is as tight as everywhere. Trouble with having to order it, though, is that I WANT IT NOW!...Oh, well.
Yes there is cowl shake. I believe it is within reason though, as I have driven many ragtops and some are worse (Volvo- sorry) and some are much better (and more $$).
We have over 5k miles so far and (knock on wood) no abnomal wind noise. Candy- i agree with you, go looking for trouble and you will not come back empty handed.
If a problem occurs though, i have complete confidence that my dealer will make good on it.
I love everything else about the car... I had to people stop me and ask me how I liked it! My answer was to buy it.
One thing the car is not is a racer, supercharger or not. It is basically a grocery getter with two less doors and a cloth roof. Why anyone would want to spend $1500-$2k on a blower is beyond me.
While getting fuel at a convenience store on the way to Destin for vacation, a customer leaving the store stopped in his tracks and shouted, "Man, that's a great looking car - what kind is it?" Made my day.
I recenlty rented a blown gtp from Avis and one thing I definitely noticed was the ridiculous noise that came from under the hood every time a got on it....maybe that is the problem, you need to get used to the fact that you dont need all that noise to get on down the road....
Like you they honored the '04 price and, even though they were able to offer me (and I took) a 3.54% interest loan which was better than the 3.95% I had secured through my Credit Union, I was in and out of the F&I dept in less than 20 minutes.
As for XM, the dealer told me today that there was a price drop on it, down to aprox $320 for it. Gettig it installed next week.
PMOTF :-)
Other than the rattle the car is quiet, not experiencing any wind noise, some cowl shake but it is livable. It is the wife's car and she loves it.
Thanks...Toad
This is my first convertible. Any suggestions on the best way to care for the top? Does it need to be waterproofed? What is the best product to use to wash and clean the top.
Thanks for the advice.
After much online research, I purchased the RaggTopp cleaner and protectant for fabric tops. Applied last weekend. Instructions said not to worry about the overspray - just wipe it off immediately. But it was tough to get off, I will cover the windows and paint next time. The protectant does make the water bead up somewhat, but in little droplets, not great big ones like when it was brand new.
My car is garaged at night but exposed to the Florida sun and rain all week at the office. I'm very concerned with keeping the top in good shape!