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For 2006, value is enhanced with additional standard equipment and performance upgrades. All SE and SE sport grades will now receive a power driver’s seat lumbar support as standard equipment. Also, all four-cylinder models with automatic transmission have been upgraded from a four-speed automatic to a five-speed sequential automatic ECT-i, which uses electronic controls to ensure ultra-smooth shift quality. The driver controls the five-speed sequential automatic with a gated shifter, which allows manual shifting for a sporty driving experience.
It looks pretty straightforward, but you should have seen my wifes face when I told her I would be using a cutting instrument on her brand new car. It would have been nice if Toyota had provided this information ahead of time.
WJ
For them to even remotely grasp the concept of sawing an entire roof off of an automobile and NOT have some sort of body shake is a pretty tall order.
I am surprised they even know what a convertible is....
Did you essentially pay the '05 pricing (and rebate offer?) for an '06?
In answer to your question about other convertibles, here is my July 2004 review from another auto site:
Pros:
This car looks and rides like a far more expensive luxury car. Comes fully loaded and has many safety features. Exceptionally quiet ride for a convertible. Everyone loves this car.
Cons:
I had to wait several weeks for my car to arrive - they are in short supply here in Florida. Shopped the entire state but still had to pay MSRP - no bargains to be found. Rear side visibility poor with the top up due to high back seat head rests and small rear windows. Manual boot cover is cumbersome.
Overall Review:
I test drove every other 4-seater convertible under $30,000 on the market including Sebring (noisy), Spyder (felt like it needed an alignment), Mustang (liked it, very solid, but new body style due out soon), PT Cruiser (nice but not nearly as good a value) and the Beetle (liked it a lot more than I expected to but a little sluggish) in addition to the Solara. I chose the SE trim to save a couple thousand dollars over the SLE. The 225 horsepower V6 has plenty of power, the interior is luxurious and the exterior is every bit as classy as a Lexus.
After owning my 2004 for 8-1/2 months now, my complaints are this: There is a rattle where the top meets the car on the rear passenger side which the dealer claims is normal and less than 9 months after I bought my 2004 car they are coming out with the 2006?! Geez, at this rate it seems my car is aging in dog years!
Last week, I became upset when I found out that 2006 models were being shipped to the dealers. My car has suffered 2 years depreciation in 9 months.I e-mailed Toyota to ask why, but their response didn't answer my question. This whole thing makes no sense when you think that the brand new Avalon is a 2005.
It is common for some dealers to call almost any defect "normal." Don't accept any defect on a 9 month old car as "normal." Document it to the dealer immediately so that it is established that you reported it when the car was only 9 months old. Ask them to document their response to your claim in writing. Make sure you let your salesman know that you are unhappy, and that you plan to tell your friends how you are being dealt with. Let the dealer know that tbe next letter goes to Toyota headquarters, with a copy of their response attached, with a copy to your local BBB and the state AG. Follow through with your threat.
This is just like the sales experience. The sales guy will be happy to charge you $1000 over sticker if you will pay it. Those who negotiate get their cars for less. If you go away, you are no longer a problem. It's your job to make
let them know that it will be more trouble for them to ignore you than to fix your problem.
My father had a similar experience with a Honda Accord. After dealing with the locals for months, he finally wrote to Honda and copied the local BBB and state attorney general. After initially claiming that his problem was "normal", they agreed to replaced his 10 month old car with a brand new one (a year newer model) for $1000.
I can't say that your situation will turn out the same, but I wouldn't just let it go.
What brand of backup sensor did you purchase? Did you have to drill holes in the bumper to install sensors? Are you satisfied with the performance of the unit?
looking at the Cosmic Blue with black top
and Lunar Mist(Silver) with black top.
Also. When I went to the dealer, I'd already arranged financing thru my credit union for 4.25% and was happy with that and when I told my salesman I was already set for financing, he asked me what my rate was, I told him, he went to his financing people and they came back and offered me 3.75%. I was pleasantly surprised.
So, my advice, get a quote for the car as well as the financing before you go to a dealer and use that to your advantage. If the planets are properly aligned you may come out feeling like you did OK in the negotations.
Good luck!
I debated back and forth a little before finally pulling the trigger, but finally said "what the heck" and I'm enjoying mine a lot.
The lease/buy decision is always a personal preference. You know yourself better than anyone. Will you want to keep it longer than 3 years or want to get something new... go with your gut. I leased my Celica convertible back in '98 and enjoyed it so much I ended up buying it out at the end of the lease.
Side story - I had the top down today at lunch running errands, and as usual when the top is down I had someone come up to me in the parking lot. He was doing his research and thinking about one and he was almost drooling when he got up close to mine. I have a feeling he's at the dealership right now. haha
Toyota Camry Solara: Prices Paid & Buying Experiences discussion where you can compare prices with others.
Thanks!
1.Went at the end of the month - this is always a good idea as they are
2.Got the report for consumer reports, where I found out information on true invoice and a $500 dealer holdback. I could then negotiate with the salesman knowing that he was still getting a good profit. I also knew invoice on each individual option.
3.Went in February before the demand for convertibles was too high (sorry that this won't help you now).
I could have gotten a better deal if I had taken a car on the lot, but my wife wanted a blue one. I liked the silver one as well, but it's her car and silver is a "man color."
Do you have a picture of the blue car
and was this cosmic blue or pearl blue?
If I get this car, I am thinking about
either Blue or Silver. I havn't been able
to find a blue on the lot.
Congrats on your new ride!
I discovered years ago that Toyota dealers could care less about what the car cost them, invoice price, etc. In most cases they will sell you a car for what they want to sell it for or you can walk.
You got a good deal. The blue with ivory interior is a nice color combination.
It is Cosmic Blue Metalic with a black top. Don't have a picture. It is beautiful... If it would have been for me personally, I might have gone with the Silver, but my wife thinks the blue is a better "girl" color, and she wants it clear that it is HER car.
We get a LOT of looks on the road and in parking lots. People ask if it is a Lexus. After a month, we still stop to look at before getting in.
You are unlikely to find a blue on the lots anywhere. Blues and reds seem to disapear the day they arrive. We saw a blue one on a cold Friday in February and went home to think it over. When we came back on Saturday at noon, it was already sold. Our salesman found one for us at another Southeast Toyota dealership (in Georgia). Turns out there was even a third couple interested in the car at the same time as well.
P.S. It was 75 and sunny here today. Needless to say I offered to accompany my wife on her errands.
You can also ask in the popular discussion Lease Questions? Ask here!
Thanks!
How long did it take your car to arrive after placing the order?
I ordered my 2006 SE convertible about 3 weeks ago and they gave me the same 6-8 weeks. I can't complain too much because I got a great deal on it. I just talked to the dealer and I should have it by the end of April. I hope that it's sooner because I can't wait to drive it.
Btw..we have had ours for just over one year now (fully loaded SLE) and it seems to be just as it was the day we picked it up...I did notice that the top seems to have a few MODERATE (nobody panic please) air leaks, but it is a ragtop afterall...
To anyone on the fence, forget the negative comments on this board and buy the car, it is still the best value out there...