Toyota Solara

rbleland · September 2002

We have a '99 Solara SLE V6 coupe. Have had it for 37 months now. We have had zero problems with this car. No more paint chips than any other recent car(current laws on additives in paint), no engine sludge problem (nor will you if you do the proper oil changes), no "computer" problems, no suspension failure problems - just been a good, stylish and dependable car. You can get a bad one, just like any car make. If you are buying used, I would be careful to ask for/see previous owners maintenance records. I would also have the car completely checked over by an independent and reliable shop (as you would with any used car buy). Check CR rating for past models. Do your homework and decide for yourself. Good luck.

webguyster · September 2002

Do your homework is right. Don't cheat by reading someone elses work, rather consider walking up to someone that you may see in a parking lot, or on the street getting out of a Solara, and ask then, "How do you like your Solara???" or "Have any problems with your Solara?", "Would you recommend the Solara to someone, based on your experiance?" The Toyota dealer is an excellent place to meet Solara owners, if you happen to see someone bring there's in for service, like an oil change, or any service, maybe while you are shopping for one. People seem to like to talk about there cars.

I would use the magazines, and websites maybe for potential resale value, local pricing, etc.

ninja88 · September 2002

Thanks for your advice everybody. Webguyster I have been doing my homework and researching this car for a while. Read all 2200 post in this newsgroup. I saw a 99 Silver SLE with Gray Leather and am Ready to Buy. The only problem is that actual owner of the dealership is driving it right now. It's got just under 50k km or 30k miles and they are asking $20k Canadian or about $5k American with the exchange the way it is.

But I'm going with you guys and asking for all sorts of records. I'll check it out on Monday and get back to you guys with the results. Once Again thanks for your help

2k1trd · September 2002

Well i had a little run in the other night with a new VW W-8 and let me tell you those things are overrated! We started from a light turning onto the highway and i got up to about 110 and it never got by me! i just thought with 270hp on tap that it would smoke me but i guess i was wrong. : )

mateyo · October 2002

Last week I bought a gently used 2000 Solara and I love it. I really want a keyless entry system, but the dealer (a Toyota dealer) said this particular car didn't have one. (They did offer to install one...systems started at $250 LOL.) I declined, because I really do suspect this car already has such a system, and that the dealer was trying for some back-end profit.

The model I have is an SE V6. Using the current option packaging it appears the car has Upgrade Package #1, which for 2003 includes keyless entry. I'm not sure how the 2000 option packages were configured, but the owner's manual states the car does have the system...but the wording makes it sound like ALL Solaras had it.

If the car is equipped with a keyless entry system, all I need is a remote and I can get one from KeylessRide.com for about $60. But I need to determine FOR SURE if the car already has a system. How can I do that? All advice appreciated...thanks!

webguyster · October 2002

More than likely, no. I have package #4, SE V6, 2000 which I believe had everything, except leather, electronic A/C heater, garage door, and the big dimming mirror. Oh, yeah, and it did not have the alloy spare. The keyless needed to be added.

The door lock control receiver is burried, I believe, somewhere behind the ash tray, if you have one, but you would need to remove parts the dash to see if you have one. I recommend the manual to take up space in the glove compartment.

If your dealer is going to install one for that price, sounds good for the dealer. Way cheaper at Best Buy or Circuit City, etc, but if you want Toyota parts, thats a good price. Is it the new version that allows for a remote trunk release, too, or just keyless entry to the passenger compartment???

mateyo · October 2002

I'll check into having a system added to my car. I don't necessarily need a Toyota-branded system, so I'll look at the places you mentioned. I have already looked at CarToys and the systems run the gamut from just the doors, to doors and trunk, all the way to a remote starter as well. All I want is doors and trunk.

jia1 · October 2002

PASSAST W8 is a 4000 lb heavy car, it's 700 lb heavier than Solara SLE, even with 270 hp, it's not a very fast car.

silversolara · October 2002

Speaking of other cars, I was cruising next to a new Marauder yesterday. I had some interest in the re-badged Grand Marquis up until now. Darn thing is just an ugly black box. And according to the Edmunds article, it doesn't even have the low-end torque to go with the name.
Any bets that the GM Monaro is going to be just as bad?
43K very happy miles, and counting... until the RX-8 comes out...

8u6hfd · October 2002

and has AWD to boot also, decreasing power to the wheels and some acceleration times.

webguyster · October 2002

Good thing the Solara doesn't come with AWD!

mimi919 · October 2002

My 2002 SLE now has about 10,500 miles on it and I do have a question....My driver seat has a slight rocking motion which in turn seems to cause an annoying popping sound from the seat when accelerating from a complete stop.....I had taken the car to 2 different dealers and both said all Solara seats rock slightly due to the design of the adjustable backrest....somehow I just find this a little hard to believe and was wondering if any other owners are having this problem..

webguyster · October 2002

Yes! My 2000 had it! After I complained for 2 years, I got a new lower seat rack. "2 YEARS!!! of listening to "they all do that, or thats normal for power seats." Hope your passenger seat doesn't have the lose cable problems. I have had mine repaired 2 times, and the problem comes back.

I finally had a service advisor tell me who did there trim work, as the mechanics do mostly mechanical stuff, not trim, and went directly to the place. He billed Toyota. Toyota ordered the parts. New seat was like driving a new car again, but it has started to slip again, with all 165lbs of me in it. Not as bad as before, but it is starting to become noticable.

My 2 cents, don't let Toyota reps tell you that Toyotas are supposed to have annoying problems, such as yours, that no other car, no matter how old it was, you have driven has had, (WHICH IS WHAT I HEAR, WHEN THEY SAY, THEY ALL DO THAT!). Insist they fix it, and/or at least call the 1-800 # to complian and see about contacting the regional office.

OH WHAT A FEELING,...!!!

fastdriver · October 2002

webguyster-

Does your Toyota dealer sell CHRYSLER products? Those are the SAME excuses they use!!

fastdriver

Kirstie_H · October 2002

A major weekly magazine would like to talk with recent Toyota buyers who are under the age of 35. If you fit this description and care to share your story, please respond to me at jfallon@edmunds.com with your name, daytime phone number and city/state of residence before Wednesday, October 16, 2002.
Thanks!
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com

mimi919 · October 2002

Thanks for your response and I will take my car back to the Toyota service dept. and this time expect them to correct this problem.
Thanks again..

webguyster · October 2002

Your more than welcome. Any other probelms with your Solara, just ask.

mimi919 · October 2002

I have owned my Solara SLE for 5 months now and just received a letter from Toyota today stating the importance of following the 2002 scheduled maintenance guide (which calls for oil changes within 7,500 miles}and as long as this is done and documented Toyota will....(for eight years from the date of first lease or purchase with no mileage limitation, Toyota will cover the cost of repairs to the engine against any damage caused by oil gelling}.....I find this more then fair on the part of Toyota and I feel this will put an end to any fears any present or future owners of the Solara V-6 may have as well as helping the future resale value of the Solara.

webguyster · October 2002

Would have been nice to get the letter at the time of delivery. Read the letter closly as many(most) people do not fall under the 7,500 miles oil change catagory. More like the 5,000, and then everyone will tell you change you oils at LEAST every 3,000 miles still, at a Toyota dealer, so you will not have to hear that all you have is reciepts that you paid for oil changes, not proof that they were done.

Did you get your rocking chair issue addressed?

mimi919 · October 2002

I will be taking my car in for service in another 2 weeks then hopefully I will have my seat corrected....thanks for asking and I will let you know the outcome.

friendinthebiz · October 2002

I have been away from this thread for awhile. The "rocking chair" in our '99 SE V6 automatic was fixed under warrantee. after I gave them the TSB number. I changed to Mobil One 10w-30 and Mobil One filters at 3k miles and do not anticipate meeting the sludge-monster. A clatter in the front suspension was silenced when both front strut caps were replaced. The #4 upgrade in 1999 included the 5 "16 alloys w/Michelins and the drift/pull comes and goes regardless of tire rotation positions and pressures. I have never had it aligned as there is no sign of abnormal tire wear. Our dealer (Elmhurst IL) has been very competent including replacing the fuel tank in a failed effort to eliminate the single low frequency "thunk" when reversing direction with a half to three quarter full tank. The original keyless entry had an unexceptable range ("5-8!)so it now has an after market remote starter. All in all an entirely satisfactory car, it now has 22k miles in 3 1/2 years, silent as day one and easy to recommend. I sell seven brands of cars - not including Toyota unfortunately - and hope the comments found posted here by all of us over the years help.

webguyster · October 2002

More than triple the time and expense for oil changes, another car that won't drive straight, defective front end, fixed, and a rocking chair fixed after the customer provided the TSB! I have yet to complain about the gas tank, but the VIP keyless is a joke. Lucky he got the alloy spare, cuz it was offered in 2000 model, on package 4E, but not all of us received it, even after complaining. And all for an MSRP of $25,000 ish!

Friendinthebiz, hows your paint holding up?

Oh, what a feeling!

friendinthebiz · October 2002

The black paint is not as heavily metallic as on the cheaper Corolla and IMHO thus not as attractive but has been OK. We have a couple of chips on the leading edge of the hood but not anywhere else. Two more coats of Zaino for the winter and we'll be set. As she drives only 6500 miles a year I do the M1 LOF changes annually and feel the protection/expense ratio is justified.

bartalk2 · October 2002

When is the '04 Solara expected--has this been discussed here? Any details on it? I assume it will have a 3.3 engine, anticipating next year's Camry and will be built on the current Camry platform.

rbleland · October 2002

You just don't quit - do you?

webguyster · October 2002

Toyota seems to be keeping the all new Camry Solara a secret. Might it rival the new Nissan 350Z, way kewl, and soooo many people looking at it at the Nissan dealer, I had to wait for a chance to sit in it! Or will it rival the new Honda Accord???

Or will it get discontinued, like most 2 door cars, and there are no plans to produce them any further??? We will see.

I'm not a quitter, never was. ;^)~

jrays · October 2002

I wanted a couple of extra keys and remotes for my 2000 Solara SLE, so I called my Toyota dealer and boy did I get a shock! They wanted $42 for a transponder key and $125 for a remote. Then they wanted $20 to program each. That's close to $200 for a key and remote. Outrageous! So what did I do? I went to ebay and found the transponder keys for $25 and the remotes for about $15. Can you believe that? The guy I got the keys from was kind enough to send the instructions for programming them. I did those and then had them cut at Home Depot and they work like a charm. However, I don't have any instructions for programming the remotes and I haven't found anything on the Internet. Does anyone have the instructions on how to program the remotes and if you do, would you care to share them with the rest of us? If anyone is interested in the instructions for programming the transponder key, just let me know and I'll post them. It only takes about 2 minutes to program each key. I would also suggest that anyone looking for some extra remotes and keys try ebay first and save yourself a couple of hundred dollars.

Still loving my Solara after 2 1/2 years with ZERO problems (the rule, not the exception!)

webguyster · October 2002

Is it the VIP RS(RX) 3000??? If it is I have the book.

jrays · October 2002

Thanks Webguyster, but I'm not sure which system I have. I have a 2000 SLE with the stock security system. The remote has LOCK/UNLOCK buttons on the front and a red PANIC button on the back. The number on the is GQ43VT14T. I didn't receive a separate book for the security system when I bought my car.

Here's a link to a remote auction on ebay. Believe it our not, it was started at $5.00 with no reserve.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1391294588

Thanks for trying to help me!

billmahan · October 2002

My Toyota salesman told me that the new Solara will have a roundness similar to the new Lexus SC 430

http://lexus.com/showroom/model/sc.html

He claims to have seen a picture of one and says it looks nothing like the current Solara. Of course, everyone was saying how "YOUNG and SEXY" the '02 Camry was going to be before it first came out. Funtional yes. Decent enough looks, yes. But Young and Sexy, the latest Camry is not. Not a criticism, but I don't think it had the look that many had anticipated. Including myself. So we'll just have to see if the new Solara will look as radically different as the Lexus SC looks today. Now that is one round car!

mimi919 · October 2002

do you still have the tsb# for the "rocking chair" fix?.....I have the same problem and would like to have the TSB # when I take my Solara in for service....

webguyster · October 2002

That is a different remote than mine, which is the RS 3000 VIP, or something like it. I have a little gray toy looking thingy, with 2 buttons. Cliffy should be able to get the instructions, no????

Mimi, altough you asked friendinthebiz, here ya go...TSB#...BO017-01, or it should be. That actual bulletin is what NHTSA(?) gave me, but it covers the entire seat assembly basically being defective. Are you getting the Toyota run around, or just be a prepared Toyota customer? Good luck, cuz i could not even get any of the mechanics or advisors to sit in the seat!?! They would stand outside the car and just shake it, and say "They all do that!!!"

Young and Sexy!?! Another reason I did not pursue Business Law, or Marketing! Lies, all lies!?! Too many people being made to want widgits! Maybe it's the belief that with enough media bites (commercials, ad's, etc.), the masses will begin to believe it! Like the Echo was supposed to attract the younger crowd that likes the Honda Civic's. LOL!!!

silversolara · October 2002

... as long as it doesn't look like the 2003 Accord coupe. Looks/opinions being subjective an' all, the darn things look boring. Then again, I can't say the new-look Camrys inspire me either. The current SC430s still catch my eye, tho.
44K trouble-free miles, and still awaiting the RX-8...

JGT74 · October 2002

I have about 36,000 miles on my 01 SE V6 and I was wondering for those of you that have gotten new tires, what would you recommend as replacements? I have the 16" wheels with the Michelins and am willing to give up some ride softness for more performance. I live in Texas so I don't anticipate a need for snow, but do encounter decent amounts of rain. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

mimi919 · October 2002

Thanks for the TSB# I appreciate it.....I have an appointment with the Toyota dealer tomorrow for my seat as well as a few other repairs that are needed on my Solara and thought having the tsb# may be helpful....Thanks Again....

webguyster · October 2002

Doesn't the Nissan 350Z do it for ya'??? If they do a convertable, I am a new Nissan owner. It's really cramped inside like the Audi TT, and has way too much plastic under the hood(everything is plastic covered, even the battery!?!?), but it is HOT! The RX-8 is a bit unsettling, something about a Ford/Mazda car with a rotary motor.

canc · October 2002

I'm happy to say that after they changed the main computer module in my Solara a while ago, my car hasn't surged once... no chugging, no stalling, nothing! I'm very happy to say that.

A minor thing popped up recently though: the hand brake warning light comes on once in a while for some odd reason while I'm driving and then disappears. I'll be bringing it once again to the dealer, but in the meanwhile, anyone know what this could be? I suspect a bad sensor. Thanks!

I now have 49,000 kms. on my car, and I'm most impressed with the quietness and comfort of the car, as well as fuel economy. I'm getting about 30 MPG, which is remarkable considering the Solara's size.

On another note, I wouldn't be surprised to see the next Solara to look a bit like a Lexus. The current one already feels and looks like one, so why mess with a good thing?

ezshift5 · October 2002

....my tire guy indicates Bridgestone RE 950 or Michelin MXV4 in the 215/55HR-16 series.....for what it's worth. ez

silversolara · October 2002

... saw one in white at a convenience store a week ago. It caught my eye, but still looked too much like a TT in the distance. As for Mazda, just because Ford owns it doesn't mean they threw out the whole staff and replaced it with Explorer freaks. For me, Mazda has put out the best affordable roadster/English-style sports car, and for the tuner crowd, the ole' RX-7 twin rotary still produces a lotta grins.
If Nissan turns its financial woes around, I'll feel more comfortable with them.
Until then, there's always the WRX. Or maybe I'll break down & get the TRD supercharger in case I don't grow up anytime soon.

webguyster · October 2002

More than likely low brake fluid. Top it off yourself, and save$$$ I would check the master cylinder. Look for leaks in the brake system, etc. As the pads get worn the fluid level drops. Happened in my car going around corners, more so turning right, than left. That was back when the dealer was nice enough to charge me $45, I believe, for a brake inspection to top off the cylinder. I believe they charge about $6-7 now, with a coupon. Could have picked some brake fluid up at Wal-Mart for .98 cents! I was more worried about a leak in the system, as I could see the fluid level was low, and had never had to top off the cylinder in other new cars.

Wouldn't it be kewl if Toyota turned the all new Solara into a high performance sport coupe, instead of just high maintenance!?! Sorry, couldn't resist! ;^)~

junkman2 · October 2002

I have a camry with the infamous rocking seat problem and can't find reference to TSB BO017-01 on either the NHTSA or Alldata web-sites. I'd like to find a link to it so I can point my dealer's service dept. in the right direction. Do you know how I can get a copy or a link to one? Thanks very much.

canc · October 2002

Thanks so much! I thought a sensor had popped or something... hey if it's only brake fluid it's really not that much. Thanks for the advice, I'll check that out.

canc · October 2002

I'm thinking about periodically leaving my car out this winter, and I'd like to have a car cover that resists cold and other winter conditions. I had heard that it's best to get one that's custom-fitted for the car, as the car cover won't flap with the winter winds and damage the paint finish with time. I phoned Toyota today and they said they didn't make any... do any of you know of any companies that make these, or should I just get one at Wal-Mart?

webguyster · October 2002

Remember it is B (OH)ZERO 17-(ZERO)1

Otherwise the NHATSA (whatever it's called) will call you back with it, if you send them an email about the problem .

Internet wont let me post the link, cuz its more than 125 characters. Post your email and I will send it too you.

or...

Power Seats - Movement/Adjustment Inoperative
BODY
BO017-01

May 25, 2001

Title:
POWER SEAT MOTOR CABLE REPAIR TIP

Models:
'99-'00 Camry & Solara, '99-'01 Sienna

Introduction
A field fix has been developed to repair loose power seat motor cables (instead of seat adjuster replacement). Loose cables can cause seat movement feel or no movement of seat adjustment.

Applicable Vehicles^ 1999 - 2000 model year Camry and Solara vehicles.
^ 1999 - 2001 model year Sienna vehicles.

This seems updated since they replaced my seat rack. My passenger seat has a similar prob, too.

fastdriver · October 2002

Canc-

I don't know much about car covers, but I think that this brand/type is the best.

http://www.kcnonwovens.com/evolution.html

fastdriver

junkman2 · October 2002

Webguyster. I appreciate your help.

automophile · October 2002

Canc:

It is a good idea to cover your car if it will not be used for a long time. HOWEVER - your car and your cover must be spotless before it is put on. Otherwise it will rub some NICE scratches into your paint when going on and off, and when blowing around in the wind. Most good covers have some eyelets in the bottom where you can put a string or a couple of bungee cords to keep it snug. Make sure it is waterproof it it will be outside.

canc · October 2002

Fastdriver, thanks a lot for the link. I'll check it out.

Automophile, thanks for the warning! It makes absolute sense that the car and cover should be spotless, but I hadn't thought of that. You saved me a lot of headaches!

webguyster · October 2002

No car covers for winter!

jason4424 · November 2002

I just bought an 01 Solara Convertible with only 4688 miles on it. It tugs/drifts to the left but the sales person explained that the car sitting on the lot for a long time not being driven regularaly (it had been parked on a slant) will have a tendency to do this (get out of alignment I suppose). They said they will fix it no problem. I read on here just now where some have said if this problem exists on the car, it will never truly get fixed! My stomach just sanked when I read that! Anyone have any insight!?!

Toyota Solara

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