by Duffman » Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:40 am
Most Solaras came with automatics - after 2002, *all* of them had autos. The manual was standard on the I4, optional on the SE V6, and (nearly) impossible on the SLE V6 - I've only seen one stock SLE V6 5-Speed on these forums.
From what I've been told by Toyota peeps, only like 2% of the Solaras from 99-02 had the 5-speed manual - and most of those were four-bangers. I had to hunt all over the place for mine and I was lucky to only have to drive 100 miles to get it!
That being said, I do think there's one or two people who've swapped autos for manuals. I'm assuming it's not an easy process, as you have to put in the shift linkages, cram a manual into the front of the car... you might be better, cost-wise, to go looking for the whole car.
2002 Toyota Solara SE V6 5-Speed
2005 Pontiac GTO 6-Speed
2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250 ABS