Thinking of buying a solara

[rip the jacker]

yo wassap guys

i about to buy a new ride, and my options thus far are a 01 maxima se or a first gen solara v6. I can spend around 7500$...but i wanted your guys ' opionion first.
(auto)
all i want is a realible car, that is still sport and looks descent.
ive seen some solaras that have been modded and they look really clean. How reliable is a 99-02 v6??? If i were to mod my car, i would just get the black housing headlamps, 18 gunmetal rims, and a small drop.

i know how it could look, but how does it handle??? i just need some quick pros and cons

and if anyone can show me a pic of a black or white solara with 17" gunmetal rims and blackhousing lamps id appreciate it...ive had to envision the look mostly in my mind so far!


thanks

[MCOjerry]

The Gen 1 Solara looks much bettter than any Maxima.

Search through some pages, you'll find some good pics in people's signatures. You might have a hard time finding the combination you are looking for, but look around...some people have taken some great pics of their cars.

[onefiend]

The Solara does look better, but I would go with the 222hp Maxima. That model Maxima is actually reliable. The 01 Maxima SE would out perform the 1st gen Solara SE V6 in about every way.

But, you really can't go wrong with either choice. You might get more votes for the Solara though since you're asking this question here.

One of my favorite Maxima commercials of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJdCXsJE_No

[krawzyazn]

the real question is do you want a coupe or sedan?

[SolaraGuy22]

Well do you like 2 doors or 4? Good luck with your search, both are great cars.

One thing though, if you do get a Solara stop visiting the site. The next thing you know, you'll be doing more than dropping, changing lights, and getting rims

[SolaraBlue]

go with the solara. my brother has had nothing but problems with his 00 maxima se. the solara is FAR more reliable than the max.

not to mention the solara looks better (in my opinion).
and the maximas interior is pretty cheap looking, lots of plastics. while the solaras interior is as nice as a lexus of the same year.

[made in china]

yo wassap guys

i about to buy a new ride, and my options thus far are a 01 maxima se or a first gen solara v6. I can spend around 7500$...but i wanted your guys ' opionion first.
(auto)
all i want is a realible car, that is still sport and looks descent.
ive seen some solaras that have been modded and they look really clean. How reliable is a 99-02 v6??? If i were to mod my car, i would just get the black housing headlamps, 18 gunmetal rims, and a small drop.

i know how it could look, but how does it handle??? i just need some quick pros and cons

and if anyone can show me a pic of a black or white solara with 17" gunmetal rims and blackhousing lamps id appreciate it...ive had to envision the look mostly in my mind so far!


thanks

Actually, we have both cars. My wife has a 1997 Maxima SE AT with 200K miles and I have a 2002 Solara SE V6 5spd with 58K miles.

I really like my Solara for how well built it looks, and the fact that it has a 5 start gov't crash test rating. Even the '02 Max only gets 3 stars, so if safety is a priority, the Solara is safer.

However, the handling?? Ever rode in a Buick?? Yeah, that about sums it up. I have the TRD rear sway bar in mine, but the Max still has much sharper reflexes.

Reliability, my wife's car has 200K on it and it still looks like new and drives perfect, runs perfect, everything is perfect. I expect the Solara will be the same story.

As for the performance of the 222hp motor, I think that the car actually performs less well than the 95-99 model because of weight, and the Solara even at 200hp could be a close match. However, our 97's VQ drives sooooo good for a old AT car. Super smooth shifts, good low end torque.

As for looks, I agree here, the Solara is better looking and less "plasticy". However, what do you need, 2 or 4dr? The Max is a much better car than a Camry, but since Nissan didn't make a decent FWD V6 2dr to compete with the Solara, the Solara wins by default!

[LatinDragonXJC]

Nissan makes a great engine, but the overall workmanship and reliability of their Maximas is pretty shoddy.

Toyota is pretty much worrying about getting oil changes, that's about it. And with the Solara, its not a very common car, so you separate yourself a bit from the usual Honda and Nissan pack. Also the Solara is a pretty smooth, quiet, and very spacious ride.

For some more ideas you can check MSN's Car reviews, its pretty hard to find a bad review on the Solara, compared to the Maxima. ......also the resale value is pretty good. Good Luck with your shopping.

[Turbosolara]

4 door cars do not appeal to chicks, they might think it is a hand down from your dad lol

[unbalancedwood]

My sister has a 99 Max, i have the solara. Yeah the Max is faster and funner to drive-to-the-max around town, accelertation is very good. But the Solara is nicer looking and overall i would still have the lara

[Midias]

What ever you get just remember to search for manual it really helps wake up the 1MZ engine. Other than that I have 148k on my solara and no problems.

[rip the jacker]

wow thanks for all the responses guys.

I actually test drove a solara auto, and i must say that it dries really smooth...its actualy smooother than our 2000 lexus gs300.

I dont really care too much if the solara is a little slower than a max, ill be getting an automatic anyways...about looks, i think that in order to get my solara to look nice i would need to drop at least 1 grand (rims, blackhousing lights, tints)...but i wouldnt touch the max.

im trying to find a auto v6, loaded with under 100 k miles. Kbb is about 7500, but i must say, finding a loaded v6 is hard as hell to find!!


but overall..
its competition (only jap- reliability)

accord coupe (v6) 99-02 : boring, see it everywher
civic: same
acura TL - major transmission probs
integra - too small, dont wanna die
maxima: it seems the 5th gens are risky as far as reliablity...some people they are great, others have alot of issues with the SE...
solara: need to spend a few bucks on a clean look

now i just gotta find one!

[crispone]

Look around this thread at all the creative touches people have used to distinguish their 'laras.... still young, but headed out of production.... limited array of stuff right now.... but if you want classy, nice riding, driving, looking, and rock solid Toyota reliable (overall), I think it's a GREAT choice.

....I like mine....



-crisp

[rip the jacker]

also one more quistion.

every car ive seen has 1 or 2 specifc problems.

acrua TLs (00-03) all have problems with the transmission.

accord v6 coupes also have tranny problems.

maximas also...have transmission problems.

People say that there sometimes too much strain coming from the v6 engine. Wheather its something electrical, tranny, or in the engine, What should I look for when geting a solara? If i were to get one, what problems should i suspect? should i expect toyota quality and stfu?

[Nyyankees3511]

The Solara does look better, but I would go with the 222hp Maxima. That model Maxima is actually reliable. The 01 Maxima SE would out perform the 1st gen Solara SE V6 in about every way.

But, you really can't go wrong with either choice. You might get more votes for the Solara though since you're asking this question here.

One of my favorite Maxima commercials of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJdCXsJE_No

It might be better in handling, but it sure isnt faster. I raced a 2000 gle 222hp and it was even to 80. Get the solara!