2004 SE sport Vs SLE trim levels, etc.

[weezer420]

Hey guys... I am yet another enthusiast that was trying to decide between the SE SPORT and SLE. Well, I did that whole toyota style test drive this weekend, and hands down I want the loaded SLE. It doesnt drive too floaty, althought the Sport did drive a little tighter. However, the interior is soooo much nicer in the SLE. Climate control, Leather everything, heated seats, Backlit dash, navigation, homelink, mirrors, etc. Hands down worth the extra $4000 for all of those upgrades.

The ONLY thing holding me back is I don't want the old man style wood trim... I either want the graphite carbon, or the metallic trim on the SE. Do you guys think it will be easy to swap those panels out... I am guessing they are just snapped in or stuck on with Double sided sticky tape. Toyota will probably charge me $400 for the parts, although its a rip off, I think that is all the car needs to totally blow me away.

I was also one of the guys that did not like the 04 in pictures, but it is truely amazing in person, both inside and out.

I just wish that you had the option to not have the wood grain interior on the SLE, although it does look classier and less annoying then my 99 or 02.

[Jackass-Jeff]

The panels are pretty easy in the Gen1 Solaras, so I would guess they'd stick w/ success (since it stays well enough, but are easily removed)

Try asking your dealer to replace it for free so they can tack on fees to an SE person and they make all the money lol

[fotodad]

weezer420,

I did exactly what you did regarding the test driving of both the SE Sport and the SLE. I came to the exact conclusions you did. In fact, I bought an SLE yesterday!

While I don't dislike the wood as much as you, I do agree that the graphite panels looked better. So please post or private message me if you do the swap. If it's easy and not too expensive to do, I think I'll do it too!

And yes! The 04 Solara is truly beautiful in person. I am quite pleased with my purchase. I didn't get the navigation because I have more use for the 6-disc changer and little use for nav.

Enjoy! Remember to post the results of your wood-to-graphite swap!

[weezer420]

hey fotodad! Were you at the cherry hill mall?

Well, as for comparing the drive style of the two cares, there was hardly a noticible difference... but the SLE felt so so so much more refined. Plush leather, climate control, standard moon roof. I just fell in love with it.

Once I sell my 2003 corolla S, I will be in my SLE solara... i just need to find a buyer.

Hopefully swapping the panels in the solara is pretty simple.

Another note... it is pretty obvious how much time and effort went into the design of the Solara. Although it is technically a CAMRY, it feels much much more refined then the 03 camrys... it actually blows them out of the water, both in style, overall design, and options.

You really do feel like you are driving a lexus in the SLE 04 solara, at a very reasonable price for what you get... and the navigation option.

[fotodad]

You really do feel like you are driving a lexus in the SLE 04 solara.

Again, I couldn't agree more! In fact, one of the cars I was thinking of getting before I bought the Solara was a 2003 Lexus ES300. But why pay about $4,000 or more for a car I don't think looks as good as the Solara from the outside and only marginally better on the inside? Actually, I think the Solara's interior is nicer looking than the ES300's. If I were you, I'd trade the Celica in on a Solara. Sure, you won't get as much money if you trade in the Celica, but you'll be drivin' a Solara a whole lot sooner!

What color will you get? I struggled between red, black, and silver. I ruled the black out due to swirls in the paint and the hassle trying to keep it clean. The red made the best first impression, but I worried I get tired of it after awhile. That left silver. I know silver is a popular color, but it makes the car look elegant and sophisticated while maintaining a level of sportiness.

Good luck and have fun!

[weezer420]

I was planning on just trading in my corolla S, but the delearship only wanted to give me $11,000. Trade in values online say $14,000, and private party says $16,000. So if I just have a little time and patience, I can save $4000-$6000 between the trade in, and the MSRP discount.

Wow, this is really scary... that was also the only Lexus i was considering, but I fell in love with the solara. Also the lexus would have had much higher insurance payments since I am only 23. As it is, I live in NJ, and the solara is $2950 a year, and I have no points or tickets. Scary... huh?

As for color, I was positive I wanted black a few weeks ago... then I realized that it made all the sharp lines and angles blend into the sheet metal. Also, for some reason Black is never metallic, it is always a boring flat black, and after a couple years it looks very pale. I wish that the Solara had a nice dark metallic graphite color, like the Accords have.

Silver is my second choice, although very popular, it looks hot, and is popular for a reason. It is neuteral, and is a color you will not get tired of through the years. I wasnt even considering white until i saw the white in person, the car practically glows, and looks so classy... but I can just see myself getting tired of white.

Here is how my lineup goes.

99 Solara SLE Pearl White (leased)
02 Solara SLE Silver (leased)
03 Corolla S Graphite (financed)

Oh, and one last note to hammer home again. YOU NEED TO SEE THE 04' SOLARA IN PERSON, the pictures do not do it ANY justice... it looks amazing when it is in front of you... not awkward at all.

[Guest]

$2950 a year

weezer,

Yikes! $2950 per year?! That's outrageous!! Granted, I'm a "bit" older than you, but my wife and I pay $432.00 every six months ($864/year) for the 2004 Solara AND a 2003 Honda Pilot. I'd shop around if I were you.

Have fun!

[kinihawaii]

I just bought an Arctic White SE Sport. The dealer had 2 04 Solaras. The one I bought and a black SLE, everything but nav (not much use for it on an island). The SLE is very very nice. I would have liked to have had the leather and the 6cd changer, but I really dislike moon/sun roofs and the fact that they're packaged in with the leather and upgraded stereo. That being said, the bottom line is I couldn't afford the SLE (strecthing it to buy the SE Sport). If I could've afforded the SLE I still don't know if I would've bought it because I have no use for the roof and the heated seats (obviously). But I love the leather seats and trim. It would've have been a tough choice, I'm kind of glad I didn't have to make it.

To anyone who is fortunate enough to get one, enjoy whatever version you end up with, they're all good.

Aloha