newbie seeks advice

[mcgervey]

Hi folks. New to the Solara. Long time Landcruiser and MKII Supra fan and owner (3 MKIIs, 1 GT, 2 FJ60s).

Pretty happy with it so far. Bought a used 01. Had a choice of two. One an SE V6 standard with 52K, and the other an SLE auto with 95K. Bought the SE because I wanted the standard, and it's pretty much a new car. Had to have been babied. Paid $2000 more than I could have gotten the SLE for (and it was sharp too), and bought the extended 3/36 warranty for another grand.

Anyway, here are my questions, and I thank in advance any of you fine folks who can enlighten me a bit.

1) I really did like the automatic climate control board. I've located several used ones. Will it plug right up or would it be more trouble than it's worth? I have good mechanic friends, but don't want to get into anything that would be a real pain or near impossible.

2) I'm assuming I have a transponder key? It's a pretty fat toyota key. So if I buy from these guys selling transponder keys on ebay, are they hard to program?

3) remotes. Are the remotes easy to program? I only got one with the car, and the way me any my live in girlfriend are, it's likely to get lost (she lost the spare for her 03 Sienna already). I see lots of them out there for sale too, and would like to pick up another.

4) Did these cars come factory with a front strut brace/bar across the engine bay? This one has one. Didn't know if it was aftermarket or not. The original owner put TRD glow gauges in the dash of the car, but so far that's the only mod I've identified.

Thanks all...

Cheers,
Rich

[TadS]

1) I really did like the automatic climate control board. I've located several used ones. Will it plug right up or would it be more trouble than it's worth? I have good mechanic friends, but don't want to get into anything that would be a real pain or near impossible.

No it won't work. It has been tried and it's not feasible.

4) Did these cars come factory with a front strut brace/bar across the engine bay? This one has one. Didn't know if it was aftermarket or not. The original owner put TRD glow gauges in the dash of the car, but so far that's the only mod I've identified.

Solaras have a stock strut tie. TRD however offers an upgrade which is often sold in conjunction with the supercharger. If it says TRD on the bar it's most likely the upgrade. (Assuming no one put a sticker on the stock bar )

[mcgervey]

... on the auto climate control.. I really wanted that...

No, no sticker, and the strut bar does look stock.

Thanks much.

I just posted another question in another forum. Anyone know if there's an input on the stock JBL system that XM radio can plug into? Or do you need the FM modulator route to get it to work?

Cheers.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

2) I'm assuming I have a transponder key? It's a pretty fat toyota key. So if I buy from these guys selling transponder keys on ebay, are they hard to program?

3) remotes. Are the remotes easy to program? I only got one with the car, and the way me any my live in girlfriend are, it's likely to get lost (she lost the spare for her 03 Sienna already). I see lots of them out there for sale too, and would like to pick up another.

2: Ebay is great for remotes and stuff...I don't know if a transponder key is different for say solara and highlander/sienna. I once bought a key off ebay for my solara..but the key was too thin (it mated well with my celica keys, but didn't work with the solara)...SO i'd be careful when purchasing this off ebay.
3: Just look at the back side of the remote you got for the fccid code and see if the ones on ebay match that..the programming instruction are simple. (been discussed here a few times..).

How much did you buy the 5sp imz for??

[WortownSolara]

there is no plug on the jbl amp to allow for xm, however, that being said BLITZSAFE does make a plug that would plug into the back to allow for the input, its a pretty exspensive 100 bucks, so if you plan on changing the deck, i would wait

[mcgervey]

Thanks on the satellite advice. I'll probably just go with the FM modulator, that way if I do change the head unit I can use the FM modulator in another car or my truck.

I paid 12,300 before taxes and fees. The dealer originally had 14,500 on it. I guess I might have gotten suckered by buying a 3/36 warranty on it, but for an extra $995 to have that kind of piece of mind, I think it's work it, covers EVERYTHING except the suspension and brakes. tranny, engine, all seals, CV joints, plus lots more... Even included towing and rental cars. No deductable if I bring it back to the dealer, $100 if I go elsewhere.

It's sharp. Looks and smells like a new car. Dealer serviced all the way with records, and the brakes were completely changed at 45K (new rotors x4, pads, etc) to the tune of $850! That's nuts... Dealers suck. I guess the guy got his 45K check up too, but all the other service receipts were for $85 to $125... So damn, $725 for brakes and labor? Crazy.

That's what you get going to a dealer I guess.

I just got back from a 200 mile jaunt for work, and noticed something I saw in the service records. The original owner complained at some point that it pulled to the right. I have seen people complain of pulling on the net too. I noticed it still pulling slightly to the right.

Any suggestions on the source and solution of pulling?

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

I just got back from a 200 mile jaunt for work, and noticed something I saw in the service records. The original owner complained at some point that it pulled to the right. I have seen people complain of pulling on the net too. I noticed it still pulling slightly to the right.
Any suggestions on the source and solution of pulling?

the recent complains are all about gen 2 solara's. Just check your airpressure on the tires, have the wheels balanced/rotated on time and if needed the pull could be an alignment issue.

[mcgervey]

Well, the dealer found the spare key for my car and I picked it up yesterday, so now at least I have two keys and don't have to pay a bunch or go through the ebay route for a transponder key.

Now I just need to program a spare remote. Found one on ebay yesterday for $10... Hopefully it will pan out well...

Going to search on here for programming instructions now, just in case the ones this guy sends me are bogus.