SolaraGuy.com

I'd like to get new seats too, especially driver side, but no junk yard ships them, and I haven't found a local yard with the color I need.
Dr J

My 2000 has 83K miles on it and I think it's held up wonderfully. A few more repairs in the past year -- broken sway bar, replaced ignition coil -- but it still runs like it's brand new. The powertrain is still as solid and energetic as the day I bought it new. I wouldn't hesitate to take it on a cross-country trip. Without question the most reliable car I've ever owned.

My Solara has been pretty good to me considering how many times she has been modified and put back to stock.. lolz...

02 with 145k miles now...
everything is good except for the minor door dings and sway bar noise from the TRD RSB bushing.. nothing a little grease can't fix... I have to do this about once every 2 years or so...

Replaced the Dog Bone about a year ago... Radiator and cooling components about 6 months ago.. Nothing other then normal wear and tear stuff that will go out over time...

She now since on stock suspension and OEM 16's. Only thing I still have on there is my k&n filter, RSB and TRD Kit... everything else is stock now...

HaHa this thread is still alive! Since I created it I now am up to 177500 miles. Still drives the same as last, except the road noise is a bit worse. Don't even care about that!

99 v6 5sp
Lil status update, officially hit 205k, ran some 0w-30 mobile for a while, just sent in oil for analysis at about 3k. Waiting to get report back. Topped off 1qt with m1 5w-30. Drove 422 miles with AC on, under 10 over posted, got 25.2 mpg. On the trip back, 410 miles, under 15 over posted, no AC, 25.0mpg. Overall, I'm surprised how it's holding up compared to my other 2 cars I've taken beyond 200k. So Mechanically, it's still all there when following maintenance schedule.
What sucks is that my minivan did the same trip, and got better MPG. I'm really considering selling the solara and driving the van instead. More torque, more room, more mpg.

Dr J

Still have my 1st Generation Solara
*99 Sandrift Metallic with almost 241k miles & still
running like a champ!

01 black. dent on the passenger side from a hit and run, 161k miles brake light has been on. i thought it was the e brake, took care of that and its still on.
needs spark plugs. other than that its golden

update for mine, i guess i didnt take care of my engine as well as i was supposed to. im getting pretty bad blowby, so in june im picking up another engine from Greg and starting all over with new goodies

Solarasian wrote:01 black. dent on the passenger side from a hit and run, 161k miles brake light has been on. i thought it was the e brake, took care of that and its still on.
needs spark plugs. other than that its golden

Open your hood, and check your brake fluid. If it's low, that'll also cause your brake light to illuminate.

While I'm here, I'll update. I still have my Gen1 convertible. It only hast 49,000 miles on it now (80,000km). It's currently sleeping for the winter as she always does. I've been toying with the idea of selling her in the spring, but I haven't made up my mind yet.

2001 Fairway Green SLE with 211***. Tiny oil leak that has yet to touch the ground, only leaking around engine and about to leak onto exhaust manifold as told from mechanic. Second owner. Original tranny and suspension. Recently replaced an ignition coil because Cylinder 1 was misfiring. The usual tune ups have been done so far. Still running strong and is gonna be the car relied on through college till next car is bought. Im 18 years old and lovin this car.

TLMNICK wrote:

Solarasian wrote:01 black. dent on the passenger side from a hit and run, 161k miles brake light has been on. i thought it was the e brake, took care of that and its still on.
needs spark plugs. other than that its golden

Open your hood, and check your brake fluid. If it's low, that'll also cause your brake light to illuminate.

While I'm here, I'll update. I still have my Gen1 convertible. It only hast 49,000 miles on it now (80,000km). It's currently sleeping for the winter as she always does. I've been toying with the idea of selling her in the spring, but I haven't made up my mind yet.

...^^^ You are going to regret that... With a unique car the way yours is set-up, I don't think I would do that.

2Gud2BTru wrote:2001 Fairway Green SLE with 211***. Tiny oil leak that has yet to touch the ground, only leaking around engine and about to leak onto exhaust manifold as told from mechanic. Second owner. Original tranny and suspension. Recently replaced an ignition coil because Cylinder 1 was misfiring. The usual tune ups have been done so far. Still running strong and is gonna be the car relied on through college till next car is bought. Im 18 years old and lovin this car.

Its probably your valve cover gaskets leaking. My rear gasket leaked and oil ran done the side of the block. When it touches the exhaust manifold you could smell a faint burnt oil smell coming into the cabin. I had to take my to the dealer 4 times for them to get the job done right. Now 2 years later its starting to leak again. Ill either fix it myself or live with it because it seems like it will be a reoccuring issue and Im not going to hassle with other people trying to fix it.

DSM_Lara wrote:

TLMNICK wrote:

Solarasian wrote:01 black. dent on the passenger side from a hit and run, 161k miles brake light has been on. i thought it was the e brake, took care of that and its still on.
needs spark plugs. other than that its golden

Open your hood, and check your brake fluid. If it's low, that'll also cause your brake light to illuminate.

While I'm here, I'll update. I still have my Gen1 convertible. It only hast 49,000 miles on it now (80,000km). It's currently sleeping for the winter as she always does. I've been toying with the idea of selling her in the spring, but I haven't made up my mind yet.

...^^^ You are going to regret that... With a unique car the way yours is set-up, I don't think I would do that.

lol if tlmnick sells it, i want it!!! it wasnt the fluid level btw, its right where it should be with fluid.

Solorange wrote:

2Gud2BTru wrote:2001 Fairway Green SLE with 211***. Tiny oil leak that has yet to touch the ground, only leaking around engine and about to leak onto exhaust manifold as told from mechanic. Second owner. Original tranny and suspension. Recently replaced an ignition coil because Cylinder 1 was misfiring. The usual tune ups have been done so far. Still running strong and is gonna be the car relied on through college till next car is bought. Im 18 years old and lovin this car.

Its probably your valve cover gaskets leaking. My rear gasket leaked and oil ran done the side of the block. When it touches the exhaust manifold you could smell a faint burnt oil smell coming into the cabin. I had to take my to the dealer 4 times for them to get the job done right. Now 2 years later its starting to leak again. Ill either fix it myself or live with it because it seems like it will be a reoccuring issue and Im not going to hassle with other people trying to fix it.

yeah the smell of burning oil did come into the cabin whenever the heater was on.
Im gonna have it fixed in in the next week or so. How much did the dealer charge to fix it?

118k on a 2002 4cyl. Everything still works. Nice hole in the drivers seat from my father on the side bolster, chips on hood from stones, one on passenger door. Other than that its all good.