Returning Toyota Owner?

by **administrator** » Sat Jul 06, 2002 11:25 pm

Out of curiosity...

by **administrator** » Sun Jul 07, 2002 8:08 am

I had a black '91 Camry V6 LE before I got the Solara. I loved that Camry, the most reliable machine I've ever owned (still have to see about the Solara, I only have 7400 miles on it). Just put gas in the Camry and go (and take to regular check-ups). That's why I went Toyota again (plus the Solara is just a kick butt car!)

by **onefiend** » Sun Jul 07, 2002 2:45 pm

I have previously owned a 88 Civic LX, then a 98 Camry LE, and now I have a 2001 Solara SE.... Toyotas's are very reliable (in my opinion all Japanese cars are reiable).

by **Kenn157** » Sun Jul 07, 2002 2:52 pm

My first Toyota was a 1982 Corolla SR5 coupe. Then I got a 1985 Corolla SR5. Then

1986 Corolla GTS. Then the 1988 Camry LE. Now the 1999 Solara :wink:

by **cdssolara** » Mon Jul 08, 2002 1:08 pm

This is the first Toyota I've ever owned. I've had a Honda and a Nissan, previously. They all have their good points, but I'm probably enjoying this car more than any other. A lot of that has to do with the modifications I've been putting on it. This is the first car that I've ever seriously modified.

by **Chris A** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 1:24 am

I had a 2001 Celica GTS that I just loved.. :cry:

Now I have a Solara SLE that I am learning to love.. Miss the kick of the lift though.. Not sure where to go with the handling on the solara though feels a little soft... In all though this car is a much plusher car IMO.

by **onefiend** » Wed Jul 10, 2002 5:16 pm

hey Chris what happened to the 2001 GTS?!

I was gonna get a Celica GT in 2001 but after test driving it I felt that I was too tall for the car and got a Solara SE.

by **Chris A** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 1:42 am

onefiend wrote:hey Chris what happened to the 2001 GTS?!

I was gonna get a Celica GT in 2001 but after test driving it I felt that I was too tall for the car and got a Solara SE.

Too much speed around a curve in the country when a big dog ran out in front. rolled her a few times.. http://home.attbi.com/~arlt/roll1.jpg :cry:

It was all a reaction the dog was big enough that he would have went through the windshield... Car sat real low and the tires caught in the dirt on the shoulder and over she went.. I walked away with a sore shoulder and covered in dirt. Only the sunroof and back window were left in the car.

by **ultramookie** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 4:32 pm

Chris A wrote:
onefiend wrote:hey Chris what happened to the 2001 GTS?!

I was gonna get a Celica GT in 2001 but after test driving it I felt that I was too tall for the car and got a Solara SE.

Too much speed around a curve in the country when a big dog ran out in front. rolled her a few times.. http://home.attbi.com/~arlt/roll1.jpg It was all a reaction the dog was big enough that he would have went through the windshield... Car sat real low and the tires caught in the dirt on the shoulder and over she went.. I walked away with a sore shoulder and covered in dirt. Only the sunroof and back window were left in the car.

Good golly! I'm glad your still alive! Yow, that picture is worth a billion words.

by **cdssolara** » Thu Jul 11, 2002 6:37 pm

Chris,

There are some spring/strut/sway bar modifications that you can do to this car that make the handling a whole lot better without compromising too much on the plushness. I, too, thought the Solara was a little too soft when I first bought it, but now have it in a much more fun-to-drive condition. Let me know if you want suggestions.

by **Chris A** » Fri Jul 12, 2002 12:55 am

cdssolara wrote:Chris,

There are some spring/strut/sway bar modifications that you can do to this car that make the handling a whole lot better without compromising too much on the plushness. I, too, thought the Solara was a little too soft when I first bought it, but now have it in a much more fun-to-drive condition. Let me know if you want suggestions.

Will the TRD springs work with the stock struts? I know that most struts can handle about a one inch drop with no problem. I have been trying to find info on lowering this thing a little plus get the better handling..

What kind of a improvement can you get from just the sway bars?

Can a alinment shop get it back in speck with the TRD springs?

by **cdssolara** » Fri Jul 12, 2002 1:19 am

Sway bars are a great bang for the buck. They will keep your car much flatter when cornering. For the $100-$150 that you spend, they give a noticeable improvement.

I wouldn't get the lowering springs without upgrading your struts at the same time. It can be done, but the stock struts won't be matched to the higher spring rate of the TRD (or other aftermarket) springs. You'll probably bounce around a lot more than you did before, although it will be from a lower starting point. Some people do this just to get the lowered look without having to spend the additional money on new struts. I got the impression that you were more concerned about the handling; in which case it will be important to get the strut upgrade. The stock struts will also wear out a lot faster with the lowering springs, so you'll eventually end up having to install new ones, anyway. You can get the TRD struts, made by Bilstein, which are pretty expensive. They will give you a pretty firm ride. I have Tokico struts, which are a good match for the TRD springs (made by Eibach), and are about 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of the Bilstein/TRD strut. I believe you can also get struts from KYB and Koni for this car.

If you drop the car with TRD (Eibach) springs, you will get 1.2" to 1.6" of drop. You won't need a camber adjustment, but you should definitely get an an alignment done immediately.

Hope this helps.

by **ultramookie** » Sat Jul 13, 2002 9:59 am

cdssolara wrote:Sway bars are a great bang for the buck. They will keep your car much flatter when cornering. For the $100-$150 that you spend, they give a noticeable improvement.

How easy/hard is it to install a sway bar?

by **Chris A** » Sat Jul 13, 2002 1:48 pm

ultramookie wrote:
cdssolara wrote:Sway bars are a great bang for the buck. They will keep your car much flatter when cornering. For the $100-$150 that you spend, they give a noticeable improvement.

How easy/hard is it to install a sway bar?

And where is the best place to get one

by **ultramookie** » Sat Jul 13, 2002 2:30 pm

Chris A wrote:
ultramookie wrote:
cdssolara wrote:Sway bars are a great bang for the buck. They will keep your car much flatter when cornering. For the $100-$150 that you spend, they give a noticeable improvement.

How easy/hard is it to install a sway bar?

And where is the best place to get one

I found one on ToyotaGuys.com. I've ordered from them before and they are pretty good (fast service). Free shipping too...

http://www.toyotaguys.com/trdswaybarpa.html

$189. Dunno if it's cheaper anywhere else.

Are you an owner of a previous Toyota vehicle before your Solara or Camry?

Returning Toyota Owner?

Returning Toyota Owner?

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