SolaraGuy.com

Hello all, we just bought an 04 Solara convertable w/ the V-6 at 114,000 miles.
Look foward to learning & enjoying about our new toyota here on this forum.

Queation: Is there anyway to remove the rear seat head rests?
The rear visibility is awful.
Also anything I should check on at 114,000 miles for this year solara?
And finally,Anyone have access to a free service manual?

Thanx all.

Welcome to SG! One thing to check for is if the 90k service was done, replacement of belts, waterpump...etc.

Here's a link to a 2006 manual, not much has changed as far as operation info between 2004: http://laser-bulat.ru/files/solara/pdf/Owners%20Manual.pdf. Also see the "GEN 2 MANUALS (PDF)" sticky thread one level up from this thread for maintenance manuals.

GzNutz probably gave you thee most important things to check. As far as the rear headrests go I read (I have a hardtop so not personally sure) the headrests are part of the convertible's rollover protection design and may actually be welded on.

Hey Sam,

The rear headrests aren't removable. You'll quickly become expert at using your outside mirrors for backing up.

You can download the service manual from Toyota's website. It'll cost about $10 for 24 hours of access. In that amount of time you can snag the manual along with any technical service bulletins issued for your car (and there are a bunch). In the time left you can download manuals and TSB's for all the other Toyota vehicles in your neighborhood and make lots of friends by presenting them (burned on a CD) to the owners.

You've already been given the heads up on the cam drive belt, spark plugs and other items that should have been replaced by now. If you purchased your car via private party and for some reason they didn't hand you service records, you 'might' be able to get the info from your local Toyota dealer. If the previous owner had work done by Toyota all dealers will have a record of it.

Cheers

Hi just to add to what Gadgetjq said about the Toyota dealers...I just went in to my local dealer today and asked about changing spark plugs because I'm not sure when the previous owner did them...all they'll ask you for is the VIN from your car to check previous maintenance from the original owners (if done at Toyota) might also be helpful for you to ask for a detailed maintenance schedule that shows you when your Solara should be brought in for further upkeep. Hope that helps a bit too.