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SolaraGuy.com • View topic - Looking at buying Solara
Stock talk about the Generation 2 and 2.5 Toyota Solara which was released in 2004-2007

Looking at buying Solara

Looking at buying Solara

Postby clunkerjunker » Tue Jun 26, 2012 7:49 pm

I'm going tomorrow to look at a '04 Solara SLE w/ 122,000 miles. It's black , V6, and grey leather. The timing belt was changed right on schedule and looks to have always had the oil changed at the dealership at the appropriate mileage. The car does have a few very minor blemishes in the paint but nothing I can't fix. The dealer was asking $9,000. I can get this car for $8,500 including taxes/title.

What else should I look for when inspecting the car? Any common issues?
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Re: Looking at buying Solara

Postby GzNutz » Wed Jun 27, 2012 11:50 am

Make sure the plugs, timing belt and water pump have been replaced. Should be in the service records. To have this done yourself will run you 750-1000. Also check to see if they performed the transmission tsb for the shift lag. Sounds like a great car though. Should last many more miles with the proper maintenance.
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Re: Looking at buying Solara

Postby Black Bob » Wed Jun 27, 2012 12:24 pm

What Nutz said--the back bank of plugs are notoriously a pain in the ass to get to. I traded in my '05 V6 'Lara with around 115k miles on it and except for the radio skipping on copied CD's only and the slightly withered surface of the arm rests there wasn't a dang thang wrong with it. Would've kept it if I could have financially swung it--hell, I still miss it. The ONLY maintenance performed was new front struts and only ONE of those went out but replaced both. I, for one, commend the State of Kentucky for making a fine, quality Japanese car with enough back seat space for a menage-a-trois with 2 chubby chicks.
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Previous: 2005 Arctic Frost Toyota Solara SE Sport V6
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Re: Looking at buying Solara

Postby clunkerjunker » Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:16 pm

Thanks for the replys. I went and looked at the car today. I was very disappointed. The car looked to have been extremely neglected. The dash was really bad, looked like someone tried to hide the blemishes with spray paint. The leather on the doors was very wrinkled. On a scale of 1-10, the paint was a 5. I had a '82 Mercedes with OG paint that was just as nice body wise.Also, one wheel was missing a lug nut, a center, and one lug was completely different than the others. I didn't even look at the rest of the wheels. Also was a smoker's car.

I did drive the car about 3 feet in reverse and 3 feet in drive :lol: . I was so disappointed I decided a drive was a waste of time. I do know and trust the salesman pretty well and he warned before hand that it was "just an okay car". he knows how picky I am.

O' well, I will keep looking.

Here's the car. Warning, the pictures lie.
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Re: Looking at buying Solara

Postby Black Bob » Mon Jul 02, 2012 5:38 am

Geez, even from the pics the dash looks destroyed, may have been actually spray painted or at the very least somebody used some harsh solvent. Caveat emptor, thank God neglect is easier to spot.
Current: 2008 Brick Toyota FJ Cruiser 4x4 Upgrade Pkg# 2
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