New Solara owner - many questions ... help!!

[D A V E]

Hello everyone...

I just purchased a 2000 Solara SLE v6 (green/tan leather). It does have (ahem) 327,000 miles ... but overall, it is in pretty good condition ... but have a few questions about making it last as long as possible - 1-2 years would be great! One caveat before reading: I am no mechanic, in fact ZERO mechanical ability ... so please be gentle and dumb it down for me!!

1) There is a banging sound coming from the rear - I assume it has something to do with the suspension. It sounds like there is something loose and hitting metal. I read that it may be the sway bar bushings ... I have also read that the strut mounts may be so worn that there are free-floating parts just banging around.

2) The car has been on full synthetic oil and I want to keep it that way. I have read that Mobil 1 and Royal Purple are good brands. Any thoughts on using either with 327,000 miles?? Should I be looking at only using a "high mileage" synthetic...and what weight?? I believe that the oil cap reads 5w30. Also, any recommendation for oil filter?

3) Seafoam - I personally love the stuff - used it in other cars but only in the fuel. Has anyone used this stuff in the engine oil and "vacuum" line for the intake?? I was thinking of seafoaming before the tune up (below).

4) Tune up ... the previous owner mentioned she was going to have it done. What should I be looking for when having someone do a tune up?
I was going to have the spark plugs replaced when the tune up is done. Reading one thread mention Denso double platinums (P/N PK20TR11) as well as a new wire set (Denso OK??). Is it good idea to do all this at the same time??

I do not mind spending some money in keeping this car running for a while ... I already know that the plugs and wires will be about $100, tune up about $250, oil change $60 ... are there any other "crucial" recommendations that you can think of that would be money well spent??

Any and all thoughts, ideas, concerns are very welcomed and appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[mig0s]

Wooowowoow! That's a LOT of mileage! I don't mean to scare you lol you have a Toyota and their engines are known to be long lasting and reliable. The noise you hear might be definitely your strut mounts being worn out, but if you change them (those in the back) I suggest you to get new struts too since they are a pain in da ass to reach.

Definitely run synthetic oil. I run Castrol synthec but Mobil 1 might also be the way to go! As long as it is 5w30 and you change your oil every 3k there should be no prob!

Seafoam is a must. Since your car is high mileage, don't use too much as the first time. Put like 1/3 in the brake booster and change your oil and plug AFTER the seafoam. (roll the car for around 100 miles)

Take a spark plug in the front since they are easier to reach. Look at their condition and judge by yourself.

Good luck and nice to know the potential of our cars

[D A V E]

Thanks mig0s ... I have been trying to as much reading on the solara as I can. Yeah I was thinking if those mounts have to be replaced, judging from my reading, that I might as well have the struts replaced.

As I mentioned I don't mind spending some money on this car, but want to make the best replacements/investment for the money...lets shoot for 500K

[Black Bob]

Good googly moogly!!! 327,000 miles?!!! No offense but I have to tell ya hearing that is porn to my ears--I'd looooooove for my 'lara to hit even half of that.

1) Sounds more like a strut mount is loose, never heard of sway bars banging. Dragging, but no banging or thumping.

2) I would suggest staying with Mobil 1 5w30 synthetic--no need in changing the ol' girls diet at her stage in life!!! Any long standing marketed oil filter should do (Fram, Delco, etc.). Don't believe the hype of all the high mileage oils that are coming out--it's a marketing gimmick.

3) Hmmm, seafoam.....I have no experience with the stuff.

4) If the previous owner hasn't changed the spark plugs and wires I would definitely do so. Spark plugs (specifically the spark tip) will show wear and should be changed accordingly. Wires that don't show any cracked insulation can look new if wiped clean but remember it's what's on the inside that counts. Unless the previous owner can show proof the wires were changed you are just left to wonder--safer to change them out.

My main concern is whether or not the timing belt/chain has been been replaced along with the water pump. This is normal suggested preventive maintenance at 100k miles. If not, this DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY needs to be done.

[yaddadaimsayin]

if you don't mind me asking (and the rest of everyone knowing), how much did you pay for that solara? I don't think I've ever heard of a car with mileage that high.

[sarki]

Just wanted to throw in my 2 pennies on the oil. Run the cheapest full synthetic oil. Its all the same in my opinion but with over 300k miles, you might want to run a thicker viscosity oil. That engine will have a lot of ware. I run a 10-20 and i have 115k miles on mine.

[D A V E]

Hey guys thanks!!!

"Good googly moogly!!!" ... and I love the 'lara saying ... Just for the curions...and I dont mind saying...I paid $1000 for it. I have also included a few pics of it below...

I don't have records - but the girl that I bought it from, her dad owns a local gas station/garage and all the work was done there. It does leak a little, probably no shocker there...and it does run a little hot if I am sitting still for too long. BUT overall, I'm pretty happy with it. It runs great, smooth (quick) acceleration, and besides the annoying struts in the back ... cant really complain!!

I think I am going to do things in stages:
1) seafoam - already added it in the fuel tank.
1a) seafoam oil & vacuum line - drive for a little, then ...
2) oil change - like someone else suggested - probably a little thicker oil, but synthetic nonetheless.
3) have the thermostat replaced when I do the coolant flush - in two other cars, when I had this same overheating issue ... that was the cure, so I am going to "assume" that is probably the issue here.
4) change the spark plugs and wires
5) flush the transmission, brake fluid, and power steering fluid
6) the timing belt, I think, has already been replaced...when I looked at it, it looked almost new..unless I am looking at the wrong belt LOL!! (remember...not a mechanic here!!!) If not, then will have that and the water pump replaced...as suggested
7) and finally the struts/mounts (going to be the most expensive part)... in toyota nation...someone mentioned using "quick struts" ... anyone have any experience with these or recommendations?

If I can get another year or two ... I would be very happy!!

Here are some images of my 'lara Thanks again guys for your input and curiosity!!





And finally ... the odometer

[SPICA1750]

That mileage is insane!
nice car you'll love it!!

[yaddadaimsayin]

the paint looks hella clean!

[99BlackSandv6]

When you're ready to sell the car let me know.
I'd love to have a super high milage 'yota that looks that clean!
There's just something extra cool about it.

1) Try tightening the rear strut mounts, they might just be loose.
2) Use Mobil synthetic 5w30, and any filter other than FRAM...FRAM is worse than the devil!!!!
3) Seafoam is good. Follow the directions.
4) NGK Plugs and wires are top of the line.
I know a good place to get the wires at the lowest price if you're interested.

EDIT: You have to remove the timing belt cover to see the timing belt.
You probably looked at the accessory drive belts, which are exposed.

IF you need any advice, ask us. I would love to see a 500k mile Solara. It would make me proud.

[crispone]

I'm not surprised by that mileage at all! I've seen MANY MANY Toyota's in the 300k+ range. I put nearly a quarter million miles on my FIRST Supra (an '84 MKII) and sold it STILL RUNNING GREAT! I drove the living SNOT out of that car, as it was one of my earlier rides and I was pretty young when I got it. Also had a Camry with about the same mileage, sold running GREAT and the next guy put another 50k miles on it before he "killed" it. My parents have BOTH had 200k+ mile Toyota's REPEATEDLY, and sold them or "gifted" them in good running order for someone else to enjoy. Judging by the APPEARANCE of yours, and the fact that a FEMALE owned it, and had family with auto maintenance skills, I'd say you may be looking at a great little ride for the $1k you paid. ENJOY!

Also, it's just NOT all about the miles. Consider the AGE of this car. 10 years could KILL many cars with less than HALF that mileage... and sometimes, having a fraction of that mileage on a NEWER car that is ill maintained will kill it. It's all relative.

By design, MOST Toyota's are readily capable of 300k miles in 10~12 years. Especially if heavily highway mileage vehicles. I'd put the lifespan of Honda's just a TAD below that (not quite as "over engineered" from a mechanical standpoint, and less robust component composition, with "higher strung" motor engineering than Toyota's, which are somewhat more conservative.)


1. STAY with quality synthetic. (I'm a big Mobil 1 proponent, all things being equal... but it's preference and life experience that drives my choice.)

2. DON'T "over-maintain" the vehicle. (I'm a bit of an old-schooler on this one, and don't encourage such things as COMPLETE A/T flush-fill or "aggressive" oils with detergent etc... that can UNLOOSE some natural film or build-up in components that can COMPROMISE longevity and performance.) Also, SOME additives and such will actually DAMAGE worn seals that would otherwise hold out longer. Remember, anything that says DETERGENT means potentially HARSH to sensitive materials, like hoses, seals and surfaces. (Note: I'm a little leery of the Seafoam in an OLDER car with HIGH mileage for this reason as well... specifically if it HASN'T been the habit to use up until now. It CAN loosen debris, etc... and cause an issue that otherwise wouldn't have shown up. I DID have this occur before in a carbureted vehicle, where a harsh carb cleaner/fuel system cleaner was used and TOTALLY bunged up the carbs... costing a BUNDLE to have the car tuned up with a complete carb overhaul!)

3. CONFIRM TIMING BELT! This single item is a show stopper on a low investment vehicle if it "goes". (Let's see... later models like my gen 2 are interference... was that the case on the 1mz? Too early in a.m. to remember!) SWAP that belt if it's "questionable", but if you KNOW that the car has been a LOW-REV motor (automatic, female driver - not always gentle, though! etc...) and if it's WITHIN 10~20k of recommended change interval BY THE BOOK, you may be able to take the gamble if the life expectation you have by mileage basis is conservative. (Might not be worth the cost to change for the investment you want to make... )

4. GOOD standard maintenance and FUEL. I'm a big believer in burning good fuel! If not premium, at LEAST from a GOOD gas station that you know and has good turn around. (Slow moving fuel and off-the-beaten path stations MAY have old fuel tanks with moisture issues or "stinky fuel" - i.e.: octane diminishes with TIME and/or contaminants in it.) Some may "argue" that all fuel is about the same from the same place, but if you put some GOOD fuel in an OLD tank and it SITS a long time, compared to a station that has high traffic and is regularly replenished with NEW, FRESH fuel in NEWER tanks, I would stand by my statements. Anyone else ever "tanked up" with "bad" or "questionable" fuel and had poor running experience? I'm just saying...

5. ENJOY! Nothing as satisfying as driving a well maintained vehicle with high mileage! BEST BANG FOR BUCK in automotive terms. Especially for JUST a grand!


My $0.02


-crisp