What to look for in a used Solara

[COLDAX]

Hey all. My first post here - great site btw.

I'm *this* close to buying a 2001 SLE. Are there any issues that I should be on the lookout for? Any problems that are common to this car or trim level? It's an automatic with 33K miles. Black with tan leather, moonroof, JBL.

I noticed that the FM reception gets all staticky when the rear window defroster is engaged. Is the antenna in the rear glass?

It appears to be mechanically sound, idles well, engine pulls strong, drives straight and doesn't pull when braking. It's missing the spare and one of the covers to the door mounted tweeter.

Did this car come with 16 inch rims stock? The seller has 15s on cheap looking Konig rims.

Any info or tips that you can provide will def help me out. I love this car and I really hope it pans out.

I usually hang out at celicatech.net. I am an original owner of a 1991 Celica GTS. After looking at other brands I have decided to stay with Toyota. I'll get a Camry if I can't find a decent Solara.

Peace - COLDAX.

[BradOwens]

welcome first off lettme say that 33K miles on an 01 is very good mileage. next, the SLE i think came with 16s stock but the lower trim levels came with 15s. other than that im not too sure about things that go wrong. my solaras an 00 and i havent had any problems yet

[RichD978]

my 99... nothing wrong yet

[Jon11582]

Two issues that creep up, but it wont really affect the car much.

1) Rear cupholder is prone to breaking.
2) Front vanity mirrors are prone to falling off.

Thats about it. at the 33k mark, I'd also ask if the coolant was changed, and I'd check the tread left on the tires.

I wonder why he threw 15" Konigs on there...thats kind of suspicious. Stock on SLE are the 16s.

Also, my stock radio died around 3 years...it worked actually but it kept spitting out CDs after playing them for about 2 minutes.

Yes the antenna is in the rear window, but I never had static problems when turning on my defroster.

And I'm pretty sure the tweeter cover is acutally part of the door panel, its not a seperate piece, so I'm not sure how it can be missing the cover unless it was cut off.

[COLDAX]

welcome first off lettme say that 33K miles on an 01 is very good mileage. next, the SLE i think came with 16s stock but the lower trim levels came with 15s. other than that im not too sure about things that go wrong. my solaras an 00 and i havent had any problems yet

Yea, the low miles is a main attraction for me. My commute is 25K per year so I'll be adding to that total right quick.

Everything I have read says the SLE comes with 16 stock. It's being sold from a dealer and I think he sold the stock rims (and spare!) to make some cash and then he slapped on the 15s.

I am so down with Toyota reliability - good to hear the Solara carries on the tradition.

[COLDAX]

1) Rear cupholder is prone to breaking.
2) Front vanity mirrors are prone to falling off.

Also, my stock radio died around 3 years...it worked actually but it kept spitting out CDs after playing them for about 2 minutes.

And I'm pretty sure the tweeter cover is acutally part of the door panel, its not a seperate piece, so I'm not sure how it can be missing the cover unless it was cut off.

I'll check those out - thanks. They won't be deal breakers, maybe bargaining points.

Thats about it. at the 33k mark, I'd also ask if the coolant was changed, and I'd check the tread left on the tires.

The 15s are relatively new but they are cheap ass Generals. New rims and tires will be my first order of business if I get it.

The car was a fleet vehicle - a corporate lease. Probably given to a VP at some big company. Then the dealer bought it at auction. But he's had it for 3 months on his lot and he is moving locations so I think I can get him down on the price.

My buddy (20 years in the body business) checked it out with me and he is going again to look at today. Car also has a clean CarFax report.

[Grazi07]

My radio just started doing that too... its a nuisance more than anything else. Still happens with an aftermarket headunit, so its got to be something with the antenna itself.

[dominoSLEV6]

Sounds like you'll be getting a good buy.

Keep us updated on it, and let us kno what you can work him down to. Extort them to hell with the 16's vs. 15's as I would want the stock 16's on an SLE, and also go hit them with the speaker thing. Their egeneral response to any slight damage is "wear on a used car is normal", but a 2001 SLE with a cutout speaker isn't normal, and those are low miles so it shouldn't have a lot of scratched and sings etc.

Post pics when you get the car.

-chris

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

The tweeter covers DO come off even with very light force -- I did it before when I wanted to chrome the tweeter surrounds when I was chrome-painting my grille (failed, though... But then again I didn't follow instructions). Also although I didn't have the thing with it spitting out, but it skipped like crazy every time I step on the brakes (even if it was a stop so smooth it didn't lift), and sometimes when I accelerate or hit a bump in the road; be firm with them because it's a thing that comes in and out (and miracoulously dissappears even when you're driving it around to show the mechanic).

As for the reception issue, I never had static, but it's probably interference (e.g. a defroster line crossed somewhere). Alss keep in mind that the spares are FULL SIZE spares with matching rim, so don't let him get you a cheap donut if you could, but never drive off the lot without ANY spare either.

[COLDAX]

The tweeter covers DO come off even with very light force

As for the reception issue, I never had static, but it's probably interference (e.g. a defroster line crossed somewhere).

Also keep in mind that the spares are FULL SIZE spares with matching rim, so don't let him get you a cheap donut if you could, but never drive off the lot without ANY spare either.

Thanks - i thought it was a steelie spare. My body shop bro checked it on Saturday in the sunlight. It has has had repairs to the right side door and rear quarter, and a dent in the driver's side rear quarter, and a driver's door scratch.

It wasn't in an accident. The previous owner leased it and probably had body work done when the lease was up. The work was done about 70% of what my friend would do (they didn't remove the rear window when painting, and they didn't remove large areas of paint in order to blend it properly). It doesn't look bad, but again these are all bargaining points.

I am going to see how much he lowers his price, and then I going to try and get him really low down to my price But it could backfire, he could just try to sell it to someone who doesn't know what they are looking for/at and tell me to shove off. He is relocating and I'm betting he wants to unload.

Anyways, the bargaining starts tomorrow (Monday 11/28). I will def provide an update or pics if I get it!

Thanks all for your input so far!

[Mandarinsolara]

my 6-cd in dash crapped out in short order also (disc changer malfunction)... too expensive too fix so i went with an alpine

yes there is a bit of radio static with the rear defroster on, nothin to worry about

the spare is "full size" but its not a matching rim... just a 16 inch steelie

[Nyyankees3511]

Just check the engine for sludge even with such low mileage it could still happen. See if you could find records.

[Solorange]

Yeah bring a cd with you and check out the cd player. When I bought mine i was so disappointed when I wanted to take it out on its first cruise and its spits my cd out. It said error. I would have a different cd player than the sle, but it seems to be common thing with our cars.

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

my 6-cd in dash crapped out in short order also (disc changer malfunction)... too expensive too fix so i went with an alpine

yes there is a bit of radio static with the rear defroster on, nothin to worry about

the spare is "full size" but its not a matching rim... just a 16 inch steelie

Oh shoot... I should do my homework (because I have a matching rim spare). Well if you say you're supposed to have a matching rim, ask and you might receive.