2003 Solara I-4

[guest]

How quick is this car from 0-60mph?
How come the Camry gets a much higher rating than the Solara?
While the dealer told me the V6 costs an extra $2500, is it really worth it?
Thanks
Richie

[NASTY]

0-60: slow (high 9's, low 10's my guess)
the I4's for the camry and solara have the same rating, but the '03 camry V6 has the VVT-i engine, I'm guessing they didn't put this in the solara because there's a brand new one next year based on the Gen5 camry (and will HOPEFULLY get the 3MZ!)
and finally, the V6 IS worth it if you want a quicker car (test drive both, if it doesn't make much of a difference to you get the 4-cylinder)

[Flipside909]

How quick is this car from 0-60mph?
How come the Camry gets a much higher rating than the Solara?
While the dealer told me the V6 costs an extra $2500, is it really worth it?
Thanks
Richie

higher rating? What are you talking about.

[guest (z26)]

In consumer's guide, the solara rates only a 60, http://products.consumerguide.com/auto/ ... /23346.htm
while the camry rates a 71 for the same I-4 with Auto.
http://products.consumerguide.com/auto/ ... /23336.htm

I thought these 2 cars were basically identical, but their rating are quite different. Why?

I also found it reviews on this vehicles almost impossible to find. It's like no one has ever heard on it.

Richie Z-26

[Flipside909]

In consumer's guide, the solara rates only a 60, http://products.consumerguide.com/auto/ ... /23346.htm
while the camry rates a 71 for the same I-4 with Auto.
http://products.consumerguide.com/auto/ ... /23336.htm

I thought these 2 cars were basically identical, but their rating are quite different. Why?

I also found it reviews on this vehicles almost impossible to find. It's like no one has ever heard on it.

Richie Z-26

Consumer's Guide? that's not a real credible source of info on vehicle testing. They are usually biased. Toyota sells more 4cyl versions of the Solara than the V6 due to cost.

[Yanks0114]

The 4cylinder is a great engine and very very good on gas, but if you want performance or a little more fun in your solara go for the v6. The i4 does its job in either the camry or the solara and it makes for a very economical and practical car, but the v6 is just that much better. More mods available and more power

[guest z26]

Sorry youdidn't like me using Consumers Reports, buy like I said I'm having difficult finding any reports about this vehicle. I still find it interesting that the camry and the solara get such different rating.
Does anyone know of other reports I might look at on the web?
Richie Z-26

[nkx1]

I would read reports written by people who actually own the car.

Try:

www.carreview.com
http://autos.msn.com/ (select used->Toyota->Solara then more info then Consumer Ratings and Reviews)
www.epinions.com

[Missay]

I still find it interesting that the camry and the solara get such different rating.

well..even tho it's a basically the same car, it's still a different car all together (if that made sense to anyone else but me ). i mean, i guess we can say we drive a 2 door camry..but how many camry owners do you see saying they drive a 4door solara?

although, if you're looking for speed as a factor in buying, i don't see why you would even bother considering the 4cyl?? i mean, it just seems to work against you if that's what you want it for

[guest z-26]

I beleive that a car should be able to go from 0-60mph in less than 9 sec.
I beleive this is fast enough to get you onto highway from any entrance ramp (NYC actually has stop signs on the end of their entrance ramps).
I was hoping that the I-4 would be able to do this and save me the cost of the V-6. But unfortunately my result has shown that the I-4 is only capable of going from 0-60mph in 9.6 secs.
From what I can see the V-6 does use premium gas, and this so far has been the only thing I have found which I don't like about the car.
BTW, Epinion has no user review, however MSN has 3 reviews by experts,
and one of them actually recommends the V-6 engine due to the lack of power of the 4.
Thanks for the help; I was really expecting to see alot of people complain about the vehicle and what went wrong with it. I guess Toyota does make a quality product, because I really haven't seen that
Richie Z-26

[xyntax]

I beleive that a car should be able to go from 0-60mph in less than 9 sec.
I beleive this is fast enough to get you onto highway from any entrance ramp (NYC actually has stop signs on the end of their entrance ramps).
I was hoping that the I-4 would be able to do this and save me the cost of the V-6. But unfortunately my result has shown that the I-4 is only capable of going from 0-60mph in 9.6 secs.
From what I can see the V-6 does use premium gas, and this so far has been the only thing I have found which I don't like about the car.
BTW, Epinion has no user review, however MSN has 3 reviews by experts,
and one of them actually recommends the V-6 engine due to the lack of power of the 4.
Thanks for the help; I was really expecting to see alot of people complain about the vehicle and what went wrong with it. I guess Toyota does make a quality product, because I really haven't seen that
Richie Z-26

I own an I-4 Solara SE and believe me, I have been annoyed by slow BMW and Honda drivers. They might have faster cars, but the drivers have slower brains. I move in sufficiently fast into the freeway. And yes, it does save you a lot of gas. No doubt, V6 is far better than the I-4 but my budget forced me into buying the I-4. Also, my thinking in choosing at that time was "ok, why would I need a quicker (not faster) car when the streets always have speed limits. 65mph is 65mph, no matter how fast your car can run."

I also agree by what reviewers say that the Solara is underpowered when running on an I-4 engine. When there's 4 people inside my Solara, that's when I say "I wish I had a V6"

[Yanks0114]

I think you are missing a few things. Alot of cars come with 4cyl engines, and this is one of the better ones. A lot of 4cyls are underpowered but from personal experience i can say the i4 is peppy and it is not a safety hazard. I don't know why the time would vary so much, I believe some of those facts are incorrect. The only time you do know that you have an I4 is at the gas pump, or with many people in your car, or up a hill. Either way the I4 is a great engine and is more than sufficient.

BTW the v6 DOES NOT! require premium gas

[4banger]

I'm happy with my 4 cyl. And what it lacks in power it makes up for at the pump, and it's less emblems to shave if that matters. Less oil per change, You won't be tempted to spend money on a super charger, (I'm really trying to think of stuff, can you tell?) Oh, and mine was fast enough to get me a ticket at 101 .

[TadS]

You won't be tempted to spend money on a super charger .

Actually... from www.rippmods.com Heh. I can't wait.

6) RIPP is proud to announce the addition of SDS kits to its family. We will be making kits for the 4cyl 92-02 Toyota camry and 94-98 Honda Accord. We are toying with the idea of a Nissan Spec-V as well. For info contact us

[Aiyoism]

yeah, sorry if i'm interrrupting anything. I just have a question, for the 03 se 4 banger. What engine is it??

i heard the manual is 5sfe?? what about teh auto? shoudl be the same right?

and does the vvti for 03 make the car slower or faster? Thanks for the clarifications, appreciate it.