In the market for a new car, considering 99/00 Solara

[ravenfyre]

I'm in the market for a new car and I'm considering the 99/00 V6 Toyota Solara. I would like to get some quick feedback from those who own/ed this car.

Are there any problems to be aware of with these earlier 99/00 versions of the car? Anything specific to keep an eye on when purchasing this vehicle. I was hoping to get one with a Manual transmission but they are very hard to find, I may end up getting an Auto. Anyone who personally compared the performance of both can maybe comment on it.

I do plan to do a few mods on the car; performance rims, short ram intake, dual exhaust, and body kit(lip). Any complications that I may see. I already know that the TRD 7 piece lip is very hard to get since it's discontinued but are there other lips are there that look similar. I'm not too big on body kits because the look overkill IMO, however the lip look I like very much because it's suttle.

Thank you in advance for the help. Just if anyone is wondering the other cars I'm considering are the Mercury Cougar and Honda Accord Coupe. I like them all, just a matter of figuring out which one to go for . p.s plz don't try to sell me your car, I really appreciate it but I prefer to buy local

[CASTRO]

if you are even considering 5sp, i would wait it out until you find one. Its a day and night difference in performance and response.

[dominoSLEV6]

First of all, don't get a mercury cougar... just don't.

I was hoping to get one with a Manual transmission but they are very hard to find, I may end up getting an Auto. Anyone who personally compared the performance of both can maybe comment on it.

I've owned both, like castro says, if you're even considering it I'd hold out. It's really night and day. My old auto 99 V6 ran a 16.1 1/4 mile with just an intake, and my sotck 5 spd beat a truck that ran a 15.15. The 5 spd is MUCH better and is a must if you're looking for a car that can move. After I wrecked my auto solara, or after it went swimming rather, I was looking for new cars for a while. Gas savers crosse dmy mind, investing more $ into a better car crosse dmy mind. But then when I really thoguth about it, I wanted another Solara. I called on deals in the paper and crap, and blah blah blah, went to dealerships. Then one day on ebay I saw it, black with charcoal leathe rinterior SE V6 5spd, and I was sold. It's a rare 5spd tranny with a more rare interior package, it had nearly everything the SLE did, even the premium wheels. I alsmot got a Supra in that venture, which I can say I would much rather have than my Solara, but I can say other than that I wouldn't trade my car for anything within even I'd say about 5-7k above the price I got it for.

I cna't really coment on accords because honestly I've never even driven one. But I can say they are nice cars, but nowhere near what toyotas are in my opinion.

Sorry for the long post, I'm bored as a piece of plywood.

-chris

[Turbosolara]

cougar will be the worst choice.

same year of honda accord is too boring. No luxry feeling or sporty

Solara is better because at least it feel luxry like a lexus

But Accord has better aftermarket part supports, but it just encourage you to waste more money.

I THINK accord has higher insurance rate because it had more theif and accident rates

No one can beat Toyota quality

[Wang2k]

Domino your experience reminds me of how i got my solara except i wasnt looking for a car at all when i saw mine my girlfriend was looking for an suv....then i saw it....black sand...5spdv6 charcoal leather i was driving a Regular cab v8 dakota at the time and was like...hmm....this is suuuuuure looking plush compared to what im in now..then i walked up to it...saw the v6 emblem first and was like "Check" then i saw the leather and sunroof and was like "Check" and THEN i saw the 5 speed! i was like how much? and the man said 11k..(40kmiles) Thats when I said "SOLD!!" I love my car....there is not one thing I would change about it! GET ONE! They brighten your day![/url]

[Astro]

I've got the SE V6 manual and I love it as much as when I got it new! To me there's just enough aftermarket support to keep you happy, although you'll end up spending a bit more for it. Like others have said, get the manual, you'll be totally satisfied. If you find a supercharger, you'll be amazed!

[Akfahad]

To answer some of your questions...I haven't had any problems whatsoever with my '99 5 spd (besides the problems that come up with modding). In particular, I'm not really sure if there's anything you really need to keep an eye on, besides the normal stuff when looking at used cars. As far as lip kits, I don't have the real TRD lip kit, but I have a replica kit I got from Ebay. You can't really tell the difference except for the sideskirts (the TRD one's bend up in the middle) and the fact that they will be fiberglass and not polyurethane. So be prepared to spend some extra money if you do get fiberglass. You could look at what I got, but since cardomain re-did their site, all my pics are gone. Hope that helps.

Josh

[offthahook]

An Accord, a Solara, and a freaking Cougar??? I chose the Solara over the Accord coupe (and I am more of a Honda man...). The Cougar is not even in the conversation! Strut mounts will be a "concern" with the Solara, but no biggie. I replaced mine and it has been all good.

[Mandarinsolara]

my 6 in dash cd changer went bad in like a month
(replaced with alpine)

and automatic suxxxxx, i mean... really sucks

automatic is why i got rid of mine
and bc Honda makes better motors with lots more aftermarket support... and bc no one likes to lose to a Honda. so now im scoping a crx, coupe, or hb to do an all motor setup

[Assyrian]

75 percent of cougars are lemons... poor reliability for a poorly executed design.

The accord coupe is prone to transmission problems... even on stock cars.

as an overall view of the 3 cars, the solara will be the least expensive to maintain.

and it's a great car. I have a 2002 se v6 manual. I bought if for 11k a few months ago with 55k miles. I don't have leather or climate control, but I do have smoked emblems (factory) and the nice 16's. It's a great car so far... and I'm assuming that it will be for a very long time.

[Solorange]

An Accord, a Solara, and a freaking Cougar??? I chose the Solara over the Accord coupe (and I am more of a Honda man...). The Cougar is not even in the conversation! Strut mounts will be a "concern" with the Solara, but no biggie. I replaced mine and it has been all good.

Agreed, strut mounts are a problem in the 99 and maybe 00 solaras. I had that problem. Also bring a cd with you on the test drive, my cd player didnt work.

[1quickgt]

An Accord, a Solara, and a freaking Cougar??? I chose the Solara over the Accord coupe (and I am more of a Honda man...). The Cougar is not even in the conversation! Strut mounts will be a "concern" with the Solara, but no biggie. I replaced mine and it has been all good.

Agreed, strut mounts are a problem in the 99 and maybe 00 solaras. I had that problem. Also bring a cd with you on the test drive, my cd player didnt work.

Bought mine w/ 63,000 on it for 9000. auto SLE v6 - sliver w/ charcoal leather

I am hearing noises from the struts, guess its that, and my cd player broke 1 week later, lol, thank god for sirius satelite......

[solaraslev67]

my 2000 has 106,xxx miles on it and the only problem i have had is the 6 dish in dash stopped working which was fine since i wanted a whole new set up anyway. but other than that, not one single problem, just keep it maintained like the 75k mile, and 90k, and 100k and all the other routine maintenance and you will be happy with the solara.

the lip kit looks great but you dont need it. i lowered my car and put some 18s on it and im thoroughly pleased. i also bought the injen short ram intake and a muffler for the look/sound and once again i am very pleased. if i could do it all over again, i would get the manual tho.

best of luck

[Solorange]

An Accord, a Solara, and a freaking Cougar??? I chose the Solara over the Accord coupe (and I am more of a Honda man...). The Cougar is not even in the conversation! Strut mounts will be a "concern" with the Solara, but no biggie. I replaced mine and it has been all good.

Agreed, strut mounts are a problem in the 99 and maybe 00 solaras. I had that problem. Also bring a cd with you on the test drive, my cd player didnt work.

Bought mine w/ 63,000 on it for 9000. auto SLE v6 - sliver w/ charcoal leather

I am hearing noises from the struts, guess its that, and my cd player broke 1 week later, lol, thank god for sirius satelite......

if its up front and you hear a clunking sound when you go over bumps. its the strut mounts.

[HKSV6SLE]

make sure you dopnt get one with too high mileage. when my old solara hit 100K a lot of problems turned up.......................