2004 Toyota Solara Discussion

by **soniasolara** » Fri Apr 18, 2003 8:24 pm

I figured I should contribute my 2 cents, too.

I can't tell whether it's grinning or has a dopey puzzled face on the front end. The fogs are more European, being circular. The taillights almost guarantee no way (and no sense) in developing Altezza taillight mods, for you anti-Altezza fans out there---too thin and too much on the periphery of the back end of the car.

It definitely has elements of different car stylings/exterior cues like you've all mentioned (Tiburon, etc.) I agree that a dual exhaust should have been implemented, what with all the curves and creases.

We don't know (at least, I'm not sure) if there will be a 6-cylinder 5-speed manual configuration. The presence of the sequential 5-speed auto does not bode well for that hope. *sigh*

But in the end...most of us Solara Gen1 owners will keep our cars for the next 5 years. I mean, they're Toyotas with a Camry lineage and will drive for 100,000 miles or so, especially if we're all attentive to maintenance and other tips thanks to Solaraguy.com. In 5 years, Gen3 should come out, and maybe it'll be to our liking.

The biggest fear I have for now is that the buying public could dislike the Gen2 design so much that sales plummet, and Toyota decides to kill off the carline. Granted, it doesn't seem like the Solara is headed for the same fate as say, the Lincoln Blackwood, or even the Mitsubishi 3000GT/Dodge Stealth, but it could happen (anyone remember the Toyota Paseo?)

by **4banger** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 2:03 am

ya, my neighbor has a paseo. I thought the target age for the solara was like 40+. Now they're dipping in celica range? I can't really picture old(60+) people driving this new thing, like you see with the current ones.

by **Kenn157** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 4:31 am

I'd get one! I am 40+

Its a more refined automobile now. I do wish it had a few more horses but the 5 speed seqential shifting is sweet. I am giving you the perspective of a 40+ guy though. I can see why a few of you younger guys might be disapointed. No dual exhaust etc... I must admit when I first saw it I thought it was kinds ugly. Now however it did grow on me, but it only took an hour or so :wink:

The red hasnt been my favorite color even with the first gens. Silver or Indgo would be my choice(s). Yeah I like it, I like it alot! How many months till August? :lol:

by **Jackass-Jeff** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 7:23 am

It's starting to grow on me to Kenn... For some reason, I catch myself looking at it once in a while just because I'm bored... I think it IS the red color that is making it look worse... the Gen 1 looked fine in red, but the gen 2 is weird in red, imo. Since it's really trying to be a ES/SC, it should have the color that was defaulted on those two... I think the SC was *dun dun dun* millenium silver and the ES also. This Salsa Red, or Absolute Red just doesn't go with the taillights =\ 0_0 but for the general cost of it, I could get a 350Z, which would be more fun... although I know it won't last as long =\ I'm anti-nissan that are made in the USA (all their trucks/SUVs and I think all their sedans except the g35 sedan, so in other words, I like their 'sports cars' although they all try to be the sports car)

by **[ solara girl ]** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 7:35 am

diItto.. i'm starting to like the car now. it kind of grows on you. and i agree on the red..it doenst look right on new Gen 2. but on my car it does.

i guess i would have to wait to see it in real life.

by **Jackass-Jeff** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 9:46 am

EVERYONE

I'm not sure if Toyota does this, but I know other dealers do...

when a new car is redesigned (new generation or new release) the company likes to send out test drive offers for free stuff! You should go to the Toyota site and register for more info from the new Solara... I would think that there will be test drive offers for cool stuff
(Nissan SE-R = palm pilot, Lexus IS = $50 Gift Cert., Mazda 6S = $25 Gift Cert., Ford Trucks = $50 cash card, etc etc)

by **Flipside909** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 10:50 am

xravexboix wrote:EVERYONE

I'm not sure if Toyota does this, but I know other dealers do...

when a new car is redesigned (new generation or new release) the company likes to send out test drive offers for free stuff! You should go to the Toyota site and register for more info from the new Solara... I would think that there will be test drive offers for cool stuff
(Nissan SE-R = palm pilot, Lexus IS = $50 Gift Cert., Mazda 6S = $25 Gift Cert., Ford Trucks = $50 cash card, etc etc)

Toyota rarely does that. At most, a dealership will give you a gift certificate to a restaurant or something. Other than that, don't pass out bogus info please.

Thanks.

by **Jackass-Jeff** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 12:04 pm

i said i wasnt sure :roll:

by **4banger** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 1:22 pm

they might not give you anything free for test driving. But they'd probly be willing to give you a pretty good deal when they first come out, just to get get some on the road. My mom used to work at a nissan dealership, and they did that with the Murano when it first came out. My mom sold a Murano to a woman for $800 over invoice plus a year of oil changes.

Website · by **DavPak** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 1:31 pm

4banger wrote:they might not give you anything free for test driving. But they'd probly be willing to give you a pretty good deal when they first come out, just to get get some on the road. My mom used to work at a nissan dealership, and they did that with the Murano when it first came out. My mom sold a Murano to a woman for $800 over invoice plus a year of oil changes.

usually its the other way around. low supply and high demand puts the dealer at the advantage of selling it for a big profit. that's what's happening with the 2004 sienna's right now.

by **Pook** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 2:58 pm

I agree with a lot of the people here, in that it grows on you the more you look at it, and the red paint doesn't do it justice. Now, give her a clearcoat black, or the pearl white paint, and I'm sure she'll be a looker. I'm glad Toyota realized that an American market wants American design in their cars... I'll be sure to point out the new Solara's origins to anyone who calls it a "Jap" car and insists that their "American" Chevy is better. Bah!

As for S&D, I'm planning to wait until January 2004 or so to buy mine; give the market a chance to level out on the car, and because I'll get better ins. rates on it because of my birthday.

Happy driving y'all!
(and yes, I know my car isn't a Solara... yet)

by **NASTY** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 3:40 pm

Pook wrote:I'm glad Toyota realized that an American market wants American design in their cars...

by **Pook** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 4:14 pm

As per http://www.caranddriver.com/:

"Toyota says that the all-new second-generation Solara "is the most American of any Toyota to date." Huh? What that means is that the Solara was 100 percent born and raised in the U.S. It was developed by Toyota Technical Center (TTC) in Ann Arbor, Mich., designed by Toyota's Calty center in Newport Beach, Calif., and will be built exclusively at Toyota's Georgetown, Kentucky, assembly plant."

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddr ... york_2.xml

by **pecora55** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 7:07 pm

by **FLASH** » Sat Apr 19, 2003 9:23 pm

Nope, still hasn't grown on me yet. I'll stick with my Gen 1 thank you.

Do you like the NEW 2nd Generation 2004 Solara?

2004 Toyota Solara Discussion

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