Any regrets? Would you do it again?

[fotodad]

I know this is a Solara forum, so most, if not all, comments are a tad bias. But I'm two days away from buying a 2004 Solara SLE. I've test driven the car, read reviews about past and present Solara models, and eliminated other vehicles from my list of possible purchases. So, before I sign the dotted line, I have these questions for you folks:

Do any of you have regrets owning a Toyota Solara?

Considering only performance and reliability, would you buy a Solara again?

Have you had reoccuring problems with your car?

As always, thanks a ton for your feedback!

[DavPak]

Do any of you have regrets owning a Toyota Solara?

none

Considering only performance and reliability, would you buy a Solara again?

no, V6 manual no longer available. i enjoy driving stick way too much!

Have you had reoccuring problems with your car?

not yet :::knocks on wood:::

[Jackass-Jeff]

Do any of you have regrets owning a Toyota Solara?
No. It has one of the better 4-cyl engines. The price was perfect for what I got. I have no regrets.

Considering only performance and reliability, would you buy a Solara again?
Yes. I looked at other cars... Accord EX 4-door for 15,000 otd, but it wasn't as nice as the base model Solara that I have. Granted I did pay about $5k more than the Accord, but I got a few more horsies and a way better looking car.

Have you had reoccuring problems with your car?
Just one, hopefully they fixed it in the Gen 2. The air vents would sometimes smell "mildewish" as described by others on the forum... but I heard spraying some lysol or something in the air vent would remove the smell... I'm obviously too lazy to get the lysol... =P

Just remember, before you buy... make sure you test drive ALL the cars that you are considering. It makes quite a difference in the end. You will notice that most of the other cars don't have the same type of low end torque Toyota has, although they may be faster in the end. You should also look at fuel economy, so you don't get hit later on w/ large gasoline bills. You can't go wrong with buying a Toyota. They are the most reliable cars out there that have a very low repair cost for when you would need those things.

Good luck!

[Blaze]

Only regret is that i should have gotten the v6

[fotodad]

Thanks for the valuable responses! Keep 'em comin'.

I've read about other cars experiencing that moldy, mildewy smell when the air conditioning is turned on. I wonder if there is a common supplier of these problem air conditioning units to other auto manufacturers?

I test drove every car on my list except the Lexus ES300. A Lexus dealer in my area is blowing out 2003 ES300s. But even at a good price they're still about $4 grand more than the Solara. And from what I've been reading the Solara is basically a Lexus in Toyota clothing. So I crossed the ES300 off the list without a test drive. The Honda Accord and the Nissan Maxima were close competitors. The Accord is nice, but lacked torque and styling; the Maxima is nice too, but pricey and I worry about its reliablility.

Keep your thoughts comin'!!

[TadS]

Question 1: No, I don't have any regrets.

Question 2: Yes, I don't consider power to be necessary attribute of performance for my purposes. The 5S-FE is somewhat under-powered, but it is a very reliable fuel miser. I drive 100 miles a day at least 5 days a week. I cannot afford down time and this car doesn't have any . I have enough experience with Toyotas to believe in their reliability. In 2005, when my current car is paid off, I will promptly start test driving Toyotas again .

Question 3: None, I lost a wiper motor at 70K, but other than that nothing.

[Hsakuragi]

1) It's better than Honda (no engine nosie or what so ever!)

2) If Toyota doesn't have any more sports car out by 2006, I probably get the newest gen of camry instead of the solara...2 seater is pain in the a$$ for a daily carpool people like me. But still Toyota first choice..then the rest...

3) The car itself .no...$hit happens when i put on aftermarket stuff...sometimes...

[Mole]

toyota AC whups over any other car out there.

[onefiend]

I'm with Blaze on this one, I have no complaints except not having enough $$$ for the V6. In 2005 I'm looking into getting a new Camry for the same reasons than hsakuragi gave, 4 doors just seem more practical if you have alot of people to drive around.

[Guest]

*Do any of you have regrets owning a Toyota Solara?

I own a 2001 SE 4-cylinder with a little over 34,000 miles. Considering the generally thoughtful design and overall construction quality of this vehicle, the driver's seat is startlingly uncomfortable. After driving only a mile or so, the backs of my legs begin to ache. The seat cushion is very firm, and the backrest lacks sufficient lateral support to hold the occupant in place during harder turns. The back seat, on the other hand, is surprisingly roomy and comfortable (especially for a coupe).

The above aside, the Solara is a car with a high level of fit and finish, and it exudes quality. It is smooth and quiet, has an outstanding 6-speaker JBL AM/FM/CASS/CD stereo, a very powerful climate control system that is whisper-quiet on the lower fan speeds, and it offers more than enough thoughtful comfort and convenience features for the typical driver.

I think the Solara is a classy car with a subtly sporty, even sexy look and feel about it. I particularly enjoy the fact that I don't typically pull up to a stop light next to another one just like mine, as I did with my Camry sedan.

*Considering only performance and reliability, would you buy a Solara again?

What the Solara lacks in "sports car" soul, it makes up for in luxury and sophistication. It feels very solid on the road, and has been quite reliable since I acquired it a little over a year ago. While it doesn't have a rocket engine and it isn't quite screwed to the pavement in turns, it is nonetheless a more than adequate performer with safe and predictable road manners that inspire driver confidence, even in inclement weather.

*Have you had reoccuring problems with your car?

Not especially. My Solara seems to have a bit of an appetite for brake pads and rotors (at least more than I'm accustomed to) and the front end paint seems to chip easily, but it has otherwise been largely trouble free. The power driver's seat mount/motor asssembly had to be replaced to correct a slight rocking motion of the seat upon starting/stopping, and the driver's sun visor had to be replaced when the vanity mirror/light assembly fell into my lap one day. Both jobs were performed under warranty by the dealer, with no questions asked. In general, I'd rate the car's reliabilty as much better than average.

[indiglosolara]

^^^ Well said.... hahhaa


kenny

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

Do any of you have regrets owning a Toyota Solara?
None - NOT AT ALL, am a proud Toyota owner!

Considering only performance and reliability, would you buy a Solara again?
NO! I don't think I'm going to be buying a solara again - for that price, i'd much rather have a used IS300.

Have you had reoccuring problems with your car?
No problems at all...Dissapointment: I was dissapointed with the stock tires, am a little scared cus' I'd heard of the the sunglass storage rattles at stoplights..i've not heard it..but heard it from a friend of mine....so thats my only concern as this car ages!

Edit: from the people i work with...they think I paid in the 30K for this car...without every inquiring. Compared to other mfg's, I think toyota solara come with a rep of being an expensive car....Even tho' i don't think so...others do...

[Turbosolara]

yeah i do regret to buy a solara because it doesnt has too much performance protential. but it was the best value car for my budget.

I will not buy another solara again, unless my family is with me. I like compact car better

[HKSV6SLE]

to question 1: i've had no regrets with the solara....i was one of the first people to get this car..i got it right when it came out back in 1999 and yeah i did consider trading it in for the celica when it came out (i changed my mind when i found out the celica is the size of a circus car) but after test driving the clieca i don't have any regtets, and besides this is my 3rd toyota car..i wouldn't get anything else...which maybe a bit biased but yea....

question 2: in terms of realiability the only problem i have ever had...was that a/c smell problem every now and then..even though that can be fixed with a clip on air freshner. in terms of performance the solara was never meant to be a sports car that is what the celica and MR-S are for...but the solara does have a good balance between comfort/luxury of say a camry, but the handling and styling are more sportier...so if you're wanting a sports car i would say get a celica....but if you want that good balance without spedning more money to say get an IS300 or JZA80 supra...the solara is good....

question 3:...i've had no recurring problems....the only problems i've had are when i modified my car...the trd pads i got sucked but those weren't oem parts so...my car bounces a lot but that's cuz i never got shocks...to go with my srpings...stuff like that.....overall i would say toyota builds good quality cars...but my next car is most likely gonna be a lexus....

[JoeB]

No regrets... I bought the car for a well balanced combination of style, performance, comfort and price. IMO, there was not another car close to it in 99. The only problem now is I've enjoyed driving the car SO much that I've really gotten cought up in the performance aspect and I feel somewhat restricted by the possibilities. I still take pleasure in it being fairly unique. The car has been very reliable, unless Toyota has changed (doubtfully), I think you'll be very happy. -JoeB