a bit of a rant... and some questions

[ChrYstiE]

After a few weeks of being back and forth on whether to keep my car or not, I've decided to just keep it. I'm not really happy with my decision as I can't stand my car anymore, but it just makes sense to keep it since I have a year of college yet and maybe law school on the horizon.

The problems started because my car is a piece of crap. It seems that everyone else has a "trusty solara" and yet I don't. I have put so much time and energy into getting this piece of crap fixed that at some times I just want to drive it off a cliff.

In the past 2 years, I've had all 4 struts replaced, o2 sensor went, power steering pump, starter, alternator, and some other thing that cost $400 the other week. I can't even count on one hand the times I've come to the damn car and it won't start.

Now, according to the dealership (dun dun dun...) I need new rotors (which are factory so they're right about that) brakes, water pump and timing belt. And since my car is paid off, I figure I should just private party it, pocket a lot of the money and get a newer car that *hopefully* won't be a piece of crap.

After some more thinking, the car is paid off and is under a very good warranty until 113,500 miles (it's at 93k) so I might as well just suck it up for the meantime and avoid monthly payments as much as I possibly can.

My little sister is a very good mechanic (& is actually going to nascar pit crew school or something in nc in a few months) and she's going to do the brake and rotor work, and MAYBE the timing belt and water pump.

I'm going to try to get most of these off ebay.. are any of these brands/sellers better than others? Do any of you guys have any of these things and are willing to sell?

[krawzyazn]

brembo blanks and oem pad is what you should get

[indiglosolara]

First..

Sorry you are having all this trouble... I never found any real issues with my solara although I did get sick of the car which is why i changed to a xB...

As for the repairs on your brake I would do what ^^he said... Brambo blanks with some OEM pads. I went through a few set of brake set-ups during my time on the solara and the blanks and OEM pads worked the best.

As for the timing belt and water pump. But sure to get OEM parts and not aftermarket or Remanufactured parts. Those are vital parts of the car and you want to be sure you get something that is good quality.

The brakes and rotors are not hard to do.. I've done them before and should only take about 1 to 2 hours to do everything.

The timing belt and water pump will take a little longer since allot of parts have to come apart to get to it..

Good luck on everything..
Kenny

[JMSinMaryland]

1. Can you just have the rotors machined?

2. I'm personally waiting till 120k to do timing belt, water pump and thermostat.

I'm all about getting work done at the dealer, but if it's a make or break decision between getting the work done at the dealer or having to get into financing another car, maybe look at getting the work done elsewhere.

p.s. doesn't Reggies (NVDIS1) work at a Toyota parts department? maybe he can help you out if you want to stick to OEM parts.

[Mole]

My little sister is a very good mechanic (& is actually going to nascar pit crew school or something in nc in a few months)

whoa... that's hot.

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

^^Agreed... She seein' anybody? If not, I actually need help installing some shocks ;-P ...

[SolaraGuy22]

Were they the stock struts you had to have replaced? Sorry to hear about your problems. I'm in the same boat as you as far as wanting to get something new. Mine is paid off too.

I hope everything works out.

[Nyyankees3511]

Do you have a V6? If you dont really feel like changing the timing belt, just have someone pop the cover off and check the belt. It probably still looks new and if it doesnt have any cracks you dont have to worry about not changing it because the 1mzfe in our solaras are non-interference. So if the belt breaks no big deal. If you have a four cylinder discard what i just said because im not sure about that engine. Good luck.

[aleki2424]

yep, sometimes it sucks (monkey balls?) \ to drive a v6. if that is what you have. assuming u didn't buy the schlock-schlock-schlock brand new, i would assume someone pretty much skipped on the maintenance, even it these aren't really due till around now, which would involve the timing belt (yes it is a b**ch to change) ,waterpump tranny checkup, and the brake service.
if u're gonna do brakes, go with ceramics . little more expensive but last lot longer.brembo's are good too

g'luck

[ChrYstiE]

Do you have a V6? If you dont really feel like changing the timing belt, just have someone pop the cover off and check the belt. It probably still looks new and if it doesnt have any cracks you dont have to worry about not changing it because the 1mzfe in our solaras are non-interference. So if the belt breaks no big deal. If you have a four cylinder discard what i just said because im not sure about that engine. Good luck.

yeah it's a v6

[Nyyankees3511]

Ok great, if you dont feel like changing it just have someone look at the belt. If it looks fine then your good to go.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

Depending on what your planning on replacing it with..is the question that can plan your thougts.

I have gen4 camry that had nothing buy suspension issues (4 strut assemblies under 60K) + extra stuff like strut mounts, etc. Sometimes, all it takes is getting it right once, more so than gettin it replaced. Fortunately for me, Toyota replaced a part number and the new part works. I'm not saying bad parts are your issues..but just keep replacing what you think is justified. Cus there will come a day when you will say the hell with it. If your already there, then replace and move on! but before you do so..remember and think what are you going to replace it with. GL