New 2008 Solara Owner - Chicago Illinois

[Toyota 007]

Hello all-

Just wanted to stop in and say hello. Just picked up a new 2008 Solara SLE (Metallic Gray Convertible) over the weekend and looking forward to make it mine if ya know what I mean.

First thing I'm trying to figure out is what to do with those HUGE lower openings on the lower half of the grill. I think I'm going to look for a mesh type material and fabricate something for there, unless there is already something else out there. If so, please let me know. I found one such item so far, but I think it's for the previous years model.

Next thing is the front plate. I can't believe how crazy this front plate is mounted on the car. Every so often I take the cars through the all cloth wash in the winter, but it would tear that plate off in no time flat.

Anyhoo, enough for now... Looking forward to chatting with every one.

-Sean

[SdeA]

Welcome to SG.

[QuickSEV6]

Hello!
I'm from Chicago too. I live in Texas now, but Chicago will always be my home.

Congrats on a fine purchase. I'm sure your new Solara will give you years of worry free transportation and enjoyment.

[Akfahad]

welcome

[michaels artic frost]

Welcome and come to the Elhurst meet later on in the year if you have time.

-Michael

p.s. Good luck with the grilles.

[jetbtkng]

>>I'm a douche<< howdy...................

[GreeKAvaLoN]

Welcome! I'm from chicago too. Can't wait to see you up in some meets!

[gnegroni]

Welcome!

[D-money]

welcome man throw up some pics

[T-solaRa-D]

What up and welcome

[GzNutz]

Welcome to SG!

[jimmm]

Welcome to SG, 007. I have found this to be a very interesting and informative forum for a Solara enthusiast.

You wrote: "First thing I'm trying to figure out is what to do with those HUGE lower openings on the lower half of the grill. I think I'm going to look for a mesh type material and fabricate something for there, unless there is already something else out there. If so, please let me know. I found one such item so far, but I think it's for the previous years model."

I could NOT agree with you MORE in that regard. At first I thought it was kind of cute, like large a fish mouth which made it look rather like a shark, but a shark with no teeth. The 5 or so vertical support spacers they put in there would look like teeth if they were they were more noticeable, but they are not. Then I realized that the fins of the radiator system were visible through there and it turned really ugly.

I could not imagine what they were thinking to leave such a gaping flaw in what otherwise is a pretty imaginative design. I went looking on the web to see if others had this same sentiment. Interestingly enough, it was done on the purpose of making the car look sportier. Read what this reviewer wrote about it on theautochannel.com :

"Although it was designed in the U.S., the Solara's style is an interesting combination of the sensuous shapes favored by French coachbuilders from the late 1930s through the mid-1950s and the playfulness of contemporary Japanese design. There are no simple lines or shapes on the car. The front is given a face, with eyes from the bright ``cat's-eye'' headlights and a mouth from the toothy grin of the grille. A character line formed from the inside fender lines on the hood extends under the grille. A wide lower opening flanked by standard foglamps adds sport character. The sides are defined by a strong shoulder line that runs back from the corners of each headlight and arches over the teardrop-shaped taillights until it disappears at the bottom of the trunk lid. The high point of the body is over the rear wheels, for a rakish wedge-shaped look. The taillights set the tone for the rear styling - complex curves galore. The ``ground effects'' look implied by the styling if the lower fascias and side sills on the SE and SLE is accentuated further on the SE sport."

I'm working on covering that "wide lower opening" on my 2nd Generation Solara 2004 right now. Check out the article entitled Gen 2 Grilles and you will see what has already been written about that.

Again, welcome and enjoy. Jimmm

[Toyota 007]

Thanks all for the warm welcome.

I don't have any pics as of yet as I just picked it up on Saturday evening and it's been raining ever since.

I'll get some out there for sure shortly. I think it's going to be close to 80F on Friday, which for those of us in the Chicago area is NICE!

[Texas Tornado]

Welcome to SG, the greatest site in the world.

[Sol-Toy]

Did I see you on the edens heading into the city the other night?

Red 00 SE with a brewers and packers sticker on each side of my plates (stock wheels... eh, stock everything but the clear corners and yellow fogs)