Just picked up an '04 5-Speed,,,

[solara5]

Hi all,

What's funny is that I really wasn't planning on getting a Solara based on the fact that I've always been into Hot Hatches ('88 CRX, '86 GTi). I picked up the '04 based on low mileage, condition and Toyota reliability (My pop once owned a Toy Truck that wouldn't die...it eventually got stolen at 320,000 miles). The owner, who was a nice guy, wanted 8k and ended up getting 7k for it. The weird thing is the more seat time I have in the Solara, the more I like to drive it. It's a 5 speed and is pretty much mod free with tinted tail lights and dual exhaust being the exceptions. The exhaust has a nice sound but just a bit drony at certain RPM for my tastes. The only thing I've changed (so far) is the Chinese made "carbon fiber look" MOMO knob knock-off with a Ti ball knob. It's not fast but actually surprises me for being such a big car. The handling is actually quite good for it's size in my opinion. The kicker is that it's such a great hwy/blvd cruiser. The quiet and spacious cabin combined with a composed ride has me thinking that Lexus engineers accidently submitted the Solara blueprints into the Toyota pile.

Anyway, this place looked like a great Solara info source and I'll be lurking around to see just how much fun and value I can squeeze out of this thing, all within the narrow constraints of the law of course. Here's to big Japanese luxo coupes

[dinoxor]

welcome!
you should post up some pics of the sexy beast ;]

[solara5]

Most definitely. I'm waiting for a cool sunset to frame the Pearl White paint just right. ; D

[mig0s]

Good job on picking up a 5-speed gen2! You know that they are more rare than AWD camrys right? Lol seriously you are very lucky! Welcome aboard, this is THE forum you need for your Solara.

[99BlackSandv6]

Welcome!!!

and...PICSPICSPICSPICSPICSPICSPICSPICS!!!

[solara5]

Welcome aboard, this is THE forum you need for your Solara.

That's what I was hoping you'd say. Pics are coming but after seeing all the nice Solara's on here, my car would just look bone stock compared to you guys. At least you guys could see the dual exhaust and tinted tail lights. I'm not into the tail lights myself and the exhaust could be a little quieter while cruising. Although, I have to admit taking freeway onramps now feel more like pulling out of the pits.

[Bluesolaradude11]

Welcome aboard pics please

[GzNutz]

Welcome!

[yaddadaimsayin]

if you can still find one, I'd recommend checking out the TRD RSB. It is widely agreed upon as one of the best mods for our gen2's. It'll reduce that boat / body roll feeling when you're taking turns. Welcome!

[DSM_Lara]

As we say in Hawaii "E Komo Mai" (Welcome) to Solaraguy.

[solara5]

if you can still find one, I'd recommend checking out the TRD RSB. It is widely agreed upon as one of the best mods for our gen2's. It'll reduce that boat / body roll feeling when you're taking turns. Welcome!

Yadda, the car's not that bad in the turns for me. It soaks up road imperfections just fine and I would hate to mess with that. We'll see. If I can find a good deal on one I might go for it. I can always take it off later right? The reason for the apprehension is due to past experiences with sway bars. My GTI had every single Neuspeed suspension part in the catalog but the sway bars made the biggest difference and gave the car a good jolt when crossing over imperfections diagonally. Maybe I'm being a little too critical. How was your ride after you installed it?

DSM_Lara, I just noticed that you were in Kahului. I stayed in Kihei for a while with friends. Great place. Check out the Dog and Duck Pub if you're ever in Kihei.

[Jabraltar]

Welcome! I'm excited to see your new baby

[yaddadaimsayin]

I felt like the car was going to flip over when I took sharper-than-average turns. The body roll was horrendous. With the RSB it felt like the car was hugging the road a lot better and the turns were more under control. GTIs already hug the road pretty well, I could see how adding an additional sway bar could make it potentially unpleasant.

I'm not sure if the RSB's are still in production but it's got 3 adjustable settings and of course you can always switch it back to stock if you don't like it (even though I'm betting it won't be necessary).

[solara5]

I felt like the car was going to flip over when I took sharper-than-average turns. The body roll was horrendous. With the RSB it felt like the car was hugging the road a lot better and the turns were more under control. GTIs already hug the road pretty well, I could see how adding an additional sway bar could make it potentially unpleasant.

I'm not sure if the RSB's are still in production but it's got 3 adjustable settings and of course you can always switch it back to stock if you don't like it (even though I'm betting it won't be necessary).

In that case I'll keep a look out then. Thanks for the heads up Yadda. This kind of info is exactly why I joined the board.

[47TH_Ronin]

Gotta agree with the RSB....I had an 05 SE SPORT I4 with the 5 speed. I TIEN lowered it, got the TRD front tower bar and the TRD rsb. The car took corners at high speeds like nothing! I went with the TRD axle back exhaust and had the scion TC header cutome fit with the INJEN SAI. Lots of people thought my Lara was boosted cause of the intake being soo loud lol. Also had a shop forge a custom short throw shifter....wasn't much really else to do to the car after that. Non of the performance shop around fort hood wanted to experiment with the solara as far as turbos and stuff go. I was, gonna try to fit the TC's supercharger to it since it was the same engine as my lara, but too many shops and TRD USA, said their would be too many issues and not cost effiecent for power gain..so I dropped the idea. Wife ended up selling it last year and bought a new camry I miss the lara, the cars are great and if you work on it yourself...you will BLEED and you will CRY lol. I think that's why so many people are attached to them, once you mod it and get that first deep cut, or stuck under the drivers steering consol trying to do the independent fog light re-wire, or just get over all frustrated cause the car won't work with ya lol....you're hooked!! Unfortunatley, Im a V8 guy now so I plan on leaving the new camry alone lol...too much money invested in my 98 ws6 TA and 08 Tundra 5.7...but overall SOLARA's are TOPS!!