Hello from Miami!

by **michaels artic frost** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:53 pm

Welcome and good luck with your hunt, I hope you find what you're looking for. Nice ridez btw!

-Michael T.

by **SoSleek** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:09 pm

wkbrdr91 wrote:try to avoid the 2004, as it only has 4 gears instead of 5, and i dont think it has the tiptronic (manual shifting)

I have a 2004 with 5-speed Tiptronic...

by **BadAngel** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:35 pm

wkbrdr91 wrote:try to avoid the 2004, as it only has 4 gears instead of 5, and i dont think it has the tiptronic (manual shifting)

Yes it does.... My SLE has the tip-tronic with 5 speeds.

As everyone else has said... If your looking for engine mods, there really isn't all that much to do with the gen 2 Solara. As far as aesthetics go, you can do tons with it! I personally have a V6 SLE, and even with the 6 cylinder, i wish i had more kick every now and then, so if your coming from 6cylinders, especially RWD's i would say a 4 banger won't satisfy you, simply because such a small engine in such a heavy car doesn't deliver all that much kick.

by **mik3y** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 6:34 am

thanks for all the welcomes and feedback fellas. i keep searching for that SE V6 but it seems that the only ones around already have high milage. my budget is around $13K and i really don't want to go any higher than that. the coupe is perfect for me cause we just bought the wife a 08' CR-V and that's where the baby will ride most of the time. as i stated before, i also keep looking at the GS300 (2nd gens) but with my budget they all have racked miles and they're almost a decade old. i'll keep you guys updated but the Solara is defenatly growing on me the more i research on it. btw how does the gas treat yal? the GS300/IS300 get about 16-18 mpg in the city and 22-24 on the highway (booooooo) lol

by **yaddadaimsayin** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:53 am

wkbrdr don't know what he talking about. 04 is practically the same as the other gen2's. anyways welcome. I have the sle v6 and the interior itself already warrants your purchase if you're coming from the lexus line. also 2.4 won't cut it... for sure. you say you're not into looks that much anymore anyways so I say f* the kit and just get the top level

via iphone. forgive the misspellings

by **mik3y** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 8:07 am

yaddadaimsayin wrote:wkbrdr don't know what he talking about. 04 is practically the same as the other gen2's. anyways welcome. I have the sle v6 and the interior itself already warrants your purchase if you're coming from the lexus line. also 2.4 won't cut it... for sure. you say you're not into looks that much anymore anyways so I say f* the kit and just get the top level

via iphone. forgive the misspellings

well i'm still into cosmetics but not so much the speed modding (N/A bolt ons).

quick question... whats the difference between the A/C units? I see some SLE's that have knobs and some that are digi? Also, I notice some come with Black Pearl Emblems... is that like a Sports Design with a suspension upgrade? (Lexus does this)

by **SoSleek** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 10:07 am

I have a 70 mile commute to work each day (that's round trip) and...

I <3 Solara gas mileage!

by **Black Bob** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 10:53 am

Personally I can't see anyone going from an IS250 to an I-4 Solara--so fuggitabowtit! It sounds like you really like the "fangs" on the Gen 2 SE Sport more than you would the power so I say keep searching. SE Sports are out there and you just might get it at $13000 with the post-Cash for Clunker automotive market being back in the dumps. However, I think you may have to look outside Miami (maybe even Florida) because I've seen more Solaras down there being rode than Kim Kardashian.

As far the gas mileage, and if I'm reading the IS250's specs correctly, you should notice better gas mileage in a V6 Solara. In regards to the digital thermostat (non-knobs) you'll only going to get this on the SLE model. Finding an SLE with the "fangs" and skirts is gonna be damn near impossible.

Just to throw this out there (and I know I might get flamed, but hear me out guys), like JMS mentioned, if you have a new small human living with you a 4-door Camry IS a good alternative. Although the Solara's backseat is roomy, climbing into it ain't exactly gonna make you look dainty....especially carrying a carseat loaded with a lil bambino flailing around. Unfortunately, a used 7th Gen Camry V6 is most likely gonna put you over your budget. Oh yeah, welcome to SG!

by **Ruski** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 11:10 am

oh my your Is250 is sexi . my next purchase after i get rid of my 04 se sport . good luck man

by **BadAngel** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 11:26 am

mik3y wrote:quick question... whats the difference between the A/C units? I see some SLE's that have knobs and some that are digi? Also, I notice some come with Black Pearl Emblems... is that like a Sports Design with a suspension upgrade? (Lexus does this)

The digital is "climate control" I have it in my car. Basically you set it at a temperature and it gets it to that temperature and then keeps it there. So in the winter it'll bring it UP to the temp u want and in the summer it'll bring it DOWN to where you want with the AC. Basically it works like the thermostat in a house would, instead of just turning the blower on low med high... etc...

Good enough explanation? if not ill go further in depth.

by **mik3y** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 11:27 am

"Black Bob" thanks for the reply. Thought I'd let you know that I've been searching autotrader with a location of "any distance" and I'm pretty happy with my options for $13K. There're a few SE V6's out there but leather interior is something i rather have then those pricey "fangs". As far as the baby seat goes... I'm not worried about it because the CR-V is where my boy will ride the most.

with that being said... the hunt continues

by **mik3y** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 11:33 am

BadAngel wrote:The digital is "climate control" I have it in my car. Basically you set it at a temperature and it gets it to that temperature and then keeps it there. So in the winter it'll bring it UP to the temp u want and in the summer it'll bring it DOWN to where you want with the AC. Basically it works like the thermostat in a house would, instead of just turning the blower on low med high... etc...

Good enough explanation? if not ill go further in depth.

that works... thanks bro! Miami stays hot all year round

by **mik3y** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 11:36 am

Ruski wrote:oh my your Is250 is sexi . my next purchase after i get rid of my 04 se sport . good luck man

thanks bro! when you're ready, make sure to get the 350 or you'll always want more

by **DriDed** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 2:31 pm

yaddadaimsayin wrote:wkbrdr don't know what he talking about. 04 is practically the same as the other gen2's. anyways welcome. I have the sle v6 and the interior itself already warrants your purchase if you're coming from the lexus line. also 2.4 won't cut it... for sure. you say you're not into looks that much anymore anyways so I say f* the kit and just get the top level

via iphone. forgive the misspellings

Wkbrdr was talking about the Gen 2 with the I4's, the 2004 Solara with the 2.4L motor only has a 4 speed automatic or a 5 speed manual while the 3.3L motor uses the 5 speed auto with tiptronic.

**I would say get a Gen 2 V6, it would be nicer if you get one with a sport kit as those parts are very expensive.

The Gen 2 V6 has enough kick to make you not miss the Lexus IS as much.

Hello from Miami!

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