Ooooops!!

[MrMikeL]

Been a member since July 29, 2004 but never posted my introduction in this section - sorry! Time to rectify my oversight.

Here's my story: I'm going through a mid-life crisis - 2 kids, divorced, big house, good professional job, prematurely grey - you get the picture! I was driving a '96 Camry Wagon V6 LE, but it was starting to show it's age, so I went the minivan route - HUGE MISTAKE! That's a mommy car or an old man car, so I had to do something. I've been exclusively a Toyota guy since 1982 (remember the Starlet??) except for the Dodge Daytona Turbo-Z (felt sorry for Lee Iaccoca) from '84 - '87 and the '03 Honda Odyssey. Had several Corolla's and Camry's, even a Previa minvan in that span of time. The ex had a Highlander.

Started looking for cars, took my 13 year old son along. When he wanted me to test drive a Ford Focus SVT, I began to realize he was more concerned with himself in 3 years instead of me now! Dealerships, auto shows, lots of test drives in the meantime.

Anyway, I've been coveting the Solara for years and one day we were turning a corner and saw an absolutely gorgeous Black SLE V6 with a tan drop top in an office parking lot on a Sunday. Lo and behold there was a sign in the window saying it was available. Made a phone call and left a message. The next day I took it for a ride and was hooked!

The only major problem I've had was with the drop top, the tension cable came loose because they crimped over the wire's plastic coating instead of stripping the plastic and crimping metal to metal. Problem has been fixed. That's how I found this site as I looked for answers to my problem!

Upgrades
- K&N filter for $39.00
- Michael T's lower grille

Future Upgrades
- New 18" wheels & tires (when the current rubber runs out - too cheap!!)
- TRD Front Strut Brace
- TRD Rear Sway Bar
- Satellite radio

So far this has been an awesome website! Lots of info. I've even been to a "meet" while on vacation in Illinois!! I look forward to a continued presence here.

-Mike

[Shoe]

thats an intro and a half !!!


shoe

[xsolara33x]

welcome and nice intro...

[NVDIS1]

welcome to tha site
http://members.cardomain.com/rgztoy

[sto]

have u been able to find the swaybars yet??

-sto

[that1mexguy]

Nice intro man, congrats on the ride and welcome!!!

[mtodde]

Mike, Congrats on the ride & welcome!

Has anyone mistaken your car for the SC430 with the top down?

[MrMikeL]

Sto - the only place I've found them is at TRD, though I haven't searched too much yet. I'm kinda scared to get them from anywhere else in case they're knock-offs.

mtodde - no, I haven't had anyone say "Nice Lexus" yet! As soon as I do, I'll let you know.

[michaels artic frost]

Mike,

It was nice meeting you and a few others from this forum. Ride is looking very nice. Perhaps we'll meet again.

-Michael

p.s. I did the same thing when I first joined. Then about a couple of hundred post down the road, I posted an INTRO...lol.

[MrMikeL]

Michael T, you're the best! I love your enthusiasm and love of autos. Unfortunately you were born about 30 years too late, as I think you would have loved the muscle cars from the old days. I wish I still had that '73 Impala with the 350 ci V8. Ah, the good old days . . .

[Duffman]

Michael T, you're the best! I love your enthusiasm and love of autos. Unfortunately you were born about 30 years too late, as I think you would have loved the muscle cars from the old days. I wish I still had that '73 Impala with the 350 ci V8. Ah, the good old days . . .

Ahh, you're talking *real* cars now. Wasn't born then, but in love with them regardless. My dad had a '63 Impala SS with glass packs, lots of other mods. He "doesn't think it's a great idea" but he has admitted he likes the things I want to do with my Solara. My "old geezer" car is a 1963 Buick Riviera, with the 425 ci. engine that puts out 465 lb/ft. of torque. Hella-fast, very awesome, but 6 mpg on the highway is... uncool.

Great intro, good to have you!

[2002greenhornet]

Michael T, you're the best! I love your enthusiasm and love of autos. Unfortunately you were born about 30 years too late, as I think you would have loved the muscle cars from the old days. I wish I still had that '73 Impala with the 350 ci V8. Ah, the good old days . . .

Ahh, you're talking *real* cars now. Wasn't born then, but in love with them regardless. My dad had a '63 Impala SS with glass packs, lots of other mods. He "doesn't think it's a great idea" but he has admitted he likes the things I want to do with my Solara. My "old geezer" car is a 1963 Buick Riviera, with the 425 ci. engine that puts out 465 lb/ft. of torque. Hella-fast, very awesome, but 6 mpg on the highway is... uncool.

MrMikeL--

Great intro. I'm not too young to remember. Duffman, my first car was a '63 Impala SS! It was an SS in emblem only--a 283ci 4-barrel setup with the old 2-speed "slushglide" automatic. Fire engine red. Then came the GTO, then the Charger, then the Cutlass...

I've always been a "car guy" as my wife refers to it. I wouldn't say I'm having a mid-life crisis, but after a few years of not owning anything special to ride around in, the Solara is my comeback bid. It's such a pretty little beast, and perfect for an "old guy" like me. With the leather and quiet ride AND the ability to upgrade the power in so many ways without sacrificing that, the "car guy" spirit is alive and well. I'll never do as much as some SolaraGuys, but I'm definitely lowering and supercharging and this group is a huge help.

What year is your Solara?

[michaels artic frost]

...What year is your Solara?

Mike has the 04 SLE drop top...it's so so SWEET! The power of freedom when you're in a drop top. It's really amazing.

[HKSV6SLE]

welcome not too many convertibles on the forum.

[junest]

Nice drop top. Enjoy the ride.