Solara: Automobile Journalists Association of Canada Review

[dabuda]

heres excerpt, for article go here http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pw/5under35.htm

The 2004 Toyota Solara was the only coupe in the group, a four-seater wearing brand new sheetmetal, and powered by a 3.3-litre V6 making 225-horsepower and 240 lb.-ft of torque. Its appearance is elegant and swoopy with lots of exterior dazzle and flash.

The deep blue metallic paint on our $30,900 test car was polished to perfection, and its jewelled lights reflected brilliantly in the sun. The Camry-based Solara is long (4889 mm) and spacious inside, with big doors that permitted easy entry and exit to the rear seats.

The dashboard reminded me of one of those small, hi-tech, home stereos you put by your bed. Silver metallic, with illuminated switches and knobs, and big instruments with easy to read markings (although readings on the liquid crystal display minor gauges disappear when you wear sunglasses). The interior of the Solara is Lexus-like in its fit and finish, all very tailored and comfortable.

This flashy appearance of the Solara contrasted with its mild, somewhat soft, road manners. It’s really not a sporty vehicle at all, even though its coupe specification may suggest an owner with sporty aspirations. The suspension is set for cruise, the five-speed automatic transmission shifts seamlessly, the steering is leisurely, the engine is quiet and doesn’t deliver as much power as you expect. Perhaps this is a car for the young-at-heart, rather than the genuinely young.

Nonetheless, the Solara is pretty much loaded, with six-disc CD changer, front and side airbags, ABS, premium JBL sound system, power windows, doors, locks and driver’s seat and 17” alloy wheels. The Solara runs on regular gasoline.

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