Pics of my 04 Silver SLE with NAV

[slingshot]

There are a lot of little touches Toyota did to improve this model from Gen1 that you don't realize till you own the car and I haven't even read the manual yet.
Examples are :

1. Interior light if set to auto goes on when you unlock the doors with the remote. Nice touch.
2. The shape of the lower panels behind all four tires flare out just enough to not need mud flaps and be able to catch most of what the tires kick up.
3. So many nice new comfort conveniences in the interior-longer middle armrest, cushioned inside door armrests, telescoping steering wheel, larger side bolsters. I can position myself perfectly for better comfort than a Gen1 Solara. The Gen1's too short center armrest and too hard inside door armrest always annoyed me.
4. The lines going down the side of the car give enough character and the effect of pinstriping without the need for that.
5. The windshield washers spray with a fine wide angle misty spray, something American cars have had for ages and I always wanted. It's so superior.
6. The rear defroster seems to work faster.

[rgache]

--Love the pseudo streamer pics--where can I purchase one?

Nice car. I have an SE-Sport, 5sp, 4cyl, with 18 inch ssr wheels. Gen 1 had excellent styling, but the 04's are just that much better. I think they set a new std in styling; aka Lexus.

-R

[MNSolara]

The front end to me for some reason resembles that of a sunfire...but I could have been having withdrawls from my crack habit or something. The back of the 04 looks like an old infinity...with a little more styling and a lame excuse for a wannabe spoiler attached for old dudes who want to think they are cool and have a purpose for down drafting. Any people thought previous models were chick cars persay. ha! this model line is even worse imo.

[slingshot]

Come on! The back end looks like a larger version of the Lexus SC430 back end. Similar lights, drop angle and spoiler. There's no missing the resemblance which was done on purpose. Basically, they wanted to create for Toyota a much cheaper version of the SC430 but without retractable top. And I don't see any resemblance to Sunfire. To me it looks like the Lexus ES330 but with even larger headlights. It resembles a two door version of the ES330 married to an SC430. Some styling hints from both.
David

[slingshot]

By the way, just what is that streamer device in the bottom bin in those photos?

[retarded]

NICE CAR! did you nav system come with the streamer?

[MNSolara]

Come on! The back end looks like a larger version of the Lexus SC430 back end. Similar lights, drop angle and spoiler. There's no missing the resemblance which was done on purpose. Basically, they wanted to create for Toyota a much cheaper version of the SC430 but without retractable top. And I don't see any resemblance to Sunfire. To me it looks like the Lexus ES330 but with even larger headlights. It resembles a two door version of the ES330 married to an SC430. Some styling hints from both.
David

perhaps the look hasn't grown on me yet but I prefer defined styling lines versus the rounded styling that seems to be more and more frequented...I guess I'm getting older and stuck in my ways! haha! but seriously...the front end to me still looks like a Sunfire!!! I would agree with you on your comments about the rear styling however, now that you brought up your viewpoint. Either way...I'd rather have a Skyline.

[JadedEMOlush]

The streamer is actually for Sirius Satellite Radio.

http://www.sirius.com

http://www.siriusbackstage.com

Its 100 channels of commercial free digital stations (60 music commercial free/40 news sports and weather). You can find ordering info at siriusbackstage.com

No, the nav unit is from toyota, the Streamer I installed myself and sold for $130.00 to pick up and display the music information. It is amazing...

Unfortuntely the Solara is XM Satellite radio ready... I prefer their competitor SIRIUS.

Thanks again for the compliments guys. I just wish i could figure out what type of connections are on the back of my nav unit for an auxilary input... I want to hook up my streamer DIRECTLY to the nav unit... it is done through a wireless FM transmitter right now.

[waitin4conv]

JadedEMOlush-
Did your Solara come with the XM radio and you chose to go with Sirius? Just wondering how the satalite radio works with the NAV system.

['04 Silver SE]

Was the Sirius unit tricky to install in the storage bin? I really like the way that looks, I plan on doing the same thing.

Would installing something like that be easy enough for someone who has never dealt with car stereos to do? Or should I leave that one up to the Best Buy folks?

[JadedEMOlush]

Dude... its a cake walk. Both fotodad and myself installed it ourselves... I beleive that I have more install experience then him, but it is quite easy.

By the way, the "streamer" transmits the sound to the "nav system" through a built in wireless FM transmitter, so there is NOTHING to take apart in the car... you just need to plug the streamer into the cigarette lighter in the cubby hole... put the antenna between your two rear speakers or on the trunk, then simply run the single antenna wire from the rear of the car to the streamer.

I would be happy to give more detailed instructions if needed.

By the way... Sirius ROCKS.

Chat with other memebers at http://www.siriusbackstage.com

[slingshot]

Jaded,
Do you have to select an unused FM channel on your radio for the Sirius streamer to transmit to? If so, that is a big problem in major urban areas. Most of the FM spectrum is taken up and driving an hour will make you have to change channels a few times trying to find an empty channel. If it uses FM transmission isn't the quality less? How does Sirius radio channels using this streamer compare in sound quality to regular FM radio or CD's?

[dabuda]

i like the interior better than the SE sport...nice!