How satisfied/dissatisfied are you?

[jmack]

Thanks for the posts. I am using mid-grade gas. I am computing the mileage manually, miles driven divided by gallons of gas put in. Interestingly, the computer seems to calculate almost exactly 5 mpg more than I am actually getting. The average for combined is 16 mpg while the computer shows 21 mpg. I just did a highway only trip and got 24 mpg, while the computer said my average mileage was 29.5.

[slingshot]

Very interesting results! I'd ask a Toyota service dept to test the computer's accuracy and realign it. Does anyone else have similar results of the computer being too optimistic? On my car it is close since I made the 250 miles in only half a tank according to the needle(had to be about 8 gallons). That's about 30mpg. The computer reading was very close to that. I could see one or two mpg off, but not five.

[Prophet]

I'm nearing 3k miles and am very very happy with my car.

I have a mild left drift which doesn't bother me in the least, but will be addressed once there is an official solution. Other than this, the car is rattle free, with no tranny slipping.

I'm getting a solid all driving 25mpg, and got nearly 28 on a trip to Atlantic City doing a steady 70mph.

The 3 things I do not like about the car:

1. I hate the flood that rushes in when I open the window in the rain when I go to the drive up ATM or the Dairy Barn.
2. I hate the water residue on the windows but of course this is minor.
3. Freakin drivers side blind spot has been more difficult to adjust to than I anticipated.

This is new car #3 for me, and by far the best new car I've ever had...not even close.

[dabuda]

i give it a B/B+...if these were fixed it would get an A-

1) Water residue in windows, it's been sitting around for a few days now...wonder if it gets moldy?
2) Stereo: not much difference between 20-30 volume setting...my gf even complained that it's hard to hear the radio on the freeway unless volume is turned really high...

[slingshot]

Yep, I put the radio at 35 at least on the highway to get decently loud music. You really have to turn the volume up alot to get good sound but that is a very minor complaint for me.

[fotodad]

Yep, I put the radio at 35 at least on the highway to get decently loud music. You really have to turn the volume up alot to get good sound but that is a very minor complaint for me.

Now that you mention it, I also have to turn the volume up rather high to get a decent level of volume. When playing a CD the level doesn't have to be as high (maybe 25 on the highway) where FM and satellite radio definitely need to be higher (30-35 on highway). Even though it is turned up to these levels, I'm still quite pleased with the sound, especially when litening to a CD.

[guest]

I haven't seen better fuel economy with premium. On a long distance trip (250 miles each way) I actually got better fuel economy with regular unleaded (32mpg). I drove a little more light-footed though on that leg so can't do an exact comparison (the premium leg was 28mpg). But that shows that both fuels are pretty close in gas mileage. Everything I've heard about gasoline says the same.

To get those high numbers on the highway, I kept at 70 as constant as I could (sometimes used cruise control), accelerated slowly up hills, and coasted down hills.

I definetely get a better mileage with premium, maybe about 10%

[JadedEMOlush]

jmack

Are you taking account the extra 3 gallons of gas that is still in your car even when the gas gauge shows E, and the red light comes on.

I thought I had the same problem until I realized that I was only being filled up with 15.5 gallons instead of 18.5 gallons (I think the tank is 18.5, but it may be only 18)

I get 26MPG avg w/hwy and 20 city.

[jmack]

No, I never let the tank get empty. I just fill up completely and the divide gallons into miles, which seems the most accurate method (realizing that I may top off the tank a little differently each time). Computer average and actual mileage do not match. Nothing earth shaking, but will have the dealer look at at next service interval. Will also have them look at left pull again, but am not encouraged. Has anyone had any luck with a Chicago area dealer and the pull left issue. My service manager " can't duplicate" the problem with my car and swears he has never heard of this issue.

[fotodad]

Computer average and actual mileage do not match. Nothing earth shaking.

How far off were they?

My service manager "can't duplicate" the problem with my car and swears he has never heard of this issue.

That's dealership lingo for, "I don't have time for your petty little, figment-of-your-imagination problem." I've got twenty bucks that says he probably didn't even drive your car.

Whenever I have a problem that requires the car to be driven, I insist that I be the one driving. When I drive those "can't duplicate the problem" problems suddenly are glaringly obvious. My advise: Take little old mister service manager guy out for a ride. Then point out the problem to him. I've got a felling he'll suddenly know what you're talking about.

And if he doesn't believe others are having this problem please post his email and/or phone number on this discussion board. I've got a feeling a few of us can enlighten him.

[fotodad]

At the risk of getting this thread further off track, I also have noticed that after I fill up I seem to have had a few gallons in the old tankareeno. I've also noticed that after the pump automatically shuts off indicating the tank is full, I can easily pump another gallon or so in the tank.

[Kini]

I had to go with grade D. The fit and finish (exterior) is a little disappointing. Gapsnin the body panels aren't all even, paint has more blemishes than I think it should. Sometimes it looks like the paint on the rear bumper cover does not match the rest of the car. (Guess it's that good old American/Kentucky quality control) I think they make Fords there too:-).

Car has only a slight pull to the left. There is a rattle in the rear deck, speaker related. Also the bass from the stereo causes the sunglass holder to rattle when closed, I leave it open all the time.

Biggest gripe/complaint- TRANSMISSION. Sometimes it shifts great, quick and firm like a sports car should. Other times it shifts slower than the 72 Vega powerglide my mom had. Hell it almost comes to a stop before it shifts unless your foot is on the floor. Brought it to the dealer once knowing they would not "find" anything. I will try again when I take it in for the 3000 mile service the dealer wants to do. Not much hope. I would like them to flash the ECU since its supposed to be an electronically/computer controlled tranny. Sometimes takes a mile or more at 50mph before it shifts into 5th gear when cold. The mileage with almost all in town driving is about 18-19mpg. About 25mpg hwy. Not that great for such an aerodynamic car. SE Sport Body cladding is not mounted very well, seems very aftermarket instead of factory. All it takes is for the road to be damp for dirt and grime to pile up under the doors onto the molding. The factory single CD system does not have a line in or CD changer controls. No way to add anything decent without tearing up the dash. Brakes could be a little stronger.

Pluses- It is very quiet on the rd, regardles of speed. It rides nice. Handles decent. Has decent power, accelaration, passing power. The bottom of the line single CD stereo sounds pretty good to me. I'm sure the motor will be very reliable. I think it looks very cool. Trunk and rear seat are roomy for a 2 door. The gated shifter is nice. The seats are very comfy.

My 2 cents.

Kini

[slingshot]

Kini,
I'm guessing your car is white as almost all white cars (especially pearl white) show different colors on the bumpers than the body. It happened with my 99 Solara and I've seen it on other cars with same color. If that's not your color, it's odd. Sounds like your car was a Friday built car.
Your transmission problem sounds pretty bad and first time I've heard that behavior. At least it isn't making grinding noises and about to fail like so many Hondas.
As far as a CD changer, Toyota will be coming out with two different ones that mount in the rear and can be controlled remotely. Ask your dealer for more details. One of them is controlled by you setting the FM station to an unused one, the other uses your CD controls. Sounds like you'd need the first one perhaps. I don't know when they will be out.
Best of luck getting your transmission fixed. Let us know what happens.

[TW85]

kini,

You said it can take a mile at 50 mph before the transmission shifts into 5th gear. Is that immediately after starting the car in the morning and is the temp. gauge still pegged left? Every Toyota we own and have owned has taken a while to shift into the final gear when cold. It is done by design to allow everything to warm up faster.

Honestly, your transmission seems to be acting normally.

[glenb]

I voted F I want my money back.

Only because of the left drift and the steering in general.
This car is not fun to drive, it does not steer straight.
I have a 98 Jeep Wrangler with 140,000 mi that has had very rough off road use, never alligned, and drives straight and solid.

When the dealers service dept fixed the left drift by increasing the air pressure in the left front tire I decided I wanted my money back from that dealer. Don't know how that will happen.

If Toyota can get a fix to improve the steering I would give this car an A.

Everything else about the Solara is great.