2004 solara convertible

by **honky** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:55 am

looking at 2004 sle convertible.
Consumer Reports shows that 2004 only has issues with "suspension" and "body integrity"
Are there known issues with this year Solara ?

by **Biggi_e** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:57 am

ecm or ecu reflash, whatever it was.

by **PXLpainter** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 1:23 pm

honky wrote:looking at 2004 sle convertible.
Consumer Reports shows that 2004 only has issues with "suspension" and "body integrity"
Are there known issues with this year Solara ?

Actually, the reports are for earlier model years (pre-2004) with the Gen 1/1.5 converts. Car & Driver referred to it as the "Boneless Chicken of convertibles". They fixed a lot of those issues with the Gen 2 (2004+)

by **Biggi_e** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 2:45 pm

no lag issues?

by **MCOjerry** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 6:43 pm

Biggi_e wrote:no lag issues?

You already mentioned the ECU reflash for that.

by **honky** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:35 pm

No, Consumer Reports only shows these two black marks for the 2004 model. I see there is some issues with water leakage, was this inherent to the 2004.

by **MCOjerry** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:37 pm

There are a few 05 and some of us 06 convertible owners. I think Down2thec has an 04, you may want to ask him.

by **MrMikeL** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:10 am

Watch out for the convertible top. There was a manufacturing problem where the tension cable (the cable that, when taut, keeps the canvas tight against the wndows when the top is up. They come loose and you end up with a very annoying wind noise at higher speeds (noticable at 30+ mph).

by **honky** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:39 am

I am going to pik the car up in NC next so I will have a 13 hour ride back to CT. to check it out--- although I might have the top down most of the way :lol:

by **Down2TheC** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 1:52 pm

Gen 2 ragtop was designed ground up as a ragtop. So don't compare to the Gen1.5 stats. For the '04 there's not much to worry about. That top thing never happened to me so I'll leave that out.

1. If you feel any acceleration lag at all, note that at your first visit to Toyota. With the low miles I wouldn't be surprised if the original owner never had a problem with it and thus never got the TSB. It really makes a difference. Being an '04 you're a definite candidate if it hasn't already been done. Lots of old threads on that if you need more info.

2. "Cowl shake" or a wobbly front end is easily stiffened up with the Front Strut Tower Brace from TRD. 5 min ~$200 DITY.

Other than that it's just like the rest of the Gen 2's with the exception of the stereo if it's JBL. $160 gets you an '07 head unit that plays MP3. Enjoy the ride and remember... top down, windows down. It's the law! (Seat heater's okay though)

by **honky** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:14 pm

does that mean with the 2007 head that a ipod has a place to plug in ?
Were the cowl shake and the hesitation issue a factory recall ?
Thanks

by **Down2TheC** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 10:22 pm

Not a recall. The cowl shake is just your standard ragtop thang. Most get used to it, some get the FSTB to beef up a bit.

The hesitation was a TSB. (Toyota Service Bulletin). That means that they don't come to you. They just document the symptoms and the fix so if you complain about the right symptoms, they'll search and find a fix and do it for free. Sort of an "as needed" recall.

The 2007 HU does not have an aux port integrated. In the actual car they rigged one using the CD Changer port, just like the AUX units you see in the Gen2 Audio forum. So if you buy a HU you need to get one of those too. But they have units made to talk to ipods so search out your options.

by **honky** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:45 pm

Thanks everyone for the help. Great to have a resourse like this. This car is for my wife, personally what I own and work on are old air cooled V-dubs. My current ride is a 74 Thing ( remember those) The Solara is a stretch from there, will be interesting tweeking a new car.
Happy New Year everyone
Kevin