Picking it up tomorrow!!!111

[1stSolara]

Well, I was shopping for a car, i just sold my 2002 Jaguar x-type(it has 150K miles on it, so i was afraid it was about to DIE)

Anyway, after a few weeks of searching for M3s, S4s, and what not, I was thinking (what am I doing? gas prices and insurance are going to murder me)

so I did a random search on Craigslist and found this GEM:

2006 Solara SLE coupe V6
26,000 miles,
Extended Platinum Toyota Warranty till 2013 or 75,000 miles.
$14,500
Red exterior, Tan leather interior

Normally I drive Manual transmission cars, but this deal was a bit too much to pass up. plus the transmission on this car is like silk. i really love the way it looks.

So im pretty excited about picking it up tomorrow. just a few questions,

1) Do you think this is a good deal
2) what should i look after on a solara? troublespots?
3) and um...any upgrades I can do to give it more pep?

thanks and Im going to possibly be a frequent contributor to this board. so far this place has been a blessing.

[MCOjerry]

Although I don't think the transmission is that bad, there are others on here that will disagree. There is a bit of a lag if you have a lead foot.

[1stSolara]

i tend to be a conservative driver

[PXLpainter]

You'll be fine as long as there isn't any slippage in the tranny.

Killer deal for the ride BTW!

[Black Bob]

That's a better deal than I got on my SE Sport. If it's clean inside and out along with being mechanically sound then go for it. If you can, also check the history (Carfax, etc.).

[NightRider]

Sounds like a good deal to me. Low miles for a decent price. How many owners has that car had? I'm assuming one. Let us know whats up.

[Gadgetjq]

Been there, done that with the Jag except mine was a '65 E-Type coupe. Now THAT car was eye candy!

The Solara sounds like a great deal, almost too good to be true as long as it hasn't been in an accident and as long as you like red cars. I'd get a CarFax report.

As for the silky transmission, it matches the mission of the car. There are many on this forum who'd at least like the option of a shift kit (like we used to install in our Fords/Chevys) for snappier shifting, at least in manual mode. Alas there is no kit available. What it is, is what it is. As long as you're good with it going in you won't have any issues.

Cheers

[crispone]

Been there, done that with the Jag except mine was a '65 E-Type coupe. Now THAT car was eye candy!

The Solara sounds like a great deal, almost too good to be true as long as it hasn't been in an accident and as long as you like red cars. I'd get a CarFax report.

As for the silky transmission, it matches the mission of the car. There are many on this forum who'd at least like the option of a shift kit (like we used to install in our Fords/Chevys) for snappier shifting, at least in manual mode. Alas there is no kit available. What it is, is what it is. As long as you're good with it going in you won't have any issues.

Cheers

Actually, there IS a "shift kit" available! (Someone listed the link for where you can get it "rebuilt" to shift like it "should"! Needed to send your valvebody, etc.. for the work, and I think it was around $500-$750 or something?)

Anyway... sounds like good deal on car. These are good cars! I have 87k miles with NO ISSUES! There ARE some (few...) items for performance... just stick around here, and they will come to light.

BIGGEST bang for buck? (Well, not cheap, but effective...)

CP-e INTAKE w/piggy-back computer & map. WOOT!

Otherwise, some cosmetic and handling aids... front tower bar and rear sway, etc... also DROP for better handling/appearance.

G/L! Enjoy the ride...

-crisp

[crispone]

I'm curious... who said "NO" to "Should I get it"... and why?


-crisp

[Jakecallun20]

See if you can find a Gen 1. The better of the solara models

[Sebas007]

Actually, there IS a "shift kit" available! (Someone listed the link for where you can get it "rebuilt" to shift like it "should"! Needed to send your valvebody, etc.. for the work, and I think it was around $500-$750 or something?)

IPT Transmission in NJ will modify the valve body to make shorter stiffer shift.

your tranny code name is U151E
http://www.importperformancetrans.com/toyotaauto.shtml

I would also add some shorter spring like TRD, Eibach spring to make it lower. I think it is more than just esthetic.

[1stSolara]

you guys rock,

well, the lady selling the car won't have the lein release notice from toyota till Thursday soooo I'm just i'm rocking the bus in the meantime.

I am very anxious about this car, I cant wait to really own it and show off it to my GF and family

[PXLpainter]

Actually, there IS a "shift kit" available! (Someone listed the link for where you can get it "rebuilt" to shift like it "should"! Needed to send your valvebody, etc.. for the work, and I think it was around $500-$750 or something?)

IPT Transmission in NJ will modify the valve body to make shorter stiffer shift.

your tranny code name is U151E
http://www.importperformancetrans.com/toyotaauto.shtml

Looks like that option is around $3K Sebas - where's the other info you showed us before? There was something that was just under $1000.

[Sebas007]

^^

You have to go further down in the section you will see Valve bodies and also a Torque Converters section. Everything is on the same page.

Tony the tiger got a complete tranny rebuilt, from IPT Transmission, for his turbo camry setup and he is running 420+ whp on the tranny. He add also tranny coolers. Type IPT in the forum search, you will find the info.

[crispone]

^^^ Thanks for the reference, Sebas! I couldn't remember where I saw it last... now I remember!

-crisp