Gen 1 vs Gen 2+ convertible

[Gerry V]

Sorry to bring up what I am sure is an old, old topic, but....
(I cannot seem to find this with a search....)
I currently own a 2002 SLE convertible and am thinking of trading for a 2007 SLE convertible. My current car has about 55K miles and there is nothing wrong with it, except.......the body shake, over bumps,......
I have heard that the newer, Gen 2, models are 'better'. I know that they are not going to be GREAT!, but the question is....Is it enough better to bother trading for the newer one, or.....will I be disappointed because it is not 'very much better'.
I realize that this is a subjective topic, but I would appreciate opinions.
TIA
Gerry V.

[Sparky5e]

A friend has an 06gen2 and I have an 07gen2.5. Not anything different mechanical. Also there is less available aftermarket stuff for the 2.5 then the gen2. Some plus include HID, led rearlamps, steering wheel bluetooth,

[kingkakyle]

if i remember correctly from a discussion on here
the gen2+ were built as a convertible where as the gen 1 was built as a coupe and then had the tops chopped off

[funboy102]

if you currently have a Gen 1, I think trading up to a Gen 2.5 will give you drastically better build quality and comfort. I got a Gen 1, my mom has a Gen 2.5. It feels really smooth and comfortable to be in that car. A lot roomier on the inside.

[MCOjerry]

Yes, gen 2 were designed and built as convertibles, and gen1 were modified into convertibles.

I have never driven a gen1, much less a convertible; but my gen2 doesn't have much roll at all. I mean, there's some; but it's not all that noticeable. There will always be a + to having a car designed to be built as a convertible, rather than one modified into one.

[onefiend]

Gen 2 is probably the more comfortable ride, but the Gen 1 looks better.

[Reigns]

A friend has an 06gen2 and I have an 07gen2.5. Not anything different mechanical. Also there is less available aftermarket stuff for the 2.5 then the gen2. Some plus include HID, led rearlamps, steering wheel bluetooth,

You can't really compare the differences between gen 1 and gen 2 to gen 2 and 2.5.

He has a 2002 (gen 1). It's a lot more different from an 07 than your friends 06. Not really comparable at all.

[MCOjerry]

but the Gen 1 looks better.

To some...not all.

[Down2TheC]

Yes, with the ground up design/construction you have stiffer bracing for the body and if you get a TRD FSTB things really get solid for a ragtop. I've been in Gen1 Solara, a 99 Celica, and an old Mustang chopshot ragtops. The Gen 2 drives much smoother and more solid over bumps and in cornering. It'll never match the coupe and you'll get a bit of "cowl shake" but still... best show in town.

Also layered/insulated top does great for sound and cold. And having seen Brian's 350 top, ours is a quality top.

[PXLpainter]

I just wish we had more aftermarket support as well as a S/C, manual 5 spd and no freakin' DBW!!

[Gadgetjq]

Gerry,

I recall reading some posts referring to the Gen I Solara convertible as the "Noodle." The frame, as you know, flexes badly. As others have mentioned the Gen II convertible was designed from a clean sheet of paper to be topless. There's a tremendous amount of extra reinforcement. You can see it in the thicker windshield pillar and wider door frames than the hardtop. There are other hidden reinforcments too ranging from hundreds of extra spot welds in the body to the cross bracing under the car and hefty (but invisible) roll cage behind the back seat.

My suggestion would be to rent whatever vehicle you're thinking about buying. Hertz has Solara convertibles. I rented one for a weekend and took a long trip to be sure I'd like it before buying. That was the weekend after I rented a Miata and decided, while the car is a ball to drive, getting in and out is not.

Cheers