'04 Sport vs SLE

[tgstang]

I'm having trouble deciding between the V6 Sport and SLE models, as both have things I like and don't like.

What I would really like is an SLE with the Sport interior, but that's not possible. For whatever reason, Toyota does not make some options available on the Sport, such as leather, power seats, heated seats, climate control, heated mirrors, etc. I really don't like the blue/green speedometer and wood trim on the SLE - the wood trim looks great in the brochure, but is too red in real life (for me anyway).

So, if I go for the Sport, does anyone know if the fabric seats can be converted to power (not replaced with $$ leather)? If not, are the non-power Sport seats as adjustable as the power seats?

Any chance of getting climate control or heated mirrors on the Sport?

Thanks for listening.

[slingshot]

The too-red fake wood is a very small price to pay for all the other goodies you mentioned on the SLE. I've never had all these goodies before and let me tell you I love everyone of them now. Once you've had them, you can't go back. Going from a 99 Solara SE to this is a gigantic improvement I've found. The luxury features rock.

[mattyboyl]

I have an SE Sport for many reasons. The body kit alone gives the car a more aggressive and youthful look. The suspension is tight with minimal body roll due to the front and rear stabilizer bars. Depsite the suspension being tight, it is also cushy over bumps giving you a luxury/sport feel depending on what you are doing. The interior of the SE is beautifully done with adjustable seats for your comfort. You can adjust lumber, ride height, and seat angle position. The cloth is a nice touch, especially since I personally dislike leather due to be hard and cold in the winter ( I know there are gheated seats) and sticky and hot in the summer. The cloth always seems ready to sit no matter what temperature. Some of the features in the SLE are not a neccessity in my opinion and I can surly live without. The sport pedals in the SE Sport are a bit cheesy. Drilled pedals like on the Lexus IS300 would have been a nice touch. Also, a set of white face gauges would have done the final trick to sport this up just enough to keep it from going trying to be a sports car.

[NOBOOST]

Once you've had them, you can't go back.

Well I totally disagree with this statement because I have had all the features that you speak of ( leather/heated seats,mirrors/climate control/navi/etc..) And I can live without them and here is why...

#1-Heated seats may be the most useless option in history because by the time the seat heats up your car will be blowing out hot air...thus defeating the purpose...now PRE-heated seats would be sweet...My advice is buy a remote start.

#2-Climate control is erratic at best... it looks cool though but the regular system with knobs is very easy and instant to adjust...wish we didnt have it on our camry

#3-leather can be put on any car... not that I would though because the sport seats are way more performance oriented.leather imho is overrated and i have had it in my last 6 cars.

#4-Traction control/stbilityassist... we have it on our camry and my wife likes it because the camry handles like a boat and is easy to put out of control...I think it would be useless on the solara

#5- NAVI...well I would have paid $4000 to have this feature without the rest of the crap you have to take to get it... it is the best feature on our camry hands down.

#6- The dash in the sle is weird (lighting) I prefer the look of the se sport dash at night...it is very easy to read and soothing as opposed to the big bright lights of the sle.

[slingshot]

We all have our opinions. Here are my counterpoints:

#1 The heated seats in the Solara heat up super fast like about a minute or two. You are feeling nice and warm on your butt and lower back way before the heating system starts putting out warm air. If the heated seats were as slow as you said, I'd agree with you. But they aren't.

#2 My climate control so far seems to be pretty accurate. I've used it the whole winter set to 68 degrees and never have had to adjust it to feel very comfy. A godsend to me over formerly having to constantly adjust temp and fan settings. I can't ever go back to constant manually adjusting that. In the summer it's even more manual adjusting than the winter.

#3 I'm very happy with the leather so far.

#4 I've been saved from slipping and possibly spinning out numerous times this winter with the traction control and stability control in the snow. You can see indicators in the dash when they are functioning and can feel it. I feel so much more confident in winter driving as a result. In my opinion, if you are in the snowbelt, it's well worth it paying the amount they are asking for this (only about $500!) if it helps toward saving your life and avoiding crashes. Great safety features that finally are cheap enough to be included on mainstream cars.

#5 I agree the Navi is awesome in the Solara. It is half the price of competing car make NAV units. I use it all the time and it is so much better than constantly having to glance at a printout of Mapquest therefore increasing the chance of an accident. It has made driving to unknown places and getting lost so much more relaxing.

#6 You can dim the big bright lights in the dash of the SLE. To each his own as to taste I guess.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

Once you've had them, you can't go back.

yes you can! I have! Have to disagree w/ the above statement. you two have already discussed this. I don't really like climate control in the summers, in the winters and fall nights its great!

[NOBOOST]

[quote="slingshot"]We all have our opinions. Here are my counterpoints:

#1 The heated seats in the Solara heat up super fast like about a minute or two.

#2 My climate control so far seems to be pretty accurate.

#4 I've been saved from slipping and possibly spinning out numerous times this winter with the traction control and stability control in the snow. You can see indicators in the dash when they are functioning and can feel it. I feel so much more confident in winter driving as a result. In my opinion, if you are in the snowbelt, it's well worth it paying the amount they are asking for this (only about $500!) if it helps toward saving your life and avoiding crashes. Great safety features that finally are cheap enough to be included on mainstream cars.

quote]

#1-My point about the heated seats is that a remote starter is a way better option... but it is a personal preferance

#2-I just know my camrys CC was/is inaccurate by at least 5 degrees on occasion.... again not knocking your choice

#3- I use snow tire on ALL my cars and there is no substitute for snow tires!!! BUT it is great that toyota offers great safety features at low prices except they bundle them with more expensive options


SE sport VS SLE is a very judgemental decision... drive them both and you will feel 2 distinct feels...more sporty or more luxury...I went sport ( but I already have a luxury camry xle)

they are both great cars

[Pakin]

Less functions/moving parts = better IMHO.

-paK +3