Saw a Gen 2 Convertible Today

[impactX]

I saw it in the showroom today. Solara's ass (since Gen 1) had always seemed like Jlo's ass, soooo high that I can't climb in stock form. The Gen 2 convertible's ass seems even higher. It looks like a convertible SUV... or a boat. I am ok with the interior but that top (when folded down) looks ridiculously huge.

[Weedo]

I saw it in the showroom today. Solara's butt (since Gen 1) had always seemed like Jlo's butt, soooo high that I can't climb in stock form. The Gen 2 convertible's butt seems even higher. It looks like a convertible SUV... or a boat. I am ok with the interior but that top (when folded down) looks ridiculously huge.

Yep, not nearly as beautifully designed as the Gen 1...



Sorry, couldn't help it!

[jjohart]

I'm not sure what the intended buyer audience was, but alas, I suspect a whole lot of mid-American influence on the current Solara convert. At least the previous generation S. was Saab like in its larger than Teutonic aspirations....the current design looks like a SC-430 wanna-be (not a bad aspiration), but that front end..uggh, it actually makes me prefer a standard Camry, what with its cheesy "world eating" grille, see under GEO/Suzuki/early Kia, and headlamps stretched to the point of torture chamber standards....is this all to impress us with how world Toyota rules the world?
As far as the beltline being high, let's just look at the average American's waist line, and I think you'll find that the designers "raised the bar" as in higher height, so as to flatter the fatties who might buy this piece of Zeppelin inflated architecture (a compliment) on wheels. Let's face it, if an owner has a size 42 waist (ok, so mine is busting out of 38, and that's a conservative estimate), you really do SIT HIGHER, LEAN WIDER, AND EXPECT ADDITIONAL WINDOW SILL when fastening your seat belt after take out windows and merging/passing thereafter. In this regard, the U.S appointed Japanese designates have made a marvelous mockery of the current standard of North American biological ergonomics..don't you just hate them? NOW, MOVE OVER FATTY, AND GIVE ME THEM KEYS!!!
John-83 280ZXT, and still waiting for a decent (non-rickety) Solara convertible!

[cdssolara]

I haven't seen the Gen 2 Solara convertible yet, but I expect it to look pretty good. I'm one of those who thinks the Gen 2's butt is too big, but I think it actually works better in a convertible. I don't like the SC430's looks in coupe form, mostly because of the rear and the too-high beltline. However, when it's got the top down, I think it looks fine. I kind of expect to feel the same way about the Solara.

As for the high beltlines in general, they seem to be more prevalent everywhere. I'm guessing it's a safety issue; as in more protection from all the high riding SUV's on the road.

[thealkimo]

I don't think the Gen2 Solara's butt is too big...or maybe I'm just listening to too much Sir Mix-a-Lot!

[mattyboyl]

I personally don't like the convertable form. I don't like the look of the top down due to the bulge behind the back seat. It ruins the lines of the car and makes the rear look even bigger and swoop down too much. I've never been a fan of the canvas top, especially with the top up due to ruining the roofline contour and of course, leaks. Look at the 350Z, geez, that car's roofline is now impaired with the cloth top. It doesn't follow the same contour as the hard top which makes in unappealing to my eye. Now I know some of you don't like the styling of the generation 2 and that's fine, you just won't buy one. It's not a car for everyones taste just like the generation 1.5 doesn't suit my taste. I like a car with some styling and curves. The generation 1.5 is boring like the Camry and has always been in my opinion. Toyota finally took a chance with their line and introduced a more aggressive and curvy styling with this coupe. I applaud them for that and am a first time customer because they took a chance and did more than produce a reliable car geared towards my parents, but a car I like stylistically and geared more towards the younger buyer. Marketing on this Solara is a totally different story and is one of the reasons why this Solara isn't selling like it should.

[NOBOOST]

but that front end..uggh, it actually makes me prefer a standard Camry, what with its cheesy "world eating" grille, see under GEO/Suzuki/early Kia, and headlamps stretched to the point of torture chamber standards....

Well the lights on the camry are stretched farther than the solaras...they just stretch into the grill as opposed to the rear...

to call the styling on par with a geo/suziki/kia is just the most bizarre comment Ive read in years!!!!

[jjohart]

Well, the words of the last respondent sums it up...that the new Solara and convertible in particular, is the most bizarre vehicle recently designed and schemed in the US to look like a classy "world car", and falls on its face.
Reliability wise, there's no question it's tops, but if that car had to rest on its design as any car suited for sale anywhere other than the US of A, it would fall into it's own wormy shadow in disgrace!
John-sorry, but "your car's uglier than I am" (from American Graffitti)!

[700t]

Yeah, I saw 3 conv today at the dealership in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Not bad but I still like the COUPE much better especially in red. One of the conv was Cosmic Blue, That colours got to go. My .02.

[NJConvertible]

took delivery on Monday of a new convertible. Ride is great, looks from the rear could be better but the bigest plus is that the trunk is huge for a convertible. I can fit in 2 sets of clubs and some luggage and still drop the top!!

[slingshot]

took delivery on Monday of a new convertible. Ride is great, looks from the rear could be better but the bigest plus is that the trunk is huge for a convertible. I can fit in 2 sets of clubs and some luggage and still drop the top!!

Congrats on the first reported convertible buy here. Now can you post some photos?? I agree having a big trunk is well worth having a large rear look.

[BabyFaceFinster]

I saw it in the showroom today. Solara's butt (since Gen 1) had always seemed like Jlo's butt, soooo high that I can't climb in stock form. The Gen 2 convertible's butt seems even higher. It looks like a convertible SUV... or a boat. I am ok with the interior but that top (when folded down) looks ridiculously huge.

I'll take my hopped up 2000 convertible any day.

[Astro]

took delivery on Monday of a new convertible. Ride is great, looks from the rear could be better but the bigest plus is that the trunk is huge for a convertible. I can fit in 2 sets of clubs and some luggage and still drop the top!!

Yeah, it's nice and roomy. But, don't you hate the cover that goes over the top when it is down? It's really pointless, when will you ever use it?