So what other cars were you considering before the Solara?

[technole]

Acura TSX, TL
Lexus IS300
Accord Coupe EX V6

[TW85]

'03-'04 Accord Coupe EX V6, 2003 Lexus IS 300, 2004 Acura TSX. Also briefly looked at the new Saab 9-3.

[xsolara33x]

why did you guys choose the solaras instead of the other cars you look at?

[technole]

why did you guys choose the solaras instead of the other cars you look at?

You see I wasn't a big fan of the Gen 1 Solaras. Although I always thought Toyota could do a little more to make them "stand out" and boy did that come true.

It really came down to the TSX and the Solara. The TL was getting a little out there in what I wanted to pay, and the IS300 I felt pressed for room.

[Shoe]

this question was asked b4 theres the thread ( i know it was along time ago and new people come here weekly how was anyone to know?)

this just saves people from typing it again

shoe

http://www.zer0.info/solaraguy/viewtopic.php?t=9138

[pantyninja]

Accord Coupe 4 cylinder and 6
Altima V6
G35 coupe

Found the 4 cylinder Accord to be way underpowered. 6 cylinder Accord was 28k and low availability. G35 coupe was really stretching the checkbook. I would have bought if I could have afforded it

Solara was perfect- V6 torque, roomy, refined, red and under 25K

[Arthur2k4]

i looked at a lot of cars.. heres wat i remmeber off the top of my head

G35 Coupe
Lexus IS300
Mazda RX-8
Acura TSX
Acura TL
Acura RSX
Mazda RX-8
Audi A4 1.8t
Toyota Celica
Scion tC
Accord Coupe


I decided to get the Solara since it is roomy .. great engine...I love the body.. i love the interior.. and it new.. not many people have it here..

my 2nd choice would have been the scion tC.. great car for its price

[Eviltwinpsu]

I was looking at convertibles

eclipse spyder
audi a4 convertible
mustang convertible

also looked at used Audi A6


I got a 2004 white pearl SLE convertible

And i love it

I like the room, and the look....i had an eclipse before and it saved my life....but i wana put an aftermarket system in the car and couldnt do that with a spyder since there is no trunk space for subs and other stuff

[mattyboyl]

Here's the thread I started awhile back if you want some other views. Shoe was right.

http://www.zer0.info/solaraguy/viewtopi ... highlight=

[einstein]

looking at the accord coupe, chrysler sebring, and bmw 325xi

[MrMikeL]

Looked at the following:

Pontiac GTO
Chevy Impala SS
Chrysler Sebring convertible

Weird mix of cars, I know. I thought the '04 Solara convertible would be impossible to get (4 month waitlist) so I really didnt give it much thought. Then I saw a lonely one sitting in a lot with a "For Sale" sign on it, and I jumped at the opportunity!!

[TW85]

I chose the Solara over an IS 300, TSX, and Accord for several reasons. The IS 300 is smaller than I wanted and does not have nearly as nice of an interior. Honda likes to use high HP 4 cyl. engines in certain cars, the TSX being one of them, that produce a lot of horsepower but not much torque. I also did not want to buy a $26,000 car with a 4 cyl. engine. The Accord is so common, very boring, and I think Toyota builds a higher quality car.

[DocJohn]

NEW(2004-5):
Honda Accord V-6 coupe
Acura TL
Nissan Altima 3.5 SE

USED:
Infiniti G35 coupe
Mercedes C320 and CLK320
BMW 330is coupe

Some factors influencing my decision to buy a Solara:
- the G35 was NICE but just too small for my needs (high insurance costs too)
- Accord doesn't have a sequential automatic tranny and BORING body styling
- Altima has a cheap-looking interior and lots of torque steer
- really liked the BMW 330is, but I had lots of maintenance problems with my '96 328is and "issues" with the one BMW dealership in town, add to that high insurance costs and high cost of dealer service
- I hoped the Solara would be as reliable as my '93 Camry V6 XLE; the most trouble-free car I have ever owned!
- the hope I can eventually drop a TRD supercharger in the Solara
- 0% financing on the Solara helped too

[slingshot]

Looked at the Accord EX V6 coupe but didn't test drive it as it looked boring. Drooled over the Acura CL type S for awhile but got scared off from its transmission problems. Looked at, test drove and loved the G35 Coupe. I pondered over it for a long time but to me the Solara was alot cheaper, more comfortable, less insurance, and more practical (more room, better in snow).

[Lone Solara]

I only looked at new cars:
Honda S2000
Nissan 350Z
BMW Z4
BMW 328 Convertible
Porsche Boxster
Audi A4 Convertible
MB SLK320

And I still chose the Solara ? You betcha !
The S2000 was way too noisy for everyday driving, had only the manual (I drive 70 miles everyday in frequently heavy traffic) and it was murder on my back.
The 350Z was very, very sweet, and I came within $1000 of buying one. I backed out though because of the tire feathering problems, and serious reliability problems. I don't need a lemon driving off the lot.
The BMWs are sweet but I couldn't get anyone at the dealership to pay any attention to me in 3 visits. If that's how they treat you when you want to buy a car, how are they going to treat you when you need service ?
I was crazy about the Boxster, but I knew there was a new model coming out in a year and all dealerships are 40-50 miles away. Since Porsche does not have a particularly good reliability history, that had a lot of weight in the decision.
I am an Audi fan, and choosing the Solara over the Audi was probably my hardest decision. However, when comparing prices, it was too big of a cost difference for relatively little equipment difference. Don't get me wrong, price was not the issue, but we're talking here about a $15,000 difference.
Finally, the Benz was too outdated, and the new much improved model is coming out in September. There was no way I was going to buy the old one, and I was not going to wait for the new one. That being said, the new SLK350 will probably be my future ride (not anytime soon though; I still love my Solara)