some general questions

[truebluestang]

There's some problems that I've had with my car and wanted to know if I was the only person.


Does it seem like your ABS is entirely too touchy??? Mine seems like the instant I touch the brakes and either hit a bump, or it's sligly slick out, they kick in. It's annoying to me, and I would honestly rather not have them, but such is life. Just wondering if you guys had problems with them being touchy.

Is there a list on here of TSB's??? I'd like to look through them and see if I missed any. Toyota has displayed a complete lack or respect to me and my car, so I imagine that I would be the last person that they would contact if there was something that needed to be fixed.

[TW85]

My ABS has only activated once or twice under maximum brake pressure. I do not find it to be sensitive.

[truebluestang]

There's some problems that I've had with my car and wanted to know if I was the only person.


Does it seem like your ABS is entirely too touchy??? Mine seems like the instant I touch the brakes and either hit a bump, or it's sligly slick out, they kick in. It's annoying to me, and I would honestly rather not have them, but such is life. Just wondering if you guys had problems with them being touchy.

Is there a list on here of TSB's??? I'd like to look through them and see if I missed any. Toyota has displayed a complete lack or respect to me and my car, so I imagine that I would be the last person that they would contact if there was something that needed to be fixed.

No touchy problems with the ABS...
There is a list of TSBs lurking around here somewhere... did you try the search feature?

I did a search, It took some digging, but found in in Buckygirl (I think....) post about the pulling to the left. Since this was such a common issue, how bad was it for you guys??? I could literally take corners on the expressway by just letting go of the steering wheel, and sometimes if the corner wasn't sharp enough, I would have to turn it back to the right to adjust. I still have this problem too, but can't do anything about it now! LOL

[mattyboyl]

I know what you are saying and it usually kicks in under harsh braking. It seem like puddles from rain when stopping also makes it kick in. It hasn't caused me any concern. It's like an overprotective parent. I'm used to it.

[TW85]

I think puddles of water under hard braking would cause ABS to activate on any car. One or more wheels suddenly has less resistance and force and thus can lock up, resulting in ABS kicking in.

ABS is not a bad thing. Only problem is if you have never experienced the feel/sound of it before, it can surprised/scare the hell out of you.

[slingshot]

I did a search, It took some digging, but found in in Buckygirl (I think....) post about the pulling to the left. Since this was such a common issue, how bad was it for you guys??? I could literally take corners on the expressway by just letting go of the steering wheel, and sometimes if the corner wasn't sharp enough, I would have to turn it back to the right to adjust. I still have this problem too, but can't do anything about it now! LOL

Do you get the same left drift in all lanes on the highway? Or does it drop down alot going to middle and right lanes? My left drift is bad in furthest left lane if I let the wheel go. Slight left drift in middle lane, almost no left drift in right lane. But if I drive in leftmost lane and hold onto wheel keeping it just slightly turned right (doesn't take much pressure and comfortable enough), all is well.

[truebluestang]

I did a search, It took some digging, but found in in Buckygirl (I think....) post about the pulling to the left. Since this was such a common issue, how bad was it for you guys??? I could literally take corners on the expressway by just letting go of the steering wheel, and sometimes if the corner wasn't sharp enough, I would have to turn it back to the right to adjust. I still have this problem too, but can't do anything about it now! LOL

Do you get the same left drift in all lanes on the highway? Or does it drop down alot going to middle and right lanes? My left drift is bad in furthest left lane if I let the wheel go. Slight left drift in middle lane, almost no left drift in right lane. But if I drive in leftmost lane and hold onto wheel keeping it just slightly turned right (doesn't take much pressure and comfortable enough), all is well.

my drift is about the same... though I have medium drift in right lane, bad drift in center, and terrible in left. I've gotten used to having the wheel cocked to the right, except when i get in my Mustang every now and then I have problems driving to the right!

[mikei]

I have not had any problems with my Solara and I have 10,000 miles on it including driving from Seattle to my winter home in Miami.

What I have had problems with is trying to install OEM Navigation to my 2005 Solara V6 Convertible. The dealers have been terrible to deal with
and they try to sell you aftermarket Nav systems rather than their own companies product.

I obtained a 05 Solara unit from www.oemvalue.com for $1550. with the dvd disk. The Dealers wanted over $3,000.

The saga does not end there because you still have to buy a gps antenna ($400.)that fits under the dash as stock for a clean install and a new dash plate ($80.)

Then you have to find a place willing to install it because between nav and non-nav solaras the wiring harness is different and some dealerships do not want to be bothered with anything that isn't plug and play.

I have it installed with everything working except for the voice prompts with numerous trips back and forth to the dealer but I will get that working too.

The message is if you want OEM Navigation buy it as a factory option. Do not let car salesmen talk you into a non-nav vehicle just because they don't have any NAV Solaras in stock.

Be patient and get everything you want factory installed even if you have to order your car right from Toyota. (make sure you get the XM reciever it is a blast to have and it is even better with the NAV display.)

[cablemn]

the only problem ive noticed with braking is that the bridgestone tires have no traction in wet weather. thank god for the traction control feature on my sle or i wouldve been on the guardrail a few times already. im shopping for tires now.

[slingshot]

I obtained a 05 Solara unit from www.oemvalue.com for $1550. with the dvd disk. The Dealers wanted over $3,000.

The saga does not end there because you still have to buy a gps antenna ($400.)that fits under the dash as stock for a clean install and a new dash plate ($80.)

Wow, talk about ripoff. The OEM one installed at the factory only cost me about $1300 as an option. You are certainly persistent and best of luck in getting everything working. Toyota isn't the only dealer that acts this way with installing NAV units after purchase. Infiniti is the same way and refuses to even install it I've heard. I'm sure most others act the same. But if you pay enough, they'll do it as it looks like you've found out.

[TW85]

The stock Bridestones have less than impressive traction on dry pavement. I hate driving in rain with them because a lot of our roads have grooves from vehicles that hold water.