2005 vs 2006 Solara. How can you tell?

[sancoes]

So, I bought my 2006 Solara about two weeks ago. The first day I got it, I looked at the keys and the dealer had written '05 Solara on them. Altough I raised my eyebrow, I figure it was a mistake on their part. Yesterday I got a letter from them thanking my the purchase of a 2005 Solara. Since apparently there isn't any difference between 05 and 06 Solaras, I am starting to wonder whether I was ripped off or not.

Here are the reasons why I think it is an 06:
The title says is an 2006.
The car was manufacture 04/05.
It has a 5 speed manumatic transmission.
It came with the VIN engraved in all windows.

Should this be enough proof I have an 06? Is there any distinctive features between the two models?

[Down2TheC]

Really the only diff I know of is the sales options and what's standard. What does the sticker say? They can't sell it without the window sticker. The Title and VIN is the absolute word though. Someone forgot to rotate the form letters or something. And the dealer forgot to start writing '06. I wouldn't worry. Any KY employees that can verify when they switched the line to '06? How 'bout Phreak... any contacts?

[sancoes]

I wasn't charged extra for the VIN on the windows (which I think wasn't standard in '04&'05) and the sticker on the driver side says it was assembled in 04/05 which is exactly when Toyota announced the pricing on the '06 models. The cars are exactly alike so it is not like it would have taken Toyota any time to begin production but it is so close I am having my doubts.

[Jackass-Jeff]

The Vin is 17 Digits...

Check the 8th digit from the end... marked A...

4 = 04
5 = 05
6 = 06

XXXXXXXXXAXXXXXXX

[sancoes]

The 8th digit from the end is a 6. That's settles it. I am so glad I didn't get ripped off.

Thanks guys.

[online]

Sancoes

I hope you didn't get ripped off too but when I purchased my 05 I had to waitt until the end of August when the 05s were first released. As far at the VIN being etched in the windows 05 came with that.

Good luck!

[slingshot]

Online,
For some reason, the 06 Solaras came out earlier than the 05's and 04's did. So I'm sure he got a real 06. Does anyone know why Toyota changed their dates? Doesn't it seem silly to have an 06 come out in spring 05?

[online]

Thanks Slingshot...

After I posted a checked the Toyota site and the 06 brochures were posted.

Agreed about the release date. In the past manufactures who released a new mod year in spring would call it XXXX and 1/2...dating myself back to the days of leaded gas! One that comes to mind is the 64 Mustang when it was released as a 64 and 1/2 with a fastback and re-styled tail lights.

[PhreakdOut]

FYI: I just had dinner a couple hours ago with a couple guys from TMS.

The 5spd auto trans for the 4cyl was not ready for the '04 or '05 model years. The main reason Toyota pulled ahead the '06 model was because the new tranny (really the torque converter,) became available before August. To avoid unpleasent situations with '05 owners who just recently made their purchase, the new model would be called an '06.

Again, this is the information I was given, so I'll take it with a grain of salt. I'm sure JA Jeff can look up part numbers to see what was or was not a carryover.