You gen2 guys read Oct 05's Motor Trend?

[SPF 0]

If anything, the Solara's styling in polite terms is fairly conservative. Vehicles that give strong reactions such as "ugly" or "gorgeous," IMHO, have much less bland styling.

[zoomzoomthis05]

If you arent completely nuts about the car then why did you buy it?

I wanted to be able to take long road trips; the limited trunk space on many of those car precluded me from packing much more than an overnight bag. I live in a snowy area and wanted a front or four-wheel driver; this again limited the choices. And so forth and so on.

I'd ideally like to have an Audi TT Roadster Quattro only with a big ol' trunk. Since they don't make one, well, a Solara it was. Having a thrilling car is terrific, but I've got to live with the thing in the meantime.

ok...

well from what you have listed it seems to me that you really didnt do that much research.. there are several other cars "out there" that have the things you would like for about the same price as your solara...

I am now truly puzzled why you joined a forum full of people who actually love their cars when you obviously are only 'settling' "with the thing in the meantime"

sounds a bit snobbish to me...

Granted I would love a Infiniti G35 coupe.. and when I get one I will still keep my solara... I love my car that much..

I am sorry you feel you had to settle for a lowly Toyota Solara...

[Lone Solara]

well from what you have listed it seems to me that you really didnt do that much research.. there are several other cars "out there" that have the things you would like for about the same price as your solara...

uuh, and what exactly would those choices be ? The only other cars in this price range that would satisfy that criteria are the Chrysler Sebring and the Mitsu Eclipse (discountinued, not that it made any difference) - not exactly 'choices". For anything else remotely close to the Solara's value, you'd need to dish out at least $40K

[2AZ-FE]

uuh, and what exactly would those choices be ? The only other cars in this price range that would satisfy that criteria are the Chrysler Sebring and the Mitsu Eclipse (discountinued, not that it made any difference) - not exactly 'choices". For anything else remotely close to the Solara's value, you'd need to dish out at least $40K

Off-topic, but I gotta agree with this point, snobbish or not. . .

If you're talking convertibles, there really aren't that many front-drive 4-seaters out there if you think about it, besides the said Eclipse & Sebring. Models like the Saab's 9-3 come to mind (another price league, like you say).

IMO, there really isn't too much to compare the Solara to in the current market (A moderately-priced "stylish" Coupe/Convertible with actual ROOM for back seat passengers AND their luggage). And certainly not in the price class where my SE belongs in. I'd sincerely like to call GM's Monte Carlo and Grand Prix stylish, but I'm already over my exaggeration quota for the week.

[SPF 0]

well from what you have listed it seems to me that you really didnt do that much research.. there are several other cars "out there" that have the things you would like for about the same price as your solara...

I did go over everything from Consumer Reports to Car Talk. The Solara came up time and time again as being the "only practical convertible on the market."

Snobbish? I choose a Solara because it had the best combination of what I wanted along with what I needed.

Would I have liked something quicker? You bet. And guess what, sweetheart? Judging by all the treads about hopping up the engine, it doesn't seem like this is something unique to me. Same with the handling. Thus I will have to gently ask you to please spare me the "snob"-related comments.

Thank you.

[Lone Solara]

I'd sincerely like to call GM's Monte Carlo and Grand Prix stylish, but I'm already over my exaggeration quota for the week.

Funny ! I haven't heard that one before, but I like it.

[zoomzoomthis05]

first thing.. I am not YOUR SWEETHEART...

As for research.... Not only did I read up on the cars i was interested in I checked out forums and saw what other owners were saying and I test drove every car I was even remotely interested in...

and I am glad you actually read what I wrote... I said that there were several cars MINUS the convertable option....

the other point I made that you seemed to miss was I said it seemed snobbish because your are making it out like you had to "settle for the Solara"....

you seem to post a lot of threads that are anti.....
doesnt seem like you really like you car.... and I find it funny that you spend so much time in a forum that is filled with people that ACTUALLY LIKE THE CHOICE THEY MADE.....

as for the comment that was made about other cars....

I drove several including: acura's TSX, TL, RSX-type S; Nissan's 350z, Altima, Maxima; Audi's A4, TT Quattra; Mazda's 6, 3, RX-8; Honda's S2000, Accord coupe: Mitsubishi's eclpise(which I had previously owned); Volvo S40(a friend of mine just bought an 06); Lexus SC 430 (for $hits was fun).. to list a few....

And Yes they are varing in price range but not drastically.. and what i spent and what I can afford were two different things...and that is Nunya

all I was doing was asking you Y if you are not happy.. Y didnt you wait to get what you "really" wanted.. were you without? b/c it seems you are making it very publically known that you "settled" and will have to 'deal with it'

[SPF 0]

Sorry sweet cheeks, my mistake.

Every car I looked at involved a compromise. For the Solara, the trade offs were looks and performance. Had I bought the Audi TT, the trade-off would have been carrying capability, ride quality, and road noise.

In some form or another, I'd have "settled" or given up something no matter which car I bought. Sorry if it seems snobbish, but I do not consider the Solara to be an exciting car. Extraordinarily competent and reliable? You betcha! Likely to elevate my blood pressure into the unhealthy zone? Just don't see it.

[Lone Solara]

and I am glad you actually read what I wrote... I said that there were several cars MINUS the convertable option....

Nope, you didn't. Here's a lesson for you: when talking to a convertible owner, the most important criteria for buying a car is not how much room it has, or how much horsepower it has, or how well it drives, etc. The most important criteria is that the car is a CONVERTIBLE. Everything else is secondary.

as for the comment that was made about other cars....

I drove several including: acura's TSX, TL, RSX-type S; Nissan's 350z, Altima, Maxima; Audi's A4, TT Quattra; Mazda's 6, 3, RX-8; Honda's S2000, Accord coupe: Mitsubishi's eclpise(which I had previously owned); Volvo S40(a friend of mine just bought an 06); Lexus SC 430 (for $hits was fun).. to list a few....

And Yes they are varing in price range but not drastically.. and what i spent and what I can afford were two different things...and that is Nunya

Not drastically varying in price ? Let's see: Mazda 3 base price - $13,680; Lexus SC430 base price - $63,575

[SPF 0]

The most important criteria is that the car is a CONVERTIBLE. Everything else is secondary.

Amen. While the other characteristics in a car were important, a soft top was <i>criticality one</i>.

[Somedude]

what is the big deal about convertibles? If I had to choose a convertible, I would choose one with a retractable hardtop, like Mercedes"s SLK for example.

[SPF 0]

The big deal about convertibles is that it allows you to be a part of what you're passing through, not just an observer. You can smell the trees as you climb higher in the hills, you can feel the temperature change as you drive into a wooded area, you get warmer as the sun comes out from behind the clouds. There's something difficult to quantify about putting down the top and following an old state route that becomes main street for dozens of small towns.

In terms of hardtops, the ones I've seen consume large amounts of trunk space when the top is stored. Also, they tend to be markedly more expensive than their soft-topped brethren. Frankly, I'd rather retire earlier.

[KeithH]

There is something magical about driving with the top down. My Supra has the Sport Roof option - think T-Top but without the center bar - and my wife's Neon made me feel too closed in. I knew that any car I owned had to have a removeable roof of some sort.

So my Solara is a drop top, rag top, cabriolet, spyder, convertible, etc.

There used to be a commercial on the radio here many years ago that said something about "I want people in planes to see how much fun I'm having driving this car."

WOOHOO!

Mid-Life Crisis? hmmmmmm....

Keith H
1989 Supra Turbo
2006 Solara SLE Convertible

[FLUXEMAG]

Yeah I just about sh%t when I saw it say those cars don't very drastically in price. Compared to what? A hyundai and a bentley?

The 350Z isn't even close to the same price, let alone a car that may draw luxury tax and has a 4.3L V8. Also I sincerely doubt anyone test drives more than four or five cars before they buy one. Most people buy the first car they drive becaus the salesman won't let you leave (unless you're me and you just walk out mid sentance).

[angelo]

Yeah I just about sh%t when I saw it say those cars don't very drastically in price. Compared to what? A hyundai and a bentley?

The 350Z isn't even close to the same price, let alone a car that may draw luxury tax and has a 4.3L V8. Also I sincerely doubt anyone test drives more than four or five cars before they buy one. Most people buy the first car they drive becaus the salesman won't let you leave (unless you're me and you just walk out mid sentance).

I drive much more than 4-5 cars before buying one
Of course I got salesmen calling me forever after that but I think it's worth it to be confident in your choice.