New 2006 Convertible Owner

[linmk2]

This is my first post to this board and I get to wish all of you, Happy Thanksgiving from the Lone Star State. I was born with gasoline in my veins and polishing rags in my pockets and utter disdain for normal transportion. If I were forced to drive a pick-up truck, a mini-van, or an SUV, I think I would have to hang up the car keys and walk! I have a somewhat extensive automotive background. For almost 25 years I worked in auto dealerships as their comptroller. I even worked for a Lincoln/Mercury, Mazda, Suburu, Jaguar, Toyota dealer at one time. During my period there, I almost always picked out a Toyota as my demo. I even had a few Supras. I never had them for long, they always got sold out from under me. I'm a member of two other car line forums. In addition to the brand new Toyota convertible, I also own a two seater Buick called a Reatta, and for over 20 years I've owned a rare 1956 Continental Mark II. Less than a week ago, I leased a new white SLE Solara convertible. The car is equiped with most features including the Nav system. The Toyota replaced my Acura CL Navi which the lease had expired. I liked my Acura very much, but the CL is no longer made, and the four door TL is very nice, but I'm not much of a fan of a four door car. I did have the dealer work a lease out on a TL anyway and was shocked at my payment. Over $188 more a month than I was paying for the CL! My quest for a slick looking, gadget ladened, reasonable priced two door began. Have you noticed, there is not a lot to choose from in the way of mid-size or larger two doors that don't cost $50,000+? Suddenly I remembered the Solara. That car fit the bill, just what I was looking for. I was not looking for a convertible, but had owned one in the past that I enjoyed. The color, equipment including the Nav, everything, even the price the dealer worked out said, "take me home", so I did. There are a few things I miss that my Acura was equipped with, the HID headlights, and the CD changer. My only complaint, rearward visibilty is awful. The car is equipped with rear parking assist, but it's too bad the Nav screen could not double as screen to see what's behind while backing. I do have a few questions. The only feature the car is not equipped with is the XM radio. The dealer wants $756 to install the XM system!!!! I'm somewhat handy, can a owner put a factory XM system in, or is the job too tough? What does just the unit cost? For whatever reason, the dealer would only quote with installation. I'm guessing it's about $350. I think there are some aftermarket HID's that are simple to install, I'm I correct? Lastly, anyone had any luck putting in a CD changer on Nav equipped cars? Thanks for your help, and again Happy Holidays to all

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

Welcome to SolaraGuy! The HID lights you can get from McCullough and pretty simple to install, but just don't let certain metal parts touch or your headlights would act as DRL's, CD changers could be pulled off, but I don't remember any Solaras being equipped with Parking Assist (although they should; even the first Solaras have bad rear visibility). Does your radio say JBL or Eclipse? JBL is the OEM one, and Eclipse is a borderline OEM since the 2 look virtually identical, but the Eclipse is able to have a backup camera (although you have to change the input mode).

As for XM, your stereo is pre-wired for it, therefore it is possible to install a receiver, although you'll probably need to do some cutting/drilling for the antenna. Anyway, congratulations on your new purchase alongside 2 good cars, the last sportier Buick ever produced and a rare Lincoln.

[SolaraBlue]

Welcome! post some pictures of your solara and let us check her out! as for your questions, the xm price they quoted you seems high which would make sense because its a dealership. im pretty sure if handy with stereos you could do it yourself and save a ton of money. check out crutchfield or bestbuy sites and check on a price for the xm system, shouldnt be more than a couple hundred. as for the the hid's and cd changer im not sure. someone with more know-how will know for sure.

[SleeperSolara]

Welcome man.
Wow you've been through the years; and so man cars.
Enjoy the site.

[Down2TheC]

Good ragtop weather in TX! Great call. You'll get used to the rear vis prob. I hardly notice anymore but you can get a rear cam for the nav sys.
Lots of good info for the XM on hear too. The phpBB search sux but the Gen 2 Audio forum is pretty thin so you'll find it.
Welcome.

[BradOwens]

welcome show us some pics of ur ride

[theprodigy79]

Welcome! We're glad to have you aboard

[linmk2]

Thanks for the warm welcome. In answer to the question about the radio, it built into the nav system and the logo on the front is JBL. For those who have asked for me to post pictures, I have not taken any yet. When I do, how do I post them to this site?

[Astro]

Welcome to SolaraGuy

I use CarDomain to upload pics and create a webpage (there are others you can use). When you've uploaded some pics there, right click on them and you'll get the url. Then, come here and post. You'll see the Img button above. Paste your link, then highlight the url and click on the Img button. You should see [url]and[/url] on the ends of the url. Hope this helps!

[1st Gen Sol]

Welcome to the forum.

[Down2TheC]

Michael T made a nice tutorial on posting pics and avatars. It's in the Photo section up top (sticky).

[PhreakdOut]

Welcome to SolaraGuy!! Like Astro suggested, start by getting a CarDomain site. You can have one account and an individual site for each ride. I'm sure you'd love to start one for the Lincoln. That's a very sweet ride you have there. My first car was a '73 MKIV so I've always loved the old Lincolns. The MKII is a rare find.

Regarding the radio: Check the Gen2 audio section. I seem to remember a Y cable to hook two audio sources to the Aux in port on the radio.

As for the dealer prices on the XM... insane! Installation is very easy. After I heard this price, I went and got a Blaupunkt Sirius receiver and antenna for $149. It took and two hours to install. Most of that time was because I have a hardtop and I wanted the antenna cable to be tucked in the windshield moldings. In your case, you will probably place it on the trunk lid. I wish I had purchased the Toyota XM kit though. Atleast you can control the Toyota kit through the steering wheel.

Michael's Arctic Frost had a XM kit for sale a few weeks back. (Around $200) Hopefully someday he will post up another one.

[linmk2]

For those who wanted pictures of my Toyota and Continental, here is the link:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2185215/1

The above link is for the Solara.

The link below is for the Mark II.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2185572

I've got to practice putting pictures on these pages.

[linmk2]

I've done some experiments, lets see if this works. I have a Mac, so the commands are somewhat different from a PC. You can't "Right Click" a Mac. The command is pressing and holding down the control key, then clicking the mouse. No properties show up, you have to select "open in new window" There, the address is shown, then copy it. To post to the site, press the IMG key first. Then move cusor behind the img note, paste, then press the IMG key again. This next question, how do I post a picture that is on my computer, not on a website?

[michaels artic frost]

...This next question, how do I post a picture that is on my computer, not on a website?

You can't post pics from your computer, you have to have a host. Very nice pic btw and congrats on your new purchase.

Good to see you're enjoying the forum. Everyone is quite helpful and there are plenty of information on here.

Enjoy and happy holidays,
Michael