Who Here Feels That Their 4 Cylinder Solara Has No Power?

[geminiz]

I don't think the SE model is the best bang for the buck. I hate the way Toyota built the Solaras to have additional options already installed for each model. You can not remove these options because that is the way how it was built, so you can't really just buy the stock base model of whatever model you choose from. If I had know this from the beginning, my purchase would have been the SE Sport V6 because this is the best bang for the buck. This is what i mean:

These prices are invoice prices with the options including destination charge from Edmunds:
SE automatic = comes with sunroof, plus the spoiler and floor mats = $19,927
SE V6 = comes with SZ Convenienc Package, sunroof, spoiler, and mats = $22,396
Sport automatic = JBL system, sunroof, and mats = $21,615
Sport V6 = JBL system, sunroof, and mats = $22,965

The Sport compare to the SE is $1,688 more
SE V6 compare to the Sport is $781 more
Sport V6 compare to Sport is $1,350 more
Sport V6 compare to SE V6 is $569 more

As you can see the best bang for the buck would be the Sport V6.
The Sport V6 is $3,038 more than the SE. In my mind, t is worth 3k more for a faster engine and the body kit itself, plus the extra features that the Sport has to offer.

If I had known that this is how Toyota had built the base models with the additional options, I would be riding in a Sport V6 right now.

For the people who are thinking of purchasing a Solara, please consider the price differences between each of the models with the additional options which you can't remove before making the purchase.

[Turbosolara]

yeah if you can afford v6, v6 is better bang in the bucks. But my point is that for 19k, there is nothing out there has same quality of comfortable and stylish. Accord? nah it still drive like a honda and stolen rate is very good. Altima? the cheap material remind me ford. Mazda6? sporty but feel like a teenager car.

[chuchurocket]

compare with the 04 accord, tsx and mazda 6 (all auto) that i test droved when i was shopping around for my solara, i can guarantee you this, that solara is definitely on par with them all, not faster, not slower, well, not in a noticeable wayat least. the 4cyl altima and impreza felt a bit stronger at low RPM and start-up but the differences fades as soon as you reach around 50 mpg.

another thing is the solara definitely felt stronger after 15k mile of breakin , and to me this car is the kinda car that grows on you, the more you drive it the more you will love it, you picked a great car and i'd suggest you stick with it.

[TheTamago]

Hummm the I feel my car pull with the 5SFE in the 3+K RPM range. Knowing that you're in the best power range will produce the power needed. Of course, you're ain't gonna go faster like wut others say but at least you know u can punch the auto tranny into Highgear a bit to get the car moving faster. I ain't scared when I hit the freeway out here in AZ.

Arizona has the most mixed bag of drivers you'll ever see from all across the US. But i can't put my word in to Cali since only a Cali driver would know more. Anyways, I push 65-75 out here with my 4banger and I ain't scared. I always take the HOV(open to use if u know the rules on day/time) or far left lane 90% of the time during off-traffic times.
Plus on avg, I'm already crusing 40-50mphs depending on the speed zone on the street to the on-ramp, even on take off.

I'm quite pleased but my left leg and right arm are acting funny that they wanna push the clutch pedal and shift the gear shiftknob when i go. Odd trait developement. Anyways, Gen2's are heavy. 100-300lbs more then the Gen1s.

stock 2az's would kick a 5sfe stock though in certain areas.

[dvdchris45]

Theres also an "Appearance package" for the SE V6. Which is basically the addition of the se sport 17'' rims added onto the convenience package.

[gnegroni]

i understand what you are saying bro, throw some $ into it. the 2az is a great motor. and if you really want some speed, and if you want to suprise a few v6 owners - go turbo..... its worth every penny!

No warranty on it though, right?

[gnegroni]

yeah if you can afford v6, v6 is better bang in the bucks. But my point is that for 19k, there is nothing out there has same quality of comfortable and stylish. Accord? nah it still drive like a honda and stolen rate is very good. Altima? the cheap material remind me ford. Mazda6? sporty but feel like a teenager car.

I concur...

[Sebas007]

first...why did you not choose a manual tranny...and secondo, maybe the Scion Tc supercharger 2.4L would fit and you would be push to 200 HP and great low RPM band power.

[xavier]

first...why did you not choose a manual tranny...and secondo, maybe the Scion Tc supercharger 2.4L would fit and you would be push to 200 HP and great low RPM band power.

The difference in the ECU's might prevent you from using the supercharger. The tC ECU has to be flashed or you have big problems. My 2az feels great. It winds up nicely. I am avidly awaiting the day my bank account has an extra 3 grand for a custom turbo kit though.