Possible Purchase '04 SE V6 - Assistance Needed

by **sumzxr7** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:44 am

Hey..

I am currently torn between getting an '02 V6 Solara SLE for 16,500 (40km) or an '04 SE V6 Sport for $20,100.

Both are solid cars, but of course one looks a lot newer and not as dated. The '02 feels faster, but the '04 seems to be more "refined"...although I did notice the hesistation problem (an issue, that appears to be known - TSB)

Anyways, there is about a $6000 difference (after tax) and both cars are from reputable dealers in Toronto. Now, my biggest worry with the '04 is that its a first year production car, and I am aware of the TSBs out there for it...(left pull, hesistation, cowl leak - the 04 I am looking at, is part of the production cycle that was impacted by the TSB)...where as with the 02, its pretty much clean and solid....and the 02, of course can look just as nice, but of course with lowering it and a nice set of rims...where as the 04, is just nice as is..no mods needed..

Now, I just wanted to get your views on it..which car should I get, and should I be concerned with the whole first year cycle run issue?

Thanks in advance...

by **Somedude** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:25 am

6000 dollars isn't much of a price difference, I would get the 04 V6 Solara. It is faster than the 02.

by **KSolara** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:10 am

if ur looking to heavily mod ur car you should consider the older gen since it is easier to find parts for it.. but if you like the 04' dont worry about it.. i have not experienced any problems on my 04 and i havent heard of anyone complaining about it either

by **theprodigy79** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:26 am

I have a first production run '04 as well and haven't had any issues (so far with 38K miles).

For modding, as KSolara stated the Gen 1 has more available aftermarket parts for it (*cough* supercharger), but the Gen 2 does have a few key things that you can do to make it a bit more fun.

The Gen 2 is faster from the start then the Gen 1

Appearance is preference

$6k isn't much difference in the long run, especially Canadian dollars... What are the differences in mileage?

by **Sebas007** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 8:30 am

02' V6 can be supercharged...04' not
04' looks more clean and '02 sporty (a bit like Lexus SC400 when well tuned in my opinion, example Astro).

Depends really what you wanting to do with your car...how far you will go in the moding. If you don't go with supercharger in any case...I'll go with the '04 (I know me too a first year's car model can scare me...with will all the TSB out in worst case you'll be able to fix hte problems if they happen).

'04 needs a drop but yeah compare both stock...Gen 1 and 1.5 needs more a drop than the Gen 2. If you put 1000$ you can do a great job on suspension and make looks really nice !! Yeah it will not be Teins system...but the winter we have here...cannot do a 2"-2.5" drop. TRD springs do a 1.2"F 1.4"R drop and it feels really confortable !

by **sumzxr7** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:38 am

theprodigy79 wrote:I have a first production run '04 as well and haven't had any issues (so far with 38K miles).

For modding, as KSolara stated the Gen 1 has more available aftermarket parts for it (*cough* supercharger), but the Gen 2 does have a few key things that you can do to make it a bit more fun.

The Gen 2 is faster from the start then the Gen 1

Appearance is preference

$6k isn't much difference in the long run, especially Canadian dollars... What are the differences in mileage?

The '04 has 50K Kilometers...30,000 miles

by **theprodigy79** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:01 am

And how many on the '02?

by **tribander** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:11 am

I purchased my 04 SLE V6 (has everything except NAV) on Feb. 4th, 2006 and I love it! It had 5,750 miles on it and I paid 21K. The dealer was about 125 miles away, I looked for one locally for over a year but this was exactly what I wanted.

No problems other than thumping noise from right-rear that has been fixed after three tries by the local TOYOTA dealer (see TSB.) Mine is also early production run and needed the "Bad Radio Reception" TSB. I did it myself and it made a big improvement.

It is an awesome car!

by **michaels artic frost** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:50 am

tribander,

Get the one that will make you happy. Which ever you choose, I hope you get a good deal and good luck.

-M

by **PXLpainter** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:13 pm

The only advantage I would personally see in getting the Gen 1 (02) over the Gen 2 (04) is the fact you can SuperCharge the Gen 1 V6 - as Sebass007 stated.

Otherwise, I'd be all over the 04 SE for the better suspension alone... and the fact that you can stuff bigger wheels in the weels.

Good luck!

by **MCOjerry** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:41 pm

PXLpainter wrote:The only advantage I would personally see in getting the Gen 1 (02) over the Gen 2 (04) is the fact you can SuperCharge the Gen 1 V6 - as Sebass007 stated.

Otherwise, I'd be all over the 04 SE for the better suspension alone... and the fact that you can stuff bigger wheels in the weels.

Good luck!

Hey, show me how you stuff wheels in wheels. That must be one FUNKY ride! LOL

by **PXLpainter** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:21 pm

Sheeeeit. Typo - I meant "wells" (as in "wheel wells") - not "weels".

Or possibly in the not-too-distant future, TWEELS!

http://www.automedia.com/Future/Tire/is ... 050201mt/1

by **MCOjerry** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:43 pm

^^I was just jokin' with ya, I know what you meant ;-)

Possible Purchase '04 SE V6 - Assistance Needed

Possible Purchase '04 SE V6 - Assistance Needed

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