New 2004 owner
by SolaraDon » Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:04 pm
Checking in for the first time. Bought an '04 V6 SE Sport Lunar Mist about a month ago from an independent dealer. He picked it up from a Toyota dealer just down the street from him. It had come off lease. Solaras are not the fastest movers on Toyota lots so I think that's why he ended up with it. It had just over 14K and 8 weeks left on the original warrantee. Good thing too. It was a very early model (within first 2500). I was worried about buying a used car and what the previous owner had done to it but I didn't expect the problems to be Toyota-build issues. Took it to my local dealer who knows me well because I also have a '91 MR2 turbo.
Pull to the left didn't seem to be a problem when I bought it. In fact, CarFax showed it had been in early in its life for alignment work so I thought they took care of it. But the OEM tires were almost worn out so I put on new tires and wheels and had an alignment done. Then it was pulling to the left. Took care of that with TSB ST002-04.
Took care of the moonroof groaning problem - TSB NV004-5. I had heard the noise but thought it would be only an adjustment. Driver's side window track had to be replaced - no TSB but under warrantee. Again, I heard the noise but thought it too would only be an adjustment. Noticed a steering knock after I bought it and have no idea why I didn't notice it when I test drove it - overcome with excitement I guess. Took care of that with TSB ST001-06, although my problem was lower shaft, not intermediate shaft as in the TSB.
Took care of the radio antenna problem - TSB AU002-04. But reception is worst I've owned, probably due to it being a glass-mount antenna.
With pictures from this site I convinced them to replace the worn driver's side door panel. Having given the computer time to adjust to my driving style I'll now have the ECM recalibrated the next time I'm in for an oil change. The downshift lag at a rolling stop (~10 MPH) is getting to me. For once I've been happy to have rain so I could test it but I don't seem to have the water leak problem. I hear some noises from the trunk but I think it has more to do with the acoustics of the trunk and rear body than suspension. If I thought it was the suspension I'd be all over Toyota again. Found the TSBs through this site so thanks to everyone here.
With the kinks worked out I now look forward to many years and miles of happy Toyota motoring. But I'll never buy a 1st model year car again, no matter who makes it. Have no real plans to do much to the car other than stereo sometime soon. Did have Roadblock installed to protect the paint. First time for me but every other car I've owned has had severe road rash by the time I was done with it so I'm giving it a try. With the Solara I'll attend some local Toyota meets when the MR2 is tucked away for the winter.
Don - Rhode Island
Pull to the left didn't seem to be a problem when I bought it. In fact, CarFax showed it had been in early in its life for alignment work so I thought they took care of it. But the OEM tires were almost worn out so I put on new tires and wheels and had an alignment done. Then it was pulling to the left. Took care of that with TSB ST002-04.
Took care of the moonroof groaning problem - TSB NV004-5. I had heard the noise but thought it would be only an adjustment. Driver's side window track had to be replaced - no TSB but under warrantee. Again, I heard the noise but thought it too would only be an adjustment. Noticed a steering knock after I bought it and have no idea why I didn't notice it when I test drove it - overcome with excitement I guess. Took care of that with TSB ST001-06, although my problem was lower shaft, not intermediate shaft as in the TSB.
Took care of the radio antenna problem - TSB AU002-04. But reception is worst I've owned, probably due to it being a glass-mount antenna.
With pictures from this site I convinced them to replace the worn driver's side door panel. Having given the computer time to adjust to my driving style I'll now have the ECM recalibrated the next time I'm in for an oil change. The downshift lag at a rolling stop (~10 MPH) is getting to me. For once I've been happy to have rain so I could test it but I don't seem to have the water leak problem. I hear some noises from the trunk but I think it has more to do with the acoustics of the trunk and rear body than suspension. If I thought it was the suspension I'd be all over Toyota again. Found the TSBs through this site so thanks to everyone here.
With the kinks worked out I now look forward to many years and miles of happy Toyota motoring. But I'll never buy a 1st model year car again, no matter who makes it. Have no real plans to do much to the car other than stereo sometime soon. Did have Roadblock installed to protect the paint. First time for me but every other car I've owned has had severe road rash by the time I was done with it so I'm giving it a try. With the Solara I'll attend some local Toyota meets when the MR2 is tucked away for the winter.
Don - Rhode Island
- SolaraDon
- Just Licensed SolaraGuy
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- Joined: Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:03 am
