Body Style Design - Gen 2 Solara

[PXLpainter]

No - there's nothing WRONG with the Gen 2 Solara's overall design (I mean body style here) but there are times when I like how my car looks from certain angles, but I'm mostly disappointed and think it has a fat, squatty look to it. And now I realize WHY!!

I was driving through Avila Bay yesterday and parked next to a BWM 6-series convertible. As I sat in the cafe looking out the window at both our cars, I could really compare the similarities and the vast differences side-by-side. I only had my camera phone so this pic isn't great, but take a look at it and see my comments below...



It's mostly the wheel wells and lack of any flaring of the fenders that concerns me. The Bimmer had 20" rims and 50 series tires and this isn't a modified Bimmer either - stock. Look how the stance is - the rear-end and dual exhaust seems to really "fit" up into the bumper instead of an after-though like the Solara. The wheels look anemic on my ride - and even if I had 20's stuffed up in there, it wouldn't look nearly as aggressive as the Bimmer does stock.

So - either I have to spend a buttload of $$ to get my fenders reworked and stuff some 20's up in there, or just say fuggit and save my $$ for a Bimmer to get the ride style I'm really looking to achieve.

[ThatVietGuy]

Toyota = Get from A to B

BMW = Get from A to B with style

Also, I think an FR car will almost always have the more aggressive stance compared to an FWD, thanks to the staggered tires most FR cars have.

That and FR is the "superior" platform.

[PXLpainter]

Yeah - but sheeze - MSRP is over $100K now for the M6 Convert!

I could spend about $5K on custom body/paint and stuff some fat rims up in there and be fine for now... unless I get a killer job that gives me an M6 for a company car before then!

[ThatVietGuy]

My friend's dad's M6 coupe was $120K

IMHO, investing $5K into a Solara won't get the same reaction as an M6. Sure you'll get A reaction (e.g. "WTF was that?") but that's compared to the reactions from an M6 (e.g. "Holy crap ")

[AznDragonV]

yea..even the gen 1 ...i think the fenders r too plain...i was parked next to my cousin's Honda eg si..and those fenders FLARE...and i realized the sides r too flat

[PXLpainter]

My friend's dad's M6 coupe was $120K

IMHO, investing $5K into a Solara won't get the same reaction as an M6. Sure you'll get A reaction (e.g. "WTF was that?") but that's compared to the reactions from an M6 (e.g. "Holy crap ")

Yeah - but there's two of them in my neighborhood - lots of other 6-series converts all over this area, so nothing "special" about them. I'd rather have something a little unique - especially for 1/3 the cost!

Still takes time and money to do it though - not gonna happen over a weekend!

[---CAMRAZY---]

You cannot compare apples to oranges..... ayyy!!

[QuickSEV6]

I just saw one of these on the road last night. In the dark, I thought it was another gen 1 Solara. The taillights are identicle. When I got real close I finally saw the BMW insignia.
BMW is borrowing Toyotas designs.

[PXLpainter]

You cannot compare apples to oranges..... ayyy!!

I think its more like Fish-n-Chips to Lobster Thermadore in this case! They're both still seafood, only one is much more expensive, prepared more carefully and has a fancy name with a price tag to match!

[Mr. Slippery]

You cannot compare apples to oranges..... ayyy!!

cosigned.

Whole 'nother level.

I'd still take a CLS over the 6. you know, hypothetically......

[gone]

i think if u wanted to compare the solara to the bmw, u should take a pic of a 07 model since the rear bumpers are almost the same with the lights.That bmw is my favorite

[woa_its_j3ff]

My friend's dad's M6 coupe was $120K

IMHO, investing $5K into a Solara won't get the same reaction as an M6. Sure you'll get A reaction (e.g. "WTF was that?") but that's compared to the reactions from an M6 (e.g. "Holy crap ")

+1.
my I can never make my car like my dad's car..

[HarryAdventurer]

I went through something similar when narrowing down my choice of a car. All the really, really hot looking cars either have suspect reliability, a high price tag, a harsh ride, or some combination of those qualities. I chose the Solara not only for reliability and economy, but for comfort as well.

Any time you have to make a major purchase like this compromise must be made.

I miss my '86 Celica!

Harry

[Down2TheC]

Missed this revelation. But I think you nailed it. That's the worst angle for the Gen2 and your'e right, it's because of the huge "shoulder" over the rear wheel. Too much space ther makes her look dumpy from that angle. Then you go around front and she's sexy/curvy again.

Mind you, the coupe doesn't have it so drastic since that area climbs into the roof. On the ragtop that demarcation from top to body makes it a vast space flowing nowhere. That makes the rear wheel look tiny.

[RDKamikaze]

I kind of like the plain look of the fenders. Yeah, they don't pop out or look all snazzy, but hey, think of it this way. When someone opens a door on your car, that's another inch that they'll have to open it to hit your fender! Believe me, I've had my car dinged by plenty of doors, and also a lot of close times when doors almost hit my car.

Every one of those instances, I yell and get pissed at the person and tell them to pay for that to be fixed. My reactions were as follows: "Go F@#$ yourself" or "Screw you, I don't care" or "It's not my problem, it's yours" or "Sorry, I'll be more careful on the next guy" or "Woops. *drives off* "