Better late than never, regarding this intro....
by thestevo44 » Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:37 pm
I've been on the site for a month or so, but hey, I'll introduce myself now anyway. I found the site while searching the internet for a clue as to what was ailing my 'lara's Audio System, and have been enjoying the site ever since.
I'm Steve, or "thestevo44" and I live in Glendale, Az. Have lived in Arizona most of my life, except for my first 12 years in Bergen County NJ, and 6 years in NC during the 90s.
My Solara history starts like this. I was driving a 1998 Firebird, which I bought new, and had for 2 years. The car had problems from the start. Being under warranty, it only mildly irritated me, because I loved the car. As time wore on, and my love for the car turned sour, I noticed the new 2 door version of the Camry called the Solara. I knew a LOT of people that had OLD Camrys. And the thing was, they still looked good, and they were reliable. Add STYLE to that = Solara. I shopped for a while, then put it off for monetary reasons. (But I had in mind what I wanted, down to every option and color).
Then, one Saturday, I came up to a light and I heard a huge noise that sounded like a truck screaching to a halt next to me. Scared the crap out of me to be honest. Next red light, happened again, and I suddenly realized it was no truck. It was my P-O-S car. I was so enfuriated that I yelled at the car, then madly explained to it that I was cancelling my plans and going right to a Toyota Dealership. So, I did. I went, and found exactly what I wanted, which at the time was a 2000 Blue 4 cyl / 5 speed Solara with full power, CD/Cassette, sunroof, and tan interior. They had exactly that on the lot, so I was set. I put 80,000 miles on that car with NO ISSUES. The ONLY time I had ANYTHING fixed on it was the cover to the vanity mirror on the passenger sunshade. After 3 years and a LOT of driving, I needed something bigger to haul kids around, so I traded it in.
Fast forward to November 2006. Married, 4 kids, a mini-van and a corolla. We rotate cars, week to week. I started hinting at getting something a little more...... well more than the Corolla. Great car... It's a Toyota after all.... but wanted more. So, finally, one night my wife comes home and says "I'm tired of roll up windows, I want something with power everything." So, of course I saw this as THE GREEN LIGHT.
So, I searched the internet for Solara Convertibles, specifically red, as that was my wife's only requirement. Well, that and power everything, but I was settling for nothing less than an SLE this time, so I was not worried about power. Found our car at a Nissan dealer. 3 years old, 46,000 miles on it, one owner, only minor wear. All the options except NAV. Don't really care about that. We loved it, bought it, and it has been great. Plus, paying 19K didn't hurt.
I plan (and hope) to keep this car for the LONG haul. Someday, when the payments are done, and the kids are no longer small, I will start making some performance mods, such as vented discs, painted calipers, repaint (same color), plus some air intake mods. You guys have done some awesome things with yours, such as performance springs, sway bar, etc. Plus I really like the idea of the windscreen to cut down the wind in the back seat. But for now, we have only done some minor things, such as add body side moldings and a lower billet grille.
So, there it is. My long-assed Solara story.
Below is the 2004 Solara SLE Convertible
I'm Steve, or "thestevo44" and I live in Glendale, Az. Have lived in Arizona most of my life, except for my first 12 years in Bergen County NJ, and 6 years in NC during the 90s.
My Solara history starts like this. I was driving a 1998 Firebird, which I bought new, and had for 2 years. The car had problems from the start. Being under warranty, it only mildly irritated me, because I loved the car. As time wore on, and my love for the car turned sour, I noticed the new 2 door version of the Camry called the Solara. I knew a LOT of people that had OLD Camrys. And the thing was, they still looked good, and they were reliable. Add STYLE to that = Solara. I shopped for a while, then put it off for monetary reasons. (But I had in mind what I wanted, down to every option and color).
Then, one Saturday, I came up to a light and I heard a huge noise that sounded like a truck screaching to a halt next to me. Scared the crap out of me to be honest. Next red light, happened again, and I suddenly realized it was no truck. It was my P-O-S car. I was so enfuriated that I yelled at the car, then madly explained to it that I was cancelling my plans and going right to a Toyota Dealership. So, I did. I went, and found exactly what I wanted, which at the time was a 2000 Blue 4 cyl / 5 speed Solara with full power, CD/Cassette, sunroof, and tan interior. They had exactly that on the lot, so I was set. I put 80,000 miles on that car with NO ISSUES. The ONLY time I had ANYTHING fixed on it was the cover to the vanity mirror on the passenger sunshade. After 3 years and a LOT of driving, I needed something bigger to haul kids around, so I traded it in.
Fast forward to November 2006. Married, 4 kids, a mini-van and a corolla. We rotate cars, week to week. I started hinting at getting something a little more...... well more than the Corolla. Great car... It's a Toyota after all.... but wanted more. So, finally, one night my wife comes home and says "I'm tired of roll up windows, I want something with power everything." So, of course I saw this as THE GREEN LIGHT.
So, I searched the internet for Solara Convertibles, specifically red, as that was my wife's only requirement. Well, that and power everything, but I was settling for nothing less than an SLE this time, so I was not worried about power. Found our car at a Nissan dealer. 3 years old, 46,000 miles on it, one owner, only minor wear. All the options except NAV. Don't really care about that. We loved it, bought it, and it has been great. Plus, paying 19K didn't hurt.
I plan (and hope) to keep this car for the LONG haul. Someday, when the payments are done, and the kids are no longer small, I will start making some performance mods, such as vented discs, painted calipers, repaint (same color), plus some air intake mods. You guys have done some awesome things with yours, such as performance springs, sway bar, etc. Plus I really like the idea of the windscreen to cut down the wind in the back seat. But for now, we have only done some minor things, such as add body side moldings and a lower billet grille.
So, there it is. My long-assed Solara story.
Below is the 2004 Solara SLE Convertible
el Stevo de la desierto
2004 Red Solara Convertible
2004 Red Solara Convertible
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thestevo44 - Regular SolaraGuy Member
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:42 pm
- Location: Phoenix, Az
