Is it wise to buy a Solara now?

[Tyrus13]

Hello all,

I'm looking at buying either a new or used 07 or 08 models. But since Toyota is stopping Solara production this year, I was just wondering if it's a wise move to buy a car that is no longer in production?

Thank you!

[Jakecallun20]

Sure, why not? Like the car? Buy it.

[campfire9]

Yes,buy the car. The engine and mechanical parts will be available far longer than you will own the car. Besides its a Toyota so what could go wrong.

Buy the car and enjoy the ride.

[Tyrus13]

I do love the car.

But once Toyota discontinue Solara, would it make it harder to find a dealer to maintain/service, or more difficult to find genuine spare parts when needed?

I clearly don't know much about cars. Please bear with me.

Thanks!

[Tyrus13]

Oops I just saw campfire9's response. That make sense. Thanks.

[Jakecallun20]

Nah not really, Just because the car is being killed, doesn't mean the engine will. The 3MZ (V6) and the 2AZ (I4) are both popular engines and are both used in other cars besides the Solara. So if your engine needs maintenance it will still be the same procedures and the parts would still be available from the parts dept.

Let me give you an example, My car has a 1MZ-FE engine which is the little brother to the 3MZ-FE. My car's engine has been discontinued for a while now I think, and I still find parts for it. Timing belts, Plugs, wire sets, and I think there is a company out there that makes more specific parts like pistons and rods.

[woa_its_j3ff]

Nah not really, Just because the car is being killed, doesn't mean the engine will. The 3MZ (V6) and the 2AZ (I4) are both popular engines and are both used in other cars besides the Solara. So if your engine needs maintenance it will still be the same procedures and the parts would still be available from the parts dept.

Let me give you an example, My car has a 1MZ-FE engine which is the little brother to the 3MZ-FE. My car's engine has been discontinued for a while now I think, and I still find parts for it. Timing belts, Plugs, wire sets, and I think there is a company out there that makes more specific parts like pistons and rods.

exactly what Jake said.

[crispone]

ALL vehicles go out of production, in a sense, in that TOOLING has a limited life. SOME tooling may be REPLICATED... and the new dies used to continue LONG runs of production of a common part, however, it doesn't matter, because service parts are generally mandatory 7, 10, 15 year supply obligation or self imposed policy within the automotive industry, especially with the imports. (Because they keep running longer, availability of service parts must be longer to provide replacement when something finally DOES go wrong.) Additionally, companies like Toyota are notorious for utilizing commonization methodologies in their application of sub-system components, electronic, mechanical, trim, etc... to the point that they are utilized across multiple platforms, even if ONE of the models goes out of production. EXCLUSIVE parts are generally made available for lengthy terms anyway as well, and there are always yards when you get 10, 15, 20 years out. I continue to maintain my '89 supra and '94 truck, and the parts will continue to be available for years to come. These are BOTH around the 15 year point since the model went out of production.

If you like the car, DON'T PASS on the grounds of "end-of-model-life". That factor is meaningless, in fact, sometimes, elevates a car's value. (Don't count on it, though...)

BUY IT! On the whole, these are very good cars.


-crisp

[Solarizona]

If you like the car, why not? I'd rather buy the last year of the model than the first run year.

[Tyrus13]

Thanks for the response guys! I'll come back later and post once I get the car!! I'm very excited!!

[Jon11582]

So here I am with a different opinion, at least about the 3MZ (3.3L V6).

I think the 3MZ should be avoided right now. Its clearly running on older technology at the moment. My reasoning?

1) The 3MZ is weaker AND gets worse mileage than the new 3.5L V6 (2GR) in the Camry.

2) The Solara is the last production car with a non-hybrid version of the 3MZ-FE. After the Solara is gone, the only cars left with the 3MZ it will be the Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX400h, and as Toyota ramps up thier hybrid tech, you can be sure they'll move to more efficient engines. I know GM has a guideline of providing parts for 10 years after something goes out of production, but I don't know if Toyota has a similar guideline.

3) The 3MZ is one of the only belt driven interference engines, which is a compromised design in my eyes. This means if your timing belt breaks, your engine is trashed. The 1MZ (3.0L V6) is non-interference design and the 2GR is chain-driven, which doesn't break, so neither its predecessor nor its successor have this problem. The 2AZ (2.4L I4) is also chain driven.

I feel that the 3MZ was just a interim design to help the Camry and Solara compete with higher horsepower cars like the Accord and Altima before the 2GR was ready for prime time. (3MZ debuted in MY2003 RX330. 2GR debuted in MY2005 Avalon)

Now the 2AZ I have no problem with. They are still using that in half their lineup, and are putting it in more and more cars (For instance, debut this year on the Corolla and Matrix XRS, and Scion xB.)

[Down2TheC]

All valid point if he's looking to go green. In which case... get a Prius. There's different stuff out there but if you like the Solara as is, get it. There's no downside. It just means you won't be running around in a clone Camry/Corolla/Avalon.

I like having only 4 years of my car out there (plus the G6's). She's still got a unique style.

[M_ABILLONES]

Dude I have an 89 Supra Turbo, 98 Supra Turbo, 96 300ZX Turbo & soon-to-be owner of a 78 Datsun 280Z...all these cars are extinct now...you should have no problem with the 06 Solaras...those are practically brand new!