Best place to buy floor mats?

[cspaula]

Hi,

I just bought and received today my 2006 solara (black with black leather) and it has no floor car mats. I am looking for suggestions on the best place to buy mats. I saw a place on ebay that had them for $85. Does this seem reasonable or is it better to go through the often-expensive dealership? Any recommendations would be helpful. Since the car is black I am guessing I'd need charcoal colored mats. Thanks.

CSP

[jimmm]

Hello, CSP, and welcome to the wonderful world of Solaras & Solarguys. My first question is: "How did anyone sell you a 2006 car with no floormats? Secondly, what does it mean that you "received" this car? Did the sender forget to put mats in the car? Were the mats there when you bought it? None of that is any of my business, yet I could not help wondering. Oh yeah, my third question is: What color is the carpet? You said you have a black car with black leather, but you are "guessing" that you will need charcoal mats. Is charcoal black or is it gray? If you are looking for mats to fit your ride exactly, the dealership is a sure bet, but it will probably be the most expensive route. The carpeted mats that came with my used 2004 SLE V6 had the name "Solara" sewn into the front two mats, and all four are carpeted mats that match the carpet. I've never liked carpeted mats because they need protecting as much as the carpet does, so the first thing I did after I bought my car was to get some clear rubber mats at the auto parts store (they & Wal-Mart all have the same thing) to cover my carpeted floor mats. Since I have the tan interior with tan carpet, I could not wait to protect even the carpeted mats from myself or anybody else who might ride with me. $85 for 4 carpeted mats that are made for your car doesn't seem unreasonable to me. I paid $25. for just a set of clear rubber mats. Keep checking the Internet and eBay, or the like, and I'm sure you will run across something that suits you both in style and price.

[cspaula]

Thanks for the reply. I purchased the car on ebay. It is a used car and the dealer selling the car did not have the floor mats. I knew that before buying it. So when I say I received the car it means that I just had the car delivered via truck today. And boy is the car beautiful. You are right though that I would be guessing about the floor mat color because I am not 100% sure charcoal would be the best match. Also, maybe $85 plus $16 shipping (just found out) isn't that bad. Sounds a little less than if I went to the dealer. Again, thanks for your reply.

[jimmm]

Wow! I am so impressed that you bought a car on eBay. I have bought many things through eBay but I have never considered buying a car. I'm glad you are pleased with it and I hope we get to see it soon. Thanks for answering those nosey questions I posted. It's all much clearer now. I'm glad I could offer some helpful information.
Jimmm

[cspaula]

Between me and my husband this is actually is the fourth car we've have purchased from ebay. The car I had been driving before the Solara was a Camry I bought about 7 years ago. Every car I've bought from ebay was a great car and each one was a very good deal. If you do the research and buy from a honest buyer you can get cars way below what you'd pay at a local dealer. For instance, I almost purchased another Solara before I decided on the one I ultimately bought that was selling for $13K. KBB value was $23K. Not too bad. Thanks.

CSP

[biggee72]

Either way..Weathertech floor liners are the best quality for the money. Pricey but worth every penny.

[jimmm]

Thanks, biggee72, for a great tip. I will definitely place an order for those mats in time for the April showers which we are getting already, but it rains in north Alabama all year around. I don't mind covering the SOLARA name badge on my current carpeted mats for the security of these beauties.

[2kSoulara]

Im looking at a set of weathertech mats for my 2004 sienna. I will check ebay first to see if they have something comparable.