Wish list of features or options for the new Solara

[slingshot]

Many new things have been added but some still could be.
Here is my wish list for either standard features or options. What is yours?

1. Memory Seats and mirrors
2. Power passenger seat
3. HID lights
4. NAV with 6 CD changer instead of only 1 CD
5. MP3 playing radio option
6. Passenger side mirror angling down when backing up

Basically making the car almost equivalent in options to the old Acura CL. This car is partially filling the niche left behind by its demise. I'm sure some of these options will show up during the midlife freshening up of the Solara in a few years.

[bigpow]

add to the list:
1. rear view mirrors with turn signals
2. more options for interior color/panel combination
3. interior mood light (even scion has it!)
4. unlock passenger door with twice tap on remote?

5. 6-spd manual option?

[slingshot]

I was told by my dealer that the reason they made you have two taps to open the passenger door was if you were getting in your door and one tap opened both doors, a stranger standing near your passenger door could just go in and car jack you! I wonder how many other cars have this double tap feature that is a royal pain.

[samster]

All those things add up to a Lexus or a 2004 Acura TL for only an additional $18k. Bottom line is you get what you pay for and in the Solara case even without those things you get a little more than what you paid for. I traded a 2001 Acura CL Type S for my 2004 Solara and yes I do miss the memory seats and power passenger seat and the extra hp (only got me into trouble). But It really isnt worth the extra money for those little extras especially when you get the same build quality and almost all the same luxury on the SLE for good price.

[bigpow]

I agree.
I've been inside a 2003 Acura TL-S so many times, I could pin point where Acura quality suffers.
For a generic brand/price, the Sola is pretty damn good!

[TW85]

Most cars with factory alarms or keyless entry have dual-stage unlocking. I know, it is a real PITA to hit the little button again.

[slingshot]

I didn't realize that Toyota build quality was that much better than Acura. But I guess I should have realized it with Acura's huge transmission problems lately.... The wish list I put down was mainly a guess as to which of them will be put in the midlife freshening of this car. For the price I paid, it's unbelievable I even got what I got. The Accord costs more than the Solara and offers less.
Dave

I agree.
I've been inside a 2003 Acura TL-S so many times, I could pin point where Acura quality suffers.
For a generic brand/price, the Sola is pretty damn good!

[fotodad]

Good idea for a thread. Hopefully Toyota is reading this and will incorporate these goodies into upcoming Solara models. A good point was made in one of the posts regarding how the addition of these options may put the Solara price-wise in the Lexus/Acura category. But if these items are offered as options rather than standard equipment the customer would have more of a choice.

I agree with some of the other suggestions:

> mp3 player
> 6-speed manual
> HID
> Navigation w/6-disc changer
> A completely FUNCTIONAL satellite radio (no more of this "ready" stuff!)

[TW85]

The Accord is actually cheaper than the Solara when the Solara is comparably equipped.

[slingshot]

The Accord is actually cheaper than the Solara when the Solara is comparably equipped.

That doesn't hold for me at least. I priced out my SLE and options vs. Accord.

Started with Accord V6 Coupe with Navigation - $28,500
Delivery - $490
Had to add to match my Solara SLE the following:
Fog Lights - $330
Wood looking trim - $250
Auto Day/Night Mirror - $249

That already totals to $29,819 which is about $500 to $700 (depending on if mats are included with Accord) more than an equivalently equipped Solara SLE with NAV. That doesn't even include the fact that the Solara has a rear wing, tiptronic automatic, antiskid, 17" wheels and tires all of which the Accord doesn't have and probably add on another $1000 value(the Accord's wing is $300 more than the Solara's one and I didn't include it).

So basically there is no way the Accord fully loaded is cheaper and its build quality is suspect now after all their Honda and Acura transmission failures recently.

[bigpow]

slingshot, I agree.

At least with me, my experience with Honda salesman was terrible! Pushy, arrogant, wouldn't budge on the price, etc.
With Toyota salesman, I ended up driving a new car home.

YMMV (your mileage may vary)


I'd like to see the Stereo head unit upgraded/fixed.
For CD-Text, it won't scroll the over 12 character automatically.
So most of the time, to read all, need to press text button
How hard it is to make it a scrolling text ???

[TW85]

The Solara SLE V6 I'm getting is just under $26,000 after negotiations. Accord EX-V6 Coupe would be $24,000 with fog lights and spoiler after negotiations.

Yes, the Solara has more features, but still trying to be as close to apples to apples as possible, the Accord is less.

[OceanLake]

Want an SLE without the sunroof. We'd have bought one by now except for that—need more head room. As far as I know, the shell is the same, so why the lack of an option? Grumble,grumble....

[MGLax13]

I would like a jet engine and a soda fountain.

[slingshot]

Want an SLE without the sunroof. We'd have bought one by now except for that—need more head room. As far as I know, the shell is the same, so why the lack of an option? Grumble,grumble....

DId you try lowering the drivers seat with the controls to its bottommost position for more head room?