Buy an 04 or wait for 05, any opinion

[ShouldIbuyaSolara]

I heard the 05's are coming out August 1, would you guys wait for the 05 or buy the 04? I was wondering if there might be some little changes or improvements or maybe not any at all but you folks would know the answer to that.

Also, does the V6 require premium gas?

Does anyone know whether Toyota is offering any dealer incentives these days like financing or rebates for purchase of new Solara?

[onefiend]

I would wait for the 05, maybe they would have fixed the "left drift problem" thats plaguing the new Solaras

use premium on a v6, unless youre really cheap and dont care.

[hari-bhari]

also, the 04s will be cheaper when the 05s come out

[JoeB]

I would definitely wait. The 04 was the first in the new Generation, the 05 should have some kinks worked out. If price is an isue, as Hari said, you'll get the 04 cheaper if you want to go that route. Personally, I'd get the 05 if I wanted a new Solara otherwise, I'd look around for a good used 01. -JoeB

[SoLaRa_PimPin99]

Wait for the 05!!!

[WTF??]

wonder how many years the Gen 2's would go on...

[fotodad]

Excellent question!

I see pros and cons either way.

Pros to getting an 04:
I'm sure you'd get a better price. Plus you won't pay any price hikes the 05s will have.
You'll have the car NOW rather than waiting until NEXT YEAR!
While I agree with those who say buying a car in its first year of a major redesign (I learned that the hard way with the Nissan 350Z) can be risky, I feel the redesigned Solara has been relatively trouble-free (knock on wood). Yes, the left drift was an issue. But I feel Toyota stepped to the plate and took care of the problem. The 05s can just as easily have different problems.

Cons to getting an 04:
I'll sound like a hypocrite, but since the car is in its first year in its new skin, there may be some teething issues.
You'd basically have an old car since the 05s are just around the corner.

Pros to getting an 05:
Second year of redesign might mean the bugs have been worked out.
You'd own the newest and latest Solara.

Cons to getting an 05:
Insurance rates may be higher.
You'll have to wait until August of next year.
Definitely pay more money for a car that may look exactly like a new 04.

Hope this helps. If it were me, I'd get an 04. You'll get a great price and probably get great financing.

The fuel question: I don't think the owners manual says any of the Solara configurations require premium gas. However, to maximize performance Toyota recommends premium. I own an 04 SLE V6 and use regular and have had no problems at all, but I don't drive my car hard.

[ChrYstiE]

the 05's will be out aug-oct of this year, not next. He would only have to wait the summer. If you're going to trade in a car, you may as well do it now, it will lose value in 3-4 months, especially because of the new model year.

[TAZ1]

It's true if you get an 'o4 when the 'o5's come out you can get a much better deal. I did that myself last year.I got an 'o3 just as the 'o4's were coming out. I got my 'o3 new for just over 18k, but if you just have to have the newer model that's all just up to you. As for any rebates that there mey be right now, I'll let you know later as I just recently started working as a salesman for a Toyota dealership in So Cal. I know we have anywhere from 500 to 1k rebate or 2.9apr o.a.c. on Corollas, Camry's, Tacoma's, and Tundra's. I'll check and make sure what or if we have anything on the Solara's. I'll try and keep you informed.

[ShouldIbuyaSolara]

Thank you all for your valuable feedback and information.

I'd appreciate any additional comments if any come to mind. I'm impressed with the great things that are being said here and other places about the Solara and will weigh out whether saving the money on a 04 would be better than waiting for an 05 due to improvements. I'm starting to lean towards a smoking deal on an 04 in early august when the new ones are introduced.

[Hsakuragi]

wait for the 05~!

[TAZ1]

With regard to Joe's idea of getting a good used Solara. I found a white 2000 Solara with only 70k miles. It's an automatic with beige interior moonroof and alloy wheels. Asking price is about 13k, but it's still negotiable. If you or anyone else is interested call me at Rogers & Rogers Toyota (760)353-9300 and ask for Taz. Or call me directly on my cell (760)445-7483.