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Toyota Camry Solara Prices Paid and Buying Experience - READ ONLY

309 messages,  Last post on Feb 24, 2011 at 8:32 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Camry Solara, Coupe, Convertible

Messages Page 28 of 31

#270 of 309 Re: 2008 SLE v6 Coupe Price ? [buppers] by solaraman2003

Jun 18, 2009 (8:41 am)

Replying to: buppers (Jun 11, 2009 2:42 pm)
Done deal.
 
I bought the 2008 SLEv6 coupe, VSC/TRAC, HID, special paint (Blizzard Pearl) (+some extras)
Paid exactly 24k (no rebate available)
 
I am VERY VERY happy !
 
The only comment I have on this, compared to my 2003 is that the visibility is not quite as good. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but it's still not going to be as good as the '03. One thing I did is that since I don't usually have passengers in the back seat, I've removed the rear headrests. That helped quite a bit.
 
I'll tell you, with 120k+ miles, my 2003 was a GREAT car. I had NO problems with it in 6 years. It was all maintenance work. And I expect nothing less from this one.

#271 of 309 Re: 2008 SLE v6 Coupe Price ? [solaraman2003] by buppers

Jun 18, 2009 (9:21 am)

Replying to: solaraman2003 (Jun 18, 2009 8:41 am)
Solaraman,
Congrats!! That sounds like a terrific deal to me. Good job! You were fortunate to find one in Blizzard White... I believe that is the best color! I agree with the visibility issue, you just have to be careful. One last question... did you buy from the dealership who had it or the one you preferred dealing with?
 
Oh... just a reminder that you are gonna have to change your handle to Solaraman2008 !

#272 of 309 Re: 2008 SLE v6 Coupe Price ? [buppers] by solaraman2003

Jun 18, 2009 (3:33 pm)

Replying to: buppers (Jun 18, 2009 9:21 am)
buppers,
Unfortunately I had to purchase it from the other dealer, and not the one I would've preferred - although BOTH of them have excellent ratings with the BBB.
 
Yes, I've thought about changing my handle. I wonder if it can be done. I'll check !
 
Thank you. Time to run out now and drive my new machine

#273 of 309 05 Solara convertible buying experience. by prairiefire1

Jun 19, 2009 (8:43 am)

I bought a silver 2005 Solara SLE convertible in February. Purchasing it was almost too easy. Saw it online. Called and agreed on a (lower than advertised) price over the phone ($13000). Inspected the vehicle and thought it was fine. It had 34000 miles, was in great physical condition and ran nicely. Price included new tires, cargo net, and wind deflector.
 
So far, car has been great. Better than advertised MPG. Top fits tight and does not leak even in the car wash. I find it true what people say about the rear visibility; in some ways I wish I'd bought an '07 or newer for the revised headrests. But I am good at side-view mirrors after years of cargo driving vans and trucks, so caution in reverse has kept me from ever having an accident in this or any other car.
 
Several trips and I still like the car. May replace it with an 09 (or later, if they exist) simply because I like it and will be sorry when I have to replace it if they no longer exist. This is an area of severe winters, so it will be interesting to see how it (and the roof) handles and feels in deep snow or sub-zero temps. But so far, even with our bad Feb/March snows, it has been terrific. Yesterday we had two and a half inches of rain in 90 minutes, and I was driving. Car handled in water just fine, and there was not a leak to be seen anywhere.
 
So far, I am a happy camper.
 
Car has been running regular oil. Any thoughts on whether I should change to a synthetic.
 
BTW, last car was a Saab 9-3 convertible. The Camry is not as fast in midrange, but overall I think it is a superior car. Not quite as luxurious, but mechanically it seems better built and probably a whole lot cheaper to repair.

#274 of 309 Certified 2006 Solara SLE V6 Coupe by mimi81

Sep 09, 2009 (9:25 pm)

I am planning to buy a Certified 2006 Solara SLE V6 coupe in a nearby dealership, online price was 16k. This is my first time to buy a car and I'd just like to have your insight as to whether this is a reasonable deal. The car has 59K miles on it, has been serviced twice and had a single owner based on the carfax report. I am planning to head down to the dealer in a few days and was wondering how low I can bargain, since I really don't have any experience buying a car. I have financing from my credit union so I have wiggle room in that area. Any input will be greatly appreciated

#275 of 309 Advice on a 2007 SLE Convertible by kfish2

Nov 01, 2009 (5:59 pm)

We've decided on a convertible and our choices are down to a 2007 Solara SLE, or a 2007 Saab 9-3. Here in Ohio we seem to have a good supply of both.
 
The Solara is: Red with Gray leather, Nav, 27k miles. pristine condition (I looked at a 2008 that was not as clean inside and out) - clean Carfax (but no service records), Dealer is asking $23,900 which I think is a little high.
 
Saab 9-3's with similar miles and also in great condition run $4-5K lower in price. I know the reliability won't be a good as the Solara, and it will depreciate like a rock with the latest GM troubles, but it is fun to drive and the hard boot is such a clean look.
 
What do you think?

#276 of 309 Re: Advice on a 2007 SLE Convertible [kfish2] by moms_max

Nov 01, 2009 (8:51 pm)

Replying to: kfish2 (Nov 01, 2009 5:59 pm)
How long do you typically keep your cars? Repair costs on the Saab will likely eat up that $4-5K difference in a few years. Also, my '06 Solara vert has a hard boot ~ but I don't use it! It is a pain to take on & off and bulky to store in the trunk. I'm not familiar with the boot on the Saab ~ if it is any more user-friendly. I do know that more than a few times I have had the roof down on a beautiful day, and have had to suddenly close it due to a rainshower. I'd hate to have to mess with a boot...
Dealer might have wiggle room... esp these days. But if it is in such good shape, w/Nav..., sounds like a fair deal. My '06 SLE was a demo w/1800 miles on it (but classified as new), w/Nav, red/camel, & we paid almost $27K - and were lucky to get it. The '07s have better visibility due to the donut hole in the rear headrests; I'm sure the resale will be much better with the Solara.
Just my H.O.

#277 of 309 Re: Advice on a 2007 SLE Convertible [moms_max] by kfish2

Nov 02, 2009 (6:39 am)

Replying to: moms_max (Nov 01, 2009 8:51 pm)
We tend to keep our cars a long time, and we have kids so the big back seat in the Solara is wonderful. I'm leaning toward the Solara - but trying to justify the extra $$$ now (vs. spending it over time repairing the Saab). The two complaints I read about the Solara are visibility (but we also have a old pickup truck with cap so we both know how to drive with zero rear visibility), and also cowl shake - is it bad enough to bother you? Isn't that the price of having a convertible - a little shake over bumps? Interestingly I don't hear people complaining about squeaks and rattles - meaning despite the shake they seem to live up to the usual high Toyota build standards.

#278 of 309 Re: Advice on a 2007 SLE Convertible [kfish2] by moms_max

Nov 02, 2009 (8:50 am)

Replying to: kfish2 (Nov 02, 2009 6:39 am)
Absolutely right! Cowl shake is the price one pays for 'topless' fun
The other minor annoyance is the absence of drip moldings (due to the rag top) - so when it rains, and you have to open the window or door...watch out! You get a little wet...
I have a small towel permanently stuffed under my seat
 
No squeaks and/or other rattles noticed yet... and the visibility issue IS real - when the top is up. Sounds like you can handle that one just fine... and as I mentioned before, the 2007 was the first year with holes in the rear headrests to at least somewhat address the issue.
 
I don't believe I have ever seen a Saab vert, so can't comment on the "look" ~ but the rear leg room in the Solara is a definite plus ~ as is the large trunk! When we were looking, we noticed that in many verts, the retracted roof took up most of the trunk space... So, just another thing to think about!
 
Good luck deciding ~ not easy, is it???

#279 of 309 Re: Advice on a 2007 SLE Convertible [kfish2] by nova7415

Nov 02, 2009 (12:31 pm)

Replying to: kfish2 (Nov 02, 2009 6:39 am)
If I were you I would definately go with the Solara. I've owned mine now for 4 years and have had no problems and the Toyota name is much more recognized than the Saab. Money wise the Solara will pay for itself with less repairs versus the Saab.

Messages Page 28 of 31

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