Anyone know about Solara convertibles?

My fiancee, Ashley, has a 1997 Camry with 200,000 miles on it; she loves the car, but it's getting to be time for an upgrade. Since we're in Florida, it's kind of dumb not to have something with a drop top. She doesn't want to give up space, and there are enough sporty cars in the family to negate any two-seaters from the search (plus, I think if we put another Miata in the GRM family they would form some kind of singularity and unravel spacetime.)

We thought about importing a Honda Beat, fleetingly; it's a criminal shame that they weren't sold here. 50+ MPG, mid-engine, RWD...just damn it. I loved the one I drove for our microcar comparison story, but at the same time, I'd like her in something more robust. And she LOVES her Camry.

The obvious solution for someone who thinks the Camry is the best car ever and who wants a drop-top is a convertible Camry. Oh wait, they make that, they just call it the Solara.

All the new-generation ones (2005 and later; 2004 was an off year for the convertible) are V6 as far as I can tell, and still pretty pricey. The 2002-2003 ones are where we'll be looking, since they're four-bangers and can be found in the mid to low teens.

Anyone have experience with these cars? How do the ragtops hold up? Anything weird to look for when shopping?

Having met both you and Ashley at Summit Point for a NASA event, I won't slam you for the Camry thing. Heck, I've owned a few AWD Camry's, but I consider those a bit different. Anyways, I have to admit to having looked at a Solara convertible for my wife, and every example that I looked at was low mileage, garaged, and in great condition. Couldn't find a bad example to save my life. Tops looked to be in good condition (though garaging pays dividends here). Otherwise, they seem to be 4 cyl Toyotas... As with any convertible, I'd look for evidence that the top was left down in the rain (though most owner's will frown on you pulling the carpet up).

Oh, and Beat FTW.

It's pretty hard to fault her for the love of the Camry, it has a massive trunk (she keeps beach stuff in there all the time, including a couple of boogie boards and chairs and stuff, and there's still tons of room left over for luggage, christmas trees, whatever.). It's quiet, has a fine sound system, gets 30+mpg, and runs like a damn top. If we had the space, I suspect we'd keep it just to use as a beater truck. They don't sell a million of 'em a year because they're bad cars.

We have a 97 5SFE Camry with only 177K miles on it. It's my wife's DD. I've had a 22R block in the trunk. The LS400 is more comfortable but gets 26 MPG v. 30+ on the highway for the Camry. I've seen those Solaris' and they look really nice. My wife likes the looks of those.

Oh, on your Camry, next timing belt change, put a new O ring behind the oil pump. It's only a couple bucks and takes an extra 10 minutes. Ask me how I know.

How is the Solaris' trunk? Does the top intrude into it? No clue, but often happens with convertibles.

The first gen Solara convertibles all started off as coupes and had the tops chopped at ASC. Watch out for chassis getting flexy, but mechanically it's a Camry. My ex-stepmother had a 2005 Solara convertible, and it was a very nice car for the cushy cruiser it was

I drove on as a rental years ago. The car was cuddly like a puppy. It drove well too as it had the V6. The automatic did a good job of finding the right gear for the right speed and need. Comfortable as a two seater. I wouldn't put anything but children I didn't like in the back seat.

Well, with car prices in the drink and the end of the month upon us, we ended up shopping for something a bit newer than a first gen. Found a 2006 that's just out of warranty last night and brought it home, she's a very happy camper. I was impressed with how quiet the thing is on the highway with the top up.

Only thing I know about those cars is you won't do damage to them if you hook them up with a chain to a c1500 with a Jim Oddy built 400 in it and drag them around a parking lot.

ignorant wrote: Only thing I know about those cars is you won't do damage to them if you hook them up with a chain to a c1500 with a Jim Oddy built 400 in it and drag them around a parking lot.

Important safety tip, thanks ignorant.

Scott Lear wrote:

ignorant wrote: Only thing I know about those cars is you won't do damage to them if you hook them up with a chain to a c1500 with a Jim Oddy built 400 in it and drag them around a parking lot.

Important safety tip, thanks ignorant.

alcohol(shocker) was involved the solara belonged to next apartment over. They just wouldn't stop with the dance music.. boom boom boom boom boom

ohh yeah.. we were dragging it sideways. I'd say it is a goo advertisement for Oddy's automotive.

The structural reinforcements under the Solara also helped, no doubt.

either way, i think you're covered.

...so turn that thing up to 11 and dance, dance, dance! your car can handle the consequences.