The 2004-2006 Toyota Solara SLE V6's are great cars. I bought a blue one in 2005, with only 10K on it. I now have 163K, and it runs great. Yes, you always have to do maintenance, and had to put shocks/struts/exhaust system recently for around $2K total. But besides that, it's been a very trouble free car. In my opinion, one thing I noticed with the Solara, is that it looks great in certain colors, and not so great in others. Dark blue, black, white, light blue all seem to look very nice. Red doesn't seem to look as good, neither does tan. However, tinting the windows for this car makes a BIG difference in how it looks. Also, upgrading the wheel to 18 inch can make it look even sharper. Or always use tire shine, since that also makes the tires much nicer looking. The tint and making sure your tires shine, or upgrade to bigger wheels transform this car from a "old" person ride, to a nice looking, cheaper, luxury coupe.
@@Pirategod23 Same here haha, what year and color? I dreamt of owning one since my mom rented one 12 years back, I finally found one June 2020! It's a great, reliable, fun car.
Great review...I have an '04 SE with the 2.4 4 cylinder.Has plenty of power and gets 33mpg on the highway. Personally I think it is a gorgeous car inside and out, and could have been sold as a Lexus SC...it looks like a Lexus product both inside and out. I know everyone has their opinion, but I find it hard to believe that some people find the Solara ugly.
Sweet, thanks a lot for this video, Kyle! This one seems to be in pretty good shape for its mileage and I'm sure it has a lot of life left in it. My 2008 SLE V6 has been awesome... it has a nice amount of comfort, plenty of power, and fairly decent handling.
I got a 1999 Camry Solara when I was 15 years old, kept it for 4 years throughout high school, ultra reliable. When I graduated HS, I decided to go sporty and I purchased a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse. What a mistake. It was fun and cool for the first few weeks, until cheaply designed plastic such as in door handles started to break. Then I extremely missed the luxury, reliability, and quality roomy interior of my Solara. I am now 19, and I cant wait to get the 2004 v6, and get my Solara back.
just bought one with only 35,000 miles on it!! im so excited =D same model as this one with all the same options. Test drove it and I was amazed by it! great car!!
Here we are 8 years later, my brother just bought one as his first car, however a 4-cylinder, but still, do you still own this car? Still enjoying it? Still recommend it? Did you enjoy it when you owned it? Did you have to do a lot of maintenance over the years? Would like to get a first-hand ownership opinion if you don't mind...
I had this car, V6 SLE midnight blue. Absolutely loved it, however i traded it in for a 2012 C-Class Coupe. I would definitely recommend it to anyone. smoother ride than the Benz I must say.
I have a 2006 SE Sport. Some people may look at this car and be like "its just a camry" but when you actually drive it for a while you realize its much sportier and comfortable than a camry
I used to have a Camry and that's what I was looking for to replace my current Honda Civic Coupe, but I think I fell in love with this car instead. I love the look with the 2-door, but still giving me more room than my Civic.
based on looks only I would definitely say go for the subaru. but based on reliability, this car will not let you down. So in other words, go for the Solara
i have been driving one of these for 6 years. reliable and much quicker than a lot of cars in its price range and class. i have the black one and the interior doesnt look as good. its got some torque all throughout the rpm range. sound system is nice. i just wish mine was a convertible, its also a long car
I'm in love with a Solara I want a 08-07 sle the pearl white color but I'll take a light blue or black long it has all the features I want, I swear everyone I meet that has Solara say they love they car & it drive so smooth!! can't wait til I get one!!!
I like your energy for the car! I hope you got the car. I'm looking at one myself in 2024 in what appears to be a very well maintained one with all the bells and whistles. They are asking $5200 CANADIAN wich is probably around $3800 USA. I sware it looks like a more compact Lexus ES330
+Blair Lovett Yep, have both a 2004 Solara SLE V6, and a 2006 Lexus ES330. Both have the same engine + transmission. The Lexus is a bit cushier, and I love the air cooled seats. But I prefer my Solara. I actually think the Solara dash and interior looks better than the Lexus ES330. And far better cupholders. The ES330 cupholders are a joke and a disaster waiting to happen.
Hey George, thanks for your reply, I to am very happy with the Solara, I had a Honda Accord V6 coupe before this Solara, and I got to say this Solara is twice the car....I like it a lot better, I would like to have seen Toyota put the duel exhaust on this car though at the time of production.
I looked at Honda Accord V6 coupes also, but decided on the Solara, for several reasons, including it had more room, and more luxurious. Yep, would like to have the dual exhausts.
My Cousin Tracey had a black 1999 Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6 that she had hit ran into with a mailbox, got it fixed, then her husband Jimmy burned the passenger floor board up, had the floorboard replaced. She just traded it in for a 2011 Nissan Altima, and it was still running when she traded it in. So all you people who are posting negative comments about Toyotas, guys please read this and you will think twice about Toyotas. Every Car Designer has a point to where their cars will have issues.
I have a Toyota Solara SE convertible its a great car. Has nice power but is still practicle with a lot of trunk space, and decent space in the rear seats. SE isnt a luxurious as the SLE obviously but its mostly just the leather, SE has the same engine.
THIS CAR IS FUCKING NICE. I've been trying to buy a camry and just stumbled across this thing. I can sacrifice 4 doors for such a luxurious interior, same engine same mileage as camry, probably slightly better i bet its a lighter car. I want one of these! those gauges look cool as hell, wouldn't mind watching the gas go down, cool gas gauge lmao
@Goldenrod636 The actual Camry coupe was discontinued when this car came along. I think the "official" name for this car is supposed to be Camry Solara but it's only badged Solara.
As an owner of a 2008 Lexus IS250, I must admit that this car despite the Toyota badge, looks like a Lexus. It could be an 04 Lexus ES coupe if Lexus ever made such a model back then. From a Lexus owner, this solara is pretty damn close to being a Lexus itself.
Joseph Linz Nope, mine is pearl white and just the SE model. I almost bought the same in the SPORT package but that car was worn down due to the previous owner. I found my current one and haven’t been happier with my decision!
This is a great car. I have a 1999 with 220,000 miles on it. I wish Toyota would bring it back. The only complaint I have with the 2004 to 2008 model is that fat looking rear. I have to disagree with the previous comments about it being a female car. It is just a scaled down looking version of Lexus coupes.
I bought a 99 SLE v6 the other day for 3150 Smogged tax fees etc from a used car Dealership seems Pretty nice do You think I got a good deal how many does Your solar a have now? Mine has 170000 Miles are You still happy with the extended long term reliability with Your 99 Solara? Thank You for Your Reply. Sincerely Thomas Raymond Fresno California.
While I'm not a fan of Toyota, I think this car is one of the few stylish cars Toyota has made. My friend has this car, and sadly I found the rear headroom inadequate (I'm about 5' 11", almost 6'). I wouldn't mind owning this if I was a driver though haha
@doninjapan those arent cup holders....they are designed to hold two-2 liter bottles of soda, and they are also designed to hold 2 gallons of milk without them tipping over...handy feature
I have this exact car with 111K miles on it. It was meant to be driven manually. I kind of laugh at how much acceleration I get in third, just getting to 60 mph pretty easily. There are a few quirks that I don't like. However, I don't think I will ever let this one go. It's just too enjoyable to drive around town and do your daily tasks....
@saabkyle04 oh, okay i can see it now, it doesn't show up as much as the driver's side, but great video kyle, and have you been to the italian imports dealer right off of i-40 in Greensboro?
@2100Awesome I don't know if you saw it, but he has a 2008 Solara Convertible on his channel. That was one of the cars that he detailed a little over a year ago. =)
Does it have remote trunk release from a key button? It's very uncomfortable when you have to open the driver door and pull some lever every time you need to get into the trunk.
Heh, I have a dark blue version of this car, 2005 however. There is not a single difference from what I can tell ! Mine has a front bumper rock deflector tho that I think looks better with, and the plate aera at the back is full, not hollow. I love this car but parts are hard to find in Canada (Interior specifically)
And for anyone considering this car, I do all city driving and i get 16mpg. I have a heavy foot, but even when i reset the average mpg and drive like an old woman, i only get about 18mpg
I have this same car except it's a 2005. I'm going to get some better rims, since the silver ones it came with are ugly. You can also get Lamborghini doors, but that would just be weird.
Hi, I'm looking to buy a Solara, 2004 and better. I'm concerned about the leg room in drivers seat. I'm 6'5. I'm wondering if this vehicle is comfortable for a tall person in the drivers seat? Thanks!
i believe so. I had the solara first gen and the legroom is about a inch off in this gen. i think it should be fine. I almost maxed out the seat (im 6'2)
