help: looking into buying 1999 Toyota Solara

[CamryBrotha]

Hello everyone. I am looking into 1999 Toyota camry solara sle. I have no experience with solara's but I have with Toyota camry ( very reliable car). The link to the car I'm looking at is below. I saw the car the other night and here are somethings I noticed:

washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/2069173922.html

1. There seem to be oil leak on the bottom (not a lot).
2. The interior lights didn't work, the seller said it was a fuse
3. The airbag light in the dash was blinking, the seller also claimed it was a fuse problem (is this true?). I looked at the carfax and no accidents.
4. The alignment was off , the seller said that his wife hit a curb and they changed two tires so that could be throwing off the alignment.

I am showing it to my mechanic tomorrow. Are there anything else I should be concerned with? What would be a good price for this car? Is the price the seller is asking worth it? Also are solaras as reliable as the camry? Thank you!

[LynchburgCSI]

Solara's are as reliable as the camry.

I've seen better than that around here though. My rule: Don't settle for a sub-par car. There's ALWAYS another one out there if you're patient. Where in Virginia are you located? I could easily try to track one down for you.

If your set on that one... have your mechanic check the fuses for the blown interior lights. Have him CHECK which gasket is leaking oil. Also, have him take a GOOD LOOK at the steering and suspension to see if it's damaged. It could need MORE than an alignment. The airbag thing is NOT GOOD. Those tend to be very annoying to fix.

[arabianobsession]

Originally Posted by CamryBrotha

Hello everyone. I am looking into 1999 Toyota camry solara sle. I have no experience with solara's but I have with Toyota camry ( very reliable car). The link to the car I'm looking at is below. I saw the car the other night and here are somethings I noticed:

washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/2069173922.html

1. There seem to be oil leak on the bottom (not a lot).
2. The interior lights didn't work, the seller said it was a fuse
3. The airbag light in the dash was blinking, the seller also claimed it was a fuse problem (is this true?). I looked at the carfax and no accidents.
4. The alignment was off , the seller said that his wife hit a curb and they changed two tires so that could be throwing off the alignment.

I am showing it to my mechanic tomorrow. Are there anything else I should be concerned with? What would be a good price for this car? Is the price the seller is asking worth it? Also are solaras as reliable as the camry? Thank you!

Seems like a lot to deal with. There's better Solaras out there.....unless they were asking something ridiculously cheap for this car I wouldn't bother. It could be you inherting their headaches and misery. That being said, Solaras are very reliable if taken care of.

[LynchburgCSI]

They were asking $4450, Kristy. Cheap, but I wouldn't touch it. CLICK.

[CamryBrotha]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

Solara's are as reliable as the camry.

I've seen better than that around here though. My rule: Don't settle for a sub-par car. There's ALWAYS another one out there if you're patient. Where in Virginia are you located? I could easily try to track one down for you.

If your set on that one... have your mechanic check the fuses for the blown interior lights. Have him CHECK which gasket is leaking oil. Also, have him take a GOOD LOOK at the steering and suspension to see if it's damaged. It could need MORE than an alignment. The airbag thing is NOT GOOD. Those tend to be very annoying to fix.

I'm in the northern VA area, specifically Fairfax. I would appreciated it if you made recommendations that are in good condition. I am looking into 99 or newer, under $5000. I also found the one below which I haven't seen it in real life yet. What do you guys think? Thank you everyone.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...078690808.html

[mr1114]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

My rule: Don't settle for a sub-par car. There's ALWAYS another one out there if you're patient.

Listen to this man I went thru the same thing about a month ago. Ended up finding EXACTLY what I was looking for, after considering others that I was not 100% happy with. 2003 Black fully loaded Solara SLE V6 110k miles, for $5500. Car is in GREAT condition in and out. Runs like a dream. There's also the option of looking for cars outside of your local area. Not very convenient, but for me it's worked.

[LynchburgCSI]

Originally Posted by CamryBrotha

I'm in the northern VA area, specifically Fairfax. I would appreciated it if you made recommendations that are in good condition. I am looking into 99 or newer, under $5000. I also found the one below which I haven't seen it in real life yet. What do you guys think? Thank you everyone.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...078690808.html

This color is BEAUTIFUL in person... and I hate hate HATEEEEE red cars. (Yes, I drive a red ford. Ew.) Check engine light... get it read and see what the problem is. Brake light on... have the brake PADS checked. They may need to be replaced.

I'll post up some finds here in a second.

Originally Posted by mr1114

Listen to this man I went thru the same thing about a month ago. Ended up finding EXACTLY what I was looking for, after considering others that I was not 100% happy with. 2003 Black fully loaded Solara SLE V6 110k miles, for $5500. Car is in GREAT condition in and out. Runs like a dream. There's also the option of looking for cars outside of your local area. Not very convenient, but for me it's worked.

Thanks. IIRC, I was helping you find one too!

[mr1114]

Originally Posted by CamryBrotha

I'm in the northern VA area, specifically Fairfax. I would appreciated it if you made recommendations that are in good condition. I am looking into 99 or newer, under $5000. I also found the one below which I haven't seen it in real life yet. What do you guys think? Thank you everyone.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...078690808.html

Doesnt look like a bad deal. Only thing I'd be concerned with is the Check Engine Light. Could be something simple and cheap to repair, or could also be something expensive.

$5000 should buy a nice Solara that does not need anything. The very first thing I check before I even look at a car, is the Carfax history. I stay away from cars that dont have a clean record.

[LynchburgCSI]

I realized that I didn't ask which engine, transmission, or body style you wanted. Here's some various examples below. Yes, some prices are higher... but you can bargain them down. Heck, call me in and i'll negotiate it for you.

V6 Auto convertible in black: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Blue V6 Auto coupe: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Silver auto 4 cylinder: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Actually here. Read through this search: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...=1290822964401

[mr1114]

Originally Posted by LynchburgCSI

Thanks. IIRC, I was helping you find one too!

Yup

I would recommend to the OP, if gas mileage isnt a priority, definitely go with the V6

[arabianobsession]

Originally Posted by lynchburgcsi

they were asking $4450, kristy. Cheap, but i wouldn't touch it. click.

+1

[csaxon]

If the seller knows that fuses are blown, then why hasn't he replaced them? Stick in your own fuses and see if things work. Carfax only shows what's reported to them. Something triggered the airbag light.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by csaxon

If the seller knows that fuses are blown, then why hasn't he replaced them? Stick in your own fuses and see if things work. Carfax only shows what's reported to them. Something triggered the airbag light.

+1 car seems to have electrical problems. check fuses, if replacing them does not help then stay away, trust me I know, been there done that - ended up buying new OEM wiring harness for engine bay (not engine harness itself which is common on ebay) from dealer online at "only" $1k and replacing it on my SLE V6 solara myself as any shop would charge like $800 for labor itself (plus MSRP part price of $1.4k)

if OP doesn't feel confident doing electrical troubleshooting and/or replacing/fixing wiring harness I would suggest staying away. electrical issues are no fun, mechanical issues compared to them are a piece of cake.