Bumpy ride

[fschwartz]

I just bought an 06 convertible from a dealer. toyota certified. 16k miles. love the car but I feel every bump, more so than even my 13-year-old Camry. replaced the tires. a little better but still noticeable. Consumer Reports mentions noticeable body shudder on the Solara convertible. is that what others are experiencing? Thanks.

[Gadgetjq]

FS,

It's been awhile since you posted your question but it doesn't appear you've gotten an answer.

The Solara's ride can't be compared to your 13 year old Camry. Different frames, different suspension, different body, different everything.

Convertibles more often than not do have what's referred to as 'cowl shake'. It refers to the flexing of the frame which is very common, especially in cars originally designed as hard tops then converted to a ragtop (you should ride in a gen 1 Solara convertible (referred to by some as the 'noodle') sometime. Your Solara was designed from the ground up to be a convertible with lots of extra welds and frame stiffeners so flexes a lot less than other ragtops.

Potential fixes:
1. Be sure your tires aren't over inflated. Set them to the pressure recommended on the sticker (drivers door frame) or in your owners manual when cold.

2. If the ride is still too jarring for you reduce the pressure about one pound from what's recommended. Remember lower pressures increase tire heat and fuel consumption so don't go overboard. One pound can make a substantial difference in the ride.

Cheers

[fschwartz]

Thanks for the response and advice about the tires. I'm aware that there's shudder that comes from missing some of the car's structure. The issue I have has more to do with bumpiness/rough feel on relatively smooth roads. Turns out I recently discovered that Toyoya has a service bulletin for 04-06 Solaras for rough ride and pulling. It's in the dealership for that service today. I'll let you know if it makes a difference.