This past weekend I was watching a show on television on the Detroit Automobile Show. It was presenting some of the new cars from the US and abroad when suddenly I saw the updated, new Toyota Solara! It was beautiful. Toyota had taken the Solara/Lexus style and raised the bar. I was almost drooling, thinking I needed a new car. But then my dreams were shattered. The car was not a Solara; it was the new Mazda 6. Mazda management had the brains and the planning to take the great look developed by Toyota and raising to a higher level. Congratulations, Mazda; shame on you, Toyota, In 1990, I had a Mazda MX6 coupe, their version of a 2-door sports coupe. I loved that car. it was great looking and fun to drive. My 2005 Solara is the same, great looking and fun to drive. So what has Toyota done with it over the years? They turned it into an orphan - never any publicity; no commercials, no ads. Then, they discontinued it because, surprise, sales weren't as high as they hoped. Mazda, knowing a good thing when it sees one, copied the style, the look, and updated it. Good for them. You blew that one, Toyota.
My point was that Toyota blew it and Mazda was smart enough to follow through. I have no pictures of the 09/10 Mazda 6 coupe because I saw it on a TV special on the Detroit Auto Show, not in print. My guess is that photos are available at a Mazda dealer. I'm sure they'll be glad to see you. Meanwhile I'll just stick with my 05 Solara until it wears out in 3 or 4 years (I put on about 22-24,000 miles a year.) What I'll buy then is totally unknown. Hy
My wife and I have wanted to replace our 2004 Sebring convertible with another convertible. Unfortunately, Toyota has not even released specifications or production schedule for the 2009 Solara - even though they keep saying that they will produce it.
Since Toyota is waiting so long to produce the Solara, we may just wait a little longer for the Mazda. Hope to be able to find a picture of the Mazda 6.
I like the Solara. It's pretty popular here in Greensboro. Not that Greensboro is the city for boulevardiers that tango or anything..... I just dont want to see the convertible go. I never liked the coupe actually. Come on Toyota, be reasonable.
I like the Solara. It's pretty popular here in Greensboro. Not that Greensboro is the city for boulevardiers that tango or anything..... I just dont want to see the convertible go. I never liked the coupe actually. Come on Toyota, be reasonable.
No offense but.. my 2002 with a soft top looked slightly like a futuristic boat, being the way the top is in the closed position
Boat? Or Yacht? Besides, yours is a 2002, and yes, i kinda agree with you. But the "08" is alot different. I dont like the coupe because it makes the car look bigger and, well, heavier. Maybe this Toyota/Subaru car will be the Solara/Celica/MR2 Spyder/Supra replacement, and it will be an all around better car?
As far as the Toyota production schedule, with 200+ day of Solara inventory when they have 30-40 day inventory standard, would you be in a big hurry to worry about next years model when you have your production plants idle because there is excessive inventory. We usually have production numbers by November and it's now March and there still only planing 6 weeks at a time because of the current economy conditions. It seem all the web forms are full of people who want new exciting products, but if the current sales numbers are not where they need to be, then there going to focus on what's is selling. Make the demand and they will build it.....Look at the new full size Tundra and the SUV craze of the late 90's and early 2000's. There are plenty of lot's filled with 2 door sport coupes of all brands and remember when there was a waiting list for the Prius and people actually paying over sticker last summer. It's all in the demand.....the Toyota Production System is built on the key point to only build what you can sell.
I agree that manufacturers will only build what will sell, if the profit is high enough. The story of the Solara seems to be a little different. It has been an orphan since the day it was born, Generation 1. I've hever heard or seen a commercial for it. I have never seen a print ad for it in a magazine or a newspaper. Its existence seems almost to have been an after-thought. Am I in the market for a new car right now? No. Not because of the bad economy, but because we presently have two fairly new cars. Are car sales down because of the economy? Obviously. But they're also down because the cars and trucks which have been pushed for the last few years no longer make sense, if they ever did, for the average buyer. I won't use this forum for my thoughts on the mistakes manufacturers have made; that's not what it's for. I really like my Solara. It's cool-looking, fun to drive, economical, and reliable. I just think it's a shame others won't have that opportunity in the future because the car won't be available. Hy
This is the exact same car we had. A 2004 Chrysler Sebring Convertible Limited.
Loved that car, one of the best cars I've ever owned. Kicked myself for selling it last year.
We looked at the new Sebring and I personally don't like it. Too small for starters and no rear leg room.
Just bought a new 2008 Solara SLE last night and so far it seems about the closest thing to the '04 Sebring Convertible, plus this one has Nav, HID etc...
Good look with your new vehicle search.
PS. I figured I'd list what we paid for ours in case others are looking at the same car.
MSRP: $34094
Purchased: $28098
Quote:
Originally Posted by deant
My wife and I have wanted to replace our 2004 Sebring convertible with another convertible. Unfortunately, Toyota has not even released specifications or production schedule for the 2009 Solara - even though they keep saying that they will produce it.
Since Toyota is waiting so long to produce the Solara, we may just wait a little longer for the Mazda. Hope to be able to find a picture of the Mazda 6.
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2008 Toyota Prius
2008 Toyota Solara
Toyota probably dis for 1 or 2 years and they will continue making new style change body and update all new stuffs, remember TOYOTA CELICA ? there are no CELICA 1999 at 1998 Toyota stopped for 1 year and Remodel the body untill year 2000, do you remember ? take a look at CELICA 98 and 2000, 99% different arent they ? OR they dis Solara and recontinue CELICA maybe,,,,,An auto maker company must has a Coupe style car or else they will be fuked, you know they might makin TOYOTA RANDY SLE v8 haahahah, dont worry be happy and patient.
To me: Solara 2004 to 2008 dam the SAME, honestly 2004 to 2006 are looked better than 2007 2008 but i still loving my Solara 2001, the shape for 99-03 is cute its nice, its look like Acura Integra TYPE R if you put on the TRD Lipkit its also CAMRY Engine and parts, they will last forever. i RACE with Lexus 3.3L forgot which model,,, The speed = no different, it cant beat my Solara but i cant beat that luxus. probably my 4 years Son was with me at that time or else i only loose to Infiniti G35-37, ill tell you guys this, whenever i was alone drivin my 01 Solara, im the Hero on the street/freeway.
If you love Toyota, just wait i think they are makin new Sport/Coupe vehicle, remember Supra MR2 Oldie Celica guys ???? 17 years ago it was fun...!
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2010 Solara! - NOT
maybe,,,,,An auto maker company must has a Coupe style car or else they will be fuked, you know they might makin TOYOTA RANDY SLE v8 haahahah, dont worry be happy and patient.
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