Newbie- Help, Thinking of Buying Solara - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

drock03 · 09-16-2005, 03:53 PM

I'm a newbie to the board and I'm thinking of picking up an 01 or 02 Solara SLE. Are there any major issues I should be concerned about? I was just about to pick up an Acura CL when I found out through a discussion board that those cars have serious tranny problems. Any help or advise would be appreciated. Let me know if you know of any SLEs, leather, standard for sale in the Mass area.
Thanks!

jhbhatia · 09-16-2005, 04:09 PM

pretty much strong cars. do your oil changes often and your tranny flushed yearly, and these cars will last 200K easily. There are a few sludge problems, but no one at solaraguy.org to be knowledge there has had this problem!

vsixcamry · 09-16-2005, 04:10 PM

yeah, sweet cars, and reliable as hell.

astro73 · 09-16-2005, 05:36 PM

Awesome car so far, I've haven't had any probs, but I have a s/c SE V6 5 speed manual. When you say standard, do you mean manual? Because no SLE comes with manual, besides they stopped making V6 manual in '01.

Anyways, nice rides and I would highly recommend one.

drock03 · 09-16-2005, 09:39 PM

so if I wanted to pick up a manual trans V6 it would have to be an '01 SE???? All later years don't have manuals with V6s???? I didn't realize this. How does the manual tranny run in cold weather...notchy at all???
Thanks!

astro73 · 09-17-2005, 02:19 AM

Yep only 99-01 SE V6 manuals, supposedly they didn't sell well or something so they stopped making them. I don't know what it's like in cold weather because I live in Cali and it doesn't get that cold. If you need more info go and check out SolaraGuy , there's more info on solaras there (not many solara owners on this forum). It is getting harder to find the manual V6's, but there out there. IMO there's not that much difference between the two, but if you're going to do any performance mods, definately get the manual.

drock03 · 09-17-2005, 12:19 PM

Thanks, I'll check out that site!

Southaurora · 09-19-2005, 09:55 PM

Highly recommend! Love my 05 SLE.

SiqSolara · 09-20-2005, 10:57 AM

Acura CL's have weak transmissions so I would stay with the Solara which is roomier as well.

richd978 · 09-20-2005, 07:30 PM

yeah bro... just lemme know when you wanna check out my solara

Fresco Bob · 09-21-2005, 12:24 AM

I haven't had any problems in cold weather, last winter was my first with my solara, the coldest it got was about -30C (-22F), and it started up and drove just fine