Picked up a 2006 Solara SE 5-spd

Finally bit the bullet, had a tough time finding the elusive 5-spd but
I landed a silver (they call it Lunar Mist..)SE and traded in my '96
camry coupe w/ 255,00 miles. Visability issues are remedied by
adjusting the seats and steering wheel. Put around 500 miles and lovin'
every minute of it. A true blast to drive with the stick. Kinda miss my
Camry.. Is it wrong to feel a bond between an inanimate object such as
a car that one owned for 8 years 255,000 miles and very little
downtime? :)..Keep in mind I'm forty-something..

Never love something that cannot love back.


"steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:1148927019.568523.83910@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Finally bit the bullet, had a tough time finding the elusive 5-spd but
> I landed a silver (they call it Lunar Mist..)SE and traded in my '96
> camry coupe w/ 255,00 miles. Visability issues are remedied by
> adjusting the seats and steering wheel. Put around 500 miles and lovin'
> every minute of it. A true blast to drive with the stick. Kinda miss my
> Camry.. Is it wrong to feel a bond between an inanimate object such as
> a car that one owned for 8 years 255,000 miles and very little
> downtime? :)..Keep in mind I'm forty-something..
>[/color]

"steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:1148927019.568523.83910@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Finally bit the bullet, had a tough time finding the elusive 5-spd but
> I landed a silver (they call it Lunar Mist..)SE and traded in my '96
> camry coupe w/ 255,00 miles. Visability issues are remedied by
> adjusting the seats and steering wheel. Put around 500 miles and lovin'
> every minute of it. A true blast to drive with the stick. Kinda miss my
> Camry.. Is it wrong to feel a bond between an inanimate object such as
> a car that one owned for 8 years 255,000 miles and very little
> downtime? :)..Keep in mind I'm forty-something..[/color]

Yeeha! Good to see others still enjoy driving a 5-spd (manual). Were you
able to find it or did another dealership do a locate for you? Was it a
good deal on the 5-spd?

Enjoy the new ride!
-Dave

On Mon, 29 May 2006 11:23:39 -0700, steve-o wrote:
[color=blue]
> Finally bit the bullet, had a tough time finding the elusive 5-spd but
> I landed a silver (they call it Lunar Mist..)SE and traded in my '96
> camry coupe w/ 255,00 miles. Visability issues are remedied by
> adjusting the seats and steering wheel. Put around 500 miles and lovin'
> every minute of it. A true blast to drive with the stick. Kinda miss my
> Camry.. Is it wrong to feel a bond between an inanimate object such as
> a car that one owned for 8 years 255,000 miles and very little
> downtime? :)..Keep in mind I'm forty-something..[/color]

Boy, are you asking the wrong question!

I still have my '85 Hachiroku (Corolla GTS twin cam...) and an '85 Celica.
The Celica will go if I can find someone to buy the engine, but the
Corolla will get restored probably next year. Best car I ever owned; I do
have an emotional attachment to it, and it is also a bit of a collector's
item (they are still very popular). Just can't bear to sell it off...

I believe the older Toyotas especially had a 'personality', and that each
model's personality was different. I like the 'personality' of my Corolla.

Dave L wrote:[color=blue]
> "steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
> news:1148927019.568523.83910@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> > Finally bit the bullet, had a tough time finding the elusive 5-spd but
> > I landed a silver (they call it Lunar Mist..)SE and traded in my '96
> > camry coupe w/ 255,00 miles. Visability issues are remedied by
> > adjusting the seats and steering wheel. Put around 500 miles and lovin'
> > every minute of it. A true blast to drive with the stick. Kinda miss my
> > Camry.. Is it wrong to feel a bond between an inanimate object such as
> > a car that one owned for 8 years 255,000 miles and very little
> > downtime? :)..Keep in mind I'm forty-something..[/color]
>
> Yeeha! Good to see others still enjoy driving a 5-spd (manual). Were you
> able to find it or did another dealership do a locate for you? Was it a
> good deal on the 5-spd?
>
> Enjoy the new ride!
> -Dave[/color]
It was on the lot. the Dealers I contacted couldn't locate and told me
that none where built in APR or MAY.. I paid 20k including the platinum
-0 deductible warranty. I gave up the camry with the deal. It kept
going back and forth till I got up to leave and struck the deal. So I
did good. Ive been looking for a while now and I notice that they are
not flying out the door except for the convertible.. I test drove
accura, infiniti, accord coupe, both 4 and 6 cyl, civic. Just didn't
match the comfort/drive fit and finish of the Solara.

"steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:1149041619.070080.41460@g10g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
>
> Dave L wrote:[color=green]
>> "steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
>> news:1148927019.568523.83910@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...[color=darkred]
>> > Finally bit the bullet, had a tough time finding the elusive 5-spd but
>> > I landed a silver (they call it Lunar Mist..)SE and traded in my '96
>> > camry coupe w/ 255,00 miles. Visability issues are remedied by
>> > adjusting the seats and steering wheel. Put around 500 miles and lovin'
>> > every minute of it. A true blast to drive with the stick. Kinda miss my
>> > Camry.. Is it wrong to feel a bond between an inanimate object such as
>> > a car that one owned for 8 years 255,000 miles and very little
>> > downtime? :)..Keep in mind I'm forty-something..[/color]
>>
>> Yeeha! Good to see others still enjoy driving a 5-spd (manual). Were
>> you
>> able to find it or did another dealership do a locate for you? Was it a
>> good deal on the 5-spd?
>>
>> Enjoy the new ride!
>> -Dave[/color]
> It was on the lot. the Dealers I contacted couldn't locate and told me
> that none where built in APR or MAY.. I paid 20k including the platinum
> -0 deductible warranty. I gave up the camry with the deal. It kept
> going back and forth till I got up to leave and struck the deal. So I
> did good. Ive been looking for a while now and I notice that they are
> not flying out the door except for the convertible.. I test drove
> accura, infiniti, accord coupe, both 4 and 6 cyl, civic. Just didn't
> match the comfort/drive fit and finish of the Solara.[/color]

Yeah, some dealers are more willing to locate than others. I imagine the
5-speed definately would not be flying out the door. Fewer people know, or
are learning how to drive a manual nowadays. Newer shifting without the
clutch is not the same.

Often the dealers would rather strike a deal and make a small profit vs. no
profit. Situation would not be the same if the particular model was selling
really well.

Other cars you mentioned are excellent brands but the ride/comfort are tuned
differently. My guess is the other cars were a bit stiffer and less smooth
than the Camry.

Happy motoring!

steve-o wrote:[color=blue]
> A true blast to drive with the stick.[/color]
=========================
Since you've got the SE (sport) model with manual transmission, thought
you might like to see these comments which I found very helpful to
increase cornering control and improve handling plus general driving
enjoyment overall (not my words):

===================================
If weight transfer did not occur, traction would always be consistent,
and the car would be easy to drive quickly. Since weight transfer is
unavoidable, the next best thing is to cause the weight to transfer as
predictably as possible. This is done by driving smoothly. When you
apply the brakes, don't slam them on, progressively squeeze them on.
Squeeze into and out of the throttle. Turn the steering wheel gently,
and try to make only one turn of the wheel to achieve the arc you want
through the corner. As you accelerate out of the corner, unwind the
wheel as you squeeze on the throttle.



TRANSITIONS


The above does not mean that you do not use the brakes, the gas, or the
cornering ability of the car to their limits. It means you transition
between them gently, with touch, and in a way that minimizes how they
upset the car. In order to go really fast It is essential to first
become smooth and consistent in your handling of the car.

How much was it and how bout ur trade in price.

congratz

------------------------
My Carmy
[url]http://www.golfer-review.com/m_toyota/main_toyota_camry-2000.htm[/url]

"steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
I paid 20k including the platinum[color=blue]
> -0 deductible warranty.[/color]
I would like to know more about this warranty. Many of them are not
worth the paper they are written on. They seem to promise everything,
but when they are needed, the insurer finds a catch clause that allows
them to avoid responsibility.

Will do a web search.

<HLS@nospam.nix> wrote in message
news:C41gg.45167$Lm5.21350@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...[color=blue]
>
> "steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
> I paid 20k including the platinum[color=green]
>> -0 deductible warranty.[/color]
> I would like to know more about this warranty. Many of them are not
> worth the paper they are written on. They seem to promise everything,
> but when they are needed, the insurer finds a catch clause that allows
> them to avoid responsibility.
>
> Will do a web search.
>[/color]
Check out Toyota's Extra Care extended service contract - they do not have
nearly as many loopholes as the aftermarket ones do.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:e9e01$4480a81c$44a4a10d$6134@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> <HLS@nospam.nix> wrote in message
> news:C41gg.45167$Lm5.21350@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...[color=green]
> >
> > "steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
> > I paid 20k including the platinum[color=darkred]
> >> -0 deductible warranty.[/color]
> > I would like to know more about this warranty. Many of them are not
> > worth the paper they are written on. They seem to promise everything,
> > but when they are needed, the insurer finds a catch clause that allows
> > them to avoid responsibility.
> >
> > Will do a web search.
> >[/color]
> Check out Toyota's Extra Care extended service contract - they do not have
> nearly as many loopholes as the aftermarket ones do.[/color]


I will check out the Toyota EC warranty. Usually, the manufacturer does not
back these warranties. They are underwritten by other companies.

(I am caught between buying a Passat and a Camry. I like the former, but it
does not have the reliability concensus that the Camry has. An extended
warranty -
at least one that is not a scam - could add a bit of security to my
decision)

In this case, I found the Platinum zero deductible warranty on the
internet.
I also found a lot of complaints about it.

I would recommend that the OP do a websearch on this policy. Maybe it will
help
him avoid some of the more obvious blunders.

[email]HLS@nospam.nix[/email] wrote:[color=blue]
> "steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
> I paid 20k including the platinum[color=green]
> > -0 deductible warranty.[/color]
> I would like to know more about this warranty. Many of them are not
> worth the paper they are written on. They seem to promise everything,
> but when they are needed, the insurer finds a catch clause that allows
> them to avoid responsibility.
>
> Will do a web search.[/color]
On the warranty.. - Toyota Extra Care - I had this on my '96 coupe ans
ewas never denied a claim or even hastled. The impotance of the 0
deductible is aside from the money.. the dealer does not have to get
authorization befoer starting work. Toyota Extra care is NOT A SCAM.
This is why I insisted on a price for the car AND the warranty.
The platinum 0 -deductible. Although the retail price is 1350. Dealers
have room with these. I wouldn't buy the car without the coverage the
warranty provides, Hope this helps.
I thought I mentioned the cost was 20k w/ the warranty, and I gave them
my 255,00 mile camry. Driving ita week now and I am not dissapointed.
THE NEW 2007 SOLARA is now viewable on Toyota's CA website. Check it
out...

[url]http://www.toyota.ca/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WWW.woa/6/wo/Home.Vehicles.Solara-n8ovok8dlHy9tXMKvVyzb0/3.7?fmg%2fsolara%2fintro%2ehtml[/url]

[email]HLS@nospam.nix[/email] wrote:[color=blue]
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:e9e01$4480a81c$44a4a10d$6134@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=green]
> >
> > <HLS@nospam.nix> wrote in message
> > news:C41gg.45167$Lm5.21350@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...[color=darkred]
> > >
> > > "steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
> > > I paid 20k including the platinum
> > >> -0 deductible warranty.
> > > I would like to know more about this warranty. Many of them are not
> > > worth the paper they are written on. They seem to promise everything,
> > > but when they are needed, the insurer finds a catch clause that allows
> > > them to avoid responsibility.
> > >
> > > Will do a web search.
> > >[/color]
> > Check out Toyota's Extra Care extended service contract - they do not have
> > nearly as many loopholes as the aftermarket ones do.[/color]
>
>
> I will check out the Toyota EC warranty. Usually, the manufacturer does not
> back these warranties. They are underwritten by other companies.
>
> (I am caught between buying a Passat and a Camry. I like the former, but it
> does not have the reliability concensus that the Camry has. An extended
> warranty -
> at least one that is not a scam - could add a bit of security to my
> decision)
>
> In this case, I found the Platinum zero deductible warranty on the
> internet.
> I also found a lot of complaints about it.
>
> I would recommend that the OP do a websearch on this policy. Maybe it will
> help
> him avoid some of the more obvious blunders.[/color]

Please show me, I can't find complaints. My dad just had his
transmission replaced on his 2006 camry..NO hastles. over 45,000 miles.

[email]HLS@nospam.nix[/email] wrote:[color=blue]
> "Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
> news:e9e01$4480a81c$44a4a10d$6134@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=green]
> >
> > <HLS@nospam.nix> wrote in message
> > news:C41gg.45167$Lm5.21350@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...[color=darkred]
> > >
> > > "steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
> > > I paid 20k including the platinum
> > >> -0 deductible warranty.
> > > I would like to know more about this warranty. Many of them are not
> > > worth the paper they are written on. They seem to promise everything,
> > > but when they are needed, the insurer finds a catch clause that allows
> > > them to avoid responsibility.
> > >
> > > Will do a web search.
> > >[/color]
> > Check out Toyota's Extra Care extended service contract - they do not have
> > nearly as many loopholes as the aftermarket ones do.[/color]
>
>
> I will check out the Toyota EC warranty. Usually, the manufacturer does not
> back these warranties. They are underwritten by other companies.
>
> (I am caught between buying a Passat and a Camry. I like the former, but it
> does not have the reliability concensus that the Camry has. An extended
> warranty -
> at least one that is not a scam - could add a bit of security to my
> decision)
>
> In this case, I found the Platinum zero deductible warranty on the
> internet.
> I also found a lot of complaints about it.
>
> I would recommend that the OP do a websearch on this policy. Maybe it will
> help
> him avoid some of the more obvious blunders.[/color]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------[color=blue]
> In this case, I found the Platinum zero deductible warranty on the
> internet.
> I also found a lot of complaints about it.[/color]
I searched the web. Can't find those complaints you speak of. By the
way its called Extra-Care as Ray-O mentioned. The 3rd party warranties
I would not consider. After 3 Toyota and 3 warranties I have never been
diappointed that I purchased the warranty. When I bought the '96 camry
it had 10k on it after 45k it needed a throttle body, no problem. At
80k the timing belt went, they covered it and replaced the water pump
as well.. ON another note - solaraguy.org, toyotanation.com,
tundrasolutions.com, these are all Toyota specifc sites with tons of
info. If you are buying a new car GET THE MANUFACTURERS EXTENDED
WARRANTY.

Dave L wrote:[color=blue]
> "steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
> news:1149041619.070080.41460@g10g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...[color=green]
> >
> > Dave L wrote:[color=darkred]
> >> "steve-o" <igt123@optonline.net> wrote in message
> >> news:1148927019.568523.83910@u72g2000cwu.googlegroups.com...
> >> > Finally bit the bullet, had a tough time finding the elusive 5-spd but
> >> > I landed a silver (they call it Lunar Mist..)SE and traded in my '96
> >> > camry coupe w/ 255,00 miles. Visability issues are remedied by
> >> > adjusting the seats and steering wheel. Put around 500 miles and lovin'
> >> > every minute of it. A true blast to drive with the stick. Kinda miss my
> >> > Camry.. Is it wrong to feel a bond between an inanimate object such as
> >> > a car that one owned for 8 years 255,000 miles and very little
> >> > downtime? :)..Keep in mind I'm forty-something..
> >>
> >> Yeeha! Good to see others still enjoy driving a 5-spd (manual). Were
> >> you
> >> able to find it or did another dealership do a locate for you? Was it a
> >> good deal on the 5-spd?
> >>
> >> Enjoy the new ride!
> >> -Dave[/color]
> > It was on the lot. the Dealers I contacted couldn't locate and told me
> > that none where built in APR or MAY.. I paid 20k including the platinum
> > -0 deductible warranty. I gave up the camry with the deal. It kept
> > going back and forth till I got up to leave and struck the deal. So I
> > did good. Ive been looking for a while now and I notice that they are
> > not flying out the door except for the convertible.. I test drove
> > accura, infiniti, accord coupe, both 4 and 6 cyl, civic. Just didn't
> > match the comfort/drive fit and finish of the Solara.[/color]
>
> Yeah, some dealers are more willing to locate than others. I imagine the
> 5-speed definately would not be flying out the door. Fewer people know, or
> are learning how to drive a manual nowadays. Newer shifting without the
> clutch is not the same.
>
> Often the dealers would rather strike a deal and make a small profit vs. no
> profit. Situation would not be the same if the particular model was selling
> really well.
>
> Other cars you mentioned are excellent brands but the ride/comfort are tuned
> differently. My guess is the other cars were a bit stiffer and less smooth
> than the Camry.
>
> Happy motoring![/color]
Thanks! - %-spds don't last long, they make very few. They had an '07
Camry 5-spd in black, it lasted all but 3 days on teh lot..