Overview & Reviews
Introduced as sportier siblings to the mainstay midsize Camry sedan, the Toyota Camry Solara coupe and convertible quietly enjoyed a reputation for being reliable, well built and pleasantly styled, if not excitingly so. For most family sedans, such qualities are certainly considered desirable, but when it comes to coupes and convertibles, we think that a little fun and pizzazz should figure in as well. The Camry Solara never offered much in terms of excitement, but that didn't prevent it from being a popular choice for a midsize two-door.
For both generations of the Solara, rear-seat room was generous and safety ratings and feature content were impressive. Smooth four-cylinder or V6 power resided under the hood, and overall the Toyota Camry Solara was reasonably priced and offered great value considering all that it delivered.
If you're looking for a sport-oriented coupe or convertible, the Toyota Camry Solara isn't going to be your best choice. And the most recent Camry Solara convertible's traditional fabric top can be seen as a bit dowdy given that many competing models from the same time period offer retractable hardtop designs. But if you treasure overall quality, value and comfort, there are few coupes or convertibles that put it all together as well as the Camry Solara.
Most Recent Toyota Camry Solara
The most recent Toyota Camry Solara was the second-generation model and was sold from 2004-'08. It was based on the 2002-'06 Camry sedan and was available as a midsize coupe or convertible in SE, SE Sport and SLE trim levels.
The standard engine on the Camry Solara coupe was a 2.4-liter four-cylinder rated at 157 horsepower and 158 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic (four-speed prior to '06). Optional on coupes and standard on convertibles was a 3.3-liter V6 rated at 210 horses and 220 lb-ft of torque. Prior to 2007, horsepower ratings will appear to be greater; however, this was due to a change in the way horsepower is measured rather than an actual output change. No manual transmission was available with this smooth engine, but the automatic was a modern five-speed with a manual-shift gate for those who like to select their own gears. On the road, the Toyota Camry Solara's suspension tuning delivered a comfortable ride. The added stiffness of the SE Sport model gave it enough capability to provide some fun through corners while still maintaining the civilized ride quality of the other models.
The base SE was decently equipped with most modern convenience features, while the Sport version added a firmer suspension, 17-inch wheels, an exterior body kit, xenon HID headlights and unique interior trim. The top-drawer SLE provided a few extra luxury-oriented standard features. Major options included stability control and a navigation system (which was upgraded for '07).
The Solara's front seats offer plenty of room for even the tallest drivers, but the rear seats are still best reserved for short trips. While Solara coupes can seat three passengers snugly in back, the Camry Solara convertible can accommodate just two. The Solara convertible's standard power top could be raised and lowered in just 10 seconds, and it stowed neatly under a tonneau cover that matched the color of the interior.
Past Toyota Camry Solara Models
The Camry Solara originally debuted for 1999 and was produced through 2003. Mechanically, it was related to the 1997-2001 Camry sedan. Toyota hoped its new two-door would appeal to consumers who wanted the style of a sporty car but the room and comfort of a larger, more practical vehicle. In the first year, only the coupe was sold, but Toyota added the convertible version for model-year 2000.
For this Camry Solara's run, Toyota offered the familiar SE or SLE trim levels. Initially, Toyota offered either a 2.2-liter, 135-hp four-cylinder engine or a 3.0-liter, 192-hp V6. Either engine could be had with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. For 2002, Toyota introduced a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 157 hp. Revised front and rear styling was also introduced that year. For 2003 and beyond, Toyota discontinued the manual transmission option for the V6.
At the time, we commented favorably about the Toyota Camry Solara's roomy cabin and smooth engines. Downsides included a lack of driving or styling excitement and the absence of some higher-end features, such as stability control and a navigation system.
User Reviews:
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severe alignment problem - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By Fred A - December 24 - 10:00 amWe bought a 2004 Solara V6. It started pulling to the left the very next day. We had to try hard to keep it straight. We took it back for an alignment but then found out that many consumers are facing the same problem with 2004 Solara and Camry. Toyota has been unable to fix the problem. It is unsafe to drive this car, especially on highways.
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Complete Lemon - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By KevinP - April 11 - 11:23 amThe car has been to the shop 23 times in the last 4 years. There was a short in the electrical system in the first month that Toyota didnt find that caused many other problems. Worst Dealer ever, worst car ever. The car understeers heavily, too little grip for fun handling, I average 23 mpg. I bought this because I thought the Passat was unreliable. I will be trading this piece of crap in for a Saab this week. VW and Toyota need to be taught what customer service is.
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Not a car for the snowbelt - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
By Unhappy in Ohio - September 27 - 2:00 amPlain interior-wheres foreign fit & finish? Speed rated tires suicide in snow. Windshield fogs. Main problem, struts! Complained many times about clunking noise. Dealer finds nothing loose. After research, I uncover known strut problem. Failing strut on an icy road cause car to swish left into a skid after hitting dip. $7,500 in sheet metal damage, luckily no one hurt. During repairs, rented 2003 Impala; felt safe & in control for 1st time since 5-99 when I bought 1st (& last!) Toyota. Hurray for Moms apple pie & good ole American Chevrolet. (P.S. any Solara lovers want to buy totally repainted 99 SEV6? hahaha)
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SCARY - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By sweilz1 - June 22 - 10:00 amView info on gov website for NSTHA. I have not enter info, but many others have..all same complaint. Dangerous to drive. Pulls to the left, and slides to the right (as thou on ice). Very SCARY. My car is being Lemon Lawed.
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Wish Id never bought a Solara - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
By D Beck - January 23 - 8:03 pmThe five speed automatic tranmission doesnt shift properly when speeding up after slowing down or coming out of a turn. Dealership tells me its operating as designed. Will never get another Toyota.
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Hopelessly helpless in a Toyota Solara - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
By Barbb - November 22 - 10:00 amI had this car since 6/2003 and started bring for repair service 7/2003. It has been serviced at Gateway Toyota, of Toms River, NJ 13 times in the last year. Anything that could go wrong, did, from tires already needing to be replaced, to most recent the catalytic converter falling off. My car currently has 22,000+ in mileage and I have a lawyer to claim lemon law. After all this Toyota wanted me to go thru mediation with a company they chose. Both Gateway Dealership and Toyota have been absolute helpless and actually made me feel like I was losing my mind. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!!!!!
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FACTORY FLAW - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By pamperedprince - December 9 - 10:00 amThis car and many like it suffer from a left drift problem (car steers left) that remains after numerous dealership visits. With front end alignments, applying TSB adjustments, and then replacing front struts (not in the TSB) this nagging problem persists. POOR!
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Worst Owning Experience Ever - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By Eric S - October 4 - 12:00 pmHad problems from day 1. The car had the "Left Drift Issue", rattle in dashboard, and the start of transmission problems. The car was in the shop 4 times for the pull issue and the rattles, but the dealership was never able to fix them. Eventually was told that the car is suppose to pull to the left. Completely unsatisified with this car, coming from a family that owns nothing but Toyotas. Owned the car for a total of 5 months before I had enough and traded it in on a brand new Scion tC, which has had absolutely no problems at all. I guess the plant in Kentucky should take notes on how cars are built in Japan because they sure as hell cant compete with the quality from overseas.
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So much for Quality and Reliability - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By HJ - June 21 - 4:46 amI am completely dissatisfied with this vehicle! My wife and daughter drive 140 miles round-trip every day. I bought a Toyota because I thought it was a high-quality, safe, and reliable vehicle. I have had many many problems with this vehicle. While most of the problems do not affect the safety and reliability of the vehicle, one problem most certainly does intermittently the car will not start completely dead no clicks no nothing. I have to jump the vehicle to get it started. I have had the car in for service several times and they keep telling me they cannot find anything wrong. I guess its a figment of my imagination.
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Solara - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
By sss - January 11 - 10:00 amThe car is to heavy for its suspension. The drive is too loose and too much power for the brakes.
