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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  Absolutely love this car. - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By AWS - October 1 - 9:53 pm

  We have owned three beetle convertibles, two Porsche 911s, a Mercedes E320 Convertible, countless jeep CJs and wranglers all for the same reason, to enjoy top down motoring. We rented a Solara convertible for a ten day tour of Arizona and bought one immediately. We have enjoyed the car for six months and would not be without one. We can afford to drive whatever we want. We neither want nor covet any other car period. OK, a 911 Turbo Cabriolet would be nice, but we no longer want the care and feeding burden. The value, fun, space and expected reliability of this car make it unbeatable. We are at real motoring peace with this perfect ride in our stable. Rent one for a couple of days

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  Mixed review! - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Alyssa - October 1 - 3:25 am

  I bought my 03 Solara from a private party. Within the ten months I had it, I put 34,000 miles on it. When I quit driving it, it has 237k miles! My car was my daily driver, about 80-100 miles a day from school/work to home. There was a major problem with the front end, and it would shake uncontrollably around 70mph, but I would just cruise at 80 to make the shaking go away. My heater was a LEMON, It took twenty minutes to warm up. BIGGEST PROBLEM was, I had a had on collision with a full size pickup going 65mph. My car was totaled and I walked away with only bruises after spinning 5 times and etc. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I had a head on collision, I spun, hit things, my front of my car was demolished, yet my airbags DID NOT DEPLOY. Other than that, I actually was amazed at how it sustained the crash! My windshield and back glass shattered and came in the car, and my rearview mirror shattered and flew past me, and the panel that was on my ignition fell off. other than that, the interior looked as if I hadnt even been in a wreck, while the outside was pulverized. I had to put a quart of oil in it a week. Personally, I would not buy one again because we had a lot of maintenance but it was used with high mileage, but if you want something SAFE for a teen or young driver, definitely get a Solara. Gas is amazing. I would be on EMPTY and only pay $25 and have full tank. Im a very short girl (411) and I had virtually no blind spots.

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  Love my Solara - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Lisa CC - September 30 - 10:20 am

  This car hs been great to drive. Its VERY quiet, smooth and reliable. I love it.

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  Wow - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Mel - September 30 - 6:56 am

  This is a great car. We shopped for anew convertible for quite some time. Most of them are too small, without sufficient seating and leg room. This car has plenty of headroom, seating width, and leg room. My business partner who is over 6 tall could sit in the back seat with the top up - he was blown away with the build quality (he drives BMWs). The car is quite the eye catcher as well. We have the red one with tan top and interior. The performance is quite sufficient and the ride is smooth.The cabin is very quiet with the top up.

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  Put together poor - 2000 Toyota Camry Solara
  By SaraBoadway - September 28 - 10:00 am

  I was excited to finally have a toyota that wouldnt be in the shop all the time. I have had the car almost a year and it has had to have the passenger seatbelt replaced, the convertible top replaced, the front calipers replaced, the wheel bearring replaced, the rear speakers replaced. Needless to say the it has been in and out of the shop all year and to make matters worse Toyota nevers gets it completey fixed the first time so you have to keep taking it in, and the wont give you a renta car unless the keep it over night, and the dont they keep it all day and rent it to you and ask you to bring it back another day

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  Great Solara Vehicle - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
  By jkolts - September 28 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle is fun to drive. Excellent interior design. Minor problem with a rattle in the front passenger door. This is my 4th Toyota (3rd Camry). Toyota continues to make great vehicles. Wouldnt want anything other than a Toyota.

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  Hard to beat - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By prnitz - September 20 - 2:00 am

  The SE version of this car with the V6, 5 speed, leather package and moonroof are the way to go. Mine is black over charcoal. Beautiful car with typical Toyota quality build. Only thing I would add is a little more horsepower to keep up with the Acura and Accord in the same class. All in all, could not have made a better purchase for the money.

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  Love my Solara Convertible - 2007 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Marilynn - September 19 - 6:10 pm

  I love the car. Very fun to drive. The top goes up and down easy and fast. One negative is that the passenger seat is not automatically adjustable and is not as comfortable. I did not notice this when I bought it. Gas mileage is about 17 miles to the gallon. The car handles well but sometimes going around a corner fast it seems to lose grip on the road a little. I would buy this car again. Looks great and seats 4 adults easy.

• 

  Love it! - 2007 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Yolee - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Have had the car for about a month, so far love it! We have always been Chevy/Buick fans but my husband got tired of constantly working on them, we decided to give Toyota a try (time will tell if weve made the right choice).I went from a small SUV and was worried that going back to a car the ride would feel low, it doesnt. I love the look of the Solara, the pearl finish, so far I pretty much love everything about the car. Smooth ride, descent gas mileage (average around 29, country driving), the classy cream leather interior, the navigation system and blue-tooth. Feel like a spoiled princess driving this car, feels like Im driving a Lexus.

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  Solara. The best of all Toyotas - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
  By Alan - September 16 - 8:20 pm

  Ive owned 15 cars in my life, always changing every 2 years because I was not satisfied. That is until I bought my 1999 Toyota Solara SLE V6. Ive found no need to get rid it it. After 10 years, it is perfect. Never in my life have I see a better built car, inside and out than the Solara. Sadly Toyota does not know a good thing when it see it. They will be sorry for the cancellation of the Solara. I intended to repeat buy Solara for life. It is not likely I will buy any other Toyota. The Solara was the only one with class and style. When I go away for vacation, I consider driving my Solara to be part of the vacation...part of the pleasure. Never have I driven a more superb vehicle.