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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Oh, man! What a great car! - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
By Solarik - January 14 - 2:00 amNo wonder that almost everybody who sees it and who is lucky enough to drive it fall for it the first minute. Well, sexy look, very cozy interior. Nice leather, comfortable seats. Engine is just Vow! Is it so powerful, that you stop to feel gravitation anymore, just acceleration. Ride is so incredibly quiet and smooth, it is like you are gliding over the surface. In two words, you can feel the touches of Godmother Lexus here. And you just dont wanna get off the car. Very roomy for a coupe (it is actually of Camrys size), so it is plenty of room on the back seats. Very powerful brakes.
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Great Car!! - 2000 Toyota Camry Solara
By InvisibleDanielle - January 9 - 10:00 amIve had this car for 2 years now and I havent had any major problems. Just the normal ware and tear stuff like tires. Its a great car and I would buy another one.
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Wonderful Touring Car - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
By SilverSolara - December 26 - 10:00 am2000 6cyl w/manual tranny. Extremely comfortable, almost luxurious ride. All reviews saying it is Lexus-like are dead-on. The engine, brakes, tranny have been problem-free at 36K miles. After comparing it to CL/Integra, Accord, Cougar, Tiburon,and Seabring, I think I have the best car (that suits me) for the money.
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3 Years but feels like day one! - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
By Love My Solara - December 25 - 2:00 amNormally, I lease because I get sick of cars after jut 2 years. Its been 3 yrs driving my Solara SLE V6 and I still love as much as day one! I get tons of compliments of my car. My only trouble is that I cant decide if I should buy this lease out or get a new Solara! What a delema!
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Great Convertible for Friends & Family - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
By Dr Peter Baldwin - December 22 - 7:13 amThe Solara is a fantastic convertible that comfortably seats 4 passengers. I routinely take my colleagues out on golfing trips. Theres plenty of room for everyone and their clubs. Im always getting compliments. Sure I could afford a BMW or a Lexus, but it seems foolish in this economy to overspend on a car. This car has everything I need and more. I love the built-in satellite radio. Sure, the blind spots are bigger than on a standard car, but thats a trade-off of having a convertible. Its not a mini-van. I would recommend this car to anyone who is looking for a reliable, performance driven, roomy convertible. Its like a Lexus without the price tag.
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Wonderful Car - 2000 Toyota Camry Solara
By dapqam - December 21 - 10:03 amBought in 8/2002 with 36k miles. Now have 85k. Have replaced window regulator motor. All other items have been regular maintenance - oil, filters, brake pads and rotors, timing belt and water pump (at 84k). This car is a wonderful machine.
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Must Buy Car! - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
By TOYOTA DRIVER - December 20 - 1:56 pmDrive smoothly, no major problem after 80K miles. Only down size was the price, but everything else is perfect.
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Just not enough.... - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
By Deborah - December 20 - 5:00 amIts a pretty car, Ill give it that. But thats not enough to make this a car to love. The 4-cyl engine doesnt have enough power, I worry about getting enough acceleration to merge on to the highways. The car just feels a bit "clunky" to me. Oh, and dont crack the windows if its just stopped raining, youll get drenched; the water pours in....
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Absolutely love my Absolutely Red Solara - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
By Ali - December 19 - 2:00 pmToyota knows how to build a fun-to- drive 4 cylinder car. Not only that, but this one looks hot, and rides smooth as well. After determining that an Infiniti G35 was a little out of the price bracket this year, I decided to trade in my wonderfully reliable, but well-worn Ford Escort for something more...stylish and grown-up. The engine compression is fantastic, even at lower RPMs, so I dont miss the control of the manual transmission. The seats are extremely comfortable, and the power adjustments on the drivers seat are worth every penny. But dont take my word for it!
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Great car - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
By Elly - December 17 - 10:23 amHard to find this car but well worth the wait and search. Smooth handling, comfortable, excellent fuel economy, super sound system. I have always liked the Solara but this body style was well worth the wait. The dual transmission is fun and keeps you in touch with manual driving as well as giving you the laid back ability to switch back to automatic and cruise control. Convertible roof is easy to use and the car looks good with it up or down.
