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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Solara Convertible - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
By mswoods - November 12 - 2:00 amExcellent car - poor dealership
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Beautiful Car - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
By Littlfeather108 - November 10 - 10:00 amThis car is an excellent buy. One of the first things that caught our eye was the amount of room. Better half is 64" and fits very comfortably. The car itself has a classy look. We chose the 2005 Red SLE. I am constantly getting asked how I like my new Lexus. It is very similar in style to a Lexus. It has an amazing amount of "get up and go" for a 4 cylinder. This one has the moon roof which we like very much. The car is so quiet it is hard to tell if it is running or not. The sound system is very adequate and the dash design is very sporty. It has a roomy trunk, and the back seat boasts plenty of room for long legged passengers. This is an excellent car for the money.
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Still reliable - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
By Katrina - November 5 - 5:46 pmIt is now 2015 and I have had my 2003 for years. It has 230,000 miles and still performing to standards. This car has grown on me to the point I dont want to sell it or give it away. Very dependable no major issues. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone that wants a little style and reliability.
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Fun in the Sun - 2002 Toyota Camry Solara
By CMA - October 29 - 7:16 amWe bought the Solara as a Certified Used Toyota. The car gives a Lexus like ride. The V6 accelarates well and the transmission is smooth. The car is very comfortable on long trips.
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Toyota Solara - 2007 Toyota Camry Solara
By ajwilke - October 27 - 6:53 amI have had a Solara for over 2 years now. It is a great car! I dont get as many admiring looks as I did with my MR2 Spyder, but it definitely gets noticed. It rides well and is very quiet. The back seat accommodates 2 adults easily and it has ample trunk room. The V-6 is very responsive and I have to be careful about speeding. I have had no problems with it. Only visits to the dealer for routine maintenance. If I ever have to replace it, I will definitely have this model at the top of my list.
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Thoroughly Impressed - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
By Adavis - October 25 - 1:43 amI wasnt even looking for a Toyota because I alreadly had an 06 Camry Sedan, but when I saw the Solara on the lot and then got inside I was floored. Everything else I was looking at was running at or above 30k. This car is incredible and it was under 25k. I love it. Buttery soft leather, sunroof, 6 disc CD changer in the dash, top quality stereo system, velvety smooth ride (its like it talks to the road),and a huge trunk! I should have known Id eventually end up with a Toyota. This is my 3rd in 6 years. Can beat the quality for the money!
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Great Car - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
By N8 - October 17 - 1:33 amI have had my SLE for almost 5 years now and I am about to roll over 200,000 miles. I have had a few minor issues with the car but overall it has been an excellent car. The CV joint boot split and ran dry and I had to replace the axle twice. The first time it was still under warranty, and the second time was around 160,000 miles. Smooth ride, good gas mileage for a V6 (27-29 mpg on highway depending on how heavy my foot is!!) and plenty of get up and go. Runs like new!! I would recommend this car to anyone who drives a lot and plans to keep the car for a long time.
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Problems - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By start22 - October 14 - 2:00 amSeems some Solaras have a problem. 1. on some, the tire pressure light wont go off, and the service depts dont know how to fix it. On some, the car pulls to the left, and even after 3 alignments, they cant fix it. And on some, the dashboard rattles after a few hundred miles. I got all 3 problems, and am waiting for arbitration to get my money back! :(
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Solara, my story... - 2000 Toyota Camry Solara
By Webguyster - October 13 - 10:46 pmThis car is a mystery. Hasnt let me down yet, but has had a few minor flaws, like improper fitted carpet, rocking chairs, and delicate paint, and a love to go left. Suspension is quirky over rough surfaces. Never broke down, but have build quality issues. Quick, and stops on a dime. Transmission a bit rough for a Toyota. Looks nice, pleasant on the eye! Starting to get to many Solaras that look the same!
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Toyota Solara - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By Angela E. - October 9 - 10:00 amIf your are looking for some fun at a really good price buy a Toyota Solara. It looks like a Lexus and the SLE V6s inside is like a Lexus. It is so nice and the ride is so smooth, you get alot out of the car for its price tag. My car was $28,000 and it has just about everything you could want. Leather, sunroof/moonroof, seat warmers, wood grain, awsome stero, just a very nice car.
