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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Exceptional - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
By luv67fire - April 8 - 2:00 amThis car is perfect if you are look for a sophisticated, yet sporty vehicle that will make you feel like they put the Toyota symbol on accident and forgot the Lexus symbol... Ive drove many different Lexus and this drives and looks like a $30,000 car. My husband and I are still young and like sports cars... we actually went from a Nissan 300zx to the Solara and I must admit that I am loving the Solara much more! Since they have been out for a few years now, I would recommend finding a used SLE for a decent price. Definitely worth every penny spent!
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Shouldve got the V6 - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
By RossP - April 6 - 3:46 pmBeen a Toyo Man since 84. Bought this Solara as soon as it came out. Int/Ext styling sets this car apart. I just went to buy a new Camry for the wife and she said shell keep her Solara. Im 64" so the headroom is a litte tight w/the sunroof, so I have to recline the seat a little more than I want to which makes driving not as enjoyable. Great value for the money, handles well, the 4s nice but go for the V6. Even after 12K miles car rides like new, no rattles and very quiet.
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love my convertible - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
By Dallasgal - April 1 - 11:26 pmThe car is so much fun. It has been a very dependable car. I was tboned in a bad wreck. I walked away without a scratch. The car is very solid. The service at my dealership is outstanding. The rear window is hard to see out of when looking for traffic. My right convertible side is hard to lock when putting the top up. But would I buy this car again? Yes
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to big for little women - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By shaunna - March 29 - 10:00 ami bought a 04 solar pearl i love the car its comfortable to drive its a real eye catcher driving down the road very good sound system and being 20 thats imporant
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Comfy seats sold me. - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By jmack253 - February 8 - 2:00 amThe Solara was a compromise between the V6 Accord, the Passat and the V6 Camry SE. The Solara seats (leather with lumbar support) were some of the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in. The engine feels pretty strong and is very smooth. The interior is very elegant, except for the cheesy fake wood accents. Otherwise, great ride, good power, distinctive styling (though from some angles it looks bulbous), 2.9 % financing for 60 months. There is a slight pull to the left. I have heard from message boards that this is common with this car.
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End of the line - 2008 Toyota Camry Solara
By GM - January 30 - 9:53 amI had reservations about buying a car I knew was no longer being manufactured. However, there simply is not a convertible out there that provides the smoothness, comfort, feature set, and room anywhere near this price point. And the close-out incentives were certainly compelling. This car is not about driving excitement. Freeway curves easily taken at 80 in my 3-series need to be adjusted down to 60 in the Solara. Acceleration is good, but not dramatic. However, everything about this car exudes refinement - whisper-quiet Lexus grade engine, solid thunk of the trunk, smooth switch gear, damped cup holder cover, efficient top mechanism.
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one good car - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By g marshall - November 8 - 2:00 amnice car dependable, solid build, even the entry vehicle is loaded, and i got it at a great price
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Great car... but - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
By J. Zito - October 22 - 8:50 pmThe Solara Convertible is a well built, nicely styled car. The interior is both beautiful and functional, while the exterior is eye catching. Road noise and bumps are well isolated.
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Good car, yet not a fun one - 2001 Toyota Camry Solara
By Paul Revera - September 30 - 4:03 amI recently bought a Solara and was suprised at how nice the interior is! nice leather, nice sound, and the wood paneling adds a nice touch. Yet this car is no performer. The V6 is underpowerd and it is not fun to drive. This car should be labeled as a cheaper luxury car, which it is, but is not a sports car by any means. It is 1000% better than a camry, and is a very reliable car. Although I plan to get a Injen cold air intake, Greddy Exhaust and a TRD supercharger to make up for the not-so-fun factor about it.
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Good and Reliable - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
By Faithful to Toyota - September 16 - 10:00 amIm currently at 90,000 miles. It runs like new. Very reliable car. Ive also had minor interior problems such as driverside visor mirror/light fell out. The coin tray has been replaced. Toyota Dealer replaced these and my front brakes at around 50,000 for some unpublished recall/problem with the breaks (all no charge). I just had to replace the battery for 1st time. I am on 3rd set of tires.
