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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Could Be Better... - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
By TK - January 23 - 10:06 pmI like the car overall, but was a little disappointed in the rattles, shakes and blindspot. The rattles and shakes happen mainly over bumpy roads. The blindspot is pretty scary. I LOVE the car with the top down and only like it with the top up. I get lots of compliments at red lights and gas stations but...if I had it to do over, I probably would have spent a little more for the Saab or BMW.
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Best car that I ever owned - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By K. Bruce Aquila - January 22 - 2:00 amEveyday I find something else to play with it has alot of toys. I have been stoped and told that I have a nice car!
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Fun to drive - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By K. Bruce Aquila - January 22 - 2:00 amPeople keep stoping me and telling me that I have a nice car. I keep finding new toys to play with. This car is fun to drive and the pearl color makes it stand out from the normal colors out there.
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Topless in Louisiana - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By Toplsss in La. - January 17 - 10:00 amWhat a great car. Fun to drive, classy and beautiful. Theyre selling as fast as they get them. Run and get yours. Quiet inside, smooth ride. Wow! Everything a Lexus without the price.
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Love my new Solara - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
By Lisa - January 13 - 7:03 pmWhat an awesome car. Fun to drive, especially with the top down. Smooth ride. All the bells a whistles of a more expensive car with an affordable price. The only complaint is a major blind spot when the top is up.
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The best ride - 2004 Toyota Camry Solara
By Maria - January 10 - 7:30 pmThis is the BEST car I have ever owned! Toyota is a fantastic company and they stand behind their vehicles! I love the style of my sporty red Solara as well as the performance, not to mention the detail of this car - could not be better! I plan on keeping this car until the very end. I have seen the previous years solara models on the road and they still look sharp!
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My fouteeth toyota - 2003 Toyota Camry Solara
By robedixon - January 3 - 10:00 amTypical of all my Toyotas. Well built. Solid. User friendly. Dealer treated me very well. Had problem with brake rotors right out of the lot. Dealer came and got the car and replaced them without complaint. It is the first time in my purchasing Toyotas I have had a problem within the first 90 days so I am not disappointed.
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sport and luxury! - 2005 Toyota Camry Solara
By Lois - December 19 - 7:06 pmThis car has the best of both worlds. Its sporty without sacrificing ride and comfort.
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Go for it! - 2006 Toyota Camry Solara
By Solman6 - December 19 - 12:16 pmIf you were concerned about a 4 cyl. being underpowered dont be! I have no trouble with hesitation or merging onto highways or passing for that matter. I am 6ft 1" tall and the leg room is okay but headroom is obtained by tilting the seat back and making up the difference with the tilt telescopic wheel, if you are tall go for long test drive to be sure of comfort level. I put a full size spare in the trunk, no temporary tire for this long haul commuter, so be warned the well is too shallow for a full size tire requiring extension of hold down bolt and modification of well cover to accomodate it. Radio is adequate but nothing special, Gas mileage is great at 30 mpg average. Overall nice car!
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LEMON DUE TO MANUFAC. PLANT? - 1999 Toyota Camry Solara
By LAN - December 17 - 2:00 amPURCHASED USED(12500); TOYOTA CERTIFIED;.fIRST, FRONT END NOISE;FIXED ONE YEAR LATER.NEXT ENGINE LIGHT ON WITHIN 3 MONTHS; SOLENOID? OR TRANSMISSION?.TRANSMISSION OIL DIRTY/BURNT EARLY ON;PROBLEMS 55000;INTERIOR WOOD GRAIN FADES; DEFROSTER HARD FOR ME TO OPERATE; LIGHTS AND DOOR LOCKS COMING ON NOW...ALWAYS SOMEIN..LEMON?
