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Summertime is here. Forget, for the moment, baseball, barbeques and dopey Hollywood blockbusters. Instead, think about being outside. Think about sneaking off in a convertible some Sunday evening. Cruise along your favorite stretch of road. Drop the top and soak up that warm summer night air. Smell the trees. Hear the thrum of the tires against the blacktop. Watch the sun add Technicolor to the clouds as it finishes its duty for the day. This is summertime motoring at its best.
Of course, "this" does require that you own a convertible.
Should you not have one, no doubt Toyota would be happy to sell you one of its new Camry Solaras. And having evaluated one, we can say with fair authority that taking Toyota up on the offer might not be such a bad idea.
The Solara, should you be unfamiliar with it, is Toyota's grown-up two-door coupe and convertible. It is based on the Camry, Toyota's hugely popular family sedan. Of course, the Camry is known for being comfortable, dependable, refined and well built. Identifying excitement, fun and flair in a Camry — traits one would normally associate with a convertible — is somewhat of a futile task, sort of like trying to find a Greenpeace member at a GOP fundraiser.
Yet, Toyota managed to add enough of those more interesting elements to make the first Solara convertible, sold from 1999 to 2003, a respectable success. Now, a new Solara convertible bows for 2004. Like a Hollywood sequel, it's got more of the same while also being bigger and flashier. We've covered the new Solara coupe (on sale since the summer of 2003) in a first drive and a comprehensive road test. Here we will focus on the Solara convertible, which began arriving at dealerships in the spring of 2004.
Our testing occurred during a typical sunny week in Southern California. Lowering the soft top (full headliner, glass rear window with defog) on a Solara convertible is a relatively straightforward process. First, pull back on the two clamps that secure the top to the windshield frame. Then punch the top's "Close/Open" toggle switch. In about 10 seconds, the top quietly motors down and one is maximizing his or her UV exposure to the fullest. That basic routine is pretty easy.
The basic routine isn't the whole story, though. First, while there is a button that allows all four windows to be raised or lowered with one touch, the windows themselves are not synchronized. First the rear-quarter windows move, and then the doors' windows move. This two-step dance move slows down the overall fully open to fully closed process.
We also noticed that because the Solara is a good-sized car, drivers who are belted in or are short in stature might find it a bit difficult to reach over to grab and operate the passenger-side clamp. More annoying, though, is the tonneau cover. This vinyl form-fitted cover is meant to be manually installed over the folded top, presumably for aesthetics and weather protection. Attached clips are used to secure the cover. In practice, we found the installation process fussy. The cover is unwieldy and its clips don't seem to work that well. It also partially blocks what is already a middling view from the rearview mirror. When not in use, the cover must be stored somewhere. This "somewhere" might be the trunk. Based on our experience, it might also be the owner's garage.
With the top down and the driver on the move, the Camry Solara provides an average amount of wind protection. A wind blocker is being sold through Toyota dealerships for a $395 MSRP; without being able to test it, we can't comment on its effectiveness. Top up, the Solara produces such low levels of road and wind noise that it would beat some coupe and sedan hardtops in this regard. The only negative to mention about the top being up is the poor rearward visibility, particularly because of the very thick C-pillars and rising rear beltline. (However, it should be noted that thick C-pillars are a problem endemic to many convertibles.)
Top up or down, we were impressed by the amount of structural rigidity, particularly for a four-seat convertible of this price range. Both grades of the Solara convertible, SE and SLE, come standard with a sport-tuned suspension. While this certainly doesn't endow the car with handling that is anywhere close to a BMW 325Ci's, it's taut enough that you won't feel like you're driving a car with a suspension made of squishy balls, either. Around town and on the freeway, the Solara provides a comfortable ride overall.
Should you need to haul something, the Solara convertible's trunk can hold 11.7 cubic feet of stuff. Due to the space taken up by the top mechanism, this is down a bit compared to the Solara coupe (13.8 cubic feet) but still enough for a week's worth of groceries or a couple suitcases or golf bags. Likewise, the rear seat does away with the coupe's center position but is still very roomy for adults, particularly in regard to legroom and overall comfort. In fact, with the top up, there's actually more rear headroom than what's available in the coupe.
Both convertible trim levels come with a comprehensive standard feature list, including the 225-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6 engine. As expected, it's very refined and — with the additional power boost over the previous Solara's V6 — gives the car plenty of motivation for everyday situations, such as freeway entrances and overtaking. In terms of options, our test car came packaged with traction control, stability control and the DVD-based satellite navigation system.
The nav system is certainly impressive due to its large screen (6.7 inches), major-league database and many directional and display features. If you're one who would benefit frequently from a nav-equipped car, we would have no problem recommending it. However, keep in mind that ordering the nav system eliminates the otherwise standard in-dash six-disc CD changer found in the SLE. A single-CD player is put in its place, and it's located inconveniently behind the nav screen; to access it, one must push a small button at the bottom of the screen. We also noted that the nav system is less effective when the top is down. Direct sunlight can make the display very hard to read and any audio prompts from the nav system can be muffled out due to wind noise.
From an overall perspective, though, we came away from our test with a very positive outlook. We might have nitpicked the nav system, for instance, but at least the Solara comes with the option of having it. Its closest competitors — the Chrysler Sebring, Mitsubishi Eclipse and Ford Mustang convertibles — don't offer one. That goes for many other features, as well.
The Solara is reasonably priced, too. It costs about the same as the Sebring yet is more refined, more comfortable and packs in more luxury and safety features. It's not until you start spending another $10 to $15 grand (Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Saab 9-3) that you start to see comparable features. If you're shopping for a four-seat convertible, regardless of price, the Solara is certainly a car you should check out for your summertime enjoyment.
Summertime is here. Forget, for the moment, baseball, barbeques and dopey Hollywood blockbusters. Instead, think about being outside. Think about sneaking off in a convertible some Sunday evening. Cruise along your favorite stretch of road. Drop the top and soak up that warm summer night air. Smell the trees. Hear the thrum of the tires against the blacktop. Watch the sun add Technicolor to the clouds as it finishes its duty for the day. This is summertime motoring at its best.
Of course, "this" does require that you own a convertible.
Should you not have one, no doubt Toyota would be happy to sell you one of its new Camry Solaras. And having evaluated one, we can say with fair authority that taking Toyota up on the offer might not be such a bad idea.
The Solara, should you be unfamiliar with it, is Toyota's grown-up two-door coupe and convertible. It is based on the Camry, Toyota's hugely popular family sedan. Of course, the Camry is known for being comfortable, dependable, refined and well built. Identifying excitement, fun and flair in a Camry — traits one would normally associate with a convertible — is somewhat of a futile task, sort of like trying to find a Greenpeace member at a GOP fundraiser.
Yet, Toyota managed to add enough of those more interesting elements to make the first Solara convertible, sold from 1999 to 2003, a respectable success. Now, a new Solara convertible bows for 2004. Like a Hollywood sequel, it's got more of the same while also being bigger and flashier. We've covered the new Solara coupe (on sale since the summer of 2003) in a first drive and a comprehensive road test. Here we will focus on the Solara convertible, which began arriving at dealerships in the spring of 2004.
Our testing occurred during a typical sunny week in Southern California. Lowering the soft top (full headliner, glass rear window with defog) on a Solara convertible is a relatively straightforward process. First, pull back on the two clamps that secure the top to the windshield frame. Then punch the top's "Close/Open" toggle switch. In about 10 seconds, the top quietly motors down and one is maximizing his or her UV exposure to the fullest. That basic routine is pretty easy.
The basic routine isn't the whole story, though. First, while there is a button that allows all four windows to be raised or lowered with one touch, the windows themselves are not synchronized. First the rear-quarter windows move, and then the doors' windows move. This two-step dance move slows down the overall fully open to fully closed process.
We also noticed that because the Solara is a good-sized car, drivers who are belted in or are short in stature might find it a bit difficult to reach over to grab and operate the passenger-side clamp. More annoying, though, is the tonneau cover. This vinyl form-fitted cover is meant to be manually installed over the folded top, presumably for aesthetics and weather protection. Attached clips are used to secure the cover. In practice, we found the installation process fussy. The cover is unwieldy and its clips don't seem to work that well. It also partially blocks what is already a middling view from the rearview mirror. When not in use, the cover must be stored somewhere. This "somewhere" might be the trunk. Based on our experience, it might also be the owner's garage.
With the top down and the driver on the move, the Camry Solara provides an average amount of wind protection. A wind blocker is being sold through Toyota dealerships for a $395 MSRP; without being able to test it, we can't comment on its effectiveness. Top up, the Solara produces such low levels of road and wind noise that it would beat some coupe and sedan hardtops in this regard. The only negative to mention about the top being up is the poor rearward visibility, particularly because of the very thick C-pillars and rising rear beltline. (However, it should be noted that thick C-pillars are a problem endemic to many convertibles.)
Top up or down, we were impressed by the amount of structural rigidity, particularly for a four-seat convertible of this price range. Both grades of the Solara convertible, SE and SLE, come standard with a sport-tuned suspension. While this certainly doesn't endow the car with handling that is anywhere close to a BMW 325Ci's, it's taut enough that you won't feel like you're driving a car with a suspension made of squishy balls, either. Around town and on the freeway, the Solara provides a comfortable ride overall.
Should you need to haul something, the Solara convertible's trunk can hold 11.7 cubic feet of stuff. Due to the space taken up by the top mechanism, this is down a bit compared to the Solara coupe (13.8 cubic feet) but still enough for a week's worth of groceries or a couple suitcases or golf bags. Likewise, the rear seat does away with the coupe's center position but is still very roomy for adults, particularly in regard to legroom and overall comfort. In fact, with the top up, there's actually more rear headroom than what's available in the coupe.
Both convertible trim levels come with a comprehensive standard feature list, including the 225-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6 engine. As expected, it's very refined and — with the additional power boost over the previous Solara's V6 — gives the car plenty of motivation for everyday situations, such as freeway entrances and overtaking. In terms of options, our test car came packaged with traction control, stability control and the DVD-based satellite navigation system.
The nav system is certainly impressive due to its large screen (6.7 inches), major-league database and many directional and display features. If you're one who would benefit frequently from a nav-equipped car, we would have no problem recommending it. However, keep in mind that ordering the nav system eliminates the otherwise standard in-dash six-disc CD changer found in the SLE. A single-CD player is put in its place, and it's located inconveniently behind the nav screen; to access it, one must push a small button at the bottom of the screen. We also noted that the nav system is less effective when the top is down. Direct sunlight can make the display very hard to read and any audio prompts from the nav system can be muffled out due to wind noise.
From an overall perspective, though, we came away from our test with a very positive outlook. We might have nitpicked the nav system, for instance, but at least the Solara comes with the option of having it. Its closest competitors — the Chrysler Sebring, Mitsubishi Eclipse and Ford Mustang convertibles — don't offer one. That goes for many other features, as well.
The Solara is reasonably priced, too. It costs about the same as the Sebring yet is more refined, more comfortable and packs in more luxury and safety features. It's not until you start spending another $10 to $15 grand (Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Saab 9-3) that you start to see comparable features. If you're shopping for a four-seat convertible, regardless of price, the Solara is certainly a car you should check out for your summertime enjoyment.
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