I'm think of getting a toyota solara. I think can get a pretty cool deal one 2002 V6 Manual.. loaded.. I think SE model. My Maxima is about to kick the bucket, and I dont want to put any more money on it so I'm just looking for something right now. I can afford anything under 30K at this point. I dont think I want to go with nissan for a while, I haved 3 maximas. How does a Solara rank up next to a maxima, I done some re-reserch and some guys can hit 1/4 in about 14.5. I still love maximas but right now I would like a two door car that I dont have to worry about and fun to drive. Need some help

 

So, you want a 2-door and you have $30k to spend? And your seriously considering a Solara? What's the matter with you There are SO MANY cars out there for $30k that are LIGHT years better/faster/nicer looking than the Solara. If you want a new car, I suggest waiting for the 350Z, they are supposed to hover around $30k. Try to get your Max to hang in there a bit longer. You could almost get a used 1999 Corvette Z06 for $30k. You could get a Subaru WRX (crazy fun to drive), Jetta VR6 (German, need I say more?), Passats can be had for under $30k, the Altima is a rocket in sheep's clothing, you SHOULD be able to pick up a 6-sp Max SE for $27 w/HID's and maybe even leather. I think many .org-ers will agree with me when I ask you - Why a Solara?

 

I agree - the only people I see driving Solaras are middle-aged women. Not saying their bad cars, but you could do better...
-Cyrus

 

SOLARA DOES NOT DO 1/4 IN 14.5 .. more like 16.5. Lol I'm not being mean, the car just sucks.

 

To be honest the Solara looks like a car made for women I rarely see guys driving them. All the cars mentioned by Migthy are great but include a preowned TLS, but the 2k2 Max is the way to go you know how good a Maxima will be to you!

 

Personally, I think the Solaras look pretty good, and I like the interior as well. But I am going to have to agree with the other members when they say there are better cars to be bought with 30k. I understand how you feel about having 3 max's and not wanting another one, but I would rather have a WRX rather then a '02 Solara b/c those things are fun to drive. Go with whatever car you like best though, don't let other people influence you into buying a car that you don't truly like.

 

i agree with the org memebers do a search on the web for all the cars that are under 30k you can do better than a solara

 

all Solara is is a 2 door Camry, that's really what it is, but when it comes down to it, what do you really want?????


do you want more comfort, and you don't care about suspension and power?? or do you want something that's stiffer and a lot of hp??? i mean, it's all what you want, and fortunatly we can't decide that one for you, you have to see for yourself.

you know maxima, and you know what the new ones can do, so drive the solara and then right away go drive 2k2 maxima and see how you like them.

Vinipux

 

I helped my friend pick out the Solara when they first came out. This friend is a 'she'.. LOL.

The car is solid. It's door and chassis felt like my olk MKIII. The car is heavier and the suspension a bit soft (as most cars are). I like the Solara with the TRD kit... Very nice looking and classy.

I agree that you can find 'better' choices out there. The 350Z being one of them. I doubt you will be able to get one at the 26.4K the first several months due to the dealer markups. Depends how soon you need to buy.

I dunno about the WRX... great car but he styling STILL isn't growing on me.

 

Talk about a blast from the past, Solara is like a 97 Camry. Even the Matrix with the Celica engine is snazzier. For under 30 the RS-X Type S is an excellent consideration. Also don't know why a '96 Max should kick the bucket, 6 1/2 yrs old?

 

The Solara is a decent looking car.. but so not performance oriented. No way does it do a 14.5 in the 1/4... unless it is running a lot of serious mods... It's overpriced for what it is in my opinion. My uncle has a green / tan 1999 SLE, V6, all options.. it's a nice car to drive around, but I would not buy it for looks and to modify. I rather even get an Accord V6 coupe.

The Solara does look good with a body kit, and some wheels... interior is cool... auto tranny is very smooth, as all Toyotas are.. But hell no, 30 grand for an average at best, coupe.. Never. There are so man cars that are quicker and better looking for that $$$.

 

The Solara wouldn't be 30K with a V6 and 5speed.

You could get the TRD S/C and STILL keep your factory warantee! All for under 30K!

 

As opposed to the many non-middle-aged women driving Maximas?

 

Man, I wish i had 30k to spend . I would get the 02 Max w/o consideration...the WRX does sound tempting...if you put the JDM STI engine in there.

 

I would get the Subaru WRX without a doubt. It's a 2 door, all wheel drive, fun to drive rocket. IF you can hold out a while why not wait for the Lancer EVO? Please, don't get a Solara. Just my .02 What's wrong w/ your max? I thought it looked great the last time I saw it. I can understand though that after 3 of them you're ready for a change. Good luck w/ your decision. If you have a ypipe do you want to swap for my factory one? Please

 

Solara's look ok, there's one that lives across the street from me...but guess who drives it...like a 40-50 year old woman...those cars are not designed for true performance...with 30k, you can get a lotta good stuff...take a look at the Acura TL-S...nice car right there

 

since when did the us have a 2 door WRX someone is either living in fantasy land or im missing something.....i lived in japan for 4 years so you cant fool me!!!!

 

a friend of mine has a supercharged solara 5spd sitting on 19 inch racing harts and it can easily walk most new mustang gt's so i will never say anything about their performance potential ..with the right planning and a little bit of time the solara can turn heads...not taking anything away from the max ...but after i read these post isnt that what most people say when they think of the maxima before you blow by them with ease......hey at least it isnt a honda...lol

jon

 

The shame of Germany....

 

I don't know if you guys care or not, but apparently this/next year they will be releasing a turbocharged version of the Mazda MP3. They are already great cars, just a bit underpowered. For more information, go NYA.....

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...&threadid=3282

Personally, I wouldn't be able to turn down a turbocharged MP3 for under $20k. Sure, the WRX has more HP and AWD, but the MP3 is almost perfect neutral handling to begin with. Plus, I'm a mazda man. I'd wait and see what becomes avaliable.

 

The shame of Germany....

 

Solara's suck!

 

well.. I'm still looking.. I know someone at an acura dealer I'll see if can get me a deal on a CL Type-S. Well there are some nice upgrades for the solara, fromTRDUSA.com they have a charger and some other crap for the car for the solara. Well the only way I'll keep the maxima is if I fix another engine for it soon.. cause my engine needs a valve job and it think a head gasket it's bloowint more smoke now, to fix it is about 2k mostly on labor. A friend just got a new engine for his rustang for 600 bucks from a 99 stang.. if i can find a deal like that I will think about it giving my car a second chance until the Z350 comes out, or I will look into a Acura or the Solara. I want something whitin my means. I have look at use CL for about 24-27 I'll see what's up.

I'm look at a window of 2 months for to get a new car, if I dont come around a good engine soon..

QUESTION: will a 97-99 MAxima engine work with the 95-96 ECM, before I start looking?

 

I would get an RSX-S before I got a Solara, I hate to admit it but those RSX's look pretty damn sweet, plus the aftermarket is endless. Take Care

 

No doubt--that's the only car that comes to mind that would even remotely give driving pleasure the way a German car would. I mean if you have a 4th gen Maxima, fine, have fun with it, slap some big rims on like I just did. But if you're gonna buy a new car nobody said you have to buy another Maxima. It's like a roulette wheel, and many people don't understand this fact, ie that's why casinos are in business to take your money downtown to Chinatown (Bobby DeNiro's words). Everytime the wheel is spun it's totally a new spin--it doesn't remember what came in last time. Yet people bet and try to analyze previous spins. Same thing should be true when one buys a car. 30,000 is not a joke, how long does it take to net that much from your salary? I drove the 2k2 Altima, and the handling was poor to fair. Why spend that kinda bread for something poor? RS-X is good to excellent. Drive an A4 for the heck of it. You couldn't get anything more than a 1.8 but just drive it and see how superior the handling is. And it's not subjective, it looks better than any Max or Camry that's for sure.

All I'm trying to say in my long-winded fashion is don't spend big bucks to get something that's no different than what you've been driving for the past 5 years. Step up if you're gonna drop the coyne!!

 

Uhh..you could get a pretty sweet BMW for that much! Does anyone hear Lexus GS300??

 

oh lordy! my bro has a 2k1 and I hate it. first off, i walk him constantly in every way. from a dead start, from a roll, 40-90, everything. second, you feel nothing in the car.

it looks lower and meaner than my max, but the ride is so lux-o-fied that you can't even feel the road, even with the sport package (rims). lastly, this car is absolute sh!ty **** **** in the snow or on ice. yeah it has ABS, VSC and traction control, but it's still just about undriveable if there's anything more than ¼inch of snow on the ground.

i've driven the thing for a few weeks when my max was in the shop (and my bro was in vegas) and my impressions were not very good. on top of everything above, the car feels so limited by the traction control, even if you turn it off (supposidly). i've never been able to light up the tires in that thing even when shifting manualy. anything short of a neutral drop (which i will not do, even if it is leased). on my max i can light 'em up in on the 1-2 (and it's auto). also, the view takes a little getting used to. the other thing is that because of the TC or maybe just the tranny there is quite a bit of hesitation when you punch it. i can understand this with the max, but if you spend 40+ grand you expect a little better. after just two years of ownership the interior has also begun to creek and squeak; again, when you spend this much money, you want a little more.

what i liked was the handling, which is quite a bit better than my max, likely due to the better suspension and rims. i also love the chunky perforated leather wheel, after that the one in my max looks like it came off a school bus. and the seats, my god the seats!!!

 

No offense, but the GS300's are VERY different cars from any cars being discussed here. Have you ever driven one? They are cushy and comfortable and it has one of the smoothest automatic tranny's I've ever seen, but that's where the fun stops. It handles worth a ****. That car is so soft and cushy that it's annoying. I took my dad's GS300 around the exit in South Jersey from the Parkway to the AC Expressway (going NW - in case anyone knows it) which is a winding almost 360 degree exit and the car was understeering so badly I thought it was going to float off the road. Don't get me wrong, great engine with good straight-line numbers, but I will pass on the GS300. Now, a Bimmer? Now you're talking. He'd have to get a used one to get one for $30k (unless he wants a wimpy 318), but Bimmers, like Maxima's, typically last FOREVER.

 

I agree. Don't get a Solara and get a used 3 series. Try and find something with around 20-30k miles so its almost new. They are amazing in every way and you wouldn't have to worry about it breaking down for a long time.

 

lol but are you going to part your max? just asking

 

The Solara with a TRD blower is right on par with a bolt-on 5 speed maxima, mid 14s. Some magazine tested it at like 7.5 seconds 0-60 and 1/4 mile in like 15.2 but that is rediculous, apparently the tester forgot how to drive. They have good power (more power than a stock 4th gen actually), but are obese cars, they need to lose some weight. Looks-wise I think they look good, especially with the TRD treatments. I just couldn't drive one because my mother does... probably the most reliable car on the planet (Camry/Solara) but I just can't shake the image of me driving my mother's car. You make the choice...