Toyota Camry, until now, did not offer a Coupe in the line. With the introduction of the Solara for 1999 they fill that void. I’m not sure it needed filling, but they probably know more about the demand for this class car. As a kid, just driving (way back when) the hot thing was two door cars for the youth of the day, but it had to be without the “post” between the windows. Some referred to it as a “hardtop convertible” as I recall. Perhaps someone will correct me on that. Well this Solara has the post and the rear windows don’t roll down. It is built on the same platform as other Camay’s, but its stiffer body structure, tighter steering and firmer suspension are designed for a sportier feel than the sedan. They have accomplished their goal and I loved driving this car for a few reasons. I love the way it handles. It is responsive (V6) and the solid ride gives the feeling of control of the road. Another reason I like it is the great styling. If you like the design as much as I do (a lot), you can thank the Calty Design Center in Newport Beach, CA. The Solara is truly a keeper.
The Solara will be assembled in Ontario, Canada and will only be sold in North America. It comes in two trims: SE and SLE. The SE comes standard with a 2.2-liter 135-horsepower engine, but the model I tested had the V6 option which is 3.0-liters and a more than adequate 200-horsepower. I was impressed. The V6 is standard on the SLE. Solara is classified as a compact, but it is a big compact.
On the other hand, this is a basic car with few frills. Most of the frills it does have are pretty basic, like the manual seat and manual air conditioning controls. If you’re looking for computer stuff and auto everything, this isn’t it. It is a lovely car and Camry has always been a top seller for Toyota so a lot of folks usually aren’t wrong.
Although it is basic, it has a classy feel about it and I’ve tested all the competition listed here and I have to tell you I warmed up to driving this Solara very quickly. All things considered, it is definitely a must drive car in this class and price range.
The competition:
Acura CL $23,100 – $26,150, BMW 3-Series $23,300 – $41,500, Buick Regal $21,695 – $24,395, Chevrolet Monte Carlo $18,510 – $20,535, Chrysler Sebring $17,225 – $26,285, Honda Accord $15,200 – $24,300, Pontiac Grand Prix $19,415 – $23,910.
Good News:
Priced well, handles extremely well, powerful, roomy – both front and back seats and the trunk. Perhaps best of all – it’s a Toyota that has been known for being a quality product.
Bad News:
Tough entry / exit for rear seat (but you should expect that of a 2-door coupe).
Standard Equipment:
3.0 liter 200 horsepower V6 engine (standard for the SE is a 2.2 liter inline 4 – 135 hp engine) with front wheel drive, 4-speed auto trans, power rack & pinion steering, 4-wheel independent suspension, power anti-lock disc brakes, dual air bags, auto on/off lights, fog lights, power mirrors, power windows & door locks, air, cruise control, stereo with cassette.
Gas Stats:
20 City and 28 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $21,988.
Your comments are welcomed. E-mail joe@atthewheel.com
