Model: 2007 Toyota Camry Solara Sport
Review by Kevin Bowe
Pro’s
- Easy to drive
- Smooth V6 power
- Plenty of leg room in rear
Con’s
- Horrible visibility with the top up
- Interior not up to expectations of a $30k car
- Side to side vibrations while driving
Intro
It’s June and that means summer time BBQ’s, girls, and yum, convertibles!! I have always been a big fan of convertibles and believe my next car will most likely be one, so I jumped when the editor told me that I would be test driving one. The following was my experience after a road test with the 2007 Solara convertible.
Exterior
I thought JT (Justin Timberlake) brought sexy back, but why isn’t it reflected in the 2007 Camry Solara then? The Solara didn’t quite do it for me. It seemed as if Toyota was too busy designing all their new smallish cars that they decided to copy the 2002 Pontiac Sunfire’s design while just adding the options of ground effects and a nifty looking spoiler! Let’s just say I was very disappointed inToyota, especially when it comes to the design of the rear end. The tail of the car is where all points and lines are supposed to come together, completing the look and hopefully providing the right feelings in which they intended. Most cars would like to end on a high note, but not the Solara, ending in a downward slant, making me feel like an unhappy movie go-er, after watching an ending that didn’t quite work, leaving me thinking, “that was it?” SorryToyota, maybe sexy will be back for the 2008 models, hopefully!
Interior
I’m sorry to say I wasn’t the biggest fan on the interior either. On a $30,000 car (as tested), the interior was sub par compared to other car makers. The dash was simple with very few eye catching details. I liked the carbon weaved design on the doors, but it just didn’t seem to match the interior as a whole. Yeah, there was an MP3 port and nice leather wrapped steering wheel, but the interior lacked a uniformed, cohesive design. One other good attribute of the interior was the JBL Premium 6 disc 7-speaker 270 watt stereo system which isn’t a standard feature ($850 option).
Performance/Handling
As we know,Toyota wasn’t trying to make a convertible sports car; their main objective was to make a nice convertible touring car. Knowing this, the Solara’s performance matched my expectation for what this car needed – a smooth 210 HP V6 engine providing 220 ft-lbs of torque did just nicely. It was nice to know that in times of need, the car is capable of avoiding annoying bees or keeping cloudy skies in your rear view mirror.
Toyota wasn’t trying to push the boundaries in any aspects in the performance, just giving you what you need, making the car very easy and responsive to all types of drivers. This is the Solara’s strong point, enabling the driver to enjoy the surroundings a little bit more, making the trip almost as enjoyable as the destination.
Value
$30,000 for a new car, it seemed like Toyota could have done a little more with the styling and interior to make you feel like you got your money’s worth. Nothing screamed, “buy me!” during my time with the Solara and if I had to consider buying one, I would have a hard time spending more than $25,000 for this car. With soft top rivals such as Chrysler Sebring, Ford Mustang, Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, and Pontiac G6, most under $30k, I would shop around a little more to determine if the Camry Solara convertible is the right choice.
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|
Exterior |
Interior |
Handling |
Performance |
Value |
Overall |
|
Rating |
2.5 |
2.5 |
3 |
3 |
2.5 |
2.7 |
Test car generously provided by Stevens Creek Toyota of San Jose, CA
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Very very beautiful design inside and outside. Very smart designer design this car. A lot better than accord coupe by looks. I love this car.
Too bad 2008 was the last model year that the Solara was produced.
I have the 2007 convertible,,,,,, never have any problem with it, i think is beautiful and impossible to compare with pontiac or sebring….kidding me?….
I’ve had my 2007 Solara since new and love every minute behind the wheel. It’s comfy and very reliable. I love rubbing in to Mustang owners that my car is more American than a Ford Mustang! (Solara 85% American parts vs 75% for Mustang)
I have to agree the rear viability stinks with the top up but that’s the only negative I see in my car.
Just bought the 2007 Toyota Solara convertible, love it. Tried the Mustangs first, to small, no head room, no elbow room, very cramped and confining, very disapointed. Had wanted the Sebring, but my husband refused to by any product from that company because mechanically they are inferior, we have owned some. Tried a BMW, less room, more comfortable seats, but must more money, and to expensive to repair, and know those who have them and yes they repair them constantly. My husband had a jag, and same problem. All the other models you mentioned are smaller, and cheaper, but do not have the reliability of Toyota or the resale value.
Although I agree the body style could be better, if you look around most cars all look the same and are boring compaired to vehicles from the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s. Lets face it they all copy each other, and now the new camero copies the mustang and the low rider look of the Mopar cars.
They don’t seem to have one creative thought, just generic cars.
Love the Toyota Solara, feels more like a big car inside.
may 2009
I loved my 06 so much I bought 2 2007′s both with navi and zenon headlights. I upgraded to 18″ bbs wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport ps2′s and the cars handle great. 31 mpg highway at 80 mph with the top up and ac on you cant beat. I get 25 mpg in all around driving and the car is awesome. It aint the fastest but I it will be running great at 100k just like it does now. Beats Mustang and Sebring by miles!!!
looking to buy a converable. solara has everything we want, except the LOOKS. seems like toyota tests how ugly they can make their cars and still sell them…
hor rible and send me lots of email please
I purchased a 2007 Solara convertible in the sport trim in July of 2007. I absolutely love the car inside and out! It is not fair to compare it to a Pontiac G6 or a Ford Mustang as it is more of a luxury convertible vs. a sport convertible. The interior is sleek and simple, complemetary to it’s exterior design. It doesn’t have the rubber-burning capability of the Mustang, which I personally don’t think is necessary, or the attractive price tag of a G6 or Sebring, however the Solara’s price also carries the Toyota’s reputation of excellent resale, reliability and safety. I wouldn’t trade this car for anything!!!
I own this 2007 toyota solara convertible and it’s an absolutely beautiful car inside, outside and to drive.
Mines an 04 also, coupe..visibility is well..and if you upgrade to the SLE with nav you wont be disappointed, maybe you should have drove a different model bud.
I have been driving my Solara for almost 4 years now and I love the car. It is a 2004. Rates high in reliability, safety and efficiency in my opinion. No buyers remorse here!
Sounds to me a like a pretty solid, car. Maybe the price point is a bit high but not much when you factor in Toyota’s superior track record for building solid long lasting cars.
The competitors you mentioned are cheaper but your likely to run into major difficulties before you hit 100k miles, and the car die soon after 100k.
Toyota builds their products to last.