Toyota owners

[JohnUC33]

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I just look for reasons to start new threads 😀

No seriously, I am trying to get a dependable car that will last me from the start until I finish residency.

Here is my dilemna and please fill free to way in:


I'm trying to decide between two cars, and I wanted to see if anyone has had good/bad experience with either. The first car is an '02 Toyota Solara (pimped out) with 67,000 miles a really good price. The second is an '03 Toyota Camry (average model) with 57,000 miles for nearly two grand more than the Solara. From reading, I know toyota makes great cars, but I have never owned one myself. Would anyone have any preference either way and why?

 

[Marimba82]

I'm trying to decide between two cars, and I wanted to see if anyone has had good/bad experience with either. The first car is an '02 Toyota Solara (pimped out) with 67,000 miles a really good price. The second is an '03 Toyota Camry (average model) with 57,000 miles for nearly two grand more than the Solara. From reading, I know toyota makes great cars, but I have never owned one myself. Would anyone have any preference either way and why?

i myself have no experience with Solaras, but my parents have a Camry and it's lasted 15+ years. It is a really dependable car, and the used Corolla that I have is good as well. So you've made a good choice with Toyota. But probably in the end its what is important to you -- style, mileage, price, year of make? Getting a 'newer' pre-owned car with a bit less mileage might be worth the extra $, not sure. So I'd recommend the Camry but just know that I don't know much about Solaras in comparison. Hope that helps!

 

[MikeyLu2010]

a solara is just a camry coupe..you'll be fine with either car.

 

[dr.z]

a solara is just a camry coupe..you'll be fine with either car.

There really isn't much difference between the two. Do you like cars with 2 doors or 4 doors?

 

[nvshelat]

My family has 2 Camry's, one with 175k miles on it, the other with 120kmiles on it. No maintainance has been required on either of them except for oil changes and changing brake pads (routine). We've never had a problem with them, get great gas mileage, and have completely converted to a Toyota family. When I leave for med school, I'm getting a Corolla. Can't go wrong with Toyota.

 

[Taus]

interesting place for a thread about cars...but anyway.....my parents have had 3 camrys in a row....last two went well over 200,000 miles....1st was lost to an accident but was also a great, reliable car for them...if its about looks....thats totally your call....

 

[CatsandCradles]

What?! No love for Honda enviromental freaks here? 😀

Ah man I must be strange and my friends just don't tell me.

Actually I think it's good that you take your car into consideration during medical school. The last thing you want to worry about is your car breaking down while you have little time to spare during all that studying.

 

[DrBowtie]

You should be good either way. Check into the Honda Civic/Accord. They might be a bit more affordable with the same quality.

 

[dr.z]

You should be good either way. Check into the Honda Civic/Accord. They might be a bit more affordable with the same quality.

I agree Honda is pretty reliable too. Except I heard that some could have transmission problems (weakness of Honda).

 

[DblHelix]

I love my camry. It's a great car and lasted 12 years now. Besides, four doors are much more convenient and useful. Wait till you actually start making real money to get a flashy 2 door 😉 One question for you guys though, I'm from california so I've never driven my camry in the snow. How do toyota's handle the harsh weather?

 

[dr.z]

I love my camry. It's a great car and lasted 12 years now. Besides, four doors are much more convenient and useful. Wait till you actually start making real money to get a flashy 2 door 😉 One question for you guys though, I'm from california so I've never driven my camry in the snow. How do toyota's handle the harsh weather?

Since Camrys are front wheel drive, they should handle snow just fine.

 

[Flea girl]

Camrys drive great in the snow! I love Toyota's! My husband and I have owned 5 Toyota's(1 Camry and 4 Celica's) in the last 12 years. The only reason we got rid of the cars is because we wanted to trade up. My 3 celica's had well over 200,000 miles on them before I sold them. Toyota makes great cars. If I have any complaints it is that when something does break down on the car, it can cost a bit of coin.

 

[Boxer1]

You should be good either way. Check into the Honda Civic/Accord. They might be a bit more affordable with the same quality.

My wife and I own both an '01 Camry and an '02 Civic. We found that the camry price usually runs somewhere between the price of a comparable accord and civic. The Toyotas seem to be a little smoother ride, and the Hondas are a little better when it comes to performance. Our Toyota and our Honda are both great cars.

 

[DireWolf]

Anyone have a Mazda 6? It's a lot more affordable than the Accord/Civic/Camry/Solara. Just wondering about the quality.

 

[Old_Mil]

The first car is an '02 Toyota Solara (pimped out) with 67,000 miles a really good price. The second is an '03 Toyota Camry (average model) with 57,000 miles for nearly two grand more than the Solara. From reading, I know toyota makes great cars, but I have never owned one myself. Would anyone have any preference either way and why?

http://www.edmunds.com/

Good luck.

 

[thejanitor99]

Would anyone have any preference either way and why?

The Solara is referred to as the Solara Camry on Toyotas site. They are pretty much the same car. The Solara is just the sportier version of the Camry. Same drive train etc. On a side note, I got rid of a Dodge Stealth R/T for med skool and now drive a Corolla. The Corolla runs like a top. Should last well over 200K. Same with Camrys.

👍

 

[XKV]

The Solara is referred to as the Solara Camry on Toyotas site. They are pretty much the same car. The Solara is just the sportier version of the Camry. Same drive train etc. On a side note, I got rid of a Dodge Stealth R/T for med skool and now drive a Corolla. The Corolla runs like a top. Should last well over 200K. Same with Camrys.

👍

My dad had the Toyota Solara...he really loved that car. Until he crashed it.
I just got the new '06 Honda Civic coupe - Car of the Year, baby!
Honda reliability+first new redesign in forever.

 

[BerkeleyMD]

I drive a 97 Toyota Landcrusier with 100K+ miles. My family bought it new and the only thing we ever changed on it was just a battery and brakes... knock on wood... but they are really reliable vehicles.

you wanna buy it ??? nothing screams I'm in med school like a bad ass SUV !!

j/k

If you are going to buy a sort of new, used car (1-2 yrs old) buy Japanese. If you are looking for a 10-15 yr old car, buy American- they are cheaper to fix. I am afraid of the day when the Land Crusier decides it wants a new tranny 😱 that'll set me back some serious loan money!!

 

[BerkeleyMD]

Anyone have a Mazda 6? It's a lot more affordable than the Accord/Civic/Camry/Solara. Just wondering about the quality.

It looks like a Lexus IS300, but is powered by a Ford Contour-derived engine.. I like that car, but its got some serious issues.

My friend has one, they do look nicer than the competition.

 

[beano]

It looks like a Lexus IS300, but is powered by a Ford Contour-derived engine.. I like that car, but its got some serious issues.

My friend has one, they do look nicer than the competition.

I think toyota makes the best car quality wise. Not really my favorite when it comes to body style though.
-B