There was a time when vehicles were made just for the driver. In the 1940's the "business coupe" was designed for the needs and image of the traveling business executive. A dashing two-door coupe with flowing lines was part of being well dressed for success.

Later a trio of large personal luxury coupes were popular with successful and stylish owners who required a car built for the personal needs of the driver. These were not just the micro sports cars and two seated European roadsters but true personal luxury coupes. The largest of these cars like the Buick Riviera, the Oldsmobile Toronado and the Cadillac Eldorado were built with the discriminating driver in mind. With volumes of interior room they represented style and elegance wrapped around front wheel drive performance and handling.

But time and changing cultures saw this trio of large personal luxury coupes fade away in favor of the midsize sport coupe. Frankly the luxury sport coupe is still a fairly small and specialized segment of the car market. Most of the attention revolves around sedans and sport utility vehicles. Personal sport coupes are designed for the driver and single passenger but still have the utility of a rear seat. Singles like the sporty look and parents of small children may find the absence of rear doors comforting. Business people traveling in their car find two doors more stylish and secure than sedans.

Simply a more exciting design than a sedan the sport coupe represents a specialized market for discriminating drivers. One of the best is the redesigned 2004 Toyota Camry Solara. It will improve your image as well as pamper you in style.

Based on the best selling Camry sedan, the Solara was introduced in 1999 as a two-door coupe for those recognizing the reliability and value of Camry but desiring the sporty look and feel of a 2-door coupe.

For 2004 Toyota introduces the second generation Solara making it one of the most beautiful and sporty vehicles for the money. Evoking visions of Lexus styling, the view from the rear is sleek and elegant. Aerodynamic high intensity headlights harmonize with sweeping lines wrapping from the front to the back.

Inside the redesigned interior is larger and more accommodating than before with almost twice the interior storage space. Just because the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara indulges the driver don't think that passengers are forgotten. This vehicle has a larger rear seat with more usable legroom than most sedans of this class.

My SLE version was equipped with heated perforated leather seats, which made me want to stay in the car after I was finished driving. Tasteful leather trim, wood grain and modern chrome accents highlighted the clear layout of gauges and information systems making the interior an inviting environment.

New for this year is more power and performance with either a 157 horsepower 2.4-liter DOHC 16-Valve 4-cylinder engine or the 225 horsepower 3.3-liter DOHC 24-Valve V6. My V6 equipped Solara produced 240 foot-pounds of torque for rapid off the line acceleration. Mated to a silky smooth 5 speed electronically controlled automatic transmission it featured a manual gate for those times I wanted to control the shift points.

I spent a lot of time in the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara this week and I am genuinely sorry to see it go. Drivability on the highway was superb with a quite and comfortable ride that always felt secure. Back roads driving revealed a responsive suspension and precise steering. Luxury content on the SLE version was complete and easy to operate.

I expected a lot out of this car because of Toyota's reputation for value and reliability. I was not disappointed. It did everything right and for a very attractive price. The 4-cylinder SE starts at $20,000 and tops out near my V6 SEL test vehicle at $28,000. For those numbers this vehicle represents a great value. Historically Toyota's have held their resale value very well and there is no reason this car won't continue that reputation. The EPA rated my test vehicle at 20 MPG in the City and 29 on the Highway, which continues the value on a daily basis.

Great styling, performance, roomy luxurious interior, solid drivability and value pricing make the 2004 Toyota Camry Solara a best bet in my book. If that's not enough, it's easier to park than an old Buick Riviera.

2004 Toyota Camry Solara SLE
6 Cylinder Coupe

3.3-liter DOHC 24-Valve V6
225 hp @ 5,600
240 lb.-ft. torque @ 3,600

5 Speed Automatic
Front Wheel Drive
ABS Standard

Vehicle price as tested: $27,914

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