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The story is told when Lee Iacocca heard from his designers how long the development process would take to make a new convertible, he instructed them "to just take a car and cut the top". But most engineers and convertible owners understand why this does not produce a satisfactory convertible. Unlike previous models, Toyota has designed the 2004 Toyota Solara Convertible to be a drop top from the very beginning. Manufactured in Georgetown, Kentucky the new Solara Convertible has much greater torsional rigidity than the previous model, resulting in a better ride, better handling, better durability and lower wind and road noise. Both with the top up and the top down this is a much-improved ride. As a connoisseur of convertibles, I must confess my bias for the tight little two-seater roadster, a true sports car with a minimum amount of metal and safety. So while I am absolutely excited about the sleek modern styling of the 2004 Toyota Solara, I doubted it could steal my heart away from the minimalist roadster. Sure, everything about the value, quality and content told me this was a great car, but even the incredible styling didn't stir my passion for the car until I spent a few minutes parked in solitude after midnight, listening to my favorite CD seat fully reclined, and gazing at the stars. Only then did I really appreciate the value of a full size convertible. You cannot lay the seat back in a roadster, for there is no room to fully recline. But the 2004 Toyota Solara Convertible has a back seat large enough for a basketball player. The largest passengers will find the rear seat comfortable even with the top closed and the trunk is spacious enough for two large sets of golf clubs. In the still of a warm clear night, gazing up at the twinkling stars, I understood the value of a larger full size convertible. The styling of this 2004 Toyota Solara Convertible is absolutely stunning, comparable with vehicles at twice the price. The sleek design is one continual theme from the huge front lights to the stylish rear and causes a stir everywhere. Standard all aluminum 3.3 Liter VVT-I V-6 engine producing 225 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque mated with the ultra smooth five-speed automatic transmission supplies more than enough power. A road trip from Kansas City to Weston, Missouri including the twisting Highway 5 Southeast of Leavenworth proved that this 2004 Toyota Solara Convertible is more than just a pretty face. It is a worthy road car and true performer while the EPA rates fuel mileage at 20 in the city and a very economical 29 MPG on the highway. The 2004 Toyota Solara Convertible is available in two trim levels. I drove the base but well equipped SE starting at slightly more than $25,000 while a fully equipped SEL still does not reach $30,000. Either way this is a car priced at less than half of the Lexus SC430 and $10,000 less than the Saab 9-3, Volvo C70 and BMW 325i. While the Chrysler Sebring Convertible may be priced in the same range it is certainly not in the same league as the 2004 Toyota Solara Convertible. Once again, Toyota has designed a winner from the ground up and priced it at a great value for those who appreciate quality with a touch of fun.
2004 Toyota Solara SE Convertible
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©2003 - Stan Risener