Used 2006 Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6 2dr Convertible (3.3L 6cyl 5A) Consumer Reviews
Used Camry Solara for sale
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Now I have 3 Camrys
chris_s_2010, 10/29/2013
Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6 2dr Convertible (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
37 of 38 people found this review helpful
Vehicle: 2006 V6 SLE coupe Purchased Aug 2013 with 166K km (103K miles). I already have a 2010 Camry Hybrid (and a 2000 Camry CE) so I bought this as a newer "second" car given that the 2000 is getting a bit old. I was looking for something a bit sportier but still reliable and this seemed to be the best choice. Quite comfortable, nice looking car, good power (with the V6), high-end features (in the SLE). For a 7 year old car, it still looks quite stylish. Has a good reliability record so it should last for many years. Body in good shape: doesn't show its age.
Excellent Combo of Reliability and Enjoyment!
Rina, Houston, TX, 05/30/2018
updated 12/06/2019
Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6 2dr Convertible (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
39 of 42 people found this review helpful
Allow me to start by saying that I'm not a Toyota person. The idea of a Corolla doesn't appeal to me whatsoever- but my dad (as most dads would feel) thought a Corolla would be a perfect car for me as a newbie driver. I 'lucked out' when a family member sold us their car and ended up with a little Mazda 3 that turned out to be a lemon, then my second car- a 4000lb land yatcht- a 2008 V6 Convertible Sebring that I put a lot of love into and learned how to park backwards due to it's 19' length. 5 years later (without any crashes or tickets) I can say I've gained some perspective for wanting to purchase a reliable car. Still, the matter remained that I wanted a car I could have FUN in. I don't want a cage- I want an experience, something with a little luxury- after all, I have to drive it to work and school through traffic- might as well enjoy it. Well I have to say, for a limited budget this car certainly fits the bill :) so I ended up trading my old land yacht in for a 2006 Toyota Solara Convertible SLE. If I had to compare it to other cars in the way it drives, I would say it's a combination of my dad's little black convertible CLK 320 and a larger sedan. It's no rocket, so don't expect pep- but it's as smooth as butter when it drives and offers a modest amount of acceleration in traffic. The first time I test-smashed the gas pedal I actually heard the V6 roar! The interior isn't particularly stunning- after all it's a 2006 model. Still, it offers a nice array of creature comforts, heated front seats, loudly annoying back-up sensors, auto-climate control (that's ICE cold), auto-light shut off (in case you leave your headlights on), DRL, auto-adjusting rear-view mirrors, etc. But it lacks a proper stereo-system, and there really are no modern substitutes except for the auxillary port work-around that has to be installed with some technical know-how (thank you dad). The biggest flaw in this car (imo) is the terrible blind-spots it has. Unless you're used to driving a convertible where the back window is often small and round, then prepare to adjust your driving style accordingly. I got used to it after a couple of days and now use my side-mirrors to navigate (along with those corner blind-spot mirrors). For some reason the designers brilliantly decided to put a raised bench seat in the back of the car and the headrests (along with any guests' heads) will ensure that you have 0 visibility when checking your back. It can be terrifying if you're not an attentive driver and try to make a lane change without triple checking your side mirrors and making a quick head-turn. But aside from that I really have no qualms with how it drives. My dad (who had driven this car for a while before trading it with me) noticed it had a bit of hesitance when it accelerated. When you hit the gas pedal, it was 1..2..*accelerates* Well he did some research and after cleaning the mass air-flow sensor, and the throttle body we both agreed it accelerates incredibly well now. It's very responsive!! I have to be careful because I don't even notice how fast I'm going- it drives so smoothly and accelerates so quickly. It's a far-cry from the clunky-chunky toss around the Sebring is. I'm so pleased with this car :) it's at 125,000 and since the previous owner was a meticulous guy he had already replaced the timing belt, water pump, convertible top, and got the recall on the dash which is now a new leather dash. He's definitely a keeper, and I feel very confident and safe driving this car. The top is mechanic so there's NO noise and fuss when it goes down! How great is that?? Much better than the expensive hydraulic top the Sebring has (which popped like an old man getting out of bed). One other issue to point out that is a design flaw (that has since been taken care of) was that these models have been known to leak over time due to the skirt piping in the trunk breaking that serves as a gutter for water to run off the top when it rains. My dad spent $200 getting the top sewn up by a upholsterer. He took it to the shop with the back bench removed and the guy went in there and fixed it all up. So I would strongly suggest that before you buy one of these cars (especially if it's over 100,000) make sure it was very well taken care of! If the dash was replaced, and that the timing belt and water-pump were replaced it would spare you the extra headache down the line. Service it on time too. Prepare to possibly repair that top though as it's a design flaw of the Solara in whole. Expect to spend $500-$1000 fixing an average one up in general because of it's age, including adding to the sound system and making it modern-day functional. Also tinting is a MUST- the leather is prone to cracking and the leather on the door-panels is prone to warping. ————————— 12/6/19 Still going strong. There has been a leak in the top that has developed- I think where the right side of the top reaches and meets the right window.
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Always get a double take.
A S K, Palm Springs, CA, 12/27/2018
updated 12/30/2021
Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6 2dr Convertible (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
First thing I did was put in a Pioneer radio/CD and had a rear camera installed. My I phone plugs in and my map is on the big screen, and my blue tooth is connected, just like in my 2016 Camry. This all in original placement and looks factory installed. With the small bubble mirrors added to the side mirrors I have unlimited visibility. Just returned from 1600 mile round trip. I use sunbrella treatment to keep the canvas convertible top soft, pliable and new looking. I had the engine and radiator flushed. Great mileage, plenty of cargo space, and a man can drive this car comfortably. I did not burn oil or any engine transmission issues. Still is running strong and dependable, this summer of 2019. I am sold on Toyota. Compared to those who own Mercedes, BMW and other similar sized vehicles, I’m driving mine while theirs is in the shop, needing motor mounts and other frivolous essential inferior parts replaced retuned and running up huge bills at the garage. It’s December 2021, my interior and exterior look showroom fresh. Always garaged. 178,000 miles runs great, uses no oil, new Bosh windshield wipers, and Michelin tires, and increasing in value! Very happy driving an older car.
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My 2006 Solara Convertible
Sam Bonasoro, 06/26/2007
Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6 2dr Convertible (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I am very happy with the car overall. There are two areas that I would like to see improved. First of all, I would have liked the car to have more power. I think a car with more horsepower as an option with dual exhaust would reach more of your client base. The other issue is lack of sight out of the real window. In addition to the small window size the permanent headrests block too much of the vision through the rear window. I had even gone to the dealership to see if they could be removed and they said they were permanent. I am totally unhappy with the poor vision and if I had thought about it, I wouldn't have purchased the car. Fit, finish, handling and design is great.
Five Years of Driving Pleasure
TN Engineer, 01/05/2009
Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6 2dr Convertible (3.3L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
We bought the first 2004 Solara to arrive in this area, and enjoyed it greatly until it perished in a collision. We sought an exact duplicate as fast as we could. The replacement 2006 model has served us well for over 36,000 miles with no repairs at all. We have received many compliments on its appearance (red with black interior), and it is quiet and smooth at highway speeds. The trunk is large and the front seats are very comfortable. The only small complaint I have is the transmissions reluctance to downshift quickly after my wife has been driving the car slowly around town. This can be re-set by gassing the car from a stop several times, and it will "learn" to downshift quicker.
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