2000 Toyota Solara SE 2.2

Summary:

Love this car!

Faults:

Timing Belt at 61000 miles

Water Pump at 61000 miles

Automatic Windows running very slow.

General Comments:

Overall very comfortable, smooth, and fast for a 4 cylinder. Mechanic and I very surprised to have timing and water pump go at low mileage. Happened while driving, car died in middle of road. Very surprised as I bought a Toyota for their expected reliability. Oh well. I'm going to keep it as I have hopes for the future. Interior is incredibly spacious, fits 4 adults comfortably for long rides. Excellent on gas. Seats are plush, very nice. Handles great and easy, very smooth. Overall I love this car except for its recent issues.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th May, 2006

1st Feb 2008, 20:06

My water pump went off at 54k miles; my mechanic was surprised too :) But luckily no other problems for last 2 years I owned my Solara (2000).

19th Nov 2008, 19:47

With the water pump thing - that happens. Its depends more on the conditions that you drive in then anything else. As for the timing belt, chances are what happened was the belt was contaminated by the water pump going. If it wasn't for the water pump, the timing belt should have lasted you till 100-120K with no problems. Then again, there's a lemon in every batch (I mean belts, not cars).

I'm an auto mechanic and contamination of belts, from standard serpentine and V-belts to timing belts, when coolant or oil is involved is not un-common. Not necessary to replace, but not worth the risk either. If a timing belt snaps or slips while driving, the engine is usually junk, seeing as valves, pistons, and rods all moving at 3000rpm don't react well when meshed together.

In reply to 19th Nov 2008, 19:47

11th Nov 2020, 19:00

Toyota’s are non-interference engines. No meshing of your engine when timing belt goes out. I’m a Toyota girl! :)

In reply to 11th Nov 2020, 19:00

12th Nov 2020, 21:52

Sorry but if the belt breaks into little pieces you are out an engine. Stick to recommended intervals. Change water pump and timing belt at the same time while it’s apart. Don’t wait over 100k miles. Why chance it!

In reply to 12th Nov 2020, 21:52

13th Nov 2020, 19:32

If the belt breaks into little pieces, the debris and rubber particles will collect inside the timing cover only, not damaging anything internally in the actual engine. I've seen and done enough timing belts on non interference engines that break or shred, and only replace the belt along with the water pump, cam and crank seals while you're in there. If I were a Toyota owner, I would be more concerned about the late 90s-mid 2000s engine sludge problem.

In reply to 12th Nov 2020, 21:52

14th Nov 2020, 01:35

Like she said, it’s non-interference. Not “out an engine” by any means.

2000 Toyota Solara

Summary:

The Solara is good car for the money with some quirks

Faults:

I have had this car for almost 3 years and have had some problems. First the usual stuff, I replaced the front brake pads, exhaust flex pipe, and usual service.

Now for the odd stuff. At 40,000 miles I had to have the brake booster replaced as it had a vacuum leak that Toyota covered. I had the car in the dealer 6 times for loose strut mount bushings, and lastly the driver's door window binds with the roof drip rail moulding. The check engine light just came on a 68,200 miles.

General Comments:

This is my 3rd Toyota. I liked the car because of its condition and Lexus style. The car is extremely smooth and silent. The Solara's fit and finish is above many other cars in its class with the exception for the paint as it chips easy. I liked the handling however it was not as performance oriented as my Accord coupe. After owning the car I would say it is unique as it does not share typical trim/sheet metal commonly interchangeable in high production models.

My biggest problem is with the strut mounts and the annoying clunk over pot holes. I think the suspension is just too weak. Other than that the 4 cylinder is bullet proof and good. The trans shifts smooth. My next car with a different model.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th November, 2005