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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Toyota Solara

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Overview

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2008 Toyota Solara Review

By KBB.com Editors

Big coupes with long, heavy doors seem to go in and out of style like yesterday's fashions. For a time it appeared as though the SUV would spell the end of the coupe, but the desire for smaller, more maneuverable vehicles, coupled with gasoline at three bucks a gallon, has given new life to the genre, and the 2008 Toyota Camry Solara is poised to capitalize. Big enough to comfortably fit four adults and delivering a level of fit and finish befitting a Lexus, the Solara is well suited to compete with its primary rivals, the new Honda Accord Coupe and Ford Mustang V6. The new Nissan Altima Coupe also plays in the league, although with a decidedly sportier attitude.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you like big, two-door coupes, your options are limited. The 2008 Toyota Camry Solara has all the personal style coupe drivers want, with the added bonus of a huge backseat area and strong resale value.

You May Not Like This Car If...

If you like to operate a clutch, the Solara's V6 models do not offer a manual transmission. The Solara's futuristic styling stands in sharp contrast to the uniform lines found on the Ford Mustang and the new Honda Accord Coupe.

What's New for 2008

After an extensive overhaul last year, there are no new changes for 2008.

Driving the Solara

Driving Impressions The 2008 Toyota Solara is a superb road car; its smooth ride is neither mushy nor devoid of road feel. You may find the steering to be a bit heavy...

in the turns, but the overall feeling it transmits is one of precision and control with no notable play. Power for the Solara is provided by a robust 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine; rated at 155 horsepower, it's surprisingly quick for its size and actually quite responsive when teamed with the standard five-speed manual transmission. The really big news for the Solara is its excellent 3.3-liter V6 engine, which boasts 210 horsepower. V6-powered Solara's have a five-speed sequential automatic transmission that allows you the option of manually selecting gears.

Favorite Features

GPS Navigation
The optional GPS navigation system fits neatly into the dash and is both easy to operate and view.

Supportive Sport Seats
The Sport model's seats provide an extra measure of support.

2008 Toyota Solara Details

Interior

You won't find a roomier rear seat in any of the Solara's rivals, nor will you find such a large and accommodating trunk. The front seats provide excellent support for the legs, thighs and lower back and are covered in your choice of handsome woven cloth or real leather. The Solara's instrument panel is also logically arranged, with clearly marked gauges and intuitive functions for the audio and ventilation controls. Sport models feature metered gauges in hooded binnacles atop the center stack.

Exterior

Toyota designed the Solara with an arc-shape theme that runs from the front bumper, up over the hood and down to the rear bumper. Massive jeweled headlamp lenses flank a prominent V-shaped grille, and integrated fog lights are set into an aggressive front air dam. The Solara's side windows are narrow, set off by a wavy beltline flowing from the tip of the front fender all the way to the trunk.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The Camry Solara SE features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, five-speed manual transmission, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS), air conditioning, overhead console, rear defroster, illuminated remote keyless entry, fog lights, dual power mirrors, power driver's seat with power lumbar support, AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer, front side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, cruise control, tire pressure monitor, alloy wheels, power windows and trip computer. The Sport trim adds xenon headlamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear underbody spoilers, a rear deck spoiler, rocker moldings and a sport-tuned suspension.

Optional Equipment

Options vary by trim and include a four-speed automatic transmission, heated leather seats, power seats, power glass moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror, navigation and a JBL audio system.

Under the Hood

Less-aggressive drivers will find the Camry Solara's four-cylinder engine both quiet and fuel-efficient. Though not whiplash inducing, the acceleration provided by this engine is more than adequate for everyday driving, and the choice of a manual transmission may even bring out the enthusiast in you. The V6 turns the Solara into a real performer without sacrificing too much in the way of fuel economy.

2.4-liter in-line 4
155 horsepower @ 6000 rpm
158 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/31 (manual), 22/31 (automatic)

3.3-liter V6
210 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
220 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/27

To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Toyota Solara vehicles for sale near you.

Trading in or Selling? Know where you stand with the most up-to-date Kelley Blue Book Value at your fingertips. See your car's value

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2008 Toyota Solara Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

9.3

Out of 10

Based on 457 Ratings for the 2004 - 2008 models.

Review this car

Value

9.4/10

Quality

9.4/10
Reliability

9.6/10

Performance

9.3/10
Comfort

9.3/10

Styling

9.4/10

Absolutely love this car

By Cinder (OH) on Sunday, June 16, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 87,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Pros: "Great gas mileage and fun to drive..."

Cons: "Not great in the snow."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"We've owned this car for 6 years - it's the most reliable car we've ever owned. I would buy this car all over again. The only maintenance we've done is change oil, replace brakes once and replaced tires. I can not believe how much I love this car. Unfortunately, we live in a cold weather state and it's not great in the snow - probably because it's so light. However, it makes up for it in gas mileage during the summer. I get around 35 mpg. Wish they still made this car."

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They never should have stoped making this car

By RARA (AR) on Friday, June 14, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 186,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "very reliable, great fuel economy (34 hwy), fun"

Cons: "interior could be more durable"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I never write reviews but this car has been the best car I have ever owned. Bought new and have only done normal ware item replacement in almost 200k. The fact is I bought a new car because of a job change that required I have 4 doors and love this car so much I still have and dive it a year later. I was so upset Toyota stopped making this car that I did not even consider them when making my new purchase. When my father decided he wanted a convertible I talked him into a Solara and he has driven on for the last 8 years and says he will never give it up. I am with him Toyota can have my business again when the Solara returns to there line up."

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Best car for the money, value, ride, fun to drive,

By Big Jay (NC) on Saturday, June 08, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 100,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Fun to drive and service is great."

Cons: "They don't make them anymore."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I have owned this car for four years. It had 55.000 miles when I bought it and it was like new then, and it still is in virtually every detail. I love it and have not plans to replace it anytime soon."

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what a great car to bad they dont make them anymor

By Soonernation (OK) on Thursday, June 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 81,000

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 10/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "everything"

Cons: "none"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love this car I bought new in 2006 have had to replace battery, tires and brakes, normal wear on car. I do keep in garage and always have it looks great, drives great and would buy a new one if Toyota would only start making them again. great convertable. If you can get one buy it!"

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Best value convertable

By Hunt on Thursday, May 23, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 105,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "fun reliable car for not a lot of money"

Cons: "poor rear visibility when the top is up."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I purchased this car new and with 105k I have had no problems with it. All I have done is changed the oil and replaced brakes once and tires twice. It will soon need a timing belt and spark plugs. The tires that came with it were poor, but Costco Michelins fixed that. The worst thing about it is it has very bad rear visibility with the top up. The best thing about it is it is a fun car to drive and it has the reliability of a Camry. If they still made these I would buy another. The Lexus IS 350c is the closest car to it that you can buy new."

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Roomy & Reliable

By JoshC (AZ) on Sunday, May 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 103,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 9/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"+It's basically a sporty Toyota Camry: one of the most ridiculously reliable cars on the road. +It has more trunk space than any other convertible I've ever seen +It also has the most back seat space of any convertible I've researched. At over 6", I can sit in the front or backseat comfortably +the SLE version has a tilting/slide down nave screen which just feels fun. -it has an extremely small rear window (which is part of why it has a large trunk) -it never feels like much power under you, even in the V6"

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See all 457 reviews