2008 Toyota Camry Solara SE Convertible

Pros

Power,Handling, Sporty Look

Cons

Blindspot

Purchased As Used

I love this car! I went through a few cars this year, but finally got myself into one of these. I bought it used with only 19k miles. The ride is smooth yet powerful. The handling is great. Its got all the features that i would need (except maybe navigation) I also love the fact this its a Toyota. It really turns heads out on the road, top up as well. Im only 22 and people think im loaded or something. Riding with the top down at night is amazing, but try and keep it up during summer days. (heat really gets to you when you come to a stop) Overall great car, and a keeper for me....read morehide

Pros

Economy, Looks, Fit.

Cons

None if you accept poor rear view.

Purchased As Used

I bought this red car used, with 24,000 miles on the odometer. Wonderful car, surprising economy at 25 in the city and 31 on the road. Top is leak-proof so far and does it up/down thing fast. Rear headrests are high, I believe, because they support the car in case of a roll-over. Surprising amount of space in the rear seats and the trunk.
Really tight body for a ragtop, only a little hood shake over uneven roads.
We own a 04 Avalon with a 3.0 L engine, the Solara is about the same weight, but faster with better gas mileage and a 3.3 liter engine. Go figure....read morehide

Pros

Roomy interior for a convertible, Good gas mileage.

Cons

None

I have really enjoyed this car for the past 3-4 months. The appearance of the car is sporty but practical. It rides really smooth and is very roomy inside for a convertible. I would definitely recommend the car to any future buyer.

Pros

Adult-sized (not cramped) back seats, useable trunk too

I have a few weeks and a few hundred miles on mine so far. The back seat is big enough that this is a 4 seater (as opposed to a 2+2). The trunk is big enough to be useful too. Both of those features add up to a car that is bigger than some of the sports car convertibles on the market. Backing up or maneuvering with the top up is challenging but not impossible if you're careful. Reasonable road noise at highway speed. Enough torque (3.3l V6) that the engine never sounds like it's working hard during acceleration. The automatic transmission (5 speed AT) gearchanges are definitely programmed for fuel economy though, and that is fine. I'm getting 25-30mpg range so far commuting and tooling around town. Not bad, but not great either. I got the base model with nothing special for options except the power driver's seat (it seems all of the examples on dealers' lots in this area have that). This is a nice, tasteful, understated, and subdued ride that you can both enjoy as a convertible and still use as a daily driver (commuter, grocery getter, Saturday trips to the hardware store, or Saturday nights out with friends). That is exactly what I was looking for in my next car, no less, no more. I'm pretty happy now that I found it....read morehide

Pros

Great Looking, Reliable, Smooth,

Cons

Gas Mileage, Blind Spot

I have always wanted a Solara Convertible and decided to take the plunge in Feb. What a great car! Smooth operation, nice base stereo, easy to operate top. The car is a head turner too. For the money, you cannot beat the style, reliability and powertrain for this convertible. The gas mileage could be a little better and, like most convertibles, it has a blind spot or two. But overall, this is a great car....read morehide

Pros

Fuel economy is fine except for the high gas prices. has a smooth ride.

Cons

I wish the back window was a bit bigger. there is somewhat of a blindspot.

I purchased the 2008, convertible SE, in early February, 2008, and I absolutely LOVE IT. the car runs smooth and heavy like a bigger car. It hugs the road. the seats are very comfortable too. controls are easy to operate. Ive had many compliments on this car. it looks and drives like a champ. If your looking for a sporty convertible thats reasonably priced, with a classy looking style, then I highly recommend this car....read morehide

Pros

Beautiful car. It turns heads when I drive it. Smooth ride like a luxury car.

Cons

hard to see out of the back window due to the high headrests. Wish I could remove them.

other than the back window being hard to see out of because its small and the headrests are in the way, the car is a pleasure to drive and very comfortable. I just purchased the 08 convertible SE and I got a great deal on it. I heard rumors that 08 may be the last year these are being made? Seems like every time I buy a new car they stop making it a yea later. go figure....read morehide

Pros

beautiful looking, great response, initially tight

Car is a beauty comparing it to the bmw, mercedes, soltice. It is a 4 seater.
Real problem is back seat headrests block the major rearview and sides of the back. This is a very dangerous problem and took a long time of driving to overcome the fear that comes along with getting used to these "humps".
Even tho the car has a rearview camera it is impossible to check all of these things when moving into another lane on the right and left. There seems to be a lot of blind spots in the car. Particularly when trying to cross a croweded intersection and movig into the right lane.GG
LOvercoming this major problem after a year of use, I found the car to have rapid response and power, after being initially "tight"....read morehide