Hi guys, I am buying a new car within 1 month. My ETA is set to Labor Day Weekend sale because thats when they wil have deals and good APR rates. Plus I'm starting school soon.

Anyways, I am deciding between the 2006 Solara SLE versus the 2006 Scion tC.
I am planning to buy it at Longo Toyota in El Monte.

so i would like some input from owners of tC and possibly Solara.

 

Your going to get a biased opinion on this site. But there are good things to both.

tC: - You get a more sporty, coupe.
- Customizable
- Alot more for your money

Solora: - A family car with sports looks.


Im sorry, but thats just the way i feel. Ok, fine. The solora has a bigger engine, if thats what your looking for.

Go for the tC!!!!!!

 

You're getting a Camry either way... =P

 

I consider the solara a chick car any way you look at it! I havn't seen a guy driving that thing yet!

 

JMO, The Solara just looks too much like a beached whale with that jumbo rear end. The older Solaras actually looked better. So the TC wins for me just on looks alone.

Chombi

 

drive

a tc and a solara

you will buy tc if you like sporty handling, and sporty looks

you will buy solara if you like comfortable ride(much less sporty handling) with tons of cargo space,

 

I have a buddy with a solara. It's nice, sooo much room. pretty nice v6 engine, decent on gas. it's definetely an upgrade from a tc. I've been in both. The solara has a driving feel close to a 3 series bmw. Projectors on the solara kick butt. It's a damn nice car. Opt for the SE sports V6. The two doors are the only con I see with the solara. if they have a four door, never looked into it, go for it. tC's cheaper, less of a car(luxarywise) and a bit slower. That's my voice on the question.

 

if you have money and you want something nice I'd get the solara. That car is so comfortable. Tc is nice but its very cheaply made cause its cheap!

 

STFU, the tC is not cheaply made

the solara is more luxury

the tC is more sporty

they are BOTH well built cars by Toyota. Neither one is cheaply made. GMs are cheaply made, not Toyotas

 

Black or Red Solara Convertible V6. Hands down, have you seen those those fronts? And those huge beautiful butts they have?? But if you want a manual, go with the tC.

 

If you want to save a lot of $$, get a tC. Solaras, IMHO, look like somebody slowly pushed on the top of a Matrix until it was flat. Around here, all I see is peeps 50+ driving Solaras. Heck, if you've got the $$ for a Solara, why don't you just get an Acura RSX?

 

and you dont see a ton of chicks driving TC'S? what an idiot

 

i see mostly guys driving them around here

 

If you're gonna get a V6 Solara, go with the Accord Coupe. . . much sexier. Or maybe you could pony up for a used G35. But don't do the Solara, go for the tC.

IMO, I'd rather drive an Aztec than the Solara.

 

I test drove both, and chose the tC because of the looks and the deal. But if I had the chance to do it again, it would undoubtably be the SOLARA. I wouldnt even care about the price difference anymore. So don't make the mistake I made. Get the SOLARA!!! The solara is like a luxary model car. The interior is classy looking. And the car is super comfortable, especially when compared to the tC. I think the solara is like a lexus.

How about you buy me the solara and I give you my tC? I'll even get the hatch rattle fixed for ya before we officially trade

 

Solara is the better car as it sits on the lot. Hands down, and I own a tC..

What you need to decide is:

A. Do I want a car that starts off kinda cheaply made, that is in fact priced way lower.. And put some money into it and make it my own (customize)?

or

B. Do I want a car that costs a little more, but is alot nicer as is? I'm not going to spend any money on aftermarket..

...

A is the tC, B is the Solara.. Easy as that.

Have you ever actually driven a tC? It handles like my grandpa's Oldsmobile 88.. Go test drive an RX-8 if you want to feel sporty handling.

What many people are referring to when they say that Scions are "cheaply made", is nothing like, "It's going to fall apart and break down".. What they are referring to is the cars overall finish.. Like when you take a picture of an xB interior and notice that the seats are some wierd ___ purple color.. The cars just 'feel' cheap.. They are still a great value, great cars.. But they still have an over-all cheap feel to them.. I've owned an xB and now own a tC.. To me personally, the tC feels cheaper than even the xB.. Where I see the cheapness the most is in the door panels... Just sit and stare at them awhile, and you'll see what I mean.

Anyway, back to the question... Buy the Solara.

 

I think if u go with longo u will have to wait for ur tc couple weeks too Haha.. ID look around first. If ur gettin solara, ull get it same day.

 

I agree with you that he should buy a solara. But I disagree with your comment about the tC having a cheap finish to it. Most people say the interior looks great, and far from "cheap". The only thing I can associate with the tC interior being cheap is the plastic warping (clicking, creaking) sounds coming from the center console. Besides that I think the interior looks very expensive, MUCH better than competitors such as the RSX or Tiburon etc. When you look inside the interior of an xB or xA, you can definitely tell its economy.

 

Before my tC, I drove a '99 Solara SLE V6 for 6+ years. Leather, Premium Audio, etc.

I don't know if they've made any drastic changes, but my car was very heavy for its class, and there was nothing "sport-tuned" about its luxury suspension.

I would always lose grip on corners, and you could definitely feel the car's weight carrying too much momentum the wrong way.

Also, several minor parts broke within 1 year - ex: center console latch, seat belt shoulder clips (both driver + passenger). Cheap plastic. Disappointing for the SLE.

The driver vanity mirror just fell off after a few years, even with virtually -zero- use.

As for the engine, it was solid.

Like I said, I don't know if there have been drastic changes in suspension tuning or interior components since the '99 SLE, but I hope so. If things have been cleaned up, the Solara is worth a recommendation.

As for me, I've never at any point enjoyed my Solara as much as I currently enjoy my tC.

 

wow thanks for the all input guys

i'm currently 21 years old, going to be 22 in Nov. I am currently working two summer jobs to help my parents on the down payment. Ultimately, my parents said its up to me what I want to get. Originally my choice was the tC. I'm a 3rd year college student right now going on to 4th year.

anyways, i currently drive a 96 honda civic greddy turbo'd... its fine...no problems..but yea i do feel like that i'm tired of being in the "f&f" scene...and want to "mature" a little and grow up.... while at school, i peeked into the interior of many '04/'05 Solaras...and i was SOLLLDDD.... the interior in was luxurious....

but yea, looks like the Solara might be a better choice. i was told not to get the SE Sport though because the suspension rides harsher?


also... i thought "tC" 's were chick cars as well? I see as much girls as I see guys driving tC's.