You all have been a really tough crowd this week. Lots of “those are both awful” and “I’m sitting this one out” comments. And yeah, I’ve hit you with some problematic vehicles: undesirable specs, questionable titles, unrepaired damage. But not today! Today’s cars are so squeaky-clean they’ll make you sick.
First, let’s see how our Ohio players did:
Looks like the Saturn wins it handily. Park that in your garage, and it becomes a room with a Vue.
Anyway. Today’s contestants are both from a rust-free part of the country, both are six-cylinder Toyotas known for mechanical immortality, and neither has any damage beyond normal wear and tear. You wanted “good” cars? You got’em. Be careful what you wish for.
2000 Toyota Camry Solara SLE – $2,750
Engine/drivetrain: 3.0 liter overhead cam V6, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Puyallup, WA
Odometer reading: 231,000 miles
Runs/drives? Of course
How do you make a Toyota Camry more interesting? Trick question: You don’t. But taking away two doors and giving it some swoopy styling makes it at least more palatable. Make it the fancy SLE model with a V6 and leather, and you’ve got a reasonable Japanese facsimile of an American personal luxury coupe like a Monte Carlo, only more reliable.
This Solara has covered 231,000 miles, but it wears them well. Apart from a small seatbelt-rub hole in the side bolster, it’s just about flawless. Toyota’s 1MZ-FE six-cylinder, driving the front wheels through an overdrive automatic, is about as indestructible as drivetrains get; I’ve seen them with way more miles than this. And outside, it looks practically new. Too bad it’s appliance-white.
I have seen Solaras with manual transmissions, but I believe it was only available with the four-cylinder engine. But manual Camrys of this era aren’t exactly sporting machines anyway. Might as well just settle for the automatic; it suits the car’s character better.
1996 Toyota Avalon XLS – $3,800
Engine/drivetrain: 3.0 liter overhead cam V6, four-speed automatic, FWD
Location: Seattle, WA
Odometer reading: 91,000 miles
Runs/drives? What do you think?
Two-door coupe too exciting for you? Fear not; here we have the fabled “Japanese Buick,” a car as gentle and soothing as the Roxy Music song for which it is not named. The Toyota Avalon is a nap in car form, a Snuggie capable of highway travel. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? It is.
This first-generation Avalon has the same V6 powertrain as the Solara above – smooth, reliable, and almost completely characterless. Perfect for a car like this. Even better, it only has 91,000 miles on its clock, which is practically new for one of these. The seller says it has been carefully maintained, the necessary timing belt and water pump replacement has been taken care of, and all is well.
It’s not perfect; there is some minor damage to the back bumper, but it’s superficial. The rest of the car’s paint looks a little dull, but maybe it’s just the photos. But at least it’s a real color.
Well, there they are: two shining examples of perfectly good used cars at reasonable prices. You’ve got your choice of two flavors: Vanilla and Plain. Choose carefully, but don’t worry – it’s February 2nd. If you get it wrong, we’ll just repeat today until you get it right.
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Low mileage Avalon for be because… well it’s low mileage and more practical.
If I want a coupe, for that money it will be something more interesting than a Solara with over 200,000 miles on it.
For the first time I haven’t voted.
If either of these cars were my choice, I wouldn’t drive – I’d walk, ride (motorcycle, bicycle or horse) or any other mode of transportation.
I simply can’t conceive of myself piloting the above automobiles.
Either would I or most anyone else who frequent this site. I always think of it as “which one would you buy (or suggest they buy) for your child’s first car”?
I usually don’t bother posting when I feel None of the Above, but I’m making an exception for this one. Even with the auto, the Solara seemed like an easy call, but then I pictured driving it anywhere, and I just recoiled. I’ll never actually wrench a shitty car back to health, but I can dream on a busted-up Triumph or an engineless Miata. Owning either of these cars would just make me sad every single time I thought about driving somewhere.
I feel that I should recuse myself.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ….
I’ll take the Avalon, despite the awkward placement of the steering wheel spokes (why are they at 4:00 and8:00 on an airbag equipped car).
“Park that in your garage, and it becomes a room with a Vue.” How long have you been waiting to use that line?
First gen Solaris could indeed be had with V6 and manual combo. Not sure if that was true for all years of first gen. Convertibles were auto only.
We almost bought a 1999 Solara new with V6 and manual. Ended up buying a V6 manual Camry as we (correctly) assumed that the car would outlive our childless years and so bought the 4-door. Later on added Eibach springs, Koni shocks and thicker rear anti-roll bar and turned it into a decent handling reliable and reasonably fun little ride.
Avalon. The miles and the maintenance statement make it twice as valuable as the younger two door
Those are both awful. I’m sitting this one out. *Both these cars are No Dice for me, even though either one should be fine for most people. They both have the same Achilles heel – sunroofs in a Toyota. These are made for short people, 6’2″ or so and under.
Solara for me. Back in college, a friend of mine had one. He didn’t drink but he was always down to play taxi driver to get us to parties across the small-ish town my school was in. However there were usually more people looking to head over there than there were seats in the car. Since I’m short, on more than one occasion, I curled up and went in the trunk (I know, bad idea but I lived). Now that I think about it, I don’t think I ever rode in the actual passenger compartment of that car. If I got this Solara, I can finally find out what it’s like to be up where the people are supposed to be
Solara for me. I have a soft spot for those things. My dad bought a 4 cyl one in green from CA years ago. He washed the title and severely neglected it so it was a real basket case, but a solid car regardless.
Avalon Miles kind of seal the deal, even with 2 doors the Solara is still not all that sporty. I am surprised it does not also have it’s Camry rear bumper dents like the Solara, but the rear bumper cover is cheap enough on Ebay. I would take the Avalon all day
27 year old appliance car for nearly $4k. Insane.
I’m going with the Avalon purely because of Roxy Music.
But where’s the Camry Dent?
As compelling as a “sporty” Solara is, I gotta go with the Avalon. More room, more doors, fewer miles, and an actual color means I won’t fall asleep before I’ve even gotten behind the wheel.
Calling it a “Big difference” is very relative. Statistically it’s 38% more expensive, but that Avalon is dirt cheap for 91k miles (61% less miles). You could drive the Avalon for the next 5 years and add 100k miles and likely sell it for the same price in the future. Add another 100k to the Solara and you wouldn’t see that ROI IMO.
You’ve gone from two choices that are equally awful to two choices that are equally boring.
Coin flip, maybe? I can’t bother caring about either one.
Boys and Girls, Take a Chance With Me on the Avalon. More Than This, The Space Between passengers is The Main Thing. True to Life, it may not be able To Turn You On, but While My Heart is Still Beating, this car could take you across India.
Anyone else notice the updated head unit in the Avalon? ipods and USB were not a thing in 1996.
they both have updated heat units
The Avalon would be an outstanding road trip car. I’d happily cruise that many many miles.
While both would be a decent choice I have to choose the Avalon for the extra doors and being red. Plus a lot less mileage and stating the timing belt and water pump has been done makes me think they definitely kept up on maintenance.
They are both appliances, but a red fridge is cool. Especially a fridge with more room for beer.
Also, that is a BIG mileage difference. Avalon easily.
Big price difference too, but worth it. I agree, the Avalon by a country mile.
Considering the state of the under $5k car market, that Avalon is the deal of the year.
If I recall correctly, Car and Driver referred to this generation Avalon as basically a Lexus with a Toyota badge. Solid, quiet, comfortable.