The Morning Call and Mcall.com's view

Halloween season is a time to take a trip through the automotive graveyard, where the list of recently deceased coupes is growing.

Buick announced the death of its Riviera. Olds killed the Cutlass coupe a couple years ago.

Also gone: Toyota’s Paseo and Supra, and Nissan’s 200SX, 240SX and 300ZX. Ford ended its Thunderbird, Probe and Lincoln Mark VIII. Rumors even are swirling around the Eldorado coupe by Cadillac, whose Coupe DeVille passed away a couple seasons ago.

So why is Toyota introducing a new mid-sized coupe?

Because they expect the segment to return from the dead.

But, with only about 20-30 percent of mid-size car buyers contemplating a purchase, why bother?

Because even 10 percent of the 400,000 buyers who chose Camrys in 1997 is a nice chunk of change.

And so, 1999 sees the introduction of the Camry Solara, a two-door coupe that starts with the platform of a Camry, with which it shares major mechanics.

There are two trim levels, SE or SLE. With the SE, you get a lot of choice. The base engine is the same 2.2-liter double overhead-cam, 16-valve four-cylinder engine that putters beneath the hoods of entry-level Camrys. It’s rated at 135 horsepower and 147 foot-pounds of torque.

Optional on the SE and standard on the SLE is a 3.0-liter double overhead-cam, 24-valve six-cylinder good for 200 horsepower and 214 foot-pounds of torque. The SE gives you a choice of a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic; the SLE gets only the automatic. Toyota expects 75 to 80 percent of Solara buyers to opt for the V6 engine.

So if the engines are the same as the Camry’s, what’s the big difference?

Easy. Engineers wanted to give this car a sportier character, so they stiffened the body structure and suspension mounts, and increased the strut and spring rates. The result is the same smooth ride that you get in a garden variety Camry sedan, but a more solid, responsive, rewarding car to drive. The steering is quicker than standard issue, with a heavier feel that builds as your speed does. And with the 3.0-liter six churning under the hood, response is faster than Dracula at the blood bank.

This is a car with quick reflexes. The engine has good speed, particularly on the highway. Chuck this coupe across three lanes of traffic and it is ever the obedient servant. The tires pull their weight, with none of the screaming that accompanies some coupes that pretend to be performance-oriented. They even performed well in driving rain. The only time they proved squirmy was on an occasional hard start.

For those who wish to gild the lily, Toyota offers a Sport Package, which includes 16-inch wheels, rather than 15-inch, a perforated-leather wrapped steering wheel, a tighter suspension and a rear deck spoiler. It’s available on either the SE or SLE with the V6 engine only.

The engine is silent, letting out a refined growl only at higher revs. The transmission shifts unobtrusively. Its handling limits are higher than most drivers will ever push it. It goes about its business with a gentlemanly smoothness. But there’s still fun to be had here.

Tooling down the highway, you’ll find yourself running with the wolves, able to keep up with European machinery that’s much more expensive in a car you didn’t have to mortgage your soul to buy.

Of course, given the high level of speed, you’d expect a high level of safety. Dual air bags are standard, as are three-point belts at all seating positions. The seat belts have pre-tensioner and force limiters that activate to keep you in place during a crash. V6 models get four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (four-cylinder models make do with rear drum brakes). Daytime running lights are standard, and side air bags and traction-control are available as options. The traction control worked well, limiting engine power when traction was low.

Of course, the main reason to buy a coupe is styling.

If the arched greenhouse mimics the Acco rd Coupe a little too much, the grille and crisp planes of the sides give an air of conservative distinction.

Inside, the car is modern, with an arched hood over the gauge cluster and a dash that vaguely recalls the Chrysler LeBaron Coupe. The quality of the interior is quite good.

The AM/FM/cassette/CD player is mounted above the climate controls. The sound was excellent, as is the norm for most Toyota audio systems. There is some cost-cutting at work here, though, as one button controls bass, mid-range, treble, balance and fade. Adjusting this requires a long look away from the road. The automatic climate control, optional on the SLE, worked well and the fan was quiet, even at full blast.

No matter what level of trim you choose, there’s a healthy dose of equipment. SE-grade cars get power windows, locks and mirrors, air conditioning, tilt wheel, cruise control, fake wood trim, fog lamps, and the ubiquitous vanity mirrors standard.

Options include a power driver’s seat, moon roof, JBL audio system, alloy wheels and leather trim. Popping for the SLE gets a standard leather-trimmed interior with power driver’s seat, 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, security system and engine immobilizer. Options include heated side mirrors, automatic climate control and auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

The leather bucket seats on the test car were quite comfy, deep and supportive — they were a nice place to spend quality time. The leather is perforated, enhancing comfort.

Of course, the big bugaboo with coupes is the thought of getting in the back, sometimes scarier than a Ken Starr investigation. But access is easy, at least on the passenger side. The driver’s seat doesn’t go far enough forward to make it easy on the left side. Once back there, there’s enough leg space to make it inhabitable by adults. The moon roof steals some headroom all around however. Trunk space looks bigger than its 13.8-cubic-foot rating. The liftover is a little high.

Storage space in the cabin was quite good, with map pockets in the door and on the seat backs. Drawers are provided for coins and a small flat drawer resides beneath the climate control. A 12-volt power point is nestled at the bottom of the instrument cluster.

What will make this coupe such a success is its combination of conservative styling, practical roominess and fun manner. And if it surpasses expectations, expect this segment to return from the dead.

1999 Toyota Camry Solara SLE V6

Engine: 3.0-liter double-overhead-cam 24-valve V6

Transmissions: four-speed automatic, five-speed available on SE

Tires: 205/65R15

Standard: Power windows/locks/mirrors, air conditioning, tilt wheel, cruise control, fake wood trim, fog lamps, leather-trimmed interior with power driver’s seat, 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, security system, engine immobilizer.

Major options: heated side mirrors, automatic climate control, auto-dimming rear-view mirrors.

Base price, ba se model: $19,058

Base price, test model: $24,988

As tested: $27,087

EPA rating: 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway

Test mileage: 23 mpg