The Morning Call and Mcall.com's view

When it comes to scheduling a convertible to test drive, my timing is flawless. Usually, that’s the week the skies turn threatening and the heavens open.

With the Toyota Solara Convertible, I got, at least, a couple days of sunshine with the rest of the week being one big “mist” opportunity.

Of course, the Solara itself is a nice vehicle even with a solid roof.

Based on the Camry platform, this car goes up against various competitors, including Chrysler’s Sebring, Chevrolet’s Monte Carlo, Pontiac’s Grand Prix and Honda’s Accord Coupe. The styling most closely apes Chrysler, albeit with a more angular look. Some onlookers mistook the Solara Convertible for a Chrysler Sebring Convertible.

One drive would clear that misconception.

Because this is a two-door Camry, it has the smooth sophisticated feel of its donor. There are two trim levels, SE and SLE, powered by a standard 2.2-liter 133-horsepower four-cylinder or a 3-liter 200 horsepower V-6.

Skip the four-cylinder, as it won’t have the power to move this car with any authority. The V-6 in the test car was hitched to a smooth-shifting four-speed automatic that made for effortless cruising. Engine noise is well-muted. Steering is a bit light and numb, although some road feel filters through. There’s body lean in corners, so this is more a grand-tourer than anything sporting. The suspension is soft enough to cause front-end bobbing over dips. It all adds up to a very Buick-like driving experience.

The fully-lined power top comes in two colors, black and tan, and with a glass rear window with integral defogger. A push of a button puts the top down quickly, as well as lowering the power windows. The biggest problem is the power-top button isn’t illuminated, making it hard to find at night. Raising the top, however, means closing the individual windows yourself by hitting separate switches.

I’d like to say the top was well-sealed, but the test model suffered from a wind leak. It became a massive water leak at highway speeds when it rained, with water dotting the entire front header. A bit disconcerting.

Needless to say, there was cowl shake, as well, over bumps, which is not uncommon for a convertible of any kind, but unusually so in this vehicle.

But, putting the top down on a sunny day (which doesn’t appear to happen often) can make up for many sins, and this car was no exception. Wind noise was well-managed and the excellent AM/FM/cassette/CD audio system helped make a more pleasant ride. The stereo had terrific sound and the CD player holds 6 CDs in the dash, which is very handy indeed.

Because I didn’t have much chance to enjoy the sunshine, I had more time to look at the interior. The dashboard was simple and functional, with good quality materials and careful assembly. The climate control is fully automatic and functioned with typical Toyota efficiency. It won’t win any desi gn awards for excitement.

The front seats were large, supportive and comfortable. They were covered in a luxurious-feeling perforated leather and featured seat heaters. The rear seat was more commodious than you might expect. The trunk has the typical odd shape that afflicts all convertibles. If using the car for a long weekend, use soft-sided luggage.

If you’re concerned over safety, the SLE trim level is the one to get. Front and side airbags are standard on all models. All seating positions have three-point seat belts. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes and daytime running lights are standard on the V-6 model. Traction control is an option only on SLE-level vehicles.

So, this car is big, comfortable and quiet with good power and a decent ride. Sounds like the consummate American car, which is the personality that comes through. In many ways, this is a Japanese Buick. It has virtues for those who appreciate refinement and comfort with a dash of thrill. It’s t overly spicy, but you don’t sell boat loads of cars these days without being bland.

In the meantime, the car goes back to Toyota tomorrow. The skies are expected to clear.