Timing Belt at 61000 miles
Water Pump at 61000 miles
Automatic Windows running very slow.
Overall very comfortable, smooth, and fast for a 4 cylinder. Mechanic and I very surprised to have timing and water pump go at low mileage. Happened while driving, car died in middle of road. Very surprised as I bought a Toyota for their expected reliability. Oh well. I'm going to keep it as I have hopes for the future. Interior is incredibly spacious, fits 4 adults comfortably for long rides. Excellent on gas. Seats are plush, very nice. Handles great and easy, very smooth. Overall I love this car except for its recent issues.
My water pump went off at 54k miles; my mechanic was surprised too :) But luckily no other problems for last 2 years I owned my Solara (2000).
With the water pump thing - that happens. Its depends more on the conditions that you drive in then anything else. As for the timing belt, chances are what happened was the belt was contaminated by the water pump going. If it wasn't for the water pump, the timing belt should have lasted you till 100-120K with no problems. Then again, there's a lemon in every batch (I mean belts, not cars).
I'm an auto mechanic and contamination of belts, from standard serpentine and V-belts to timing belts, when coolant or oil is involved is not un-common. Not necessary to replace, but not worth the risk either. If a timing belt snaps or slips while driving, the engine is usually junk, seeing as valves, pistons, and rods all moving at 3000rpm don't react well when meshed together.
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