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Most people have been pulled over by police at least once in their life, usually for speeding. Police usually look for other things too, such as unsafe driving or burned-out lights. However, sometimes the make and model of a car has something to with it too, especially one particular Toyota Camry model.

According to the Motorists blog, the discontinued Toyota Camry Solara is 350 percent more likely to be ticketed compared to other cars. It’s apparently riskier to drive than a minivan or an SUV, which were found least likely to be pulled over. What makes this Camry such a red flag for police?

About the Toyota Camry Solara

For '09 the red Toyota Camry Solara Convertible returns with all its top-down pleasure, but the Coupe has passed into history.
The Toyota Camry Solara | Alan Look/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images

The Toyota Camry Solara was intended to be a sportier version of the regular Camry, manufactured from 1999 to 2008. The latest model came with a V6 capable of 225 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed manual transmission. It was available as either a coupe or a convertible, which was very convenient because it offered four seats instead of two.

According to Car and Driver, the Camry Solara only boasts a modest 0-60 mph time of 7.3 seconds. Its suspension also lacks the required stiffness for a sports car, wobbling along even slight bumps in the pavement. C/D says that the 2008 Solara is better compared to previous models, but not enough to recommend on driving merits alone.

Which other cars are more likely to get a ticket?

Even more so than the Toyota Camry Solara, you’re over 400 percent more likely to get pulled over if you regularly drive a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class convertible. The base SL 450 has a turbo-V6 capable of 362 hp, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The SL 550 gets the most powerful motor, a turbo-V8 producing 449 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

Edmunds clocked the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 550’s 0-60 mph time at a blistering 4.4 seconds. The steering doesn’t feel as precise as some rivals, but the brakes are solid and the ride quality has a satisfying smoothness. As with any Benz, drivers can also enjoy one of the best interiors in the luxury class.

While slightly less offensive than the Toyota Camry Solara, the Scion tC coupe is pulled over 343 percent more than other cars. The 2016 model sported a 179-hp four-cylinder engine with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. While the manual was obviously more engaging, the automatic gearbox came with rev-matching to increase the tC’s sportiness.

The Motorists blog speculates that these three cars are likely targeted because of their sporty body styles and driving demeanors. However, the sporty Jaguar XJ sedan seems to prove this assumption wrong. This luxury compact is actually 89 percent less likely to get a speeding ticket, despite its impressive performance specs.

The most expensive Jaguar XJ comes with a 575-hp V8, plus several racing enhancements that make it a blast to drive. The XJ has since been discontinued like the Toyota Camry Solara, but it will return as an EV sometime this year.

How to avoid getting a ticket

Even an unassuming minivan will get pulled over if the driver isn’t following the speed limit. Avoid running stop signs or red lights and pay attention to road signs so that you don’t make any illegal maneuvers. Make sure that your car is in good condition, with every exterior part in place and all lights intact. 

In all likelihood, having a sports car doesn’t make you more suspicious to police than any other kind of car. However, when you have a car with the performance chops of a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class or the visual flair of the Toyota Camry Solara, it’s tempting to go all-out. Just remember to save it for the test track and be considerate of your fellow drivers.

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