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- Hybrids: Prius design was a great start to producing cars with better environmental impact. Introduced in 2000, the Prius uses a hybrid system which consists of a gasoline engine and an electric motor to provide good performance with excellent gas mileage and low emissions. The Generation I Prius (2000-2003) was good but has been improved on by the Gen. II (2004-2009) and the new Gen. III. Starting with 2004, the Prius has the now-familiar "hybrid shape" and an improved hybrid system, including more extensive use of the electric motor and regenerative braking. As a result, it has better performance and better gas mileage. The Gen III has a larger gas engine which is more powerful and counter-intuitively gets even better gas mileage as it runs on gas less often. Generally, a Prius owner only needs to add gas, service the car regularly, and buy tires.
- Other Hybrids: The Camry and Highlander are available in hybrid versions, providing a larger car or SUV with small-car-comparable gas mileage and emissions.
Note: Before you buy an older used hybrid, check the remaining warranty on the car and the main battery pack, and for its accident history (we do not recommend buying a salvaged hybrid). Be aware that all hybrids are complex vehicles which may some day require high repair costs (this remains to be seen). So far Toyota has corrected (under warranty) many of the significant problems our customers have run into, and other repairs have been few and far between.
- Corollas: Corollas have always been good cars. Many very high mileage cars of the 1990's are still going strong. There was a large design change in 1998 which caused the newer Corollas to handle differently and made them somewhat noisier, but all Corollas are extremely reliable.
- Matrix: The Matrix has a Corolla drive train. It is the closest thing to a station wagon that Toyota currently makes. We often see damage to plastic lower body panels due to its low ground clearance and decorative spoilers but this is usually not too hard to repair and is mostly esthetic.
- Camry and Avalon: Good, comfortable and reliable for the most part, although the 4 cylinder cars of the mid to late 2000's have had slightly more necessary repairs than earlier models. We recommend 1995 or newer V6 motors. The four-cylinder is less expensive to maintain, but the V6 is a pleasure to drive. We don’t recommend buying a V6 made before 1995. Avalons are V6 Camrys only more luxurious. Avalons as a type can provide good used car values—a luxury car at a reasonable price.
- Tacomas, Pickups and 4Runners: These vehicles are very reliable. The 4 cyl. engine has the advantage of having a timing chain rather than a timing belt (a belt requires periodic replacement), but sometimes needs moderately expensive engine repair. Try for a 1996 or later model if you choose a V6 engine. It can be hard to find a good used truck or 4Runner as people tend to hold on to them: a pre-purchase inspection is therefore especially important. An additional note about trucks--if you do not need or want 4 wheel drive or raised suspension or giant wheels, don't buy a truck that has them.
- Highlander and RAV4: Despite their sport utility appearance, these vehicles are more similar to a Camry than to a 4Runner or a pickup truck. As with pickups and 4-Runners, we recommend 2-wheel drive unless you really need 4-wheel drive.
- Cheap Toyotas: The best bets are the older Corollas. Echos and Yaris' are good choices in the 2000 and later category. The Echo replaced the Tercel in 2000, the Yaris replaced the Echo in 2007. The Yaris is available in a sedan or hatchback style. So far the Echo and the Yaris seem to be good and very inexpensive cars.
- Echo: The Echo replaced the Tercel in 2000, the Yaris replaced the Echo in 2007. The Yaris is available in a sedan or hatchback style. So far the Echo and the Yaris seem to be good and inexpensive cars.
- Scion: There are several different body types for Scions, all based on Toyota models from the Yaris to the Camry and their performance is comparable.
- Sienna and Previa: These are both reliable and durable vans. Maintenance costs are occasionally high— for example, the Previa requires the mechanic to remove the passenger's seat to get access to most of the engine compartment. There are many high mileage Previas still around but most are nearing the end of their useful lives. The Sienna is supposed to be one of the safest vans on the market.
- The Big Boys: We don't work on any of the big vans or pickups (Tundra, Sequoia, etc.).
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