Model Garage, Berkeley, California - Some opinions on years and models of used Toyotas

The Model Garage
2920 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, California 94705 (510)540-5899

Used Toyota Recommendations

As with all advice, please take our recommendations as our considered opinion but not as the results of a scientific study or as the sole basis of a used-car decision. Please have a good mechanic, preferably one familiar with that make and model, inspect any car you are thinking of buying before agreeing to buy it.

Hybrids: The Prius seems to be a great start on producing cars with better environmental impact. Introduced in 2000, they use a hybrid system which consists of a gasoline engine and an electric motor to provide good performance with excellent gas mileage and low emissions. Starting with 2004, the Prius has a new body and a second-generation 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 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 on the main battery pack. 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) most of the significant problems our customers have run into.
Corollas: Corollas have always been good cars. Newer ones (since '92) seem especially well made. Starting in 1990, Corollas have fuel injection, an improvement over the 1984-1989 (and some 1990) carbureted Corollas. 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.
Camry and Avalon: If you prefer Camrys, we recommend getting the newest year that you can afford; we recommend either 4 cylinder engines or 1995 or newer V6 Camrys or Avalons. 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.
Tacoma, pick-up and 4-Runner: The versions of these vehicles with 4 cylinder engines are very reliable. The 4 cyl. engine has the added advantage of having a timing chain rather than a timing belt (a belt requires periodic replacement). As with Camrys and Avalons, try for a 1995 or later model if you choose a V6 engine. 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 4-Runner 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. We don't recommend giving in to the temptation to buy a Tercel. Echos are another good choice in the 2000 and later category (see below).
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. 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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