Toyota Camry Problems

Ford was having heaps of trouble with its dual-clutch automatic transmission back then, so it would be wise not to take the risk of buying one. Holden was in just as much trouble with the torque-converted auto in the Cruze, and I would urge you not to go down that route either. Instead of those, consider a Toyota Camry.

Cost, weight, and space saving are all advantages with a space-saver. I guess the other consideration is just how many times do you need to call on the spare. For most people the spare goes along for the road and is rarely used.

There’s no reason to think the Hybrid will not last as long as a regular petrol vehicle.

Toyota has been making hybrids for many, many years and they have never shown any sign of being less durable or reliable then the company’s petrol models. The batteries are said to last the lifetime of the vehicle, so there’s reason to be concerned about that either. The thing with the hybrid is the higher purchase price. That’s offset by the lower fuel consumption, so the longer you keep the vehicles the greater the chance to recoup the extra initial cost.

The other thing to consider is that hybrids work at their best in stop-start city traffic, they are not so good out on country roads where the petrol engine comes into play more of the time.

In defence of the dealers it’s hard to diagnose a problem that isn’t there when they do their checks. Without anything to guide them they are taking a stab in the dark by changing parts they “think” might be causing the problem. If it is happening every time you drive the car I would suggest you have one of the dealership mechanics go on a drive with you so you can demonstrate what it is you’re concerned about. That way they might get an insight into what the problem is. Other than that, try an independent brake mechanic, and see if they can fix it for you.

When buying an older car that’s done lots of kilometres it’s best to go for a well-known and respected brand, a car that is in the best possible condition, and one that has been well serviced. The Camry is a well-respected name from a highly regarded company, and providing the car you buy is in good condition and has been properly serviced it is probably the best option for you.

It can be found in your car’s service book, but it’s 100,000 km.

You’ve pretty much covered the field there, so it should come down to what you want from your car. Do you want comfort, safety, fuel efficiency, offroad capability, cabin space? If you are mostly driving on the highway, then a diesel SUV is probably the best bet. I would rule out a dual-cab ute because of comfort, unless you need the flexibility a ute gives you. I would rule out a hybrid, they’re not at their most efficient on the highway; they’re better suited to town use. Based on your annual mileage I wouldn’t keep the car any more than 3-4 years, that way you’ll have a decent resale value when you get out of it.

It’s hard to put a number on the price reduction you could expect on a car without a compliance plate. People suspect the car could be dodgy when the plate is missing. Who is to say that the missing plate isn’t out there somewhere on another car? I would be reluctant to buy a car without a compliance plate.

The batteries used in Toyota hybrids have been good for many hundreds of thousands of kilometres, so it’s surprising that yours has failed after so few kilometres and just four years old. I would approach Toyota and put your case for a refund to them.

It depends on how much of your driving is local and how much is open road/highway. It also depends on what it is you want, i.e., performance or fuel economy, and how much you’re willing to pay. The hybrid has good performance around town thanks to its electric motor, and the economy is also good, but it’s not so good on the open road. The four is a quite a good blend of performance and economy around town and holds its own on the highway, while the six is a little thirsty in town and goes like the clappers out of town. The four would be my choice as the best all-rounder.