Toyota HiLux Problems

Buying a car sight unseen is not a good idea. I would go for on of the big three: HiLux, Triton, or Courier. They are all much of a muchness when you get to the used car market. The important things are service history, odo reading, and previous use.

The MY14 Hilux was introduced in November 2013 and ran until June 2105. Your car is a MY14 that was built on 01 Feb 2015. The reviews that come up as 2014 are relevant to your car.

The HiLux would be my first choice, followed by the Colorado.

Your budget will limit you to an older model, around 2008/2009, which will have higher kilometres, and be less safe and less reliable than a later model.

It’s hard to go past a Toyota HiLux, but try to find one that hasn’t been beaten up by a tradie, or used extensively in the bush or off-road.

Petrol is really the best in your situations diesels are not at the their best in stop-start driving. I wouldn’t suggest a Great Wall; I feel they are still to earn their stripes in this country. Go for a 2.7-litre petrol Toyota HiLux.

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.

You are right to want to get the manual back, and if the dealer is unwilling or can’t help them contact Toyota direct (1800 869 682) and request their help. At the very least the dealer should be able to give you a report on the service history of your car, which should help when it comes time to sell it.

The Navara would seem to fit your requirements, there’s no reason not to go for it. Another one would be the Toyota HiLux.

I would rank the Hilux marginally better than the Navara, but there’s little to separate them. Both are similar for safety, rated at 4 stars they have the most essential safety gear in terms of airbags and ABS braking, the Hilux gets the nod on reliability, running costs are dependent on which engine you chose, and I would suggest you don’t buy a V6 petrol Hilux as they are thirsty, but the Toyota has capped-price servicing which makes it attractive.