Toyota Problems

THE Tarago can be converted to LPG, and many have been. You would probably have to use an old technology system for a vehicle that old because I'm told no one has yet developed an injection kit for that model. There's nothing wrong with the old systems if installed and set up correctly. A gas-injection system is less prone to backfiring because it doesn't flood the intake manifold, but the old systems do the job well if properly installed and set up.

EXPERIENCE says replacing the battery pack is a rare event. Toyota says the battery lasts the life of the car, and they have sold only two replacements since the Prius was launched in 2001. In that time they've sold 10,000 cars, The two that were sold were for taxis with high mileages in Queensland. The cost is $3940, including fitting.

GOOD question. How long is a piece of string? I doubt that a car company would want, or could answer your question. How do you define the life of a car -- does its life end when it finally snuffs out going down the driveway? Perhaps it's when it is worn beyond reasonable fixing? Is it simply when the warranty expires? It's probably none of these, but I'd expect a car to do 250,000km without a major failure of the main components. Many cars will do more, as your Honda Shuttle did, but is it reasonable to expect a car to go forever? I recall in the 1950s it was common to have to rebuild an engine after 60,000km or so. We don't do that now because of improvements in technology.

Toyotas are generally regarded as more reliable than any other car on the market but, like any other car, they can also break down. The Astra is a good little car, but the cam belt needs to be changed about twice as often. Other than that there is not a great deal of difference in running costs. As for fitting into them, sit in each and decide.

IT'S certainly an option. If you bought a two or three-year-old Falcon for $15,000 and installed a gas-injection system you would have $19,000 or so invested in it, against the cost of the Corolla or Mazda. The cost of running the Falcon on gas would be a little less than the cost of running the small car so I would believe you would be in front. Think also of buying a used E-Gas Falcon, which might be an even better bet.

THE rearview mirrors you refer to are common today and, though you might feel they're dangerous, they do provide a wider view of what's behind and beside your car if you take the time to get used to them. There is no safety problem as such, as there might be if your brakes or steering were defective, so there's no need for a recall. Besides, it's something you should have picked up on when you test-drove the car before you bought it.

THE older system is more prone to backfiring than the injection system because it works by flooding the inlet manifold with LPG and this can be ignited by a stray spark. ApolloGas developed the LPG system used by Toyota on the Avalon. Give them a call and ask their advice.

YOURS is the first to come to my attention, but we'll float the issue with our Carsguide readers and ask for their feedback. I agree with you that piston slap, if that's what it is, is unacceptable and should be addressed by Toyota.

HYBRIDS are only a part of the picture. I'm not convinced they are the answer to our woes. We are still waiting for the long-term answer, which might be hydrogen fuel cells. A small diesel is almost as economical as the hybrid, it's just not as clean. The best solution for most people is to downsize to smaller cars powered by small petrol engines. As for the batteries, Toyota claims they last the life of the car.

ALL cars, including Toyotas, have problems at times, even the best in the world. Toyotas are generally reliable and the problems they have don't seem to be major ones.