Toyota Problems

Before Toyota released the space-age Tarago in 1990, people movers were fairly crude devices based on commercial vans. For the first time there was a purpose-built van for families with the attributes of a regular family sedan.Model watchThe smooth bubble-shaped Tarago had widely spaced wheels, one at each corner, and passengers sat low down and inside the track so they had a much lower centre of gravity. All that meant greater safety and stability, better dynamics, and much more comfort.To help get the centre of gravity down Toyota laid the fuel-injected 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft four cylinder engine flat under the floor. Access for checking the engine's vitals was through the bonnet.Peak power was 102kW at 5000 revs, torque is tops at 208Nm. Toyota offered a choice of five-speed manual gearbox or electronically-controlled four-speed auto transmission, with a column shift and drive was through the rear wheels. There was also the choice of a four-wheel drive model.Inside there was comfortable seating for eight. Access to the rear seats was through a kerbside sliding door, or the rear lift-up hatch. At launch there was a choice of base GLi, four-wheel drive RV or luxury GLX models. GLi came with power steering, AM/FM cassette, tachometer, and central locking.The GLX also had four-wheel discs, alloy wheels, a roof spoiler, front driving lamps, power windows and velour trim. An upgrade in 1994 added cruise control, remote central locking and ABS to GLX standard features.In the shopThe Tarago's body generally remains tight and taut in the long term, but look for bumps and scrapes that suggest neglect. Rear hatch struts can lose their lift after a while.To keep maintenance to a minimum the 2.4 litre engine has a timing chain instead of a belt that would need changing on a regular basis. It does, however, have long-life spark plugs which cost plenty when you do need to have them changed. Unfortunately it is such an awkward time consuming job that many mechanics simply don't do it.Check the engine's vital fluids to make sure they're fresh and clean, a sign they've been regularly checked and changed as necessary.Crunch timeThe Tarago led the way with a reasonable crumple zone ahead of the cabin. The GLX got a standard driver's side airbag in 1993.Owner's viewAnne Dwyer and her family bought a 1992 Tarago eight years ago. It had done 90,000km when bought and now has done 260,0000km with no sign of trouble. Anne says she it has made moving her family of five much easier.John Eliezer brought a 1990 Tarago GLX for his wife, and rates it as one of his best ever buys. It is used mostly as a driver-only vehicle but is fantastic when the family moves about together and is very popular for school car pool runs. It has had two starter motors and three sets of rear door struts.Craig Power has owned a few Taragos. His 1991 car did 100,000km on LPG without hassle.Rating15/20 Safe, solid and reliable for the large or extended family with plenty of room left for whatever they need to take with them.

THE Paseo tends to get left behind whenever there's a choice of cars to drive home, but it shouldn't be dismissed as unworthy of a second look.  Tucked below the Celica in the Toyota model range, it Cwas easy to miss, or dismiss, the Paseo.  Little was wrong with it. It was a well-engineered and built small coupe that simply lacked character.It first arrived in 1991 as an affordable, stylish small coupe, but in time its price crept up until it became too expensive for what it was.  By 1995, before Toyota unveiled the new model, its price was too close to that of its bigger brother, the Celica, for comfort and sales had slumped.  The 1995 model was Toyota's attempt to redress the situation. The model range was simplified and the price lowered about $4000.MODEL WATCHAt first sight the Toyota Paseo introduced late in 1995 seems a mild makeover of the previous model, but it was much more. The change was enough to get it considered a new model in its own right.To be kind, the Paseo might have looked like a sports car, but it didn't have enough of the key things that make a sports car stand out. It couldn't be considered anything other than a stylish small coupe.Only one specification was available in the simplified model range Toyota released, and that generally fell midway between the base and upmarket versions of the previous model in terms of equipment.At a glance you could be forgiven for thinking Toyota had pulled a swift one with the new Paseo, it looked so like its predecessor.  But a longer look would reveal a new car with an aggressive new profile and all-new sheet metal.There was no longer a grille. The front bumper was revised and included the air intake. The roofline was sleeker, forming more of a fastback than the previous model, which had a more defined coupe roofline.Larger rear quarter-windows made the interior much lighter, but unfortunately couldn't do much to increase interior room. The Paseo was cramped. Average-size adults found it very uncomfortable in the rear.But the rest of the interior was quite acceptable. The front seats were new and trimmed in a light grey material, which helped make the interior lighter.Standard features were quite generous, including sports instruments, a four-speaker sound system, power mirrors and windows, central locking, cup holders and a tilt-adjustable steering column.Outside were body-coloured bumpers, a neat rear spoiler, rear window wiper and full dress hubcaps over steel wheels.  Power was from a 1.5-litre, double overhead camshaft, fuel-injected, four-cylinder engine that put out 69kW at 5400 revs and 136Nm at 4400 revs.The numbers tell the story. The Paseo is no fireball.  Power delivery was smooth and steady, making the car a nice driver rather than a zippy road-rager.Transmission choices were a five-speed manual or a four-speed auto.  On the road the Paseo was competent rather than breathtaking, its handling well balanced and ride comfortable.Brakes were a combination of disc at the front and drum at the rear, with ABS available as part of the optional Safety Pack, which also included a driver's airbag.IN THE SHOPTHE Paseo is generally a reliable little car and little goes wrong with it on a regular basis.  Look for a well-cared for car, with low mileage if possible, and definitely with a service record.  Check for crash repairs, dropped doors, varying panel gaps, and paint mismatches.CRUNCH TIMEA driver's airbag was part of an optional Safety Pack, which also included ABS brakes.  A passenger's airbag became available as an option from September 1996, and seatbelt pre-tensioners were standard from March 1998.OWNER'S VIEWSYBIL Coppock's small stature dictated that her car should give her confidence and, most importantly, good vision in all driving conditions.  After test-driving several vehicles, Sybil settled on a new 1996 Paseo, which has now done 86,000km. It has met all her expectations for reliability, economy and performance. Her only complaint is the design fault on the boot-lock emblem, which swivels to allow the key to be inserted. It has failed twice.  And she says the lack of room in the rear makes it cramped for a person of average size.LOOK FORSLEEK fastback stylingCRAMPED interior, particularly in the rearRENOWNED Toyota reliability and build qualityMODEST performanceSAFE handlingTHE BOTTOM LINEWELL-BUILT, attractive small coupe perfect for the beginner driver.