Toyota Problems

The camper trailer isn’t a heavy one, so most compact SUVs would handle it comfortably, and would have the space for your fridge and extra battery. A Toyota RAV4 would do the job, so would a Suzuki Vitara, or a Kia Sportage.

The 2.0-litre engine would be the better choice for your longer trips where the petrol engine would play a greater role than it will in local driving. If you go for the 1.8-litre you would lose a little performance on those trips, but it would be the better choice for use around town.

Normally, I would recommend the Kluger, but with 225,000 km on the clock already it’s not so cut-and-dried. If the Kluger has a good service record and is in good condition then I still think I would go that way. The Freemont is more of a gamble in my view. Should you decide on the Freemont you shouldn’t have problems getting parts for it.

Kia has a seven-year warranty. Holden, Ford, Hyundai and Mazda have five-year warranties. Toyota is currently three years, but is going to five. Look at the small models from those carmakers and you’ll find models to fit your budget.

The Corolla is a safe bet for anyone when recommending a car to buy. It has a good reputation for reliability, and its resale is always good. The best one to buy is the latest one that fits within your budget. Another to consider is the Mazda3.

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

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.

It would be worth $5000 to $7000.

There are numerous things that go into determining the towing rating of a vehicle, the valves not being one of them. It would be illegal to try and uprate the towing capacity of the 1992 model, your insurance company would certainly be unhappy about it.