Toyota Problems

You could look at all small models from the mainstream carmakers, like Mazda, and you won’t go wrong. The Mazda2 is a good choice, but you could also look at the Toyota Yaris, Hyundai i20 and Kia Rio.

Warranty coverage on all brands is compromised when you move away from standard equipment. You might believe something will enhance a vehicle but, because it is not developed and tested to warranty standards by the manufacturer, they will not give coverage.

You're right to be dubious. Ask yourself, and the dealer if you dare, is Toyota's paint so poor that it needs this so-called protection, is the quality of its leather so appalling that it needs extra care, is the carpet rubbish and in need of special care. I think not. It's upselling, plain and simple, and I wouldn't part with my hard-earned cash for something that isn't needed. If you really want it get the dealer to throw it in for free.

The two new arrivals this year, the Mazda2 and Jazz, both get The Tick from me. The Jazz is better value in the basic car and the Mazda rival has a more substantial feel. Go for the Honda.

If it is only using a little more it might be simply that replacing the catalyst has improved the performance and you're driving it harder than you were. If it's using a lot more, and I suspect it is, then it could be a problem with the oxygen sensor, which controls the air-fuel mixture. It could be sending incorrect signals to the computer causing the engine to run rich.

I always put a car ahead of an SUV unless you drive on gravel roads. A car is quieter, more comfortable and gets better fuel economy. For you, depending on what you drive now, a Toyota Camry will be surprisingly good and the Skoda Superb, which gets The Tick, will be brilliant.

These days everyone does what Toyota once did on its own, and the all-new Mazda3 is considerably better than a Corolla. The outgoing Mazda2 is well past its use-by date.

It's in the range for an average Prado of that age. If it is good condition, as you claim, it sounds a reasonable price.

People have always bought Alfas with their hearts and they are behind the Japanese on reliability and resale. There is an updated Giulietta coming next year, which I recently drove in Italy and enjoyed. Try it.

The Ranger is the winner, ahead of the Colorado and the HiLux (which gets replaced in the first half of next year). But don't forget to cross-shop the Ranger's Mazda BT-50 twin.