Even with the recalls in recent years, Toyota still has the brand recognition for some of the longest lasting and most reliable vehicles on the market. But nobody is perfect, just ask my wife, and there are some common traits to look for in used Toyota trucks. It’s important to always get as much information as possible when searching for a used car and hopefully these issues will get you to ask the right questions and to look for the problem areas.

Rust Issues
Any old truck should be inspected for rust on the frame and body as this can be a sign of poor upkeep and future problems. This is even more important if the truck is in an area with bad winters since salt on the roads can increase the amount of rust on a truck. However, some Toyota trucks have been known to have big rust problems due to manufacturing issues. Be wary of Tacoma T-100s from 1997 and Tacomas in general from 1997 – 2010. Always check the frame for heavy rust or signs of rust starting.

Strawberry Milkshakes
I would usually refrain from calling a “strawberry milkshake” a red flag, but in Toyota’s case I have to use this term that describes a common problem. Strawberry milkshake is a term used to describe the outcome after the transmission fluid and coolant fluid mix which results in a pink paste – much like the delicious desert it’s named after. Ask whoever you’re buying the truck from if they’ve ever had to address this problem. If they have, ask and check to see if they installed an external cooler to bypass the transmission which resolves the problem 99% of the time. If they had a strawberry milkshake and only had the transmission flushed, without installing an external cooler, than you’ll want to install one yourself if you buy the truck. To check to see if a truck has strawberry milkshaked, check the transmission dipstick and look for any pink, pasty residue, and check the coolant which would be full of the stuff. Trucks that get driven after the milkshake occurs run the gambit with potential problems and you’ll probably want to stay away from it.

Lifted Trucks
Tons of guys like to lift their Toyotas and there is no real harm in doing this, but you should be aware of the added stress it puts on some components of the truck. Ask if the owner ever replaced the CV boots after lifting the truck. These tend to leak, especially after lifting, and you’ll probably have to make this repair / replacement if the owner hasn’t. The rear leaf springs have also been an issue in some Tacoma trucks. Ask what kind of use the truck was used for and if there was added weight in the back or off-roading these springs could be in need of repair.

Any used Toyotas will probably serve you well, but it’s important to be mindful of potential problems that could end up costing you a lot more than the initial purchase. This is only an overview and every truck has a unique history that could cause unique problems. A good rule of thumb is, if you do not want to put more time and money into the vehicle, have a professional go over the truck to find any glaring issues.

Vince Evans was a light mechanic and auctioneer until he went back to his old love, writing. Rather than shouting at North Easterners, he prefers to write about the New Jersey used car dealers.

By Jack Payton

Jack Payton was taught at a young age to call them “pickups” not “trucks”.  He has since learned a thing or two about vehicles, and is now considered an expert – at least by his friends and family.  His writing appears courtesy of the online tire retailer tires-easy.com. For more Jack Payton, read his recent piece on off-road tires.

My favorite pick-up that I’ve ever owned is the 1997 Toyota T-100.  It was a well-built truck, consistently reliable, and came with a classic style that was not too flashy, just the timeless look of a solid pickup truck.

Sadly, the T-100 line was short lived, as it just didn’t sell enough nationwide, and was discontinued after the 1998 edition.

The T-100 remains an intriguing possibility for those in the market for a used pickup, and though I have already indicated that I am rather biased towards this model, I will nevertheless attempt to give you a thorough review of this vehicle, complete with all the pros and cons you should consider when purchasing this vehicle.

We’ll start with my personal experience with this model, which started 15 years ago.  217,000 miles later, I still love this vehicle and must say that all of my expectations for it were met and exceeded.

Despite all those years and miles, I’ve had to replace very little on my T-100.  I had to swap out the timing belt at about 60,000 miles and a couple years ago, I replaced the clutch (I’m not even sure this was necessary, but shifting was getting a bit more difficult) ,but aside from that all other replacements have been routine maintenance or cosmetic concerns.

The cosmetic issues that I refer to occurred when my wife accidentally drove it too far into the garage, crashing into my tool bench.  I had to replace the bumper and the headlights, but once that was done, the truck was no worse for the wear.  These are pretty tough vehicles.

I get roughly 20 miles per gallon on the highway, which is clearly on the economy side of the used truck market.  It is slightly less than a full-size pickup, but for a reliable 4×4, you are unlikely to do much better when it comes to fuel economy.

Prior to the introduction of the T-100, Toyota had only manufactured those tiny “matchbox” trucks, so when this model was introduced in 1993 it was Toyota’s first foray into the full-size market.  Nevertheless, it was slightly smaller than other full-size trucks, which may have been the factor that caused its run to be so short-lived.

Critics of the T-100 lamented that it was too small, though it is actually larger than the Tacoma that came after it.  The T-100 has an eight-foot bed, which has proven to be plenty big for my purposes.  It has a relatively tiny extended cab; the back seat is nice for extra storage, or for transporting young children, but not really appropriate for a full-size adult at longer distances.

Another area of criticism for the T-100 was the fact that it was powered by a V-6 engine, as opposed to a V-8 that some of the competition included.  In my opinion, however, the 3.0 liter V-6 provides ample power and helps with the aforementioned fuel economy.

For my money, the Toyota T-100 would be a fine choice for anyone looking for a mid-size pickup truck in the used market.  You can count on these babies humming along until at least 200,000 miles with few, if any, issues.  And if they are well-maintained, you might be able to stretch its life to the 300,000 mile mark.

To summarize:

Toyota T-100 (1993-1998)

Pros

• Timeless look
• Tough, reliable vehicle
• Good fuel economy compared to similar vehicles
• Drives very well, with a quiet, smooth ride, even after 100,000 miles
• Simple mechanics makes for easy DIY repair

Cons

• Only available in 3.0 liter V-6
• Not as large as other full-size pickups
• Smallish back seat not adequate for most passengers
• Driver seat is not terribly comfortable on long drives
• Dealer servicing can be expensive at this point (but you seldom have to service it)

Used Toyota Prius Hybrid

Designed like a sedan, the Toyota Prius is a mid sized hatchback car. It was rated as one of the cleanest vehicle by California air resources board. The decision was based on type and intensity of smog forming emissions.

You can buy used Toyota Prius from various outlets. A lot of people tend to sell their Prius at lower prices than what they have purchased. While buying a used car, you need to check the condition of the engine. There is no point buying a car which will not give you the right performance output.

About The Used Toyota Prius

However, the designing of Toyota Prius is excellent. So, if the used car is not too old, you should find it in good condition. One department where the car scores heavily is definitely the style and looks. The car manages to exude huge style and if you are looking for a sedan style car which casts a good impression, opting for even a used Toyota Prius might be a good idea.

Whenever you are buying used cars, you need to check a lot of detail as you do not want to opt for an offer that might not be as good as you think it to be. Make sure to opt for the best quality used cars as if you invest in a vehicle which has mechanical or technical problems, you would end up spending a lot more on the repairs.

The handling required for used cars is different than those for fresh ones. So, make sure to use the helpful tips for such used Toyota Prius cars like servicing at more often intervals, lesser traveling continuously and a lot of other things as well. The maintenance efforts need to be more when you are buying a used car but obviously the benefits are going to be larger as well. You can get the comfort and pleasure of stylish and elegant Toyota Prius at reduced prices. So, if you want to save your money, you can look at the different selling portals like eBay and then decide the right bargain.

Do make sure to look at all the different details thoroughly. Do not opt for an extremely old vehicle as the net cost is sure to go up. So, look for a relatively less used car and after you have found the same, bargain for the price and finalize the deal. If you are ready to put in a bit of extra maintenance efforts, the used Toyota primus could be as rewarding as a new one.

Before we explain you the Toyota truck recalls; it is a good thing to explain the concept of product recalls. A product recall refers to the request made to the manufacturer to replace the whole production of a specific product or a specific model owing to the presence of designing flaws or safety concerns. A lot of firms oblige to change the vehicle for free because if they deny agreeing, their brand name may suffer massive damage and setback.

Despite the fact that Toyota is one of the major brands when it comes to manufacturing comfortable trucks and vehicles, there are a few instances of Toyota truck recalls.

Toyota had to made recalls on the basis of different reasons. In 2007, Toyota had to make floor mat recalls because the all time weather floor mats which it provided posed the risk of trapping the gas pedal if they slipped accidentally. So, Toyota had to replace all these floor mats after making a recall. The floor mat problem has troubled Toyota a lot of times.

On another occasion, owing to Prious brake glitches, Toyota had to make a brake recall for various hybrid Toyota cars. Not only this, there were some models with accelerator pedal problems as well and thus Toyota had o make a recall for those vehicles too.

No doubt, there were a lot of recalls, but at the end of the day one can judge that Toyota as a brand is willing to give its consumers nothing less than the best as it accepts the different flaws and calls for  a recall the moment it spots the need. No doubt, the aim of all the different brands should be to minimize all flaws and thus eliminate the recalls, but it is human to make a few mistakes. It is necessary that the mistakes are rectified.

The amazing models like Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Corolla were called for floor mat recalls. For the problems of accelerated pedals, the list of affected models was long as well, with the most notable models being Toyota highlander, Toyota tundra, Toyota Avalon and a lot others too.

The Toyota Prius and the Lexus along with Toyota Sai were the models that suffered owing to the more troublesome problem of brakes. There were a few investigations as well. However, despite such recalls, Toyota manages to shine as one of the finest brands when it comes to automobiles and specially trucks.

Used 1985 Extra Cab 4x4 Toyota

A lot of people love to stick to Toyota while buying their trucks or and cruisers for the simple reason that Toyota has managed to make its dominant mark in the field of such vehicles since too long.

There have been a lot of vehicles which are manufactured by Toyota. The 1985 extra cab 4×4 Toyota is one of the most amazing vehicles and is sure to be a quality bargain. When this car was launched, it received a lot of positive response. The vehicle featured in a lot of different movies as well.

The 1985 extra cab 4×4 Toyota vehicle comes with a carburetor engine which has a capacity of 2.4 liters and a power capacity of 103 horsepower. It was in the 1985 model that the electronic fuel injection method was used. No doubt, it proved to be a great success.

The extended cab could provide extra horsepower of up to 190 and volume capacity of 3 liter engine. Thus, the quality and design of engine is good to say the least. You could also spot a front solid axle in this model marketed by Toyota.

The transmission which was provided for this model was either four speed automatic or if you liked the manual mode, you could get the five speed manual transmission as well. The design of the car stood out as it managed to impress a lot of people. You can also find the short and the long bed models for availing the extra space which you may need. Auto locking hubs were also introduced, but it was one among those features which did not last for long as the subsequent models did not make use of this feature.

So, if you look through the different reviews provided by users, you can see the positive response which most people are likely to give. There is the presence of chrome trim on the grills, bumper and even door handles. Thus, no doubt the 1985 Extra Cab 4×4 Toyota is packed with a lot of great features. There are too many good points of this smart truck to ignore it. If you are looking ahead to make a good purchase and you have your trusts pinned on Toyota, we would definitely like you to explore this model.

The only problem is that it is an old model as a lot of refined and more advanced ones have come to the market. Yet, the beauty of this 1985 model manages to remain intact.

Used 1972 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser

The used 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser is an extremely successful model made by Toyota. You can find a lot of people who indulge in buying the land cruiser owing to its great performance and good designing. There have been a lot of models of land cruisers. Toyota has been producing land cruisers ever since 1951 and is continuing to do it even today.

The 1972 Toyota FJ40 land cruiser was a part of the land cruiser 40 series and managed to be thoroughly successful as well. They were basically built as two door vehicles; however, their dimension is larger than that of a normal jeep.

This mode of land cruiser is built to weather the different tiring conditions. Even on dusty roads or on harsh weathers, your 1972 Toyota FJ40 land cruiser is sure to give you a perfect ride. The vehicle has been so designed that it can easily move through water logged places or even when the fierce winds are blowing things apart.

These vehicles have enjoyed amazing sales as a lot of people have bought this fabulous land cruiser and made good use of this device. The designing is amazingly superb and it is much more than just a jeep. The FJ40 land cruiser comes in a wide variety of different colors and thus you can opt for the one which you like the most.

In the J40 series manufactured by Toyota, a lot of different models of engines have been incorporated. The good news is that most of the different models have been good at delivering quality performance. Although, it is not legal, yet a lot of countries have provisions for detaching the top roof of the various models in the J40 series. No doubt, if you are looking for a robust design and great structure that can last the journey, this model of land cruiser seems perfect for the ride.

If you read the different reviews that are provided by people who have used these land cruisers, you are likely to get largely positive reviews. Most people have been appreciative of this model and there has been no major complaints or performance drop outs. So, if you are looking for amazing land cruisers that can give you good run for your money and can fit the bill as well, the 1972 Toyota FJ40 land cruiser is definitely the right model to  consider. It is sure to give you great performance and make your journey worthwhile.

2011 Used Toyota Tacoma 4X4

If you do not want a full size truck as the huge size bothers you, we would like you to opt for one of the best models of compact size truck marketed by Toyota.

The 2011 version of Toyota Tacoma 4 x4 is one of the finest models and is sure to give you great performance outputs in exchange of the price you are paying for this vehicle. It provides most of the benefits of the large truck even in the compact model. Toyota has managed to emerge as a clear winner when it comes to providing compact sized trucks and it is the 2011 Toyota Tacoma 4 x 4 which is responsible for such a one sided result.

THE ENGINE

The engine for the used 2011 Toyota Tacoma 4 x 4 is V6 which has a capacity of 4.0 liter and a power output of 236 horse power. Not only this, it also gives you a torque of 266 pound feet. It comes with a five speed automatic transmission facility.

If you are looking for speed in the compact sized truck, this vehicle is not going to disappoint you. In a matter of less than 8 seconds, the vehicle can clock from 0 miles per hour to a whopping 60 miles per hour. This is naturally higher than what you would get with other similar sized trucks from different brands.

The most defining feature of this vehicle is the superb brake control. You can make use of these safety features while driving this sturdy truck at high speed. The only complaints with the brakes are that it might sometimes feel spongy and thus pressing the brakes might require more effort than you would like. However, at the end of the day the brakes facility are definitely an advantage and a plus point of this model of compact truck. Not only this, it can manage to tow up to a whopping 6000 pounds.

You should face no problem with the space in this truck model of automotive by Toyota. The different reviews have been largely positive and it is sure to be a handsome purchase. If you are looking for a truck that can impress, we would definitely recommend this model. It has the most amazing looks you can get for a compact sized truck.

Thus, if you are looking for vehicles with good space, amazing structured deign and looks that make an impression; we would seriously recommend 2011 Toyota Tacoma 4 x 4 model. It most definitely is a great bet when purchasing used Toyota trucks.

If you are looking for a mid sized pick up truck rather than a compact one, the 2008 used Toyota Tacoma is in the reckoning. It has some advanced features when compared to the 2007 Tacoma model but it has retained most of the good points of the previous model.

There are two different special models of the 2008 Toyota Tacoma design. They are the Pre Runner and the X Runner. Some users have not been impressed with the performance of the X-runner however the pre runner had positive reviews mostly.

The performance of the engine when equipped with a V-6 engine is amazing. The complaints that have come in this regard are that the V6 engine is extremely noisy. If you are looking for space and comfort even in the front seat, the 2008 Toyota Tacoma scores extremely high. The designing is such that you can get ample space in the front seats.

One has to appreciate the automatic transmission operation which is provided by this model. In comparison with the different features you get with this model of Toyota trucks, the price is reasonable and justified. There is no problem whatsoever with the construction and designing. Like the 2007 model, there are three different cab models which you can avail. You can either opt for the regular model which is the most basic designed vehicle. If you want some more space and better facilities, you can go a step ahead and opt for access cab setup. It has smaller rear doors and behind the front seat there is extra space for placing the different cargo. For even larger space, the best option is the double cab. The double cab only comes with the V6 engine and has full sized rear doors and even then you can avail huge space as there is a compete back seat.

There are two types of engine that is available with this model. One is the four cylinder engine with a capacity of 2.7 liter and the other is V6 with a whopping 4 lite capacity. So, there is no issue with performance and most people who have opted for this truck have been thoroughly satisfied and contented with the performance levels.

So, if you want to buy a Toyota vehicle for such purpose and budge t is an issue as well, opting for 2008 Toyota Tacoma seems to be a smart move. There are no major complains with this model as the engine and designing seems perfect for use even in uneven plains.

If you are looking for an amazing pick up truck, the 2007 used Toyota Tacoma is certainly the model to watch out for. Although, it was first launched in 1995, it underwent a complete makeover in 2005 and thus we would refer to the 2005 model as the base model for Toyota Tacoma. The Toyota Tacoma 2007 has visibly better features than 2005 as it had larger seats, the audio head units were redesigned and near the instrument cluster you can also find the chrome trim.

Technical Details:

The 2007 Toyota Tacoma comes in three different cab styles namely the regular cab, the access cab which is also known as the extended cab and the double cab which is also known as crew cab. Talking of the 2007 Toyota Tacoma engine, you can find two different configurations for them. One is the 4-cylinder engine which has a capacity of 2.7 liters and has the power capacity of 159 horsepower and 180 lb-feet of torque. You can either opt for a four speed automatic or a five speed manual transmission mode. The other model for the engine is a V6 which has the capacity of 4.0 liter and can produce power output of 236 horse power and a torque of 236 lb-feet. Naturally, it has better capacity and thus you can opt for a five sped automatic or a six speed manual transmission.

The biggest advantage of this model is that it comes preloaded with a lot of safety features like it has the standard anti lock brakes along with brake assist as well as electronic brake distribution facility too. You can also opt for vehicle stability control for most of the different Tacoma trucks marketed by Toyota. As these vehicles generally carry a lot of load, you can prevent the downward rolling of the vehicle by using the hill start assist control feature. It comes with warranty as well.

So, the vehicle certainly seems a good product to buy. It is much better than the 2005 model as Toyota has managed to live up to the hype it creates with its vehicle. This truck can give you the true value for your money as it is spacious and is sturdy; so it can weather the different weights and can give you a pleasant ride as well.

If you want a comfortable truck loaded with a lot of helpful features, opting for used 2007 Toyota Tacoma seems to be a brilliant idea.

Used Toyota 4Runner

Those of you who are looking for a SUV that can give you an adventurous ride, the used Toyota 4Runner looks a promising bargain.

First launched in the year 1984, it has ever since managed to survive in the market till date. This model can be segregated into two distinct makes namely the older compact SUV and the newer mid size SUV.

It is basically the vehicle which is opted by those who cannot afford the massive land cruiser which is mighty expensive. The used Toyota 4Runner is suitable for off road duty and for traveling through the dusty mountainous terrains which is tugged. At the same time, the vehicle is comfortable enough to enjoy a fun filled galloping ride as well.

Used Toyota 4 Runner Reviews

Those who have used this model have given largely positive reviews as they are a good option in comparison to the price you need to pay in exchange. It is extremely spacious as it has an additional third row seat and even 90 cubic feet of cargo space. So, if you are looking for a lot of space while driving through the hilly terrains or the rocky mountains of an undulated land, the Toyota 4Runner seems to be an excellent choice.

This vehicle is powered by a V6 which has a capacity of 4.0 liter and has a power of 270 horsepower units and the torque that it can generate is 278 pound feet. No doubt, there does not seem to be any trouble with the designing and the engine used for this amazingly strong vehicle.

The solid rear axle which is provided has a truck like built and thus provides great performance on the road as it has been built to handle massive loads and turns. The latest Toyota 4runner was released in September 2009 and was thoroughly successful in the market as it managed to make a lot of sales. It was available at three trim levels, two of which were old models itself. The newer trail edition is equipped with the feature of kinetic dynamic suspension system and crawl control as well. These features were previously absent in the other 4Runner models and are a modern advanced feature to attract new customers.

Also, the 4.0 liter V6 engine was provided with a dual VVT-I which aids in improving horsepower, torque and even fuel use. Thus, the Toyota 4Runner seems to be an exciting model made by this famous brand and is definitely recommended.