My 1988 2 litre Hilux ute recently had starter motor problem but was easily fixed once I saw the problem was the actuator relay needed some packing. 2 cent coin fix. It has required some major rust repairs but have been offered 3x the 2k I paid for it in the early 2000s. Now the hilux is mostly retired to joy rides on back country dirt roads and its replacement, the 'new' 2002 Hiace van does most of the work. It can do almost everything the hilux does and is a lot more comfortable to drive and sleep in. I love the periodic windscreen wipers which the 88 hilux always lacked. Pure luxury on a drizzly day to have the wipers pause and restart automatically! Added bonus - Both run on LPG so I am burning locally sourced gas and not funding the Big Oil wars. LPG price has not risen since the Iran war began- still paying NZD$1.45/litre while petrol has gone up to over $3/l. Toyota are great...reliable with what you need a no frills you don't. Like you though I am not sure the newer ones are still the same utilitarian quality and simplicity as the early 2000s models.
My 1988 2 litre Hilux ute recently had starter motor problem but was easily fixed once I saw the problem was the actuator relay needed some packing. 2 cent coin fix.
It has required some major rust repairs but have been offered 3x the 2k I paid for it in the early 2000s.
Now the hilux is mostly retired to joy rides on back country dirt roads and its replacement, the 'new' 2002 Hiace van does most of the work. It can do almost everything the hilux does and is a lot more comfortable to drive and sleep in.
I love the periodic windscreen wipers which the 88 hilux always lacked. Pure luxury on a drizzly day to have the wipers pause and restart automatically!
Added bonus - Both run on LPG so I am burning locally sourced gas and not funding the Big Oil wars. LPG price has not risen since the Iran war began- still paying NZD$1.45/litre while petrol has gone up to over $3/l.
Toyota are great...reliable with what you need a no frills you don't.
Like you though I am not sure the newer ones are still the same utilitarian quality and simplicity as the early 2000s models.