Faults:

Every oil change and belts as required. The car basically went through its entire brake and suspension components during our ownership, but that is expected after many years and miles. Exhaust back box fell off, and the rest was also replaced.

Interior was very very worn when we were finished with it. Seats burst. Headliner sagged. Windows very stiff.

Exterior wise only slight rust here and there, but the paintwork was faded badly.

General Comments:

A car we had in the family a long time - this Toyota Carina E (Europe) will be remembered as the best for reliability.

2.0 automatic was not fast, but better than the underpowered 1.6 models. Averaged 35 mpg, decent at the time. GLi spec was mid range, nothing fancy, but not bottom of range so it had some electrics.

Interior was quiet and comfortable. Spacious as well.

Outside the car was a boring beige colour and it had wheel trims. Not ugly, just boring. Very 1990's design.

Overall I miss the simplicity of cars from this time period. Was a sad day when sent to the scrap yard in 2015, but was obviously too old and not economical to keep any longer.

Faults:

New cat fitted for MOT at 112000 miles.

New discs and pads fitted at 114000 miles.

That's all that needed to be replaced on this car in nearly 18000 miles, so not bad!

General Comments:

I bought this car as a cheap runabout until I could afford something newer. I never thought I would come to love its basic and hard working honesty as much as I did. For an older car it was amazingly reliable, and I covered big distances knowing the car would not let me down. For it's age it was quite well spec'd with four electric windows, remote locking, air con, electric sunroof, alarm, and velour seats, and quite comfortable.

It had a nice solid and indestructible feel to it, a bit like driving a Mercedes.

The 1.6 is slightly underpowered, but I could average about 38 to 40 mpg, so I was happy enough. I think if I had the choice again, I would go for a 1.8.

Had loads of space inside for 4 adults, and had a massive boot with fold down rear seats, so very practical car too.

I was sorry to see it go actually, but I have an ST220 Mondeo now, so don't miss it that much!

Faults:

Radiator leaked when new to me, but covered under warranty. Fully repaired.

Drivers seat becoming worn on the right side. Unable to discover why this happened. Usually very careful keeping interior first class. But minor point.

General Comments:

Well, what can I say!!! Awesome car. OK its styling isn't going to set world on fire, but for sheer reliability, performance and sheer peace of mind that she's going to get there, this car is simply the best one that I've ever had. So much so that I'm now looking for another newer one whilst wanting to keep this one as well!!! Says it all I think.

Well done Toyota- and its built in Britain.

Faults:

The car has needed new brakes on 2 occasions, and various small things which cost lots to replace through a dealer. I have had new headlamp washer jets fitted as they have broken at a cost of £30 each!

Now I can't get in through the drivers door. I have to open it from the inside. My local dealer says it'll cost £400 to fix! The car isn't worth £400!

General Comments:

This car is huge. It's much bigger than, say, a Vectra, and you can fit a whole cottage in the boot, and yet it's as nippy and fast as a Renault 5 Turbo.

Faults:

The air conditioning has needed yearly servicing at a high price.

Electric sunroof has needed servicing three times during ownership of car, but it was installed as an added extra by previous owner.

General Comments:

This is a very dull car.

Very comfortable seats with room for 4 6 tall foot adults in front and back seats.

Unrestricted head room in front and back.

Very well laid out interior.

Looks like a bit off a pudding, but handles well.

It is a very dull car to drive, but will get you from A to B safely, comfortably and reliably.

Very good standard sound system.

Excellent brakes.

Servicing is expensive, but the car is nicely valeted and clean when returned.

Has little or no character, but is very sensible.

Faults:

Interior is irritating to clean, too many small areas unreachable by a vacuum cleaner. Seat material is also a real dust attractor.

Power aerial gets stuck occasionally during the winter.

Headlight washers break off in car wash quite frequently, so try and find a bumper with washers built in. (in later models, this is standard)

General Comments:

Gearbox slightly weird, not as solid as I would like.

Performance is excellent, engine can be a little loud past 5000 RPM.

The rear spoiler is a definite must, as the car does not look as impressive without it.

Faults:

Flexible exhaust joint at 110,000.

Cassette player failing to eject.