Faults:

Only one thing, the power steering rack needed replacing.

General Comments:

Comfortable car, very spacious in the back with a huge boot. Nice on the long trips.

But...

Horrifically, embarrassingly slow to pull away from traffic lights, or going up any kind of hill. On more than one occasion, I was overtaken by lorries going up hills, because I simply couldn't make it move faster. My Carina had a 1.6 engine and an automatic gearbox, which is perfectly adequate for a small car, but not for a big barge like that. I took it for a test drive, thinking I could live with its lack of performance, but in the event I couldn't.

Power steering rack failed on me shortly after I purchased it. I have since learned that this is a common problem on Carina E models, but I failed to do my homework this time. Had to top it up frequently with P.A.S. fluid to keep it going, but to its credit, it never stopped actually working.

The fuel economy was poor, even with gentle driving. Apart from that though, nothing else went wrong.

Bought it June 2011 for £500, sold as scrap October £150. We learn by our mistakes.

Faults:

I use the car as a taxi, and though it has had its minor issues, overall I'm happy with her.

New radiator 130,000 (the original radiator).

That's about it, the rest has been service work, it never fails to start. Hot or cold.

Starting to burn a bit of oil, though nothing out of the ordinary for a car with 137000 miles.

General Comments:

Nicely designed, great city car, comfy and quiet. She like a sup; for €50 I'd see 250 miles, not the best, but I do have a bit of a heavy foot.

The interior is a bit dull, but ergonomically laid out.

Faults:

I've had the car for 4 years and 135,000 miles. I treat it like dirt and regularly tow p to two tonnes. It has had a new bearing on the front left, a new hub on the front left, a new clutch, the radiator leaked and I've had new brake pads.

General Comments:

The interior is still perfect. It handles over Mayo (Ireland) roads (where new models are tested for suspension) perfecctly. It goes for 4 or 5 thousand miles even when something is broken and hanging off. It still does over 44 miles to the gallon (10 miles to litre, 16K to litre). I tow trailers regularly. Of all the early to mid 90s cars on the road around here it is the most common. Its not a draught-horse. Its not a thoroughbred, but Its the sweetest hardy-est, gentle-est hacker around.

Faults:

Head gasket was blown when I got the car - not easy to spot because the coolant was going through the exhaust rather than into the oil. Only discovered it when the car overheated. Gasket replaced under warranty.

Water pump failed. Replaced under warranty.

Automatic choke faulty. Would rev to 3,000 rpm when cold - very embarrassing at the lights!

Very poor performance - even for the small 1.6 engine. Hesitates, coughs and splutters, miss-fires. Sometimes dropped to 3 cylinders for a sustained period, and then go back to 4. Baffled several proffessional mechanics.

Plastic strips along all 4 doors peeling away at the ends. Looks very tatty.

Sunroof sticks open - the motor just doesn't seem powerful enough to do the job.

General Comments:

Fair enough - this particular one is a bit of a "lemon". Couldn't bear it any more and got rid after 4 months.

That aside, if you are looking for any enjoyment from your car or your driving - don't bother with one of these. Poor performance, wallowing rolling suspension and handling, vague steering, rubbish brakes.

And they really are ugly!

It's only good point are the interior space - plenty of room for 5 udults, and it's huge hatchback boot.