Faults:

- Bought the car with a noisy cam belt. Had it replaced as it had slackened with age.

- Slow oil leak from rocker cover.

- Smoked at cold start up. Oil was getting into a cylinder or a build up of carbon was causing smoke.

- Gas flap spring was broken.

General Comments:

Overall it was a pretty good car. Not amazing, but good. Generally reliable. I did fix a couple of things, but I think I got the car right when a couple of important parts needed attending to (I got it at a good price so I didn't mind).

Feels sporty. Stiff suspension, weighty steering, low to the ground. Unfortunately the 3S-FE engine doesn't have the grunt to match (130hp). If you were looking for one, go for the 3S-GE (170hp).

As I was driving in traffic mostly, power wasn't needed so it suited me fine. Fairly economical for a 2L.

I liked the interior. Well thought out positioning of amenities. Split folding rear seats (60/40) into spacious boot. Console area surrounds the driver and allows for ease of use.

Good looking car in my opinion. Similar in look to a Nissan Silvia S14/200sx. Cool yellow tinted fog lights and rear logo illumination.

Generally happy with the car, but nothing amazing.

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 just got it and I am making sure to fix minor details such as a clicking noise from the left front wheel.

10 to 12 km per litre (city use, it seems to perform better on the highway) is not as good as the 14 to 17 km per litre you get on a Toyota Tercel, but this is a 2.0 L engine and a more robust car that consumes more fuel.

General Comments:

This was sold as the Corona in Chile and other places, but in the UK is known as the Carina.

This Corona was built in the UK. It is the GLI version with sunroof, dual airbag, electric windows on 4 doors, air conditioning, power steering, automatic transmission with power and snow features plus overdrive (superb when power is required), alarm and electric door locks. Electric mirrors. UV filter or tinted windows. Came with an Alpine radio with option for a CD Jukebox. Adjustable Headlights and steering wheel. Remote trunk and fuel tank release. Excellent interior look.

Excellent car so far, rides smooth. Street noise well isolated.