10th Aug 2003, 07:23

Try to change the sparkplugs and/or the airfilter, if you didn't do it already. Regarding the Alfa: Keep the Carina if you want a small car budget... Mine (1.6, 1989) has done 318000km now... No problems and still running great! By the way, in the summer it can easily do 13-15 km/l.

2nd Sep 2003, 10:38

I only last week purchased my first Carina 2. It's a 1.6XL Lift back 91 J. My last car BMW 525 decided to give up the ghost and die, so I was needing a car straight away. Although, I have paid £700 for the car, I must say it's in perfect condition and comes along with 1 previous owner and 63,500 on the clock with the original service record stamped up and all bills to show. So far, I really like the car. I went to Halfords the other day to see if they sell driving gloves and a flat cap. As the car was a demo for the first 6 months of it's life, it comes with Metallic paint, rear spoiler and alloys. Hope it carries on and on and on.

7th Sep 2003, 09:25

I envy you! Take good care of this car, give it anti-rust protection every year and you will have inexpensive and comfortable transport for at least the next 10 years. Mine has done over 320.000 km and the mechanics still work great. However I regret deeply that I didn't rust protect it.

11th Jan 2004, 23:47

I’ll like to purchase a Carina II, preferably one of the 1991 or 1992 models. Incidentally, I have searched the web for information and have found very little.

I’ll like a classification of the various engine Options available (e.g. 1.6L Xli, 2.0 Gli, etc). Can I get a 1991 or 1992 Carina II built with ‘Air conditioners’, ‘Auto transmission’, ‘Power windows’, ‘Power door locks’, ‘Alloyed rims’, etc.

Comments on my concerns will be highly appreciated.

25th Apr 2009, 13:20

Carina 11's are toughies. The rough running mentioned above is most probably the advance/retard weights in the dizzy - them and the sticking indicator flasher unit are the two most common faults with this model, but they can be forgiven as this 20 year old cruiser can blast past the boy racers when you bury the foot into the carpet, and it just munches up the miles on a long run.

Mines an 1.6 16v 89, and everything electric still works - try saying that with any non-japanese car, as well as which it still runs like a clock despite 150k miles of harsh Irish roads and fast driving, and is more economical than my 95 Charade (a 1.3). I have towed and jump started more modern cars with this old bus than I can remember, but it has never missed a beat itself. I take delight that it cost less than 1 months finance on a new car, and wears its years so well.

31st May 2009, 18:31

I'll add my endorsement of the Carina II - I have an '89 2.0L diesel estate and it's been bulletproof for the past five years I've owned it. I bought it low-mileage from a retired guy who'd really looked after it and it drives like a new car, still. Not a squeak, rattle or anything untoward. The only thing that's cropped up so far is a dodgy alternator, but that's hardly a major fault in any car, especially a twenty year old one.

The paintwork is really good overall, but you have to attend to any deep scratches quickly, as the underlying steel isn't very high quality, in my opinion.

14th Sep 2010, 06:58

I have seen a Toyota Carina 2 for sale. It has 130k 12 months MOT. It's going for £225. What do I need to look out for? It is being sold by a private seller. It is a 1.6 16 valve Matchplay. What MPG do you tend to get? I live in a hilly place in Sheffield, so lots of gear changing involved. Will I get 35 MPG? Or should I go for the Carina E?

16th Oct 2011, 10:52

Just an update to my comment above. The only thing that's gone wrong since then has been the wiper linkage. I fitted new blades, and the extra drag was enough to pop a link joint. Easily fixed, though I thought I'd pass on a tip to all Carina II owners - the middle ball joint is prone to rusting and wearing out the nylon top. I just drilled a hole right through it, and put in a 5mm bolt and nut to hold it together for another 100K miles. :)