Faults:

Head needed re-planed.

Seatbelt frayed.

Both tie-rod ends worn.

Waterpump broken.

General Comments:

My first modern car. Never left me roadside. Belonged to the New Zealand Forestry Corporation before me, so it was well looked after.

Last of the NZ Toyotas with Chris Amon designed suspension.

I was only 18 at the time that I bought it, so the poor car endured some horrendous (over-revving) moments.

Claim to fame: was the very last car to recieve the 'Corona-Amon' front guard decals.

Utterly dependable. Traded on a BMW just before it gave up. Fondly remembered, but most likely recycled into several hundred Coke cans by now. Poor car.

Faults:

Minor repairs, timing chain, new brake linings, tires, battery.

General Comments:

This is the most reliable car we have ever owned. I would give Toyota 11 stars instead of 10 if possible. This car is great on gas and we have traveled all over the country without a problem. It is used daily. It handles great and can keep up with the best of them. I wish I could find another one just like it. I rate Toyota as one of the top 3 auto makers in the world. Ferrari and Mercedes being the others.

Faults:

Right side headlight needed to be replaced.

The seats are leather and get heated easily.

No cup holder and airbags.

Speakers sound great, but have no bass.

Most people think this is a bit of a boring car, but my priority is that the car must be very reliable and economical. And this car suits me perfectly.

General Comments:

The car has been great. It is reliable and is pretty powerful for its size and age. It rides like new, even though it's 17 years old. The economy of the car is great. You get very reliable performance and great distance. I use this car mainly for work. I put tens of km on it every day. After 450,000 it still runs very smoothly.

The interior is plainly styled, but that suits me fine. The controls are mounted in the right places, and are easy to use. Comfortable to drive, and the adjustable steering wheel is a great feature.

Basically an easy-to-maintain car. Just be religious with its maintenance like tune-up change oil, plus replace all fluids periodically, this car could last for a long time. The car has given me more than 6 years of good motoring and to replace it would cost a fortune, so long as it starts and drives and stays reliable I shall keep it.

Faults:

When I first picked up the car 15 years ago the rear disk brakes squealed.

Apart from usual service fees, repairs have cost me under $1,000 for:

-Transmission overhaul (150,000km)

-Fuel injection sensor problem (ongoing)

-Radiator replaced at 120,000km

-Head gasket blew from too much 7,000RPM.

General Comments:

The car has all the luxuries you could want, except maybe power windows. When I bought this car I was shocked with the quality and options available.

Unlike the S, CS Coronas, these engines are 2.4 liter ones with a fair bit more punch (0-100 8 sec+-).

The car is extremely smooth and although it had one sensor problem it has never left me stuck anywhere.

The clutch is NOT a racing clutch and will die if it is treated like one.

The car will sit at 2,2000 rpm in 5th at 100 km/h therefore is very economical for the highways.

First car buyers couldn't go past a Corona. It may not have the style or following of Commodores, but it will never let you down.

Faults:

Battery charger blew at 219000 km, nothing else.

General Comments:

Engine: 1.6 litres 8 valve 4A (85 HP). Good fuel economy, but not a sports-car!

Winter (temperature can go minus 40 Celsius!!!) here in Finland is REALLY a challenge to all cars! (Except Toyota). We need absolute reliability due the rude weather and long distances.

So that's a reason why I drive this not-so-sexy car.