1989 Toyota Carina II Break 1.6 Liter 16v

Summary:

Very reliable, maybe a bit boring if you're a mechanic

Faults:

I replaced the ignition wiring at 180000 km.

I replaced the rear shocks at 200000 km.

I replaced the front part of the exhaust last year.

Recently I have a bad case of shimmy, but it's not caused by the tire balance, I suspect the brake parts.

General Comments:

For what I paid for it, I don't think I'll be able to find another car as reliable, safe to drive, easy to understand and simple to maintain as this.

Comparing to my 1977 Chevrolet Impala which always needs some work and a lot of attention (if it isn't the brakes it's the cooling system) the Toyota is far superior for mechanics and part design, but I think all Japanese cars are.

I wonder what my Impala would have looked like technically If it were designed by Toyota.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st September, 2003

15th Dec 2003, 07:48

Hi.

Does anyone have a diagram/guide of how to change/fix (hand) brakes on this car (Toyota Carina II)?

Thanks in advance.

Rasmus.

15th Dec 2004, 05:23

Toyota Carina II is presently my best car, when compared to other cars I have used. Today my Toyota will be 6 years old after i purchased it as second hand from the first hand user in Holland. The engine is still as good as new and the chasses is very strong, except for the shock absorbers and the brake pads which I change when ever they are bad.This car still remains the best in my life.The car is strong and is economical to operate,expecially in the tropical region of Africa.

From,

Iweriebor Erere

(Nigeria)

14th Jan 2006, 23:37

I am driving a TOYOTA CARINA II which I bought as a used car when I was studying in the UK, and when it was time for returning to my country my son asked to me ship it home. This machine has proven to be more reliable than the TOYOTA IPSUM and the ISUZU we have in the family. Can someone out there help me with its manuals?

Jabulani Simelane

Swaziland.

1997 Toyota Carina emerald 2.0 turbo diesel

Summary:

Practical and reliable family car

Faults:

Nothing really.

General Comments:

I bought this car secondhand after my Peugeot 405GLD had done 235K km.

It's not the quickest (even for a turbo-diesel) or sexiest vehicle in town, but it has been a very reliable companion until now.

Very cheap to run also; I visit my mechanic (an ex Volvo and Alfa Romeo employee) 2x a year for a quick checkup and apart from changing oil, he has never had to do any work on the car.

Reasonable fuel economy (7 liter per 100 km), not as good as my previous Peugeot (5.7 liter / 100 km)

Downsides?

* door rubbers tend to loosen quickly

* occasional rattle in the dashboard

* occasional rattle in the suspension.

I feel this car will do at least 250-300K without major problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th September, 2003

9th Jul 2004, 09:32

An update at 106.000 km : air-co didn't work, turned out to be a leaky air-co radiator, all in all a expensive repair, some 500 EUR (2 visits to garage, they couldn't find the problem the first time) ; rather disappointing since the air-co radiator had been replaced in september 2001 due to a minor crash; apart from this no problems.

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