Faults:

Serious engine failure due to water pump problem. Engine had to be completely rebuilt (done by official Toyota dealer). Even so it has consumed a lot of oil after that.

First bend of the exhaust system burned out 3 times.

Bad quality factory body finish. In addition the base layer is white. On my dark red metallic car every small scratch was visible.

General Comments:

Quite fast (top speed around 200 km/h) compared to the 1.6 (16V) engine and the size of the car.

If used decently fuel consumption can be as low as 7-8 litres.

Large trunk - around 500 litres.

Reliable air-conditioning and electric system.

Faults:

Brake Disks needed to be skimmed when I bought the car (warranty).

Rear links and bushings replaced at 60000 miles. €25

Water pump leaking at 64000. €100

Door handles rattle a bit, super glue seems to have solved this. €1.50.

General Comments:

I have had a number of cars and this one has been the most comfortable, everything is layed out to make it easy on the driver. To offset the above problems I get massive fuel economy (about 40 miles to the gallon). one set of tyres in 30000 miles.

This car feels at home on the motorway or on the back roads, the over-steer is all part of the fun.

The 1.6ltr engine is good fun too, but I wish I got hold of the 1.8 instead.

As for image, well I could make a fortune if I got some taxi plates, but I can put up with that for the peace of mind that it will start every morning.

Faults:

Brake discs skimmed and new pads fitted at end of warranty period, also rear brake cylinder & throttle body (no Charge)

Rear brake stub axles replaced under warranty.

General Comments:

Apart from the defects fixed under warranty the car is totally reliable & was converted to LPG at 43000 miles.

Original exhaust system.

Not even changed a light bulb.

Paintwork & interior in excellent condition.

Last service completed at 79100 only required oil, Air filters.

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car, unless you include a slightly noisy electric sunroof.

General Comments:

Well the car has been a pleasure to own.

I realise people say it has a minicab image, well so what! I'm not shallow and so many taxi drivers can't be wrong and my experience reflects that.

Fantastic MPG, safe, surefooted handling, not go cart like, but great for what I want.

Mechanical and interior parts just don't seem to break, It still has the original exhaust (still with years left in it), brake shoes and I've only just changed the front pads, the only big cost I'm looking at at the moment is a cam belt change and that's only £120.

The seats are firm and comfy and hard wearing, the interior efficiently designed with lots of room for bits and pieces and if you have big feet like me, loads of room between the pedals and a big fat rest for your left foot.

The body is strong and mine only suffers from a few stone chips.

I think if I had one criticism it would be that the lean burn engine can be a little jerky when changing to economy mode, but I guess that's the price you pay for spectacular MPG, although the engine does have most of its torque lower in the rev range which I like, unlike VTEC engines.

So to sum up I would thoroughly recommend a Carina to anyone, it's a totally inoffensive and nice car, which is a doddle to own.