1997 Toyota Carina E CDX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Disk brakes warped at c.50K - while repair as covered by the extended warranty I was charged for costly "sundries" to the same value.

The standard CD player is "Pants" - or maybe mine has an intermittentfault... it will only start to play when going downhill on an smooth road - thereafter... fine!

Brakes had parts replaced at service under warranty (can't remember what.)

In 1999 I was looking for a reasonably priced (slightly-sporty) car to replace my ailing Peugeot 405. After spending too long messing about I finally decided the Ford probe was OK but had an interior made from toilet roll holders and sticky backed plastic. I realised I couldn't afford a decent coupe - so miffed, with a very poorly Peugeot, I contacted a friendly Toyota garage with my budget: "Find and sell me a 2L car which won't ever break down. It mustn't leak oil or ever annoy me! I sent a cheque and bought the Carina without ever having knowingly seen the same model (I hadn't been looking!)

For a "normal" car I now really like my Carina - a car of compromises. Mine's the hatchback, and while the curved profile limits load capacity... I still managed to transport a new double divan bed (in two sections, two journeys) in the back! The engine is quiet and (while I'd prefer something nippier from a standing start) it out-performs most cars from the lights. On the motorway, it effortlessly tackles hills and gives confidence you've always acceleration to overtake - it was an especially fantastic choice during the months I regularly drove between Bristol and Edinburgh in an evening. While car-obsessed friends find this next remark "hopelessly-girly" - I think it's remarkably easy to drive - almost idiot-proof... maybe because it's front wheel drive? (So was my previous car - maybe I find the steering responsive?) When I do something silly (say make a turn too quickly or drive a tad to aggressively in the ice) I get to know about it without serious consequences - while I check I'm wearing my "sensible head," the Carina magically returns to full control remarkably quickly.

The CDX variant was a positive move too. Apart from the exterior styling - about which I don't give a hoot - I think the main distinction is that this one has air-conditioning. I can't imagine driving a car without now - no condensation is great! In the interior, I like the seats (cloth/velour) but the remainder of the trim lets the car down in my opinion - functional but lacklustre. Oh... I seem to wear out front tyres rather quickly too (maybe that's my driving... least said eh?)

All in all, I've been very pleased... and now, as I tentatively look for my elusive replacement I find I'm hard pressed finding a credible 2 or 3 year old alternative. The competing "family cars" have become bigger (harder to find parking space) and slower - while the coupes seem to have become "trim only" small engine runabouts or lardy, 3L gas-guzzling monstrosities.

I'm having the same problem, I'm due to change my Carina E 2.0, but I have yet to find anything as quick, comfy, economical or generally great all round.

If I do however the only car I think might do it is a 2000 Primera 1.8S, it doesn't have the grunt, but it does handle like a go kart.

A primera will never beat the carina. Reliability of the carina is exceptional, whereas the primera is ford quality (i.e. OK). Also, the carina looks similiar, so what is the point?

The point is far better specification i.e ABS with brake force distribution, driver, passenger and side airbags, standard air con/climate control, a state of the art new 1.8-litre engine that is the cleanest in its class and already exceeds European emission standards to be brought in in 2005.

Better fuel consumption, lower insurance, a proven reliability record and a fantastic chassis and great suspension set up that make it stick to the road like a limpet, therefore making it a safer car to drive in all road conditions.

I think those are good enough reasons to buy a Primera.

Just been to test drive a Primera and it feels good on the road, however the paint and build quality on the one I tested was definately a bit dubious... flaky lacquer on bumpers, paint strangely matt in places, and a baggy rear bumper that moved up and down when I pushed it... could have been previous owner, but with only 5000 miles I doubt it, so I'm a bit sceptical about them now.