1997 Toyota Carina GS from UK and Ireland - Comments

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

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.

Hi just a fw lines to let you no that I agree 100% she has to be one of the best cars ever made, I have a 1995 gs hatch back and never had a problem, and in mint condition and only 60,000mile. it is avraging 42-45 mpg and that is good on the roads we have in the west of ireland... just for infomation there is a carina e taxi in dublin with over 550,000 miles. also in co-sligo a taxi with over 400,000miles;

as I am a toyota man I would like to no can any one beat that for mileage,, ps the sligo car has had only one clutch fitted since new.. if you no a higher mileage carina e you can let me no...lezz@eircom.ie.

An excellent car - I do about 60-70,000 per year for my work- 1.8 engine is fast enough, economical and tough. Service items such as brake pads, clutches and bushings last longer than most other makes, and I've had most.

Brilliant car.

WayHey'

I have just become an owner 0f a 1996 Carina GS Turbo Diesel. It was bought for £300, I HAVE COVERED 394 MILES ON £27 of diesel... hows that for economy, the car itself is immaculate hardly a scratch anywhere for such an older car it is amazing value. The Japanese know what they are doing when it comes to build quality, and I would recommend anyone who is looking for a reliable cheap car to consider any of the carina models.

The Magic Man.

I have a Toyota Carina 1.8 GS hatchback. It's a top car with lots of space.

I am putting £30.00 of petrol in an week, and getting about 235 miles from that. Is that normal? I do live in Sheffield; full of hills and stop and start traffic.

Has any one's automatic choke gone funny?

This car goes up to 2500 revs sometimes when you start it. Is this OK?

Apart from these grumbles, the car is great. It fits the family in and the rest of the gear.

Any clues to the grumble please send any info to jblocheal@aol.com

Fantastic car. Smooth easy ride and amazingly economical 1.8 engine. One of the few cars that I fit into easily without my legs touching the steering wheel (I'm 6 foot 6).