A Car Way Out In Front (Toyota Carina E)

Member Name: kajroberts

Product:	Toyota Carina E
Date:	01/05/01 (2879 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Economy Lean Burn Engine, Plesant and comfortable Interior, Power Steering, Electric Windows/Sunroof

Disadvantages: Lacks Image (could do with a tail spoiler)

Would you believe that Toyota's Carina E has been around since 1992? It has. And the excellent impression it made then hasn't worn off in that time.

The Carina was the top-seller in its class for more years than many care to remember. It’s the car all the other major manufactures envied; the reason is probably because as an all-rounder, there's not much that could be done to improve the Carina.
There are lots of “toys” for the driver coupled with reliability and economy.

In 1996 they introduced a 1.8-litre version of the famed lean-burn engine to the range. And they did a slight nose job, this is the model I recently purchased.
To be more precise the model I bought was a Carina E 1.8i GS hatchback.
Having spent the last 4 years driving a 2L Sierra Sapphire driving the Carina was a luxury.

One of the immediate attractions was the quality of its fittings and finish. Very high quality plastics and fabrics, strong no-nonsense switchgear, and clear unambiguous instrumentation make an immediate impression.
As does the space for everybody concerned. I run a mobile disco so it was good to find the boot was deceivingly large, larger than the one on the Cavalier I used to own. The other thing was the headroom, I found that some Toyota’s I have been in lack in overhead space. Not so in the Carina, there's overhead room to spare. As is there leg and knee-room. And the seats are big, comfortable, and the rear seats have head restraints. You can see why it is a car which has been very popular with taxi-drivers whom have to carry people in the back, though usually to quite different destinations, some times with a heavy load of luggage or shopping.

Not accustomed to the luxury’s to be found in the Carina E I had fun working out what each knobs or switch was for. Particularly useful is the dip angle for the headlights, adjustable to suit different load situations.

Un-
like most Middle Eastern cars my indicator stem is on the left hand side, perhaps the fact that this car was manufactured in Derbyshire made the difference, although my girlfriend drives a Corolla and her stem is on the left. To be honest I think hers is in a better location because it means your right hand can operate the steering wheel and the indicator while your left is free to grab the gear stick.

Accommodation for bits and pieces is also very good, with door cubby holes, a locking glove compartment and a between-seats covered box that can easily hold my camera and some CD’s. (There's also an area in front of this, which holds my mobile phone. This is an increasingly important matter for many people.)

On the road there's a good compromise between ride and handling, and an excellent quietness. I remember reading some where that the Toyota people set up their suspension systems for each individual country, after extensive computerised testing of local road conditions. In comparison to Fords and Vauxhalls this probably sets the Toyota in a league of its own. I was very impressed with the controls, particularly the power steering, which is very, much geared to the kind of 'feel' that I like. It's spot on.

The car as a snazzier fabric interior than most cars I have seen, coupled with electric windows, sunroof and a rev-counter. Common to all Carina’s are dual airbags, high-tech seatbelt retractors, and multi adjustable drivers seats.

One more feature on this car is the “lean-burn” engine, which apparently burns the fuel at a ratio of 14 parts of air to 1 part of fuel.
I have only had the car for a few days but I’ve so far travelled 395 miles on a tank full of fuel, an achievement which was aided by the very handy 'ECONOMY' sign on the tachometer that stayed on when running in lean-burn mode. A little thing like this encourages you to drive more economic
ally.

On reflection I think this is the best car I have owned, ideally I would like a Celica, but with that slightly out of my price range I’m happy with the Carina.

What more can I say? I have my favourite cars and so far a bias towards European cars. I would, though, be very happy living with a Carina E 1.8 for the next four years.

Summary: