Toyota Carina Review (1992 to 1997)

Quick Summary

A sound family secondhand buy. It's almost impossible to go wrong buying a Carina E. Peace of mind starts here.

Overall:

Models Covered:4-door saloon, 5dr liftback, estate 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.0 diesel, 2.0 turbo diesel [X, XL, GS, GL, GLi, S, CD, CDX, Executive, GTi, GSD, GLD, TD GS, TD GL]

E FOR EXCELLENT

Reliable, comfortable, if largely unexciting, family transport doesn't come much better than this. Toyota's Carina E is around in solid numbers on the secondhand market and it's a British-built car you can buy with real confidence.The 'E' stands for 'Europe', identifying a Toyota that was supposedly specifically designed for the European market (though it didn't look any different from those sold on the other side of the world). This was the car that launched Toyota's presence in the UK in 1992, built at Burnaston in Derbyshire and powered mostly by engines from Deeside in North Wales.
Used Toyota Carina for sale

History of the Carina

The Carina E was the car charged with substantially increasing Toyota's UK market share, largely through infiltration into fleets. And it was largely successful in doing so. The first car was produced on December 16th 1992 and, by October 1994, 100,000 examples had come off the line, making this easily Toyota's best-selling model.Originally, just three engines were available - a 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol units and a 2.0-litre normally aspirated diesel. A 171bhp 2.0-litre GTi, with power from the Celica sports coupe, followed shortly afterwards, together with a couple of estate variants. In 1994, there was a mild revamp, with the inclusion of a driver's airbag as standard across the range, together with an alarm/immobiliser on most models. A 1.8-litre 'lean burn' engine option arrived in 1985 and, in 1996, Toyota introduced a facelift with twin airbags and ABS across the range and offered a turbo diesel variant for the first time. This range was replaced in 1997 by the all-new Avensis line-up.
Used Toyota Carina for sale

Toyota Carina Road Test

Foolproof is the word that springs to mind. Carinas have never been favourites with driving enthusiasts - and this one is no different. If, however, you want solid, well equipped, reliable family transport, then you won't care about that.All the engines offered (apart from the diesel) are willing performers. The 1.8-litre lean burn unit combines ready acceleration (rest to 60 in 11.7 seconds on the way to 118mph) with impressive economy; at least 35mpg around town and between 45-50mpg at cruising speeds.Most cars you'll come across will have electric front windows, sunroof, power steering, stereo, rev counter and more. Basically, it depends upon your choice of trim - X, XL, GS, CD or GL. Either way, there are more creature comforts, pound for pound, than with most of the competition.
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Buying a Toyota Carina

Very little goes wrong. The Xi and XLi trimmed cars are good value and the GL variants have lots of equipment.The estates aren't all that spacious and the non-turbo diesels not all that economical. Don't worry about uninspiring GTi models either (they're rarer than hens' teeth anyway).
Used Toyota Carina for sale

Toyota Carina Typical Pricing

Prices start at around £1,000 for the first 1992 K-registration 'XL'-trimmed models in entry-level fuel injected 1.6-litre form. On an M-plate with plusher GL trim, you could expect to pay around £1,700.The 2.0-litre models start at around £1,100 on a 'K' with GL trim, while more common 'M' registered examples start at about £1,900. For a sportier GT on an 'M' plate, allow another £100. Probably the pick of the bunch in terms of engines is the lean burn 1.8-litre unit introduced in 1995. These are relatively rare but worth having, with prices tending to start at around £1,900.You may very well come across special edition models - the Crescendo, the Kudos and the Charisma for example - but don't be tempted to pay more than £50 or so extra for them. There was also a noisy normally aspirated 2.0-litre diesel version offered from launch. Prices vary little between saloons and five-doors, but estates are worth around £300 more, model for model.
Used Toyota Carina for sale

Toyota Carina Parts

(Based on a 1.6-litre Carina E - ex Vat) Good quality but slightly pricier than the mainstream competition. A new clutch will cost you about £90. Front shock absorbers are about £50 and rears around £80. An exchange alternator is about £240, a radiator about £150 and a replacement windscreen close to £140. A tail lamp is about £60 and a nearside front wing about £140. A catalyst is about £700.
Used Toyota Carina for sale