Toyota Carina II

twincam77

have this for years 49,600 genuine miles, just a quick picture can put up more if people want

anybody else on here have one?

comments welcome

BrensBenz

I had the Exec hatchback (UK) version in early 90's. Simple but great engine (1.6); metallic paint job; alloys; excellent interior too: velour seats; electric tilt and slide sunroof; rear seats folded back and forward giving you a double bed or pick-up truck! It even had a Merc-style retractable arm-rest in the rear with a built-in cubby hole!
Clarkson (of course) told the world how boring it was but I always enjoyed driving it. It had well over 100k miles when I traded it but everything still worked, no leaks, no oil stains, no rattles, etc.
However........rusty wheel arches, starting from the ridiculous steel clips used to hold the arch liners in place. Required major DIY (because I ignored it for too long) and a favour from a tame car sprayer.
They're known to be very easily clocked so, if you're ever selling yours, I think you'll need proof at hand (MOT / NCT certs / dealer receipts perhaps) verifying that mileage.
But, if in your shoes, and with such a handsome car, I'd hold onto it and enjoy the "boring" experience of Japanese reliability!

Safe driving to you.

manatoo

Cousins had an '84 from '91 to about 2004. It was a 2.0 Diesel and when they finally stopped using it the engine had exactly 333,333 miles and was running perfectly. A huge amount of that was spent hauling sheep carriers. Amazing car. Only stopped using it because it wouldn't have been practical to get in through an NCT when that came in.

BTW, is this car for sale?

twincam77

BrensBenz wrote: »

I had the Exec hatchback (UK) version in early 90's. Simple but great engine (1.6); metallic paint job; alloys; excellent interior too: velour seats; electric tilt and slide sunroof; rear seats folded back and forward giving you a double bed or pick-up truck! It even had a Merc-style retractable arm-rest in the rear with a built-in cubby hole!
Clarkson (of course) told the world how boring it was but I always enjoyed driving it. It had well over 100k miles when I traded it but everything still worked, no leaks, no oil stains, no rattles, etc.
However........rusty wheel arches, starting from the ridiculous steel clips used to hold the arch liners in place. Required major DIY (because I ignored it for too long) and a favour from a tame car sprayer.
They're known to be very easily clocked so, if you're ever selling yours, I think you'll need proof at hand (MOT / NCT certs / dealer receipts perhaps) verifying that mileage.
But, if in your shoes, and with such a handsome car, I'd hold onto it and enjoy the "boring" experience of Japanese reliability!

Safe driving to you.

i had an executive carina saloon, as you say four electric windows, electric sunroof, rev counter dash, mine had no alloys tho. it was an irish car from new.

heres a few not great pictures of it.

twincam77

manatoo wrote: »

Cousins had an '84 from '91 to about 2004. It was a 2.0 Diesel and when they finally stopped using it the engine had exactly 333,333 miles and was running perfectly. A huge amount of that was spent hauling sheep carriers. Amazing car. Only stopped using it because it wouldn't have been practical to get in through an NCT when that came in.

BTW, is this car for sale?

they were some work horse alright. people might say the carina e was the best of the carinas but id reckon these carinas were way better.:)

as you say majority of them were well worked except this one which is probably why it has survived so long.

as for selling ive never really thought about it. id nearly miss it too much if twas gone

Grimreaper666

I've a 1988 Carina 2 2.0 hatchback, was my Fathers car. Must get around to putting it back on the road, another great car compared to the rubbish Toyota is churning out these days.

manatoo

twincam77 wrote: »

they were some work horse alright. people might say the carina e was the best of the carinas but id reckon these carinas were way better.:)

as you say majority of them were well worked except this one which is probably why it has survived so long.

as for selling ive never really thought about it. id nearly miss it too much if twas gone

Your one is a 1.6 petrol yeah? Without using it daily how do you keep the bodywork in that condition? Sealed garage for storage? What year is it? Really is gorgeous... Pity you don't want to sell but I don't blame you!

twincam77

manatoo wrote: »

Your one is a 1.6 petrol yeah? Without using it daily how do you keep the bodywork in that condition? Sealed garage for storage? What year is it? Really is gorgeous... Pity you don't want to sell but I don't blame you!

its 1984, 1.6 petrol. 4a engine

i can put up more pics later if your interested

as for storage i just keep it inside in a dry garage and take it for a drive now and again. no covers or carcoons or anything like that

when it gets dusty i just wash it with cold water.

seems to work for me anyway:D

twincam77

Grimreaper666 wrote: »

I've a 1988 Carina 2 2.0 hatchback, was my Fathers car. Must get around to putting it back on the road, another great car compared to the rubbish Toyota is churning out these days.

is yours the later 16valve model that went from 88-92?

manatoo

twincam77 wrote: »

its 1984, 1.6 petrol. 4a engine

i can put up more pics later if your interested

as for storage i just keep it inside in a dry garage and take it for a drive now and again. no covers or carcoons or anything like that

when it gets dusty i just wash it with cold water.

seems to work for me anyway:D

I'd definitely like to see more pics of it if you had time. Just out of interest, if you were to sell it, what kind of money do you think you'd want for it?

I had a 95 Carina E for years and years until it was stolen and bashed up earlier this year. Was a great car. 165,000 on the clock then and still was perfect. Bought a Saab then....don't ask....would give anything to have my Carina back

Grimreaper666

twincam77 wrote: »

is yours the later 16valve model that went from 88-92?

It is yeah, lovely car even by todays standards.

squonk

I loved this generation of the Carina and the Carolla also. Maybe it's just me but it was at a point when Toyota were on the ball designwise. I'm delighted to see that Carina. I haven't seen one in years. They used to be all over the place but have gotten rare. When the Carina E was released, their design went in a new direction and the cars became very bland looking. I think they're coming back on form again at the moment almost 30 years after these cars were launched. The current Avensis is a decent car to look at.

Grimreaper666

squonk wrote: »

I loved this generation of the Carina and the Carolla also. Maybe it's just me but it was at a point when Toyota were on the ball designwise. I'm delighted to see that Carina. I haven't seen one in years. They used to be all over the place but have gotten rare. When the Carina E was released, their design went in a new direction and the cars became very bland looking. I think they're coming back on form again at the moment almost 30 years after these cars were launched. The current Avensis is a decent car to look at.

Do you think so? I think the modern Toyotas look more like domestic appliances than cars tbh.

Wicklowandy

Think the new avensis is one ugly saloon, but think estate looks well...

Capri

Wicklowandy wrote: »

Think the new avensis is one ugly saloon, but think estate looks well...

Not great, but a trillion times better than the 'jellymould' shape previous motor :(

squonk

I really like the new Avensis. It's all great until you get to the rear. It's a big anti climax compared to the rest of the car. It looks like they ran out of time so just slapped some lights on the back to get finished. the 2011-12 model has slightly improved things. the previous 'jellymould' model was absolutely awful, boring and uninteresting as has been said. I saw some pics of next year's Auris recently and it looks pretty OK. That's why I said I think Toyota are starting to come back on form designwise. I just hope there isn't another 20 years of dross though after the current batch of cars are replaced.

si_guru

squonk wrote: »

I loved this generation of the Carina and the Carolla also. Maybe it's just me but it was at a point when Toyota were on the ball designwise. I'm delighted to see that Carina. I haven't seen one in years. They used to be all over the place but have gotten rare. When the Carina E was released, their design went in a new direction and the cars became very bland looking. I think they're coming back on form again at the moment almost 30 years after these cars were launched. The current Avensis is a decent car to look at.

I disagree on the Carina E... it was very sexy compared to the Sierra which was out at the time.. IMHO of course.

I still hamker after one too!

Wicklowandy

Carina e is 92 on, so more mondeo time....carina e still a common enough sight but mk 1 mondeo, think ive seen more sierras in the last 12 months

I think mk 1 mondeo is fast disappearing

si_guru

Wicklowandy wrote: »

Carina e is 92 on, so more mondeo time....carina e still a common enough sight but mk 1 mondeo, think ive seen more sierras in the last 12 months

I think mk 1 mondeo is fast disappearing

Carina E was 1 year before the Mondeo.. in UK terms - Carina was J plate and Mondeo was K plate. but also the interior was better than plastic buckets used on thr Cavalier! IMHO of course.

Spent many happy Sundays watching Carinas in BTCC at Donington.

Good point on the Mondeo''s being rare though..

carchaeologist

I had a 95 MK1 Mondeo, with the full RS Bodykit.
Nice enough car but i could not keep tyres on the front of it.
Eventually sold it with 6 mths test for €200 just to be rid.

squonk

I saw a Mk1 Mondeo somewhere around Galway not so long ago. It was the proper 'pre facelift' model as well. Ford were going through some weird stuff design wise back then. I think they got a bit scared that the original Mondeo was a bit anonymous and slapped an ugly new nose and uglier rear on it mide way through it's life. They did the same with that generation escort as well.

That Mondeo version seems to be fast vanishing alright. I remember getting a spin in one of the pre facelift models in 95. It was nothing special. Seemed a bit flimsy and plasticky at the time. I wonder what happened them all?

carchaeologist

squonk wrote: »

That Mondeo version seems to be fast vanishing alright. I remember getting a spin in one of the pre facelift models in 95. It was nothing special. Seemed a bit flimsy and plasticky at the time. I wonder what happened them all?

The banger boys in England love them. They are a car that never held their value.

Guggy1

Do you still have the carina ii it's an old Tipperary reg... I think I knew the previous owner in Carrick on Suir

squonk

Anyone have a running 95ish Mk 1 Mondeo? I see a facelifted one here int he carpark regularly but I haven't seen the Mk1 in a long, long time. It's like they've all disappeared. It's a shame because I think they looked better than the facelift.