'94 Carina E GLi

[Snipes]

Took it out for a test drive after having the suspension apart (as you do) and was thinking about why I like it. 

The steering has too much assistance and gives almost no feedback. The engine redline is 6.5k but there's really nothing after about 4.5k. It should be rubbish to drive but its such a relic of a different time I can't help but enjoy it. Almost all of it's appeal comes from it being really old. I really like the driving position with the handbrake right next to your thigh as it makes for a nice little hand rest. 

It really doesnt feel like it would benefit from more power. Maybe the 1.8, which  only had about another ~10-15hp, would be the choice. The GTi had either 150 or 170hp, but most importantly it got the significantly different Super Strut Suspension. I would have liked to at least try one but they're all long gone now. 

[Spottedlaurel]

I think they're fantastic things, still very useable nowadays (as the new owner of my old estate is hopefully still finding, early reports were encouraging). They don't have the smooth, engineered feel of a Camry or an Accord, but they have the honest, robust charm of something like a late' 80s Sunny or Bluebird. Roomy and practical too.

My engine preference would be the injected 2-litre as I had in the estate, it has a torquey, almost old-fashioned feel despite being a 16v unit. The 1.8 lean-burn in the hatchback we had as a family car did a good job, just not quite as charismatic.

Would still have another someday if the opportunity arose, I suppose ideally a saloon as it would complete the set for me. A top-spec 2.0 Executive would do me nicely, thanks.

This appears to be the only one I've managed to photograph, seen in 2015 and made it to 2017/18.

[Angrydicky]

On 31/10/2025 at 07:40, Spottedlaurel said:

I think they're fantastic things, still very useable nowadays (as the new owner of my old estate is hopefully still finding, early reports were encouraging).

Yes, Marcus still loves it. I spoke to him yesterday, he had that windscreen chip repaired straightaway and has continued to religiously run it on E5. 500 ish miles down he said. And very pleased with it and how smooth and comfortable it is. 
He took it to show his dad who owns a new BMW and apparently he just stood there shaking his head, he couldn’t believe anyone in their right mind would choose to drive something like that, the only good thing he said about it was that it was distinctive!! Definitely not a shiter.

I will be going to see him in a couple of weeks, will give it a service and hopefully fix a couple of small niggles with it. Nothing serious, one front brake has started squealing and there’s a couple of non-functioning warning lights plus I assume there should be an audible warning for the lights left on? That’s not working either.

Got the correct fixings to fit the front number plate properly and I will also see if I can fix that drivers door mirror and stop the glass wobbling.

 

[Snipes]

I asked the guy selling mine about running the Carina on E10 and he lol'd and told me not to worry about it. 

[Angrydicky]

It probably would be ok, but my Rover 600 pinks on E10, switching over to the higher octane has completely eliminated the pinking and also I believe the fuel economy has improved as well.

Honda say the engine in mine is E10 compatible, but it’s noticeably happier on the better stuff.

For sake of a few ppl more I think it’s worth using the good stuff in cars of this age.

[BorniteIdentity]

I run my 3sfe on 95 RON and it's absolutely fine.  What I do notice is a monumental leap in MPG if run on Vpower.  Having calculated it (rather boringly) it actually more than pays for itself, so if I'm feeling flush that's what goes in it.

That said - 300,000 miles and largely run on Supermarket fuel - I think it's safe to say you can run it on anything available in the UK.

[Angrydicky]

 

27 minutes ago, BorniteIdentity said:

I run my 3sfe on 95 RON and it's absolutely fine.  What I do notice is a monumental leap in MPG if run on Vpower.  Having calculated it (rather boringly) it actually more than pays for itself, so if I'm feeling flush that's what goes in it.

That said - 300,000 miles and largely run on Supermarket fuel - I think it's safe to say you can run it on anything available in the UK.

300,000 miles is a fantastic milestone. How much oil is it using?

I must say I'm already impressed with the Toyota, how robustly made they are, and how beautifully simple they are to maintain. 

[BorniteIdentity]

26 minutes ago, Angrydicky said:

 

300,000 miles is a fantastic milestone. How much oil is it using?

I must say I'm already impressed with the Toyota, how robustly made they are, and how beautifully simple they are to maintain. 

It uses about a litre every 4,000 miles - but I'm not sure how much of it is coming out of the cam cover gasket.  Certainly some.  Ever since about 180k it used a litre every 6,000 miles which I just used as a convenient service interval (less to dispose of and quicker to drain!)

 

[Snipes]

I don't do enough miles to worry about mpg, so I don't an excuse for being mingebag at the pump.

I think Toyotas have always been heavy oil guzzlers, but it was never an issue except for the 1.8s (vvt or otherwise, 1ZZ or 7AFE in Toyota jargon)

[Spottedlaurel]

1 hour ago, BorniteIdentity said:

That said - 300,000 miles and largely run on Supermarket fuel - I think it's safe to say you can run it on anything available in the UK.

Except for maybe the odd occasion when they took it down to Dubrovnik and back I believe it was always treated to E5 during its time with us.

Likewise the Carina E was always filled with it (and the LS400).

[Snipes]

On 31/10/2025 at 07:40, Spottedlaurel said:

I think they're fantastic things, still very useable nowadays (as the new owner of my old estate is hopefully still finding, early reports were encouraging). They don't have the smooth, engineered feel of a Camry or an Accord, but they have the honest, robust charm of something like a late' 80s Sunny or Bluebird. Roomy and practical too.

My engine preference would be the injected 2-litre as I had in the estate, it has a torquey, almost old-fashioned feel despite being a 16v unit. The 1.8 lean-burn in the hatchback we had as a family car did a good job, just not quite as charismatic.

Would still have another someday if the opportunity arose, I suppose ideally a saloon as it would complete the set for me. A top-spec 2.0 Executive would do me nicely, thanks.

This appears to be the only one I've managed to photograph, seen in 2015 and made it to 2017/18.

I'd like a full posh giffer spec hatch in some ostentatious metallic burgundy or whatever.

Though a hatch GTI with the Japanese market rear light treatment would look fantastic. Why did they change this?