So we have come to the time when a foreign car is not a luxury at all, but a means of transportation. The cost of used Japanese cars starts from 60 thousand rubles. Already for 150 thousand you can buy a pretty good copy.
Reviews often praise Toyota Carina E. This car replaced the second generation of "Karina". Serially produced from the 92nd to the 98th year in sedan, station wagon and hatchback bodies. What Toyota Carina E reviews and specifications? About all this and not only - further in our article.
Design "Karina"
Despite its 20-year-old age, the car looks pretty confident by today's standards. This is not some kind of “dinosaur” from the 80s, but a very worthy second-hand foreign car. However, she has one drawback. This is a weak disposition for tuning.
Toyota Karina E has such a gray appearance that even on large drives it will look normal (but nothing more). And putting skirts and spoilers here is simply stupid. This is a modest family car that just takes you from one point to another. The machine is easily lost in the general flow.
Presented on the photo “Toyota Karina E” had many trim levels. There were even versions with black bumpers. But even the poor options had excellent paint quality, thanks to which very good specimens have survived to this day. And this is not the merit of the galvanized body (as many mistakenly think), but the exemplary protection of welds and high-quality enamel coating. The metal itself was with alloying additives.
Specifications
According to reviews, Toyota Karina E was distinguished by a wide range of engines. Among them were both diesel and gasoline units. We will consider each of them individually:
- 4A-FE. This is a 1.6-liter gasoline engine that has several modifications. He could go with the catalyst, without it, and also be equipped with the Lean Burn system. It allows you to adjust the geometry of the intake manifold. In view of this, the maximum power ranged from 99 to 105 horsepower.
- 7A-FE. This unit is already available in medium trim levels. The motor was produced since the 96th year and with a working volume of 1.8 liters gave 107 power forces. The engine turned out to be so successful that it was further used on subsequent Avensis, which replaced the Toyota Karina E.
- 3S-FE. Judging by the reviews, this is one of the most unpretentious and reliable engines that has ever been installed on the "Karina". With a volume of 2 liters, this unit produced 133 horsepower. However, reviews noted an increased noise of the engine during acceleration. This was due to the presence of gears in the gas distribution system. Using them, the camshaft was driven. Almost always reviews attach reliability to this engine. If there is a 16-valve timing, the valves do not bend here when the belt breaks. Although his condition should always be monitored. At 3S-FE it is subjected to increased loads.
- 3S-GE. This is also a two-liter gasoline engine. But, unlike its predecessor, it is much less common. 3S-FE is a sports modification of the 4-cylinder 3S-FE. After all, with the same volume, he gave out 175 horsepower. Owner reviews note high traction - the car confidently accelerates from any speed. Acceleration to hundreds takes 8.4 seconds. The 3S-GE petrol unit was installed only on hatchbacks. Externally, this modification can be recognized by the GTi nameplate.
Diesel engines
As for the line of "solid fuel" units, there were only two engines:
- 2C. This is a two-liter naturally aspirated engine rated at 73 horsepower. It does not differ in technical innovations, and therefore is reliable, like a tractor.
- 2C-T. It is a turbocharged version of the 2C engine. It is installed on "Karina" from the 96th year. Thanks to the turbocharger, the Japanese managed to increase power to 83 horsepower. He won the fame of a reliable and unpretentious unit.
Transmission
Like all Toyota cars of those years, the Karina E-series was equipped with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
Both gearboxes are highly reliable. In the event of a breakdown, you can always set a contract for a low price.
Suspension
The chassis of the Japanese "Karina" is significantly different from ordinary cars. So, in front, instead of MacPherson struts, double wishbones are installed. The problem is that to replace the shock absorber (which do not go on our roads for too long) you need to change the wheel axle.
These are additional repair costs. Non-standard levers are also behind, so the price of suspension service can be up to half the cost of the entire car.
Conclusion
So, we found out what the Japanese car "Toyota Karina E" is. As you can see, the car is not without flaws. In particular, this is a complicated suspension design and difficulties with the delivery of spare parts (especially for those who live in the European part of Russia). But at the same time, the machine has a reliable engine and is comfortably controlled. And for such a price (from 80 to 140 thousand rubles), all flaws are forgivable to her.