Is there any known issues with 1996 Toyota Corona Premio's! Am looking to buy our first car to go around the city with. Hows the fuel efficiency, compared to say, a Starlet or Bluebird! # 430215029 is the one we're keen on. What would you guys recommend for a good reliable car around ~$5000, just for going along the motorways and around the city. Thanks in advance!
mugenb20b,
Dec 14, 8:21pm
16 year old car for $4.5k! I don't think so. Good, reliable car though provided you look after it. It uses more fuel than a Starlet and about the same as a Bluebird. A car for driving on motorways and around the city for $5k! That's up to you, whatever you feel comfortable with. I on the other hand would get a 5 speed manual VW Golf GTi, or a Fiat Punto with a 6 speed CVT transmission.
r15,
Dec 14, 8:24pm
I know someone whos had one since 98. Still faultless
mellisa2000,
Dec 14, 9:27pm
If it is a "D4" Engine, do not buy it. They are not designed to run in NZ with our fuel and conditions. They become expensive to repair, and idle poorly due to carbon-ing up of the intake and cylinder head. A real nightmare. Being a 1996, may be before the D4 engine, but check on that. No engine pics in photos.Be suspicious.
r15,
Dec 15, 5:47am
Yeah 96 is pre d4. If its 2 litre its just a plain old 3sfe
kazbanz,
Dec 15, 6:56am
MAAATE-- you need your early morning coffee to wake up:-) 96 is well before D4. Basicly a bigger toyota corolla
OP 5k is right up there price wise for a 96 car but it is likely to give years of trouble free driving which is worth concidering when buying IMO the corona was a tiny bit more thirsty than the bluebird
kazbanz,
Dec 15, 7:10am
Op If you are looking to buy a "town" car and then perhaps later a "big" car and you plan to keep it awhile then I'd seriously be looking at the Nissan sunny.pulsar,lucino range of csrs. Smaller and lighter weight than the corona making for better fuel exonomy
trdbzr,
Dec 15, 8:00am
A friend of mine had one. Its quite spacious, very reliable and surprisingly economical as well. But yeah if you are looking for a Premio then avoid a D4 one. Its better than a Corolla IMO.
rainbow.umbrell,
Dec 15, 8:48am
Thanks! I'll make sure to avoid the D4 engine, and am also looking at the nissans now. What mileage and what age car should I be expecting if I want to pay $6.5k tops!
richard198,
Dec 15, 9:07am
I've worked on the Corona Premios and found them to be excellent cars! (Personally, I wouldn't go near the Pulsars etc. even though I like Nissans in general)
rainbow.umbrell,
Dec 15, 9:16am
Are the low k's worth much extra! Found a nice pulsar, old but low k's. Or is it more ideal to have a newer car with higher k's in the same price range. # 417580015
richard198,
Dec 15, 9:26am
Service records are more important.
kazbanz,
Dec 15, 9:38am
I really like that exact model and year. My ex wife has had one for the past 8 years and the only time its been serviced is when I see it and feel sorry for it
franc123,
Dec 15, 5:18pm
What, the car or the ex!
kazbanz,
Dec 15, 7:06pm
--now snorting my coffee--I STRONGLY suspect I'd be getting a fast sex change if I ever serviced the ex
rainbow.umbrell,
Dec 16, 4:34pm
We've looked for some smaller cars now, and found a Starlet. # 432167350, is there any known issues with Starlets! It has the safety features that we wanted, and is newer than the Corona, although has much more k's, it is also much cheaper. I will ask and see if the owner can post a picture of the engine compartment, along with a service record.
taipan4,
Dec 16, 4:44pm
depends what you are looking for, a starlet may be fine around town, but on the open road it would be struggling, I have owned 4 coronas/camrys & foiund them to be ultra reliable. My suggestiopn would be to drive both on the motorway/hiway driving
rainbow.umbrell,
Dec 16, 4:48pm
Driving on the motorway would only be on the off occasions, wouldn't be driving on the open road regularly, so it's not a major issue. The majority or driving would be city driving, so I think the starlet would be ideal, as it ismore fuel efficient.
taipan4,
Jun 11, 1:49pm
just do not be in a nose to tail accident in one of these upholsteredskateboards
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