My Toyota Carina is not really what I expected from a Toyota. I had expected a Japanese car to be kind of functional and dull, but nice-looking and reliable. In fact my Carina has proven to be a fun easy drive, but looks pretty ugly and isn't actually as reliable as you might think.
I really enjoy motorway driving in this car, for a number of reasons. Firstly, it's actually pretty fast, which for some reason I wasn't expecting. You can happily overtake a lot of cars. Secondly, it's got a really laid-back sort of feel to it, gear changes are satisfying and it's just good fun on the open road. Thirdly. you don't have to steer that much. Handling on the Carina is HORRIBLE. Really heavy and like trying to do doughnuts in treacle.
Apart from this and a few reliability issues I've had (steering racks), the Carina is a pretty nice car, with a good quality build and a pretty high mpg. If you're a commuter, like me, and don't have to do that much city driving, I'd really actually recommend it, but if you're twisting around city roundabouts or country lanes all day then perhaps give it a miss.