I looked at the Carina's but went for the Avensis and didn't miss the small amount of extra boot space which is the only essential difference. We've got a 15-month old and carry all his paraphernalia without any probs. You get the old-school bragging rights of a 0.28 Cd too If you get a 3SFE car you'll have mounts etc ready to go, unfortunately no GE ST220 as you say.
missus has come round to the idea of an Avensis, now just need to find a cheap 2.0 one, already can lay my hands on a 3sgte lump. Prob will run the car stock for while, get the suspension brakes upto scratch and then work out the conversion. to be honest will prob not happen till next year. but think it will be a good fun project.
Cheers Jon, and ditto if you ever find yourself near the M6 / M42 junctions, just holla! Any things to look out for apart from the usual tell tales off dodgy motors?
LOL sleeper but now a days I've seen geo prizm crew yes a crew with 3sgte rolling around killing srt4, evo, and sti all day so you will fit in.