1990 Toyota Tercel EZ review from North America
"Go-karts that go forever on virtually no $$$!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Head gasket - started to smoke so I had the head and valves redone... did most of the work myself on a whim - never had done this before, but I was bored and I didn't have anything better to do that weekend. Now I can fix any lawnmower engine you bring me!
Rust is bad also - nothing a little fiberglass body filler and touch up paint can't handle.
General comments?
Dispite the rust, this is the best car we have ever had. My wife bought it before we were married - her dad said "don't buy one of those Japanese pieces of junk - they will never last!" That was 11 years ago. I since have inherited it and she drives the new car.
It gets like 40 mpg on the highway, it can beat most cars off the line at the stoplight (geared high to make up for the hamsterpowered engine) and all parts are cheap!
The few problems I have had have been easy to fix, cheap and insignificant. Add a few hundred dollars in repairs to the $6600 price tag and you still have a super cheap car that lasts forever!
My previous car was a 1987 Tercel which we still own. It still runs although the rust has taken most of it over. That car had virtually NO repairs other than brakes and exhaust! 150,000 miles!
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| 1989 - Tercel Standard Coupe 1.5L carbureted I-4 Get the stick |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1990 |
| First year of ownership | 1990 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.5 Manual |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 80000 miles |
| Previous car | Toyota Tercel |
| Date of Entry | 6th September, 2001 |