1987 Toyota Tercel 4WD Wagon SR5 review from North America

First it needed an engine...

Then it needed shocks...

Then an axle...

And then an exhaust (cat back).

Although this car may appear to have required a lot of repair, it is important to note that it was free. The woman who owned it before me didn't really understand the concept of an oil-change, hence the need for a new motor. After the new rebuilt motor from Jasper was installed, this car has been great.

I've got snow tires on it and when things get rough, the chains go on. This car is unstoppable in the winter. It has no power and it's ugly as hell, but it is the most versatile and economical car I've ever owned. With a couch on the roof, a Lazy-Boy in the closed trunk and three college kids inside, this piece of crap got me home one night through 2 feet of snow in the mountains of Vermont. I've slept in the trunk. I've pulled people out of ditches. I've driven three hours at 80 mph with the thing stuffed to the gills and never dipped below 20 mpg.

After these New England winters, the body is starting to look like swiss cheese, but that doesn't stop these cars. At first I thought I'd get rid of it after college, but now I plan to run it into the ground. I never thought I could warm up to a Toyota station wagon. Trust me, you can.