1983 Toyota Tercel SR5 4WD review from North America
"Won't pick-up chicks, but will not leave you for dead in a ditch"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
The body is merrily rusting away, and not just the paneling. The jack, which is stored in an internal bay above the back wheel well, actually went through into the wheel well. Makes me glad I had a flat so that it did not fall out.
Fuel pump went at 200k, but the car had been stored for the two years previous, without having been mothballed.
The front axles have had to be replace at least twice in the car's history, but that could just be because of the drivers.
The clutch went at 150k and had to be replaced.
General comments?
Shift-fly-4-wheel-drive, a full decade before it was called that. The lever makes a very reassuring clunk when engaged, so you truly do know that it is working.
Consistently gets 13km/L (about 30mpg) and does not burn any oil.
6-speed transmission is one of my favorite things, the the 6th speed being called "extra-low" and is below first gear. Very handy, and red-lines the engine at about 20kph.
The man-power steering allows for good line-holding, without the annoying wobble that tends to happen in other vehicles I have driven.
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| 1983 - Tercel SR5 4x4 wagon 1.5 gasoline The most reliable, useful, car ever made |
|
| I'd own it again if I could.. tough little car |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1983 |
| First year of ownership | 2000 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.3L 3A-C Manual |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 205000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 235000 kilometres |
| Date of Entry | 31st December, 2002 |