1992 Toyota Tercel DX review from North America

Burns about 1qt oil every 1000 miles.

Valve job at 100,000 miles, due to neglect by previous owner.

Vinyl seats, front and rear, are torn and require seat covers.

Tough to shift when cold.

This car is an absolute champ! Since I have to add a quart of oil every 1000 miles or so, there is never a need to change the oil. Tires are $20 each and last 40,000 miles. Fuel costs are negligible. Oil, tires, and fuel--that pretty much covers it, because nothing on this car ever breaks, no matter how hard I abuse it. Sure, it's tough to carry on a conversation at freeway speeds, it's like driving a sleigh when the roads are wet, and ascending steep mountain passes may require considerable patience. But if you value bulletproof reliability bordering on indestructibility, ridiculously minimal operating costs, and the feeling of freedom that comes from leaving your car parked in the bad part of town all day long with the windows down and the doors unlocked, knowing that it will still be there when you return, this is your car!