1989 Toyota Tercel DX review from North America
"Clickety Clack went the smokey little engine!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Water pumps galore! Have replaced it 3 times.
Loves CV joints dearly!
The 12 valve engine is noisy and not very fuel efficient for a car of this size.
Sounds like a food processor from the 70's.
General comments?
This is my second Turd-cel my previous one also 1989 died of cancer, the body literally rotted to pieces. So I took it's heart out (the engine) and put it in my next Thirdcell, through some miracle this engine lasted 2 more years and finally died in the street at 265,000.Mercifully I only paid $400 for this car. My neighbour bought it for parts when it died for $100,so it was't a total constructive loss!
The gas mileage is horrible for a 4 cylinder car-it isn't much better than either of the 3 Toyota 4Runners I have owned.
These cars are OK if and only if you are mechanically inclined and have a spare car for parts!
A somewhat depressing car, but if you get one with standard transmission it is tolerable, the automatics must be real heaps!
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| 1988 - Tercel Deluxe Wagon 4wd 1.5 Liter My 1st born |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1989 |
| First year of ownership | 1999 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2001 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.5L Manual |
| Performance marks | 5 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 6 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 5 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 230000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 265000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Toyota Tercel |
| Date of Entry | 7th February, 2004 |