1983 Toyota Tercel DLX Wagon review from North America

The usual replacement of rack and pinon steering, CV boots not the joints.. alternators galore (Auto zone ones are not too good) starters (again Auto Zone ones are not too good), A/C compressor of course this was MY fault as I over tightened the belt..argh..various little emissions parts, but not too bad... mostly since she turned over 200K miles. Oh yeah the radiator.

The best car I have had since my 1966 Beetle which I ran to 300K miles with NO maintaince..I was young and stupid admittedly. I suffered through Fords and an awful Audi in between the years.

Very reliable and easy to fix. I have personally maintained it since day one. If I could not fix her then Toyota did.

The only problems began when I could no longer afford to buy Toyota brand products for the car.. I ran into money problems after a major illness.. and began buying aftermarket stuff that would not hold up.. especially the belts!

I still get 22 miles to the gallon with an automatic transmission in the high Colorado mountains with the gas pedal to the floor to make it up to 11,500+feet which I think is amazing for this old a car.

The body just began to rust which I will attend too with my next pay check.. again doing it myself.

I cannot recommend this car enough. I have people offering me REAL money for my car monthly, but will not sell it until SHE decides to die.

Honestly tho if you find a one owner who has religiously changed the oil and attended to the LOW maintenance requirements over the years.. then offer them high book value for the car.. you won't be disappointed!