1986 Toyota Tercel Wagon Deluxe from North America - Comments

Right front CV Joint failed @ 195,000 miles. DROVE ON IT FOR ANOTHER 5,000 BEFORE AFFORDING REPLACEMENT.

Gasoline Level sender broke @ 190,000 miles.

Temperature sensor failure @ 200,000 miles.

Driver Side seat coming apart.

Driver Side window regulator broken.

Starter motor starting to go @ 202,000 miles.

Clutch replacement @ 201,500 miles.

This is the most durable vehicle I have ever owned - and believe me, I put it through its paces. I have driven it in rain, sun, snow, mud, gravel, sand, every possible condition - and it keeps on ticking. I am debating with myself right now weather or not I want to get the timing belt replaced and the engine tuned up or possibly the top-end rebuilt... its such a durable car, Id hate to see it die.

I have driven this car for 8,000 miles without an oil change (after it passed to 200k mark) and it kept humming. I have driven this car for 5000 miles on a bad CV shaft and it kept on trucking. I have kicked the car, bumped the car, shifted poorly, hit speed bumps @ 60 miles an hour, in short - done everything I can think of to this car, and it keeps on going.

It is the MOST reliable car I have ever seen. Also, it can haul nearly an entire one-bedroom apartment minus the bed frame in the cargo area with both rear seats folded down. It gets great gas mileage, averaging 300 miles per tank, which only costs me 20 bucks to fill up! If you are a student, if you are poor, or if you are looking for a long-haul, cost-conscious and space-saving little tank, this is the vehicle for you.

There is little that this baby won't handle, and while it may not be the nicest looking or the fastest whip on the street, what it lacks in charisma it makes up for in dollars and sense. I think I will drop the 1000 bucks it needs to get this thing in tip-top shape again!

So where is the car at now??? I have the same model and I am totally torn. My ego I guess says get something a little easier on the eye (not that they are ugly) but logic tells me to keep it and like you were saying, put a little money in it. What did you decide?