When I bought the car for $100, I had to install a rebuilt engine into the bad boy.
The driver side window stopped rolling up and down properly.
The engine stumbles upon acceleration due to a crappy carburetor.
The 3 year old rebuilt engine leaks oil now.
Leaks tons of water. I have a clean interior as a result! It's Rust-land all around my windshield.
The Miles per gallons DRASTICALLY went down since I started commuting 50 mile-round trips during the week. I guess it's because I am always on the verge of being late and am forced to do 90+ mph. I get about 22 MPG!
Tons of room inside (I'm 6'2''), fits in any spot, handles better than my Dad's Matrix AND my girlfriend's 2001 Honda Accord.
Very Light.
Driving fast is fun, it maintains the speed through anything, getting to a fast spped is the hard part.
I have a connection with this car, we love eachother. It's name is Monkeyball Sanchez. As a matter of fact, I miss it right now.
This just in-
I just got a 1983 280zx as a gift, so I'm giving my Tercel away.
sad.
BAH! What a funny review...
Its true. The 1987 Toyota tercel I have is my favorite car. Its all rusty around the windshield, but the back of my car has zero rust (same pattern as my neighbours 87 tercel) Amazing engine got me through 2 Montreal winters, never failing to start. NEVER! It only hesitates at around the freezing point when its humid. Aside from that it takes less gas than my BBQ (kidding) Its also a light car and the DX 3E engine can really kick, if you 'uncork' the engine!
From mid-87 until it's untimely demise in the fall of 1994, I had the privilege of being the owner & operator of an '87 Toyota Tercel that I bought brand new. A much longer story shortened:
--over 356,000 km (221,000+ miles) logged on original engine (not burning oil thanks to regular oil changes!), driven over 13 states of the USA & 5 provinces & 1 of the territories in Canada, as far south as California & Yellowstone National Park & past the 60th parallel within Canada
--averaged better than 46 mpg (hwy) & often to 50 mpg if cruising at 90 kph/55 mpg on road trips; a full tank of gas routinely lasted well in excess of 600 km; over 700 km during road trips & twice drove over 800 km (375-500 miles with an 11 gal tank...). Carburetor partially rebuilt once, both cv joints, clutch & front wheel bearings replaced, 2 alternators & 5th gear rebuilt
--during it's operating lifetime, it still drove arrow-straight despite being involved in over 6 major accidents & 'fender-bender' episodes (so no rust to speak of either thanks to timely shop time!)
--majority of mileage logged on Pirelli P77 175/70 tires; great for all-round & safe driving, except in winter/snow.
The few basic options worked great right through to the end: remote locks for trunk/gas, analog clock, dual/adjustable mirror. I agree with the comment, Toyota's answer to "Herbie"...
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