1993 Toyota Tercel base model coupe from North America - Comments

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I now dream about the gas mileage this car used to get. It was a four speed stick, and when I owned it in '94, I used to fill it up for about 7$ to maybe 9$, and that would last a few weeks if I remember correctly. I bought this car to drive to college mainly, and I beat it with no mercy the whole time. If it had had a tachometer, I would have been afraid to look at it half the time. It was fun to drive, like a go cart. I bounced it through fields, wound the gears out most of the time, and slid it around bends like I was running from the police. Back then I changed oil once in a while, and that was the only thing that I ever did to this car other than put gas in it, and one set of front tires. The car never so much as sputtered or missed a beat. I sold it later for a four-wheel drive, and I wish I still had it.

How did you survive on the highway with a 4 speed stick?

Well, that is where winding the gears out to get up to speed came into play! I can't remember the horsepower rating for that little 4-banger, but I used 'em all trying to get onto the highway from an uphill ramp and not get killed.