1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 with extra low gear review from North America
"Fantastic go anywhere and everywhere, reliability"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Head-gasket at purchase.
Brakes at 300,000.
Starter at 300,000.
Alternator acting up now (brushes sticking)
General comments?
The 4 wheel drive in this car goes places that my Ford F-250 can't go. I use dirt-bike trails, logging roads that have cross ditches cut into them to decommission them and even break my own trails. I regularly park in ditches. (intentionally while I set out signs as I am a Traffic Control Person)
I have never been unable to get myself out of anywhere, snow, ice and mud are a playground to this marvelous little machine. It seems to love a challenge.
I carry around a couple hundred pounds of signs and gear in the back with the seats up, two car seats in the back seat plus diaper bags, blankets, and assorted other goodies in a tote between the car seats and still have put large heavy objects on the roof racks and she still purrs like a kitten and keeps on going with no complaints.
It may not take off like a rocket, but it always goes. It is so reliable! I highly recommend these cars to anyone who wants a low cost, very reliable car.
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| 1986 - Tercel SR5 4WD Wagon 2.0L 4 cylinder. As far as station wagons go, these old tercels are all guts! |
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| I love my Tercel, If you see one Buy it!! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1986 |
| Year of manufacture | 1986 |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2007 |
| Engine and transmission | 3a Manual |
| Performance marks | 9 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 287000 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 317000 kilometres |
| Previous car | Toyota Tercel |
| Date of Entry | 18th January, 2007 |