Tercel questions.

[Giulia Sprint]

Hey,

Let me start off by saying, I know nothing about Toyotas or Tercels. I am an Alfa Romeo owner (hence Giulia Sprint) but I'm in the market for a reliable commuter car. I'm considering a Tercel, but I know next to nothing about them. I have a few questions about them.

1) I take it these are reliable (am I right?), but every car has problems.. what are common Tercel problems?

2) How long do they last? I passed up a '92 for $1,000 because it had 180,000 miles and that seemed a bit much to me.

3) How common are 4-speeds? That's what I'm after. What are common problems with the 4-speed transmission?

4) Are there any years I should avoid? What years were 4-speeds made?

5) This could be due to me being used to Alfas, but are parts readily available? Am I going to have to special order anything from Japan or is my local Toyota dealer going to have whatever I need? (Sorry for the dumb questions)

6) This could also be due to me being used to Alfas, but do Tercels rust? If so, what are common rust spots? I live in SLC, Utah, so salt is a problem here.

7) What engines did they come with? 4-cylinders, but what size 4-cylinders? Are there any engines I should avoid?

8) What should I look out for when buying one?

9) What should I pay for a fair or good condition early or mid 90's STOCK 4-speed Tercel. I do not want a car that has been modified.

Thanks a lot.

[ShowCarTercel]

Originally Posted by Giulia Sprint

Hey,

Let me start off by saying, I know nothing about Toyotas or Tercels. I am an Alfa Romeo owner (hence Giulia Sprint) but I'm in the market for a reliable commuter car. I'm considering a Tercel, but I know next to nothing about them. I have a few questions about them.

1) I take it these are reliable (am I right?), but every car has problems.. what are common Tercel problems?

They are very reliable. In 258000 km, my only cost us $90 in repairs that weren't regular maintence. The 91-94's came with a 3ee that likes to burn oil when it's starts getting up there in miles. Usually it's valve seals I do believe.

2) How long do they last? I passed up a '92 for $1,000 because it had 180,000 miles and that seemed a bit much to me.

That is a little high, but not done.

3) How common are 4-speeds? That's what I'm after. What are common problems with the 4-speed transmission?

The base models came with 4, I think 5 was an option. But I'm not totally sure. I have a 3-speed auto, don't laugh. But there is 4-speeds out there.


4) Are there any years I should avoid? What years were 4-speeds made?

They were reliable the whole way through. Nothing to avoid except try and avoid buying one that has been neglected. I cry for those poor neglected Tercels.

5) This could be due to me being used to Alfas, but are parts readily available? Am I going to have to special order anything from Japan or is my local Toyota dealer going to have whatever I need? (Sorry for the dumb questions)

Everything for a stock Tercel is at the Toyota dealership. Or a scrapyard, check the scrapyard. But if you start modifying. you're overseas shopping.

6) This could also be due to me being used to Alfas, but do Tercels rust? If so, what are common rust spots? I live in SLC, Utah, so salt is a problem here.

Sadly, like all metal things they rust. Around wheels wells is the favorite spot for it.

7) What engines did they come with? 4-cylinders, but what size 4-cylinders? Are there any engines I should avoid?

87-90 - 3e - 1.5 liter 12 value carb.
91-94 - 3ee - 1.5 liter 12 valve fuel injected.
95-up - 5efe - 1.5 liter DOHC distributerless ignition system.
The 3ee likes to start burning oil later in life, but still a very reliable motor.

8) What should I look out for when buying one?

One that was owned by some stupid little punk who trashed it. Tear for those Tercels.

9) What should I pay for a fair or good condition early or mid 90's STOCK 4-speed Tercel. I do not want a car that has been modified.

Hmm, in Canada you can still see 99 Tercels for $10,000. The US seems to be different about pricing Toyota's I have noticed.

Thanks a lot.

My answers are mixed in with your questions.

Hope that helps some. Sorry I don't have all the answers.

But you should check out the forum at www.TercelOnline.com
Way more Tercel/Paseo info there then here.

[NickR]

My daughter has a 92 Tercel, 5 speed. VERY reliable, despite her derilection of duty in maintaining it, and its approaching 300,000kms.

Maintenance/repairs: both front axles/CV joints, both front hubs/wheel bearings, all 4 struts, front springs (one broke), oil pressure sending unit, rear light socket, starter motor, oil pan (no leaks to give it a coating of oil, so the pan rusted out!).... can't think of anything else, except the obvious wear items.

It burns some oil (valve seals?) but still has very good compression.

Rust on the edges of the rear wheel arches only, and I live in a very rusty part of Canada.

Paid $6,000 for a 99 last year for my second daughter. Private sale, motivated seller, but the car is in very good condition.