Faults:

Water Pump broke. Easy fix.

Oil Pump broke. Replaced.

General Comments:

Fantastic car... Looking for another one (or by some miracle my old one). I traded it in for a Ford Escort in 1992, and my father told me it was the biggest mistake I'll ever make. Too true. The car ran perfectly when I traded it in unlike the 2 Fords that followed which lasted about 75,000 miles each. I really like the styling of the front end compared to later models with the squared off look. If you have one don't give it up! Unless you want to give one to me that is... A paint job, and a wing spoiler and it looks just like a rally car.

Faults:

Rear cross member rusted out.

Front strut rod bushings worn.

Front tie rods shot.

Cooling system deteriorating.

Seats worn badly.

Ingition points tired.

Rear brake master cylinders seized.

Emergency brake cables seized.

General Comments:

This is one of the best cars I have ever owned.

It is excellent on gas (around 35mpg)

It handles well enought to satisfy my desire for a somewhat sporty car.

The interior is plaid, which draws a lot of positive attention.

I love the short-ratio 5 speed transmission because it makes the car a lot more fun to drive.

The best thing about it is reliability... in the morning I know it's going to start.

Faults:

Front tire bearings crushed.

The faulty alternator was cheap and really easy to replace.

Transmission needed a lot of work from wear and tear.

Over-sized tires frequently scrape against the fenders.

Main coolant hose needed to be replaced.

Steering is unresponsive, but the car is small enough to maneuver pretty well.

General Comments:

It is hard to find old cars in such as good shape as the 2 door '80 Tercel I have. It has no rust and all parts that needed to be replaced were easily found and cheap. It drives really nice and it still gets over 35 mpg.

Faults:

The front right wheel bearings were crushed because the former owner did not grease it. None of other wheels have had this problem now that I greased them.

The alternator was completely blown by the middle of the winter making my battery drain. New alternator was cheap and easy to find.

Car needs stiffened springs and struts.

General Comments:

For a $900 car for a 16 year-old it is a very reliable car.

Faults:

One of the rear bearings was badly damaged and had ground itself into the spindle, requiring the replacement of the whole lower control arm assembly.

Hatchback doesn't click or lock anymore.

Suspension is badly worn, but not worth replacing at this point.

General Comments:

Old Tercels are plentiful on the west coast, but they don't survive very long elsewhere in northern climates due to rust from winter road salt and body decay.

I bought this car for $200 and after replacing the brake pads and 3 bearings it has basically been maintenance free for the last 2 years. Gas mileage is very good and I expect to drive it for many more years to come. Including gas AND insurance, this Tercel only costs me about $100 a month to operate.

Faults:

Front brakes required replacement.

Catalytic converter was shot.

Front half shaft needed replacement.

Had to rebuild carburetor.

Head gasket was blown.

Had a broken front seat.

General Comments:

This car was represented fraudulently by the used car dealer that I bought it from.

He lied about its condition and would do nothing to make good on any of the repairs. I took the car back to him and he was resolute in his refusal to do a thing about the car.

Car looked really great, with a nice body, but mechanically it was a complete lemon.

Faults:

Blew a rear brake cylinder.

General Comments:

Great beater cars.

Very in-expensive to buy, I paid 600 or less for each of the last 3 I bought and they all have been fabulous.

Easy to repair.

Parts are cheap and very available.

Only problem is the axle joints were badly designed and usually click.

Great handling.

Good mileage.

Minor rust problems as compared to most 20 year old cars.

Faults:

Clutch went when I first got it.

Seats are worn badly.

Half shafts are shot.

General Comments:

The car is excellent for a student like me. I'm 16 and have a normal job and plates to pay. It's excellent on gas, but the half-shafts are cooked. My dad had one and he had to replace them also, must be a manufacturer's defect!!!