Faults:

-Water pump failed at 129000, (bearing).

-brake pads replaced at 79000, brake shoes at 99000.

-Back up lights failed to come on in reverse at 73000.

-Check engine light came on permanently after 139000 miles, (Still runs great and passes emission testing).

General Comments:

The most mileage and reliable car I have ever owned. Never failed and starts all the time. Easy access of preventive maintenance, drain plugs for transmission fluid, (American cars, take note). Well made, fit, finish and design. Very nice, supportive seats. The two seatbelt idea is not my choice, I prefer the single one. A little noisy during freeway speed, could use more sound insulation. 4 speed automatic would have been a great option. Would I own one again? Yes! Unfortunately I could not take it overseas, I am only allowed to take one car and we took our 2001 RAV4 L All Whell Drive instead. I wish could keep it. I sold it for $3,000.00 with 169000 miles and still runs great. Does not burn oil, use oil, healthy compression. Great first car, second car. If you are looking for something that you can count on. This is the car.

Faults:

The blower for the ventilation system went out at about 200,000 miles. It was very simple to replace. I bought the replacement blower at a junk yard and replaced it myself. The interior light doesn't work any more. I had to replace the water pump at about 220,000 miles. Everything else on the car is original with the exception of general things such as brakes and oil filters.

General Comments:

This car is fantastic. It is no wonder they stopped making it. You just can't kill this car. When I was sixteen I bought a 1979 Chevrolet Impala that the transmission went out in probably the first month that I owned it. I then bought my 1992 Toyota Tercel and I still own it. I bought it new and it now has 240,000 miles on it. It still has the original clutch and everything. I have no complaints at all about this car. It was very inexpensive when I bought it and it payed for itself a long, long time ago. I have done everything with my tercel including hauling a picnic table on the roof. It burns a little oil, but I sure can't complain about that after 240,000 miles. If you are considering buying a used tercel I would say, "buy it and don't let go of it."

Faults:

The drivers side seat needs to upholstered.

The timing belt needed to be changed.

It needs a new paint job.

It needs new tires.

General Comments:

This car is good for a person that is just starting to drive.

It has lasted a long for having almost 170000 miles on it.

If they made a newer version of this car I would buy it.

Faults:

The clutch seems to be slipping somewhat... it's not a problem unless I floor it.

The release lever for the gas door doesn't pop the door open, so I have to either have a friend pull the lever while I pry the door open, or use a string to pull the lever while I pry open the door, which is a minor annoyance.

At high speeds (85+ MPH) the steering wheel rattles like crazy, and the car seems generally unstable as well.

The paint (factory original) seems to be not very well done, and is chipping in quite a few spots.

The driver's side wiper blade leaves a big smear just above eye level. This has persisted even after I replaced the blades with high-quality replacements.

General Comments:

The car is extremely reliable. The problems I have encountered with it are minor annoyances.

Gas mileage is very satisfactory, even when under hard acceleration and intense driving.

The car's performance is definitely not sporty, and at times it's just too sluggish to feel safe. However, once it's travelling at a decent speed, acceleration and overall performance improves.

The Tercel is a fairly fun-to-drive car, especially for what it is designed for. Steering is responsive, the engine pulls to the redline without complaint (although the lack of a tach makes judging when to shift a pain), and the transmission provides good, solid shifting.