Faults:

The only real problem I have with the car is whenever I start the car, it burns oil and smokes at startup. This has resulted in my having to put a quart of oil in about every 2 weeks or so. I took it to a repair shop, but they said there was nothing they could do short of replacing the whole engine. They suggested the heaviest weight motor oil (20W-50) but unfortunately it hasn't helped much.

General Comments:

The car gets me from point A to point B every time and in all weathers. Reliable.

I can go a week and a half without putting gas in it, GREAT gas mileage.

Faults:

I had the air conditioner converted to R-134A refrigerant, after a leak in the system was repaired.

I had the timing belt replaced at 90,000 miles.

The water pump started leaking at 88,000 miles. The part was inexpensive, but it was misery to replace because of accessibility problems.

General Comments:

I find that Toyotas are of VERY high quality, but they are a bit harder to work on than Nissans and a Subaru that I have owned in the past.

I bought this car because it was a bargain. I have always looked at Toyotas when looking for new cars, but never bought one. I feel that Nissans are almost as high in the quality department, but they are easier, and less expensive to maintain.

Faults:

The Tercel had to have the air bag module replaced under warranty after the air bag light lit and would not go out.

After 111K miles, the driver's seat belt retractor is sluggish.

Otherwise, only routine maintenance over the life of the car: items such as brakes, tune-up, manual tranny oil replace, and timing belt replace (proactive, 61K).

General Comments:

The Tercel is a fabulously reliable car. It has very good fit and finish, much better than the 6 year newer American car I also have. After 111K miles, the car is still in very good condition both mechanically and comestically.

Mine is a 5 speed, 4 door DX model with most of the options, so it is comfortable -- a tiny Camry. The pearl silver paint holds up well, but the black interior, though a striking contrast to the silver, shows dust quickly.

Tercels are adequately powered, but not performance machines. The 1.5L 12 valve L4 is very efficient. Good 5 speed shifter.

The car is light, so it can be a handful in crosswinds. It has been a good snow car and an economical ride. It got 36-40 MPG no matter what I did to it (city/hwy/mix)from day 1.

At 111K, it will probably need struts and a clutch soon, but it's a good enough car to spend that money. I expect to get 200K miles out of it. I would definitely buy another small Toyota.

Faults:

In five years, the only problem is that the paint is bad. It is dried out and has lost all its luster. It continues to dissolve and is gradually coming off the car. Sometimes when I wash it a fine dust of the paint rinses off, coloring the water.

General Comments:

Very reliable. I am a small person so it is comfortable for me, but would be snug for a larger person. The car has had no mechanical problems whatsoever and has about 45,000 miles on it. Pretty good accelleration. Excellent air conditioning. Good value, but no frills.