OK, so like a few of you out there I am thinking about getting a 4 Cylinder car to save on gas. The $400++ a month for gas I am putting into the cars, after my house payment, it has become my biggest expense. Plus while sitting at the gas station and watching them raise it a nickel a gallon today kind of got me thinking it might be time.
I still need my Tacoma. Called the insurance company and I can add one for liability only for $12/month.
My oldest starts driving next year too...

Would like to get an early 90's Tercel or a Honda Civic.
So for you Tercel owners out there, what sort of things should I look for to stay away from. I know that I am probably going to need to do a few things like tune up, brakes and some general maintanance on a car that probably has 125K plus miles. Looks like I can find a decent Tercel for $1000-1500.

Thanks for your advice

 

I have a 95 tercel - EFI and great on gas, but the EGR pipe from the intake to the EGR valve likes to get plugged with carbon and throw a code. As long as that pipe is clean, no worries. Cheap to maintain and easy on gas. Stay away from 87-91 though, I've heard that the carbs are a pain.

 

Buy the GEO, they're cheaper...

 

That year of Tercel is great. One big problem they have it that around 100k the value stem seals start to go out. A buddy of mine bought one (a 94) and it started using a quart of oil every fill up. With some creativity we changed the VSS's and now it doesn't burn a drop. He consistently gets 35mpg and drives it pretty hard.

 

thanks, that is just the type of info that I need to find out

been there with the GEO/Suzuki Swift a few years ago, too small..not that a Tercel is much bigger

Gotcha. I figure what ever I get will have 100K+ miles on it. Hopefully find something cheap enough that I can fix a few things and run the crap out of it...

 

Get a moped....that'd be cooler hahahaha jk 35 mpg sounds nice!

 

I would but some of the roads I have to drive on some people use bikes and motorcycles for speed bumps around here. Lots of non driving individuals (YT and PC nice version) in Washington County.

Yep looking for 30+MPG, my 81 get 20 and my Tacoma get 14-15 with all the extra crap I put on it....

 

Get a mid 80's Tercel. If you can stand the hideous styling, they have the inclinometer, and tilt guages. They also have available 4X4, and even a special 6 speed tranny with an EL (Extra Low) 1st gear for serious off roading. And with MAJOR trimming, you can probably fit 31's....but I wouldn't try it.

 

Nope, they are Fugly. Just need a reliable commuter, looking for one with EFI. I have an '05 Taco 4x4 and an 81 Trekker 4x4. Another 4x4 kind of defeats the purpose of trying to save $$$ on gas, the whole point of getting something with a 1.6L 4 banger. If I need a tilt gauge in a Tercel, it has already rolled.

 

we got a 92 tercel for free. compression was 160-40-150-50, and was missing an ignitor. Got an ignitor for $10, and drove it 250 miles. Even with the shoddy engine we managed 25 mpg. Great cars IMHO.