On craigslist there's a guy selling a '98 Tercel 139k ($1200) and '97 Tercel 200k ($600) both manual shift. Would it be a fun little project to work on and drive around town as daily drivers? Maybe also a cheap way to learn stick shift? My new job commute will be around 5mi. Just watched Scotty's video on these and they should be the late model ones without carburators.
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/d/whittier-toyota-tercel/7606624333.html
For the 98 The tires have chop. So there is either suspension or steering Issues. It's possible it might just need an alignment . I also noticed the lugs have rust it's possible it sat in water or it's a flood car. He doesn't show any photos of the left side of car, the interior or engine bay. Usually that mean there hiding something. With out knowing the engines, transmission condition it's hard to say if it's a good deal.
If everything is in good working order, there isn't any rust and all suspension and steering components are good I can see paying 1,000. The 97 same rules apply if everything is in good working order I can paying around 400 or 500. Even tho the cars are old and cheap I would pay the 35 to 65 to have a pre inspection done. Everything come down to condition condition condition
The owner said the 98 Tercel 139k and had it for a few months; the only problem is that air blows even when it's off. So I decided for the older Tercel, but after receiving the license plate, it's a 1995 Tercel and he's owned it for a while but has been sitting for 6 months. But maybe based on all this information, I probably won't buy it. Thanks for the feedback!
Depends on your definition of “fun”, I spose. They could be ok, but also could be little Toyota-shaped money pits. You’d have to go put hands on to know.
Realistically, I think most people would just put them on the next flatbed to Mexico.
I see. I was thinking it would be an opportunity to learn how to drive stick paying $600 versus ruining a $1000+ car 😅 I also am just finding ways to practice working on cars like I recently changed the oil for the first time, flushed cooling system first time, etc. Thanks for the feedback!
