1997 TOYOTA Tercel

Best Toyota Ever!!!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I am on my 5th Toyota mostly Corolla's and this was my first Tercel (1997). I bought it 10 years ago for a mere $4,000, 60,000 miles, in great shape! I have taken good care of it with regular maintenance and it runs circles around my new Camry!!! Runs like a top, drives like a Champion, purrs like a kitten & STILL gets a WHOPPING 36 CITY!!! I never even drive the new Camry since I like this one better!! AND, the A/C works much better than the new Camry!!!! I hope my baby car NEVER dies!!!!

248,000 miles, she deserves a rest

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

Bought with 30K, only problems two cats and one CV joint. Tranny's now becoming cantankerous. Best car in the world!

Toyota For Life

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

I've have driven all the American vehicle more than once but, I never dreamed that a Toyota would change my mind about driving. I have driven my '97" tercel for 2 yrs. W/o any major problems. I accumulated close to 300,000 miles. Love the dependability especially when your grandchildren are expecting to attend their sporting events. You have my vote for value.

Manson

Performance: 4 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 4

I got Manson, my tercel, from my grandparents. I learned how to drive in it and it's great for driving and has awesome fuel economy, but it kinda kills my hotness scale. It's a great car for learners who don't really car about their image. Had to replace the cardboard speakers. Make sure you don't get in any accidents, because the car will be creamed and the car you hit will only have minor damage. So overall, great car and wonderful gas mileage if you don't get in accidents and don't care about being called a grandma on the road.

Even after 13 years, I still love it!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

My first Toyota was an 81 Starlet. Loved it. So I bought a new 97 Tercel, 16 years later! Three boys learned to drive on the Tercel! Best car I've ever owned. All three boys have become Toyota owners, too. Also recruited my sister and brother, nephew and niece into the Toy family! Great styling, great gas mileage, 1 tune up with 2 timing belts, regular oil changes. Love the stainless steel exhaust which has never been replaced. I know some day it will die, but if/when that happens, I will not be a happy camper! No rust, and I live in St. Louis. The exterior still looks new! Couldn't ask for a better car.

Best car I ever owned!

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

The 97 Tercel was my first brand new car. I loved the sporty design and how the 5 speed was so smooth compared to my prior 85 Honda Accord. This car was fun to drive and super reliable. Never had any problems. Would have kept it forever had it not been totaled in an accident.

Flawless

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I bought this car used in 2008, and it has been outstanding. It was driven from Florida to San Antonio, where I bought it and then driven back to FT. Benning, GA. I travel a lot and have already put 24,000 miles on it. Besides having excellent gas mileage it is very durable and dependable. I hit a deer doing 45 mph and still drove the car home without any damage to the engine. I only had to replace the hood and driver's side headlight. I have no doubt that this car would make a long trip at any given time. Toyotas have always been good products.

The Best 2 Person Car

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

An exceptional car with amazing performance and reliability. The controls are easy to use.

Pinky's review

Performance: 5 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

Pinkymarie (yes my car is Pink!) has been with me for 6 years! I bought her at 27,000 miles she now is at 115,670 miles & there has been no major repair done to her except a bearing that was recently replaced. She has been to Florida, Maryland, Virginia & Ohio without a peep. Miles per gallon have been wonderful about 37.1 mpg. It's also a great car for those who love to custom adapt them (pimp their ride.) I love her! and am planning to drive it until she's on one wheel. LOL!

Simple, Dependable, Low Cost to own

Performance: 4 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

i have not owned my tercel that long. but i bought mine after having known others that used theirs for years with no problems. Overall average of about 32mpg. probably about 37mpg on the highway. no problems with the car, the old owner said the same. I got it with lower than average miles, about 72000. The design is very simple, so things like installing a stereo or mechanical work is easy to do yourself. Not much power but since the car is light it doesn't need it, so it does get peppy on the highway, but it does build speed very slowly on hills. My a/c is ice cold. A great little car, I love it.

Love the 'cel

Performance: 3 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 4

Don't understand why Toyota stopped making these and moved on to the Echo. These are great little cars with awesome fuel economy. Built to last! Super reliable! Best student car ever!

baw_919

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

very reliable vehicle, no major repairs in 5 years.

Perfect single person car - Tercel

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This car is great. The draw backs would be comfort for long hauls, and passenger room and ease in loading folks, on a regular basis. For giving my Bro, his wife and 2 kids a ride every holiday, no problem!!

I love my tercel

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I have driven this car since day one with no major problems, i have simply kept up with the suggested maint. and this car has held up really well. I will really miss my tercel as i pass it on, and move on to the mazda P5

A Great Little Car

Performance: 5 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 5

This has been A great car for us. We purchased it as a used vehicle and have had absolutely no problems with it. Extremely reliable and pretty peppy. We think it runs on air instead of gas, excellent fuel economy. An inexpensive but not cheap vehicle.

Trudy's review

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

I have had Trudy (my tercel) for 5 years and it has never broken down or needed any serious work done. I've kept up with the oil changes and tune ups and that's it. I haven't even needed to get the brakes done in 5 years, it just now is starting to sound like it needs new break pads.

Can't be beat

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I have 139,000+ miles on this vehicle now. Other than oil changes and two timing belts per maintenance schedule, the ONLY thing that has gone wrong with this vehicle is a burned out taillight which Toyota replaced for free. Absolutly flawless inside and out. Quality not matched by any other auto company except maybe Mercedes and Honda. This is my first Toyota, and I will be a lifelong customer.

Its not a bad first car to buy

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

I thinkt hat if a car can last through a highschoolers driving performance, thenit must be a good car. The only problems I have had with this car is that it can be a bit noisy when it idles. Otherwise, it drives quite well/comfortably (for what it is) and especially for the price. I woudl suggest a car like this for any new driver!

awesome

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

This has been such a wonderful car. It is extremely reliable, in the hot desert months and the cold mountain winters. This car is not only fun to drive, it gets great gas mileage.

I'm a believer

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

I've driven this car for four years, put 60,000 miles on it...it's as good as gold. My only complaint is that the A/C could be colder. Had no repairs, just basic maintenance.

Tercel is great

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

Very dependable, fuel efficient, and powerfull enough for the city. Very good and simple exterior/interior design (Far better than Echo).

luv my tercel

Performance: 5 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 3 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

I love my new (to me) tercel, which I got with only 30,000 miles on it. I wanted to downsize everything; insurance, gas and repair bill and overall vehicle size. I had a Mercedes and I just got tired of it putting me in the poor house. I'm 6 feet tall and 225 lbs. and I'm perfectly comfortable driving this car. So far it hasn't let me down and I don't see it ever giving me a problem. I hope we have a long life together.

I Hate This Car!

Performance: 2 Comfort: 1 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 1 Interior Design: 1 Exterior Design: 3 Build Quality: 1 Reliability: 1 Comfort Rating: 1 Performance Rating: 2 Interior Rating: 1 Reliability Rating: 1

I bought my Tercel in 1996 with 50,000 as I needed a reliable car- all the consumer ratings said it would be. Had it throroughly checked by a mechanic who also said it would be great. Since 90000mi it has been nothing but trouble. Burns 2 qts of oil between oil changes, and I have had an average of $150/month in repairs over the last three years.

Toyota should've kept the Tercel

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

My Tercel was a great car. I bought it with about 30,000 miles on it. It was relaible, stylish (compared to the ECHO), and very fun to drive. I could go almost 2 weeks on a tank of gas (all auto cars should come with overdrive standard). I drove it up steep hills in deep snow/ice with no problem. I am certain I wouldve never had a problem with it ever, had it not been totalled in an accident where I was rear ended. The crumple zones worked TOO well, and it was a total loss.I replaced it with a 97 Honda Accord, but I will Sorely miss that Tercel.At only 62,000 miles it was gone too soon.

Toyota should've kept the Tercel

Performance: 5 Comfort: 5 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 5 Exterior Design: 5 Build Quality: 5 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 5 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 5 Reliability Rating: 5

My Tercel was a great car. I bought it with about 30,000 miles on it. It was relaible, stylish (compared to the ECHO), and very fun to drive. I could go almost 2 weeks on a tank of gas (all auto cars should come with overdrive standard). I drove it up steep hills in deep snow/ice with no problem. I am certain I wouldve never had a problem with it ever, had it not been totalled in an accident where I was rear ended. The crumple zones worked TOO well, and it was a total loss.I replaced it with a 97 Honda Accord, but I will Sorely miss that Tercel.At only 62,000 miles it was gone too soon.

A Great Deal

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

Bought new. Have put 126K commuting miles on it. Have not put anything but basic maintenance into it. With the 5 speed it actually is a little peppy but not much passing power. Gets great mileage, about 38-40 mpg. Small back seat so its pretty uncomfortable for passengers. Small trunk space too. Overall, a good bargain for the price (new in '96 was $11,600).

private party pricing

Performance: 4 Comfort: 4 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 5 Interior Design: 4 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 4 Comfort Rating: 4 Performance Rating: 4 Interior Rating: 4 Reliability Rating: 4

auto has been very dependable when starting in the morning

Tercel, A great car to drive

Performance: 5 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 4 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 3 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 5 Interior Rating: 3 Reliability Rating: 5

This is a wonderful car. I've had no problems whatsoever in the 6 years I've owned the car. Great gas mileage of about 32 miles per galon. Easy to drive, Nice sporty look. I love my Tercel CE.

Blackhawk Tercel

Performance: 3 Comfort: 3 Fuel Economy: 5 Fun To Drive: 4 Interior Design: 2 Exterior Design: 4 Build Quality: 4 Reliability: 5 Comfort Rating: 3 Performance Rating: 3 Interior Rating: 2 Reliability Rating: 5

Great car. Nothing fancy - but reliable and inexpensive to maintain. Not for a taller or larger person - but great for a first or second car.