Econoboxes are not exciting vehicles, by and large. It’s not wrong to paint a broad brush on this segment, as the focus is generally on cheap running gear and high fuel efficiency. The Toyota Tercel is the epitome of this ethos, as it was always a dirt-simple runner that was famously reliable and great on gas. Because of this, it often suffered the fate of many econoboxes, which is to be beaten like a stubborn mule. This third-generation 1987 Tercel listed here on craigslist is a rare exception to the rule, appearing to be in impressive condition for an unrestored car, and listed for $2,900.
When Toyota began churning out hit after hit in the late 80s, it seemingly couldn’t build a bad car. It was in an arm’s race of sorts with Honda as both companies were moving on from purely economical offerings and introducing more performance and luxury in its bread-and-butter models. However, they were still able to build fuel-sipping hatchbacks and coupes better than most, with the exception being they were somewhat fragile – bodywork would rust, plastics would crack, and paint would fail. This Tercel is very much a base model, and it has the standard 4-speed manual (a 5-speed was optional.) The interior is in shockingly nice condition for a car that has 160,000 miles on it.
That interior really was one of the key selling points, as it was well-equipped and cleanly designed for a car meant to appeal to people living on a budget. The 1.5L, 4-cylinder engine was a 12-valve E-Series mill, good for 78 horsepower and 87 lb.-ft. of torque. True, that was not going to win any stoplight grand prixs, but try driving a 1980s-era Toyota econobox first before you knock it. These things are so light that 80 horsepower actually feels quite lively. The cars are tossable and nowadays feel like a dang Caterham compared to how over-laden even entry-level vehicles are with safety and tech features. The seller has made numerous repairs and improvements, including a new Weber Redline Racing Carburetor model 32/36 DGEV – K751, a new gas tank, a new fuel pump, and updated ignition components.
Paintwork is said to be original and still shines nicely. The steel wheels and black center caps even look impossibly fresh. I’m truly shocked this car has the mileage that it does, as it looks like a low-mileage survivor, which indicates that its previous owner at least kept it indoors and occasionally washed/waxed the paint – highly unusual for the owner of a no-frills beater. The seller notes he bought this Tercel out of Oregon/Washington States, which explains the nicely preserved condition; he also claims it has not been subjected to a Minnesota winter while in his ownership. This looks like a great way to own a cheap vintage Japanese car that will run for years without much more than an occasional oil change. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the find.
Could there have been a more perfect car for young couples just starting their journey of life together? Economical, roomy enough, easy to drive and above all stone-axe reliable. This car is in amazing shape for its age. Maybe some young couple will end up purchasing it?
Not if it has crank windows, manual trans, manual steering, & TWO doors!
One of the better ads I’ve read but what’s with the “Minnesota winters”.
The implication is that it hasn’t been exposed to road salt, along with lingering moisture that would otherwise drain and evaporate more quickly in warmer/drier weather, so it’s not nearly as rusty as one might normally expect for an older car in Minnesota.
Considering the otherwise impeccable condition (esp. note the fairly good condition of the driver’s seat), I might suspect most of that high mileage may have been highway commuting miles, much easier on a car than the same mileage over a multitude of short trips in mostly stop’n’go urban traffic.
Exactly. I am lucky enough to live in an area without snow or humidity. Cars don’t rust. I have a 2001 Silverado and just got rid of a 1995 Mercury Mystique, neither of which spend one day in a garage. Neither show any signs of rust. You can take a 40+ year old car completely apart with simple hand tools, mainly 3/8 drive sockets without stripping or breaking any. There is a reason why cars from certain areas are sought after and sell for a premium.
Steve R
Steve R, where do you live?
If I had the money and the means to go out there and drive it back, this might work for me, especially as my 1988 Grand Marguis has 405,000 miles now, and it is beginning to reveal its age in repairs. These Toyotas were “bullet-proof”, except for the mean old tin-worm, and the price on this one is affordable.
If I had the money and the means to go out there and drive it back, this might work for me, especially as my 1988 Grand Marguis has 405,000 miles now, and it is beginning to reveal its age in repairs. These Toyotas were “bullet-proof”, except for that mean old tin-worm, and the price on this one is affordable.
If I had the money and the means to go out there and drive it back, this might work for me, especially as my 1988 Grand Marguis has 405,000 miles now, and it is beginning to reveal its age in repairs. But I would miss the comfort and luxury of my Mercury. These Toyotas were “bullet-proof”, except for that mean old tin-worm, and the price on this one is affordable.
If I had the money and the means to go out there and drive it back, this might work for me, especially as my 1988 Grand Marquis has 405,000 miles now, and it is beginning to reveal its age in repairs. But I would miss the comfort and luxury of my Mercury. These Toyotas were “bullet-proof”, except for that mean old tin-worm, and the price on this one is affordable.
Please,don’t say that again.
I really miss this clean and simple era that we’ll never go back to. It looks in really nice shape for the age and mileage.
I posted again, to correct this post above, but that would not post for two hours, and then it vanished when I left this ‘site. If I got a Toyota such as this, I would sorely miss the cumfy-cushy luxury of my Mercury Grand Marquis!
I don’t think you’d miss the frequent visits to the gas station though!
My daughter bought a used Toyota Tercel in great shape to drive to and from college. She replaced it with a Cutlass, so I drove it to work and back. One of my daughters friends bought it from me to commute to work. He ran it till he tried to jack it up to change a tire and only the body came up. He scrapped it out with over 300,000 miles and the engine still running great, original clutch and tranny. Bulletproof but rusty .
True. But I DO average about 22 miles per gallon on that Mercury, which isn’t TOO bad for a V-8 driving a full-size, body-on-frame, rear wheel drive four door American sedan!
True. But I DO average about 22 miles per gallon on that Mercury, which isn’t TOO bad for a V-8 driving a full-size, body-on-frame, automatic ttansmission, rear wheel drive four door American sedan!
Believe it or not, on that “ancient” rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame American V-8, full-size foor-door sedan Mercury Grand Marquis with automatic transmission, I still average about 22 miles-per-gallon, after more than 400,000 miles — so, that ain’t TOO shabby.
My mom gave me her 10 year old Tercel when I was a kid. This one is a real nostalgia ride. That beige interior brings back memories. I wonder how hard it is to get parts. This one seems like it would still need some work and at 159k miles it’s pretty high miles for that generation of Tercel. These were pretty lightweight cars. Mine crapped out completely at 100k miles.
Harrison you’d miss the comfort of the Marquis after a while guaranteed. Love econboxes..owned a few, all manuals but unless it’s very short drives… they can soon seem like penalty boxes. 🏒
Oh boy, finally, a Tercel,,,pushes the limits of my interest but one simply can’t dismiss how popular these were. It’s as if, people said, “we want the most lackluster, DANGEROUS car you can make, they didn’t do well in front of a Mack truck, as long as it gets phenomenal gas mileage”, and Toyota supplied. Of course, “dangerous” being relative, folks think 3 wheelers are dangerous too. Didn’t deter sales, as I read almost 5 MILLION Tercels were sold worldwide. A high of 104,000 in 1988 in the US alone, to a low of only 46 cars in ’99, its last year. Coming from the rust belt, I’m always flabbergasted when I see one of these, like one of the 7 that actually survived.
And it’s no laughing matter how many times Harrisons posts get repeated, can’t the staff do something about that?
I remember my boss bought one of these with cash new for around $5000 back in Summer of 1987. It was one smart driving economical car to buy back in the day. I would have bought one too if I had had that kind of cash lying around. My boss drove that Tercel for decades after that. Smart, very smart investment.
Harrison’s posts could just as well be a novel on this one!
Nice old Toyota, I surprised the ad doesn’t say sold yet!
Ad’s still up as of now.
This would make a great commuter car.
Stan, I agree with you!. Most contemporary S.U.V.s are uncomfortable on anything beyond a short trip — especially at my age! Harrison’s posts get repeated because Harrison cannot get them to POST!!! And if I post one, and I exit the site, it vanishes and I have to do it OVER! So, after two and three hours of seeing it STILL unposted, I get rather put-out. Then I will hit “POST” once again, and it will suddenly post instantly — in duplicate and triplicate!!
Harrison, I think that sometimes we can hit “post comment” and yes, we can’t see it show up right away, yet that doesn’t really mean it disappears but rather there’s a delay. I’d wait it out next time.
Patience, Grasshopper.
True. My posts do that. I post and exit and come back a little later and there will be my post up.