1987 Toyota Tercel | Retro Review

[@braddietzmusic2429]

An honest, relatively uncomplicated car that might last forever… provided it doesn’t rust back into the earth. I like these.

[@WTC7]

Are you registered to the oil lamps?

[@WTC7]

Related

[@austinfrazier7325]

2022 Mitsubishi Mirage meets your criteria

[@quentinwooten30]

That's hilarious

[@KenanTurkiye]

I'd rather drive this car now in 2022 than many offerings. It certainly is an honest car, just like people used to be. (in comparison to now) .....ok rant off. :)

[@MarkMeadows90]

3:59 Was expecting John to say the obvious "voltmeter" and "oil pressure" gauges ordeal lol

[@randy2558]

Had one of these in college, could easily fit a la-z-boy in the back. Crazy how an econobox from '87 had better gas mileage and more utility than all the crappy crossovers and behemoth SUVs nowadays.

[@cigarsgunsanddiesel8032]

and ran forever... unlike modern shit boxes!

[@RobinDale50]

I routinely get 40-ish on the highway with my modern Civic, non-hybrid, so it is not out of the question today.

[@palebeachbum]

CUVs are taller (less aerodynamic) and a lot heavier, plus they have probably 3x the horsepower of this car.

[@johnnyyuma4194]

Priced at less than 8 grand too ,almost 40 miles per gallon of gas ,great basic transportation..

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

Individual preferences, I suppose. By your description it sounds as if we’re very similar in age. In college my mom gave me her 2 year old diesel Suburban. I had the privilege of driving around that tank for several years. Interestingly enough, my college was selected to test several Subaru Justy “mules.” That was the smallest car I have ever driven, and my diesel Suburban was a race car compared to the Subaru. I truly cannot understand how some folks fit In economy cars. While I was about 100lbs lighter those days, at 6’5” I remember my knees against the steering wheel in the Justy.

[@billschlafly4107]

My ex-wife owned an '88 Tercel coupe when we met. It became my car when the AC died. Fun car to thrash through the gears during my college years.

[@ericd1632]

That's pretty neat

[@samsos5796]

My mom got one of these, Oh My GOD !! I went back on time! when I was in elementary school!!! good times!!! good memories!!!

[@Yormsane]

Guess we aren't allowed simple, affordable, utilitarian cars like these any more. Because 'tech' and 'rugged' have turned buyers' brains to jelly. That lil' 3-valve engine was an absolute gem, a smooth and reliable fuel-sipper that would keep going forever.

[@mesropmadzharyan6727]

I love the show that they show regular cars

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

Government mandates have made technology and safety priorities in automotive manufacturing. This inevitably will have an affect on prices. The new vehicles you describe exist, albeit in 3rd world countries.

[@shinobusensui9395]

Mirage is as close as you can get, why haven't you bought one yet?

[@Trance88]

@@haroldbeauchamp3770 The things that were once "luxuries" are now standard and the general buying population won't settle for any less amenities. Try selling a new 2023 car with no stereo, A/C, or power steering, and the minimum required safety features.

[@Yormsane]

@@shinobusensui9395- Looked at one a couple years ago, decided to keep my Honda Fit instead.

[@edwardbennet3902]

Bought this same color in 91 with the "EZ" packeage, (4 speed stick,vinyl seats, A/C, radio). Drove it to school downtown at night for 9 months. NICE CAR !....Paid $5800 OTD.

[@metalheadgamer6666]

There is a ‘90 Tercel EZ Hatch just sitting in somebody’s driveway across from my apartment. It has the 3E Motor.

[@georgeh6856]

My first new car was a 1990 Toyota Tercel coupe with a manual transmission. It was such a great car. But the engine was so tiny that it took forever to get up to speed. The interior was a bit softened up with more rounded corners in the 1990 Tercel than in this one. But the exterior styling was pretty much the same. I loved that car. This video brings back a lot of great memories.

[@john5389]

Agree with your comment. My first car was a 1980 Tercel coupe, with an aftermarket rag top and aluminum honeycomb wheels! Man, still miss that car, probably still on the road!!

[@fernandorocha8459]

Great car is Toyota Tercel

[@fernandorocha901]

Toyota Tercel is great and nice small little car

[@manthony225]

80's Toyotas 😍😍😍

[@Wolf1979]

Growing up my brother and I shared a 1987 Toyota Tercel coupe and it got us through high school and college and sold it to a family friend after my brother and bought our own cars. Good car!

[@timsouttahere]

My aunt had one of these. She drove that car until the early 2000's 😂

[@SalgueroEK]

Thanks for this video, my first car was a 1990 Tercel DX (Coupe) i purchased the JDM front clip and i still have it

[@dinocracchiolo1006]

A time in American where people actually lived within mean’s,emphasis in design was practically, value. Unlike today.

[@Office97]

Practicality;value

[@oreally8605]

Great 👍 point.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

True.

[@alextube1101]

Bruh a new civic is 36k base model in the driveway. Capitalism has run amok. The only segment where this is true is mercedesbenz which go out at 76% negative equity, zero down high interest. That's astonishing.

[@believein1]

Your comment was sobering and true.

[@LearnAboutFlow]

You'd never guess it, but these cars really are a blast to drive.

[@positively_broad_st3780]

I had an '89 blue 2 door Tercel coupe. Bought it brand new coming out of high school and kept it for eight years. Decent car with not too many issues. Definitely got me hooked on Toyota for reliability...

[@JDYOUNGEARTH777]

Parents bought an 85 wagon when I was 10 in 1990 and they took all 5 of us on many road trips across provinces

[@veecee6786]

I had a 4wd wagon and it was unstoppable. got me in and out of a lot of trouble

[@davidaubin3902]

3:59 John: WHY ISN’T THERE A TACHOMETER ON A CAR THAT’S JUST GOTTEN A BIG BOOST IN PERFORMANCE? LOL

[@gregg9672]

I owned one there was very little performance..God forbid if u had the automatic

[@blackericdenice]

A girl I knew had an 89 Tercel with a 4 speed. When 4 of us was in the car. We had to turn off the a/c for the thing to gain speed from a take off. When she shift to 2nd. We would hit the a/c button button.

[@gavinvalentino6002]

I'm gonna go get the papers get the papers.

[@dreamer40]

This video brings me back to Doug and Carrie's station wagon on early seasons of King of Queens!

[@Jose_hernandez970]

There was an episode that showed how the Tercel was sold to Spence and Doug purchased their first 2nd generation Jeep Grand Cherokee from a shyster salesman. Later on, the 2nd generation Jeep Grand Cherokee became a 3rd generation Grand Cherokee with no explanation.

[@dreamer40]

@@Jose_hernandez970 Oh yes, I do remember that silver Jeep he bought to replace it without Carrie knowing. I've been going back watching old episodes on Peacock. My favorite sitcom of that era for sure!

[@theKevronHarris]

@@Jose_hernandez970 yes. I remember another episode from season 1 which is probably a Christmas episode in which their Toyota Tercel station wagon had broke down at some point. Carrie's father, Arthur, had given them a "douchenberger" car for Christmas which is actually an Austin Mini Cooper.

[@gavinvalentino6002]

Was theirs brown? I think I remember clear shots of it in the garage.

[@Jose_hernandez970]

@@gavinvalentino6002 yes it was.

[@Peppermint1]

1:25 "It's sporty now with crisp lines" Pure 80s look indeed

[@R777-RLM]

Thanks for these '80's reviews. I stumbled on MotorWeek a few years before getting my license. It was the coolest thing but I never knew when it was going to be on, so I missed most of these episodes. That seemed like a special time for cars. They were finally beginning to improve after the 1970's, of which MotorWeek surely played a part.

[@jimmyjimjims7483]

Just a few years later the 16 valve 7AFE would debut and would arguably become the most reliable engine ever designed by Toyota. These particular Tercels were great cars, the later ones had transmission issues if you had the auto

[@kamrankhan-lj1ng]

A normal, non violent gear shift demo!!! May be the first and only time ever on MW!

[@pedrofernandez8729]

Back when Motorweek featured cars that people could afford and not only ones that the rich like they do now.

[@Kingsoupturbo]

It seems like every review these days is for a luxury SUV or 100,000$+ electric car, post covid though even honda Civic's are quite high in price.

[@pedrofernandez8729]

@@thomasrudy6132 They're pushing an agenda, they're part of the PBS system, after all. The rest of us slobs will have to resort to used Toyota Corollas or e bikes.

[@SnarkyRC]

​@@Kingsoupturbo Yep. Lots of greed in the car industry.

[@dohc1067]

I didn't know theTercel handled that well. Great braking performance for sure. My choice would be the 4 door and maybe the automatic. All we have now is the Mirage and Rio.

[@1Rolinha]

I can attest to its handling. My first car was a ‘90 coupe. It handled even better once I slammed it on better tires lol

[@trainglen22]

Sad but true.

[@444mopar]

Automatic at that time was probably a 3 speed. Giving up two gears would have made that car one heck of a dog!

[@1Rolinha]

@@444mopar I know! I was so happy to have a 5 spd

[@COYGunners]

Rio is surprisingly good

[@robertarmstrong905]

Somewhere at a Walmart a Tercel is parked while the owner is getting groceries. It will be serving for another 10 years.

[@jasonlieu5379]

Back in 2000 I had a 1987 Toyota Tercel 2-door with a hatchback barebones manual transmission no options I remember three of us used to drive around and smoke blunts in the car LOL needless to say it was a great car

[@snowleopardgarage]

Its kinda neat. Wouldn't daily drive it. Would probably make some crazy bosozoku thing out of it, all the while making it feel more like a cruiser and less like a cubical.

[@gavinvalentino6002]

*derp*

[@qmto]

Engine actually sounds pretty good.

[@joec1774]

Man, does that 3E engine just sing in so many of these shots. 11 seconds is no power house in today's day and age, but 35 years ago that was damn solid... especially with these mpgs. Also, this was a rare Toyota 3-valve engine. Most often Toyota went right to 4 valves.

[@dkt1976dt]

I remember seeing these everywhere back in the day, they were basic transportation for people on a budget.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Boy we’ve come a long ways in the automotive industry! Still a cute boxy car! Onlist the gas mileage was great!

[@trainglen22]

This actually makes sense. Wishing that they would make small cars again. Hint Ford, GM, Hyundai, Stellantis and Toyota

[@Mikeb-NH]

My parents bought an 87 Tercel in October 1986 because they needed a second car. Even with the 4 speed it was painfully slow but it lasted with minimal problems until 2002. The worse part was my Dad almost bought a used 84 Corolla SR5. 😢

[@theKevronHarris]

The JDM version of the 1980s Toyota Tercel had a canvas sunroof as an option. Plus, the sport version had retractable pop up headlights and a body kit.

[@valenciah3690]

5:10 WOW! I bought a brand new 86 Chevy Chevette sometime in late 1986 thinking it was the least expensive new car I could buy as a 16 year old junior in high school, I paid a little over $6k for it with virtually no options from what I remember, 4 speed transmission with no A/C or power steering , but it did have an FM radio which I believe was extra cost - Now almost 40 years later I find out this Tercel cost almost $500 less.

[@walterrojas1075]

Adjusted for inflation in 2020…. That’s equivalent to $24500 in 2020… $26700 in 2022. There are still plenty of cars around for that price, Impreza, civic, Corolla, Elantra, Kia Soul, Kona, Mazda 3. Now a days you just get way more power and convenience. Most of these cars should make it well past 150k miles. Those cars were great in their day, but who wants a car now a days that does 0-60 in 11 seconds. I should know, I recently bought a 2007 Honda Fit for commuting. Between driving my F150 and my wife’s car with a turbo, that Fit is gutless, but is it fuel efficient. Averaging 37 MPG combined.

[@jonp9654]

First time I heard him not complaining about tercel lacking of voltmeter. 😅

[@believein1]

The era of fastback Civics and Tercels

[@christianocampos158]

I really like the design of these, too bad they've mostly completely disappeared at this point

[@blue_lancer_es]

Toyota milked this platform to the ground. This chassis was used for the next 2 tercel gens. Thats impresive.

[@sgrant9814]

I miss cars with windows you can see out of.....

[@BirdJesus_]

Oh man I learned how to drive a manual in this car!

[@rabit818]

I don’t recall seeing a wagon Tercel in LA. The wagon looks good

[@donsummers5678]

neighbor still driving one.

[@brettcannon74]

My dad bought an 87 1/2 EZ model. Talk about no fills. It was dependable.

[@gavinvalentino6002]

The 4-speed! You *know* it's budget when they take away the metal & materials for the 5th gear the others have.

[@danmccarthy4700]

I can't remember the last time I saw one of these.

[@Jose_hernandez970]

I’m in Northeast Arizona and the last time I saw one was an old Indian dude loading up cases of Budweiser into the hatch. I’m a 30 year master mechanic I can’t remember ever putting a wrench on one. I asked him how it’s treated him all these years and he said he only drives it from the Reservation to the corner store once a month and he’s still got the original brakes. I didn’t know whether to be amazed or scared for the other drivers on the road.

[@Almighty_cornholio]

I'm thinking about getting a tercel! That's a Toyota!

[@andre_boulet_guitar]

Hey, it was my first car (3 doors) besides it was a 1989, white with manual. 😉

[@Diecastjoe]

80’s Yaris

[@toyotaprius79]

When a small car meant something. Not what Americans think of small cars, being a Prius or Subaru Outback

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

You make a valid point. Anything smaller than a full size truck or suv is too small for my large frame.

[@johnreitz5676]

Toyota (and other companies) make and sell cars in India for less than $7500.00.

[@patricknesbitt4003]

@@johnreitz5676 But don’t get into an accident in one of those especially the Tata Nano which supposedly is the cheapest car in the world. A collision with a fully loaded shopping cart would probably be fatal.😸

[@johnreitz5676]

@@patricknesbitt4003 They stopped making the Nano in 2018....4 years ago. Safety is always a relative thing. Even a Renault Kwid, which starts at less than $5000.00 is safer than most any car made 25 years ago.

[@mmm3ike]

0-60 in 11s? Lol, for a second I thought 11 seconds was for quarter miles…I was like that’s quick lol

[@PhillyDee215]

Throwback

[@realazduffman]

Almost $27,000 in 2022 dollars. Quite high for an econobox

[@runoflife87]

At least it was a good econobox, not POS Chevette or Escort.

[@rahimi4762]

Bought the price of a fully loaded econobox now

[@new2000car]

Wow that's a lot! But the base model was 40% lower, more like $16,000 in today's dollars.

[@ROBinJVILLE]

@@runoflife87 dude the escort was legendary

[@runoflife87]

@@ROBinJVILLE 1st gen US Escort? Are you kidding me? Yet another victim of American engineering. The 2nd one was OK thought, but it was bascally a Mazda.

[@patricknesbitt4003]

If Toyota had a crystal ball they would have seen how terrible the first Korean cars (yes you, Hyundai Excel) were and the fact that most of them never seemed to last more than 3 or 4 years.

[@jodiwright4920]

Been a Motorweek fan since you started. One thing, I really like your retro marathons…. I just find it hard to watch for that long. Is there anyway you could leave it on your channel to be watched when you want?

[@dancarlton7973]

I once saw a Toyota Starlet back in 2007. it was a tiny car with rear-wheel drive.

[@marshalmagooo3899]

Still see them running 35 years later including the 4wd wagon. FAR superior to the Excel and worth the extra $. Loved the old Terdcels

[@nublafiednubbie]

I had The Hatchback But Some Dumb Drunk Fak Smashed it Outside The House...i Bought a 97 Tercel Just Cuz It'll Last Me Forever 💖😍❤😍💖

[@babywah3290]

When you shut the door, the ceiling would reverberate.

[@boostedcrxvids]

I’ve heard of this car,it actually has/had 4 wheel steering!

[@gavinvalentino6002]

*Nope, not even.*

[@boostedcrxvids]

@@gavinvalentino6002 Not even what?

[@oreally8605]

I loved mine! Bought it used and rusted for $700. I drove it until the axle broke. Called it "Rattle trap" reliable as can be.

[@krisking07]

my first car i loved it but it did rust into dust before your eyes.

[@igglybiggly6951]

Reliable but deathtraps in accidents....Crazy how much safer cars got after this period with the mass introduction of seatbelt pretensioners, anti lock brakes and airbags technologies

[@scott9050]

I learned to drive a stick in one of these by an ex girlfriend that had it. That was in 1990 or so.

[@RushLimpball]

What is the Original Air Date on this car? All the other Retro Reviews have an Original Air Date in the info section. Thanks!

[@gavinvalentino6002]

Yes, it was but then again maybe, one way or others, slatfatf.

[@murraymadness4674]

LOL, "sporty" appearance? I have a 90 2-door hatchback I bought for $60 to make a racecar. I got a mx3 instead, but kept this rare gem to make it a tesla killer EV. What is really awesome about these cars is the hatchback opens up with a full 4ft wide opening, so you could actually load in a 4x8 sheet of plywood into the back. Try that on any other small car.

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

I had an '87 Tercel 2 door hatch. My AC never worked correctly when new.

[@gavinvalentino6002]

Only when used, then?

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

@@gavinvalentino6002 new and later used

[@jeffreyscott5799]

I miss affordable for the working class car without all of that electronics to break and be expensive to repair.

[@biruktekalign2397]

YESSSSSS!!!! Finalllllyyyyyyy

[@gregg9672]

I owned one of these years ago and let me tell you it had the worst carburetor I can ever remember right up there with the Plymouth Horizon carburetor when it started acting up you were just screwed

[@johnreitz5676]

Toyota tried a couple of recalls to try and fix the carb. Bad design. The only solution was fuel injection.

[@positively_broad_st3780]

Only problem I had was that I had to replace the distributor cap twice, but it was a cheap, easy fix. Other than that I had no real problems for the eight years I owned mine...

[@stangotisan9297]

Bring $10,000 cars back🙏🏼

[@smoguli]

10,000$ back then is the equivalent of 27,000$ in today’s money. When you look at all the equipment and refinement of current cars, they’re cheap. You can buy a Chevrolet spark for 13,000$, and it has a lot more standard equipment and is much safer than this old Tercel

[@maxsinger3526]

@@smoguli thank god someone who gets this. A Chevy spark is also able to keep up with traffic and you aren't the crumple zones in it. These econoboxes were good... 30 years ago

[@Blakecryderman7244]

@@smoguli I know quite a few people who’ve survived crashes in old 80’s Toyotas. The 1988-92 Corolla was the best one. My dad’s friend has a 2016 Nissan Micra S, Manual transmission👍, only a Canadian car. Brand new it cost only $9,995 Canadian. Going on almost 7 years, it’s still running like brand new. The manual transmission is very fun to drive. I enjoy shifting manual in a car on the slower end instead of a 400 horsepower automatic transmission car doing it all for me. A Chevy Spark won’t last 300,000 miles like an old Tercel. Reliability is non-existent anymore. I’ve seen those old 80’s & early 90’s Toyotas with 300,000 miles, a couple with even more than that. If my dad’s friends Nissan Micra was automatic, it wouldn’t be reliable, horrible Jatco automatic. Stick shift, no problem, gonna outlast most parts on the car.

[@stricken1666]

ill take the tercel fully loaded for 10k any day over the 88' BMW for 50 grand. I dont understand why theyre saying its expensive.

[@AmraphelofShinar]

Jeez, John really ripped this car a new one. "This is America. We want all the doo-dads for the price we want to pay." Now, after thirty years, the car companies are telling the consumers what THEY want them to buy. We barely get a choice. "Oh, you want a sedan? Sorry, we only sell SUV's now. You're out of luck." It's like being in some Soviet controlled Eastern European country. "Here's your new Volga. Enjoy."

[@needleontherecord]

Thanks Beth

[@pmafterdark]

Original air date please?

[@salazmiguel5542]

No matter what Toyota makes it's always reliable , too bad in America they are not allowed to sell diesel vehicles.

[@njmarcin6941]

i am waiting for camry 1gen

[@TYAC_TPE_SF-Bay]

So where can I buy one new?

[@rookietoprobuildz]

2:22 😬that's some slow times. The gas mileage is a win + the price.

[@zillsburyy1]

watch GUNG HO (1986)

[@milfordcivic6755]

Those were 1985 Fiats in that movie. FIAT=Fix It Again Tomorrow

[@Doc1855]

I bought an 87 Tercel 2dr coupe new. Sadly 45 days later it was totaled. The hatchback was butt ugly

[@Courtney1992]

If it broke down you could actually fix it on the side of the road.

[@tyrinjoyce]

Wow 2023 Honda HR-V has the same 0-60 time 😅🤣

[@TheSenrab]

I own a 1994 Tercel! I love the car but its been giving me issues

[@Blakecryderman7244]

@Senrab what kind of issues? Any 28 year old car will have some minor problems, just about how many quirks do you want to live with? Are these just minor livable issues or else

[@Tom-cp6yj]

Um ya, it's a '94! do you realize it's '22 now?

[@muziklvr7776]

@@Tom-cp6yj 22 years ago was 2001, try 29 years ago.

[@Billy420-69]

I had one of these that got about 40 MPG. I wish I never sold it.

[@jonp9654]

$10,602 the $2 made a lot of difference. 🙄

[@rfdsdf1]

I bet plenty of these are still on the road...really feel sorry for anyone who bought those early hyundai vehicles.

[@EndeavorsDnB]

“Sporty” 😋🤔

[@Andrew-zs5tc]

The 1987 Tercel had fine performance with 78 hp, 11.3 second 0-60, 31/38mpg, and an as tested price of $10,602 in 1987 dollars which would be $27,812 in 2022. The base 2023 Corolla with 169 hp, 8 seconds 0-60, 32/40mpg, all of the connivence features missing from the Tercel plus most luxury features of any car from 1987 and safety features not imagined in 1987 and starting price of $21,500. It is a shame the the press always focuses on the price of vehicles going up, when in fact, they have gone down relative to earnings and other prices. What has gone up is the type of vehicle people are buying.

[@mervinprone]

Even back then, Japanese cars starting to get a little pricy..

[@albear972]

3:58 For the love of god! Why? Why? Why? isn't there a *tachometer* to count your massive 16 horsepower increase from 62hp to 78hp! Unacceptable!

[@danmccarthy4700]

If you ask me, any car with a manual transmission should have a tach. 🤷‍♂

[@oldtwinsna8347]

No oil pressure or voltmeter gauges as well, totally unacceptable.

[@johnnymason2460]

I would consider the 1993 Tercel with its driver-side airbag and optional anti-lock brakes. This one? Not so much.

[@Abraxium]

You've heard of the Toyota Tercel, now get ready for Isuzu Incel

[@Jose_hernandez970]

Not to be confused with the Isuzu Infidel, the preferred vehicle of the Taliban.

[@성태김-c1w]

Toyota Tercel

[@tinhinnh]

they like the word japanese back then

[@bghoody5665]

Jesse Pinkman would approve. And the Koreans (as well as everyone else) are still playing catch up with the Japanese.

[@larsonmarkov1699]

these things are dangerously slow

[@ohhgeez865]

Cars used to be cool