1996 Toyota Tercel Review - The Importance Of Being Present.

[@michaeld2799md]

To the owner of the car, I would love to see the VIN because if this is the same Tercel that was my childhood car I’m pretty sure I’ll cry tears of joy 😭😭😭 that gash on the left door panel is exactly how my car was when I got rid of it. For years i’ve looked up the car and it’s still driving around even to this day.

[@michaeld2799md]

Edit: I watched the video and I stand with you completely on driving under the influence. I’ve also lost friends to DUIs both in and out of a car. It’s sad to see the car took another hit but I’m extremely happy to see it on the road still. Still can’t 100% confirm if this was our car without the Vin. But I have a good feeling with the cracked vent and the ash marks on the light dial 😂😂

[@valiantviktor]

Considering you have the make, model, year, and location it's very possible you could use some VIN lookup tool.

[@michaeld2799md]

@@valiantviktor I’ve tried a few times over the years but for some reason I wasn’t able to find any info on the car after it left NY state.

[@vado575]

​@@michaeld2799mdi am the current owner.. The car was originally from Oregon and weaseled its way to Illinois.. The gash on the door u mention was from the DUI accident whiched happened a month before the video was taken

[@Rocket-s9g]

JT2AC52L8T0186920 Use Vinwiki

[@raymond_sycamore]

Toyota needs to make cars like this again. Not $30,000 Camry's....

[@bid84]

Be thankful, the same Camry costs $45k here in Europe

[@davinp]

the smallest car they make is the Corolla for just over $20,000

[@richardepstein3494]

@@raymond_sycamore unfortunately, I think the days of cars like the Tercel and Fit and Mirage are just a memory...

[@davinp]

They made the Yaris until 2021. Cars smaller then the Corolla don't sell well in USA which is why manufactures have stopped these smaller sub-compact cars in America

[@theeoddments960]

I think America is finally starting to realize they’re high on their own fumes again and need to cut back on the 6,000 pound 60,000 dollar trucks…

[@highlycaffeinated6864]

Zach the only guy out there who has reviewed an Aston Martin Vantage and a 1996 Toyota Tercel within 2 weeks of each other. This is why I love this channel.

[@Tofu_Casserole]

This is unironically my favorite review of yours. It felt like you were comfortable and having fun the whole time.

[@lloutubeunperrito]

Here in south America this car is really appreciated, known for the reliability. Also a 2 door one would turn car guys crazy here.

[@nolahahnshouse3389]

I owned a 1997 one of these back in the day and I love it! No power steering and one side view mirror, and that little thing was not fast but very nimble God I miss those days

[@chrislail8378]

When I was a kid, my great grandmother was an old German woman from Germany pre world war II and she bought this car new when I was less than a year old and she had it until the day she died in 2014. The car was always reliable and seeing this review does my heart Good. It's the most nostalgic car in the world for me. Thank you

[@nathanjoseph4284]

0:09 I love that clip of the door shaking after the Big Friggin' Bottle was thrown at it!

[@djkenny1202]

These are easy to rebuild. They don’t necessarily hold up as well as the Corolla, but very cheap to repair and rebuild that engine.

[@TheZProtocol]

The last gen Tercel is almost the ultimate econobox. If only they came in hatchback, it would have been perfect.

[@southernfriedshenanigans3639]

I remember one of the commercials for the Tercel saying it had “BMW styling” and it actually does kind of resemble the styling of the 318ti. The main difference is, a BMW subjected to the kind of torture this Tercel has seen, would definitely not still be on the road today! Way to go little Tercel!

[@jimkanellakos4699]

These were everywhere until about 15 yrs when they started rusting out. Great review. Thanks Zack.

[@ReverendJasper]

I had the previous generation with the 4-speed. The second gear was a little taller than the one on the 5-speed, and the third gear split the difference between 3-4. Top gear was an overdrive, same across both manual transmissions. You could start from a stop in 2nd, and ride it all the way up to 50 mph. All winter, 32mpg with oxygenated fuel. Summer was a solid 38mpg. Great car!

[@RobsNeighbor]

Love it! The tank of my era. Thank you Zach

[@ShepherdsChapelonYT]

I've owned three of these the last two were four-speed manuals unfortunately people keep hitting me and destroying my cars I got the guts up and got another one play $1,000 had front end damage but it has been taken care of by a car rental agency that took it to the dealer for every interval it's got automatic with overdrive 147,000 MI that doesn't burn a drip of oil and has air conditioning. To me these are the best cars ever made except for the 3-speed automatic you really need the overdrive. The manuals are the best though turn all you have to do is change the clutch plate

[@rightlanehog3151]

Bring back the Tercel!!!!!!!

[@ShepherdsChapelonYT]

I'm waiting for this like I'm waiting for Mall Cop 3

[@bummiewill2616]

makes me think of my 96 f150. it has been ran hot, made it 25 miles on just water with a bad water pump, been hit at 50 mph and still was running and i drove it the next day, has a bent frame but still drives pretty straight, and after all of that i still can drive it just about anywhere. It has been in my family since day one and driven by both my parents and almost all my grandparents.

[@ProtoType99468]

my car pool partner had a mid 90's tercel 5 speed manual and we had a 42 mile trip to work - excellent gas sipper

[@bukkageisha2313]

my dream car

[@JimW_4201]

I had the DX model (deluxe) 4 door sedan in high school and some of college. Drove it to Canada back to NM, it was so reliable and intrepid. Then I plowed through a brick wall going 80+ mph and walked away. It saved my life.

[@owentomlinson8045]

Loved this video my first car was a 96 Tercel DX coupe with the three speed automatic it was such a great little car.

[@moderateminneapolita]

The extra rotor is a nice touch.

[@vaultofnoah3903]

Ah yes, the Tercel, the car that carried me for many years. My mom had one of these and it is the childhood car for me. It was an automatic, green, I don’t think I ever got to sit in the front seat cause my sister got into an accident with it.

[@extralock1045]

Thanks for the video Zach! I want a Tercel now. But I don't need one. I also want an Echo, but don't need one. They are cars that are always there for you.

[@GeeEm1313]

Zack, no. My dad's 96 base model Corolla didn't have a clock. But it had adjustable front seat belt anchors lol.

[@ThePatente]

You're 100% right. I had a 1994 one. Not fun, not good looking, too small, Slow, etc...... But damn... .... Got this thing in 2001, with 298 000 km for 1500$... ... Got that thing until 2007. 559 100 km on the counter... ... NEVER CHANGED NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!! But gas, oil and Windshield Washer fluid. Incredible.

[@U.S.S.SOUTHSIDE]

There's a Reason why cars AND trucks from the late 20th century are increasing in value!! Fixing up my '91 Ford Escort Pony is on my bucket list!!😎Only 127k miles! Yeah, Zack, in college I was the designated driver & I got 3 in the front and Five More in back after a House Party. I Seriously doubt I could do that today!!😁

[@maxeluy]

My country is full of 90s Toyotas, they are still going, and you never seen one on the side of the road with the hood open.

[@etw5600x]

4:03 love the slo mo guys music 😆

[@dave11686]

Crazy that it’s got a 4 speed

[@igormac88]

this might be the only car in existance with airbags and a factory 4 speed manual 😆

[@markhealey9409]

😂😂

[@HondaRider137]

Lmao 😂

[@GeeEm1313]

Toyota cheaped put during this era, and I never understood why. You had to pay $63 for a right hand outside mirror in the base Tercel. My dad had a base 96 Corolla, and that was BASE. No clock, no mirror controls. You had to adjust them with your thumb. With a tape player, AC, and a flimsy center console, as well as a 3 speed automatic, it cost almost 16 grand! I know there was dollar-yen conversion due to Japan's recession, but still.

[@komahoby]

Had one of these as a winter beater a few years back. Bought for $700 at 296k miles, took work trips in it for 10k miles, then a cylinder lost compression and threw a rod at 306k. I couldn't really complain. Sold it to the yard for $350. Was a great little beater.

[@insid3493]

Life lesson with zach in a 90s Toyota crapbox. Its these 90s toyota crapboxes that bring out so much emotion in us for some reason. No idea why but there just special, no matter how boring they are, they will always make me feel something special

[@HondaRider137]

That’s such a badass car. Keep the oil topped off and drive it til it’s one with the earth again. Thanks, toyota

[@robertvance1873]

My best friend from school was ran over on his bicycle, on his Birthday By a Drunk Driver R.I.P. Mark Lutz 😢

[@vado575]

Zack we also appreciate you!

[@karoltakisobie6638]

I still see this and previous generation of tercel on roads in and around Toronto. Very sturdy and long lasting car.

[@herniagaming]

Really nice basic styling, i reckon theyd be pretty fun to zip around in with manual as well

[@Foxonian]

Toyota was one of the first auto manufactures to offer a 5-speed in the mid-70's. But those were for its real wheel drive cars though. Toyota did develop a 5-speed transaxle transmission for its front wheel drive cars that debuted in the Corolla a few years earlier.

[@new2000car]

This year Tercel had an optional 5 speed. You had to move up from the CE to the Dx (or whatever was a step up).

[@jeremiahallyn4603]

The old Turdcel. In high school, one of my friends had one, and we drove the wheels off that little car. Good memories 😂✌️

[@Mr_Hillbilly_weeb]

My buddy's had 3 of these 2 manuals, one automatic and he loves them, but they are not big boy friendly. But they were both 5 speeds.He's never had a 4 speed

[@XenomorphLV426]

I learned manual with a 96 Tercel Blackhawk edition. It never broke down. Miss that car.

[@nathanguimond79]

I own a 96 tercel super base model. It has no clock no cup holders no ac. 4 speed manual. I still own it i got it in high school. We used to fit 5 in it. 4 6 foot guys and a 5 5 guy it was horrible but amazing memories with it

[@ModelA]

What a hooptie!! I don't feel bad sending you out in my LBZ Chevy truck anymore

[@watchingitallhere]

I cannot wait to see this car on the road. Driving 40 in a 55 by a "new driver" to this country.

[@gaufrid1956]

In Australia, the only Toyota Tercel that was sold was a 4x4 wagon back in the late eighties, I think. They were quirky, and my late wife and I liked them, but we never owned one.

[@michaelcoffey7362]

I saw one in Asheville today, good video 😊

[@VictorRodriguez-cg1kg]

I have the same car but in a four door configuration, came with a 2E carbureted engine with a 3 speed auto trans.(for third world countries) which I swapped for a 4E turbo engine. No airbags, but power steering and air conditioning from factory. Love the car. 2 doors were mainly US spec cars, you do get to see a few here but all of them were four door new here.

[@bb_lz9790]

My memories of Tercels involve hating how the front wheel wells intruded on the area where my big feet go.

[@pobrelalo1]

Next level awesome Zach. Love the video.

[@johninama585]

I test drove one of these - same year - when I went with my mom to the dealer, where she bought a RAV4 (she still has it). I was young and poor but I wish I would've bought one at the time. The one I drove was a 5-speed manual, though. Still just as basic.

[@Abraxium]

Tercel: When the Corolla isn't your lowest. Were these sold in Europe? I've never seen any outside of North America. PS: Sold in Sweden as the Toyota 4WD for 4 mere years.

[@markhealey9409]

Late 70s & 80s Tersels were sold in Britain...hatchbacks & esates/wagons, mostly,but I think that they might have sold saloons/sedans here,also...can't remember for sure...haven't seen one in ages!

[@darwinmichel2087]

🤣 You totaled the car with the big frickin bottle test. 😂 He can do an insurance claim. Buy it back. Drive it.

[@STRIDER_503]

I... didn't know there's a coupe model up to this point! 🤯

[@ZeroBlackfire]

Your synopsis on the Tercel is how I feel about my corolla (almost to a T) I pulled it off the back of a wrecker for 200 dollars. The previous owner had ran it till "It wouldnt start no more." Some trouble shooting 150 additional dollars, a timing belt and new cap and rotor, and thats been almost 5 years ago. Its so clapped out it might as well be a standing ovation. Someone targeted my car stole my whole exhaust (Converter thieves) chopped it off the down pipe and just walked away.... Even after all that. It still starts.....and as im on my way to work I fully expect it to start and get me there.

[@Dankcatvacs]

When i drove one i thought it was quite zippy Oh that's barely a scratch Most of the car is in nice shape

[@sneakerfreak2002]

At the time, Tercel was an expensive economy car and it was built to the same standard as a Lexus. I owned one for 4 trouble free years I’m proud to say.

[@BlackPanther-oo4zj]

My 1st new car.

[@luigi55125]

4 speed? Good god, even the Festiva had 5.

[@aenoymotors]

Best friend you can ever have is a dog.

[@julianc.6589]

CCF put me on I'm glad they did

[@mvlachi]

I had a 95. 4 speed same exact spec, but it was white. Only car I’ve ever had that threw a rod, that being said when I bought it, it was “freshly rebuilt” fast forward a couple months, it was using a couple quarts of oil per tank of gas. It went 20k like that… lol and it drove its self into the flat bed. In hindsight I should have slapped a used motor in it and rode out. Body was mint

[@robertvance1873]

Certain Years were badged Corolla Tercel and my cousin had one it was a little bit of a pain when you had to order parts because part numbers were listed under one or the other, not sure why they did that.

[@leoscaremporium2007]

I'm glad you brought up driving under the influence. It's a problem up here in North Dakota/Minnesota. I've known people who've passed due to drunk drivers. If you drive drunk AT ALL, even once, you should lose your license and have to PROVE your sobriety before even being able to think about getting your license back.

[@davechadwick5692]

please do the l30 gen tercel next

[@jdmandsuch6739]

Yeahyuhhh! This one should be nice. Had a friend with one of these that just burned a quart of oil every month, and was held together by the only remaining mount that wouldn't come off... motor would shake a due to the mount situation, but at 290k it wouldn't die. Had a/c too.

[@adamsonscoolfeaturesincars2011]

03:55 BIG FRIGGIN BOTTLE FAIL!!!

[@davinp]

Mechanics call the Tercel the "turdcel" The Tercel was discontinued in 2003

[@JakeTerch]

Wonder how many times you tried to shift into an imaginary 5th gear!

[@davinp]

Rust is what destroys older Toyota's

[@roryj625]

I saw so many of those on the road when I was a little boy. Back In 2007 a lot of them were still on the road, not too many of them are to be seen today. Down fall was the weak automatic transmissions, As I would call it the turdcel haha

[@danielbilorian2243]

Very economic and reliable , bulletproof , very terrible on wet roads

[@davidsoto7114]

How come ? Because of the short wheel base ?

[@minipandora22]

Damn look at this lil’ box on wheels 😂

[@tinhinnh]

reviewers back then said these look like 3 series

[@richardepstein3494]

That car has amazing longevity! Zach, do you know if it burns oil?

[@vado575]

No it doesmt burn oil..(its my car)

[@XenomorphLV426]

Fun fact: 4spd manual gets better mileage than the 5spd due to its tall final gear

[@triggeredcat120]

I’d pay hood money for a modern day car like this.

[@JoshBeFreeTV]

The fact that your friend said "Hey, throw your bottle at my car" is absolutely awesome 🤣🤣 Be more like Andrew people. I always wanted a manual Toyota Tercel or Echo myself, but was never able to find one in decent condition near me.

[@jasonjd916]

I got one and I smoke alot of car out there doing from 60 thru 95 miles an hours with no problem

[@TaelsDoll]

tercel moment

[@MARTINRIGGSS]

How does this compare to a Corolla of the same year year-ish

[@raymond_sycamore]

Corolla had a bigger engine and 4 doors.

[@lance9800]

fire

[@AbronHawkins]

What? No tach?!

[@kevinW826]

My brother was an alcoholic and would be drinking and driving. Fortunately he never killed anyone and fortunately he cleaned up his act and no longer is an alcoholic.

[@davidp2888]

Basic reliable transportation.

[@nickb5417]

Imagine letting Zach review your car, and not cleaning the trash out first? Lol. Not a big deal

[@billseiler4952]

Toyota just called….its time for a new Toyota

[@jonaha.2431]

Only an auto car you need to worry about your, “big bottle.” You still have to uncrew the cap when you’re driving. If you need to down shift you cant do that trust me i know lol.

[@CoolCalmCollected_offical]

10/10

[@aaroncostello8812]

One of the few Toyota products of the last 30 years that quite honestly didn't have a very good engine.

[@armandoaragon575]

This Tercels are like roaches. They are nearly unkillable and may last more time than us

[@DrClaw77]

8:25 LOL

[@Lexus-Revival-Garage]

5:42 Is that a hookah case? 😂

[@vado575]

No its full of capacitors for a mini induction foundry furnace lol

[@Rumms-Bumms69]

There are two things that survive armageddon: cockroaches and Toyotas.

[@SGCYungSketti]

First

[@cryotasticshitposting]

Nice shirt!

[@killermongo7128]

420 views nice 🦾

[@gaufrid1956]

In Australia, the only Toyota Tercel that was sold was a 4x4 wagon back in the late eighties, I think. They were quirky, and my late wife and I liked them, but we never owned one.