zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
For $3,500, Tercelibrate Good Times, Come On!
For $3,500, Tercelibrate Good Times, Come On!-May 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:10:10

A turbo on a Tercel may temper that model's tendency for torpidity, and today's Toyota does claim two hundred and forty three ponies at the tires. Will its price however, be worth taking a vow of Tercelibacy?

Did you rock the vote yesterday? I mean, if you're an American citizen and not a convicted felon where that obviates your ability to cast a ballot, did you do your civic duty? One would hope so. One - or perhaps many - might also hope that you took the time yesterday to vote on the massive and limited-function . If you did, you have a 67% chance of having voted that six door behemoth to a Crack Pipe loss. Maybe yesterday's other losers might like to take this on their drive of shame, as after all, misery loves company.

Today is election day in the US of A, and along with deciding our nation's direction for the next…

You know what company doesn't love misery, but does seem to have an inclination for misery cars? If you said Suzuki, you're in the wrong article pal, that was yesterday and the Suz is as dead here in the States as a campaign promise. No, what we're talking about is Toyota, and this was once one of the most misery of fuel sippers. So much so in fact that it was proper to fuel it whilst extending your pinky finger and supping on crustless sammies.

But not this badass Tercel. Instead of frugality, this turbocharged Toyota rocks tire-melting frivolity. That is of course if you are to believe the seller's claim of 248-BHP shaking hands with the front wheels. That's at 19 psi, a pressure that's pretty much guaranteed to ensure an engine life akin to that of a fruit fly, but even at a less daunting 12 pounds, the tiny 1,497-cc DOHC four is said to magically produce more than 200 ponies. The seller doesn't say so, but I'd imagine putting your foot in it would torque steer this thing into the nearest parallel parker. Don't try this at home, kids!

That pressure cooker of an engine is attached to a 5-speed stick, and while Toyota gearboxes are generally known for their robustness, you know that neither it nor the Tercel's toothpick-thin halfshafts are going to put up with that kind of abuse. Fortunately the ad notes the car has been dropped an inch on its Eibach springs, so should anything let go, it won't have too far to fall.

The rest of the car is your basic Tercel four-door, with reverse cop car two-tone paint and iced rear lenses. Inside it's a sea of grey plastic, but looks eminently serviceable. A pair of add-on gauges appear screwed to the dash cap rather than the more typical and up-market A-pillar mounting, but that just keeps it in line with the overall Big Lots appeal of the Tercel.

Mileage is a surprisingly low 50K - these cars are usually rock solid reliable and rarely do you see them with so few miles under their tires. Those tires are mounted on a buffet of wheels, one of the sporty ones the seller says being cracked and not fit for mounting. That's okay because this car cries out for bare steelies and some seriously off-brand rubber.

Cheap-fast is usually a good combo, and while the seller says he has over eleven large invested in this Tercel, he wisely isn't attempting to recoup that all. Instead he's asking $3,500 to put you in the driver's seat, and it's now time for you to weigh in on if he should get that. What's your take on that price for this hotted-up Tercel? Has the seller hit a sweet spot pricing it there? Or, would that price have you telling the seller to go to Terce-hell?

You decide!

or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to Matt Hardigee for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOCP. Click to send a me a fixed-price tip, and remember to include your commenter handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
Why Do Automakers Offer Rebates For Cars That Aren't Available?
Why Do Automakers Offer Rebates For Cars That Aren't Available?
As Jalopnik’s resident car-buying expert and a professional car shopper, I get emails. Lots of emails. I’ve picked a few of your questions and will try to help out. This week we are discussing factory rebates for cars that are impossible to find and avoiding a flooded car. “Reaching...
May 6, 2025
2021 Mustang Mach-E Recalled Due to Risk Of Roof Falling Off
2021 Mustang Mach-E Recalled Due to Risk Of Roof Falling Off
It must be tough to build electric cars. Nearly a year after the first reports of a Tesla Model Y on the highway, Ford is recalling thousands of Mustang Mach-E crossovers for similar glass-related issues. Ford has issued visible through Transit Canada, concerning the adhesive used in the roof...
May 6, 2025
Destroy Your Foes And Everything Else In Your Path With This High-Speed Tracked Vehicle
Destroy Your Foes And Everything Else In Your Path With This High-Speed Tracked Vehicle
Do you have an army of haters that make your commute a headache? Do you wish that you could drive through basically anything? Well, might have just what you need as a 2020 Howe & Howe Ripsaw EV3-F4 luxury super tank is up for grabs. Yes, you read that...
May 6, 2025
Ford Dealers Are Hitting Bronco Reservation Holders With Last Minute Markups
Ford Dealers Are Hitting Bronco Reservation Holders With Last Minute Markups
With owners finally starting to pick up their Broncos from dealers, some are being faced with an unfortunate situation. Dealers are springing markups on buyers at the very last minute, sometimes mere days before their vehicles are scheduled to arrive at dealers. Rory spotted the above tweet from our...
May 6, 2025
At $30,900, Is This 2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe With Modest Mileage A Marvelous Deal?
At $30,900, Is This 2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe With Modest Mileage A Marvelous Deal?
When looking for German sports cars of a certain age, most people go straight to Stuttgart. That’s too bad since cars like today’s Z4 M Coupe can give its contemporary Porsche competitors a run for their money. Let’s see how much money that takes to do that. What is...
May 6, 2025
The 2022 Infiniti Q50 Might Just Be The Oldest Looking Car You Can Still Buy New
The 2022 Infiniti Q50 Might Just Be The Oldest Looking Car You Can Still Buy New
What’s the oldest looking new car on sale in America? Not the oldest car, mind you, but the oldest looking one? The kind of car you find yourself following on the highway, thinking “that’s in really excellent condition for such an old , its owner must be really dedicated,”...
May 6, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved