1990 Toyota Tercel Review
Price Estimate: $1,939 - $3,036
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Four-door hatchback model dropped, and two-door Deluxe hatchback axed. Passive restraints added, and automatic transmissions get shift interlock.
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Toyota Tercel Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
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Why Toyota won customer loyalty
3.5 out of 5 starsDoug, 08/28/2010
1990 Toyota Tercel 2dr Coupe
Found this one-owner gem on the internet with 29k miles. My 12th Toyota, 3rd Tercel. Toyota's place in America was won with a simple strategy: make their entry-level cars cheap to buy and keep, and buyers will keep coming back for upscale models. The Tercel exemplified that strategy. Comfortable seats; simple, serviceable drivetrain; straightforward interior (you never need an owner's … manual to figure out how everything works). Smooth runner (tho noise levels high when compared with 20 today's cars)-- and with 76 bhp, you won't be winning any races. 3-spd auto revs high and hurts mileage (28-30 avg), but does the job; it gets you there cheaply, and with just a little bit of fun thrown in too!
1990 tercel coupe goes forever
4.75 out of 5 starsG. Fader, 08/13/2002
1990 Toyota Tercel Deluxe 2dr Coupe
These cars are very reliable, good
mileage. Watch the brakes for frequent
repairs and rust on the back wheel
fenders. A little undercoating and they
go forever. Great engineering. Too bad
they don't put the same quality into
them today!
You can't kill this car!
3.75 out of 5 starsNJmark, 06/09/2002
1990 Toyota Tercel 2dr Coupe
It a little tank...made of thin metal.
You can kill this thing. Great car for
student or when the road are bad and
you just got to get there. Park it in
the Mall with confidence, who cares
about door dings, no one will steal
it. Ours get 36-38 MPG...can't beat it.
Super-Car
5 out of 5 starsMihai, 09/15/2006
1990 Toyota Tercel 2dr Hatchback
This car is the best I've ever had. I abused it in every possible way. Almost never breaks and when it does it's dirt cheap to fix. Tires are $15 new or $6 used. Changed the brakes for $40 at a mechanic. Can't ask for more. You can take it anywhere - even off road. We took it to Oregon and drove 200 miles on unpaved roads and then back to California. Lookwise it's not the best, but I … took it to over 50 dates and I've been far more succesfull [weeding out the bad girls] then when I was driving a gas-guzzler money-eater Pontiac. Toyota costs 9.5 cents/mile for gas, insurance, repairs and loss in car value (including one accident) during my ownership. Pontiac was 37 cents/mile, no accident.
1990 Tercel Highlights
Coupe
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 28 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $125/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 10.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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