Well I picked up another car last weekend.
My brother had a 1993 Toyota Tercel base 2dr that he had purchased new back in 92. Well, he probably drove it four times over the summer and finally decided to get it out of his driveway.
They wanted to give me the car. I told him it might still be worth $1000. Anyway, I offered him $500 but he talked me down to $200. He was always a better negotiator.
The car has 122,000 miles and the four speed manual transmission. When I drove it home the front brakes were pulsing like crazy and after the first trip to work the exaust separated at the first flange joint after the muffler due to corrosion.
Frankly, I am amazed at how solid the car is for its age. The engine runs smoothly and didn't burn a drop of oil on the highway drive from Pittsburgh to Canton and on my highway commute. Everything, except the A/C seems to work.
So far I have changed the oil. Manual calls for 10w-30 in temperatures over 50 or so but I plan to stick with 5w-30. For all I know this spec was changed retroactively.
I also replaced a burned out brake light, replaced the air filter, and put new pads and rotors up front. Pulsing is gone!
Took care of the exhaust with a hose clamp hanger and some of that muffler cast stuff. If the car continues to treat me well I just might put a full new exhaust in from the manifold back. Looks like parts for this would cost $300-$400 including a new CAT so I'm hoping my jury rig holds for a while.
Love driving the car. It took me 7000 miles to get used to my ION's manual transmission mechanics. Got used to the Tercel in about 5 minutes. Now when I have to drive the ION I can't stand it again.
I plan on selling the ION so if anybody wants a nearly brand new 2007 ION that has been treated well let me know!
It is funny how small the Tercel looks next to our 2006 Corolla.
Got 38mpg on the first tank.
It looks like most repair jobs on this car are within my skill range and it looks like parts are readily available. The clutch replacement procedure on this car looks easier than any other I have seen so far, just in case.
I still have a set of NGK spark plugs to put in and then I think I am done with the immediate things. Brother had the Timing Belt changed at around 85K so I just plan on leaving it alone. The chances of me breaking something trying to replace it are probably higher than the chance it will break if left alone.
What a fun car!
My brother had a 1993 Toyota Tercel base 2dr that he had purchased new back in 92. Well, he probably drove it four times over the summer and finally decided to get it out of his driveway.
They wanted to give me the car. I told him it might still be worth $1000. Anyway, I offered him $500 but he talked me down to $200. He was always a better negotiator.
The car has 122,000 miles and the four speed manual transmission. When I drove it home the front brakes were pulsing like crazy and after the first trip to work the exaust separated at the first flange joint after the muffler due to corrosion.
Frankly, I am amazed at how solid the car is for its age. The engine runs smoothly and didn't burn a drop of oil on the highway drive from Pittsburgh to Canton and on my highway commute. Everything, except the A/C seems to work.
So far I have changed the oil. Manual calls for 10w-30 in temperatures over 50 or so but I plan to stick with 5w-30. For all I know this spec was changed retroactively.
I also replaced a burned out brake light, replaced the air filter, and put new pads and rotors up front. Pulsing is gone!
Took care of the exhaust with a hose clamp hanger and some of that muffler cast stuff. If the car continues to treat me well I just might put a full new exhaust in from the manifold back. Looks like parts for this would cost $300-$400 including a new CAT so I'm hoping my jury rig holds for a while.
Love driving the car. It took me 7000 miles to get used to my ION's manual transmission mechanics. Got used to the Tercel in about 5 minutes. Now when I have to drive the ION I can't stand it again.
It is funny how small the Tercel looks next to our 2006 Corolla.
Got 38mpg on the first tank.
It looks like most repair jobs on this car are within my skill range and it looks like parts are readily available. The clutch replacement procedure on this car looks easier than any other I have seen so far, just in case.
I still have a set of NGK spark plugs to put in and then I think I am done with the immediate things. Brother had the Timing Belt changed at around 85K so I just plan on leaving it alone. The chances of me breaking something trying to replace it are probably higher than the chance it will break if left alone.
What a fun car!
