On the road
The engine is surprisingly peppy and spunky. It really does a fine job of carrying the Tercel up to speed. As with most cars in this category, it will quickly become very audible as the revs rise. The 5-speed gearbox is very user-friendly. The throws are reasonably short and even direct. The clutch is light and the friction point is simple to find. Steering is very insubstantial and lacks precision. Conversely, it is a fine tool for getting around town. The brakes are correct for this type of vehicle.
The suspension seems specifically design for urban use. It is almost annoyingly soft, however this translates into a comfy uneventful ride in the city. It is on the highway where the situation somewhat falls apart. First off, the Tercel is very sensitive to crosswinds. The under-dampened shocks create a floating sensation over undulations and sharp steering inputs are met with clumsy weight transfers. The slim P175/70R13 tires do not offer much of a contact-patch on top of it all. This is certainly not a car that encourages spirited driving, it strongly recommends nice, easy and economical cruising.
Safety
The car had standard dual front air bags and available ABS brakes. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) awarded the car 4 out of 5 stars (a good result) in a frontal impact. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has not rated the Tercel.
Conclusion
As I was driving this Tercel, a thought crossed my mind: when a car that is seven years-old runs and feels as good as this one does, it is a testament to the builders capability to build durable and dependable products. And, that is exactly what the Tercel is. It is one of the smartest choices one can make when looking for a used small car. Some may argue that it is often overpriced on the used car market but I always add that one always gets what they pay for.
De pending on what you are looking for, it is important to note that a 2000 Echo can have a similar asking price as a 1999 Tercel (similar mileage, transmission and equipment). It is difficult which will be the better purchase. If your intentions are to keep the car for a very long time, either will do fine. On the other hand, if you plan to trade the car two or three years down the line, I suspect that the Echo will retain a higher resale value. Either way, make sure you get the vehicle inspected before you buy.
Good stuff:
Reliability
Low ownership costs
Not so good stuff:
Lax suspension
Tested model:
1999 Toyota Tercel CE with 130,000 km
Problem areas:
Front shock wear
Competitors of the day:
Chevrolet Metro / Pontiac Firefly
Suzuki Swift
Hyundai Accent
Recalls:
None
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
Safety
The car had standard dual front air bags and available ABS brakes. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) awarded the car 4 out of 5 stars (a good result) in a frontal impact. The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) has not rated the Tercel.
Conclusion
 |
| (Photo: Philippe Champoux, Auto123.com) |
De pending on what you are looking for, it is important to note that a 2000 Echo can have a similar asking price as a 1999 Tercel (similar mileage, transmission and equipment). It is difficult which will be the better purchase. If your intentions are to keep the car for a very long time, either will do fine. On the other hand, if you plan to trade the car two or three years down the line, I suspect that the Echo will retain a higher resale value. Either way, make sure you get the vehicle inspected before you buy.
Good stuff:
Reliability
Low ownership costs
Not so good stuff:
Lax suspension
Tested model:
1999 Toyota Tercel CE with 130,000 km
Problem areas:
Front shock wear
Competitors of the day:
Chevrolet Metro / Pontiac Firefly
Suzuki Swift
Hyundai Accent
Recalls:
None
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