Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

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bcbarnhart
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My tercel:: 85 Tercel 4WD sr5
Location: KC,MO & Taos,NM

Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by bcbarnhart »

I own a 1985 SR5 4WD wagon, and now we are looking for one (1985-1988) for my wife.
I live in Taos, NM, but AM WILLING TO TRAVEL TO PICK IT UP

please send me an email if you know of something:

bcbarnhart@gmail.com

thanks!
85 Tercel sr5
85 Wesfalia Campervan
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Gottolovem
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My tercel:: 1985 SR5 with snow plow,1987 auto 1984 parts car,1987 FX-16 GTS
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by Gottolovem »

Any reason you don't wan't an 84-84
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irowiki
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by irowiki »

Dan means why don't you want an 83-84. :lol:

Nice to see another new mexico person!

We live in Farmington and have an 84 DLX auto we're probably selling soon (too many cars).

I also have an 87 SR5 in rough shape with a blown transmission.

We're always looking so I'll let you know if I see one around here.


The wife, as usual, found something, but it is old:

http://santafe.craigslist.org/cto/4289514993.html
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by Vienna »

There were actually recently several Tercel wagons being sold in northern/mid new mexico the past few weeks and one in flagstaff, unfortunately the listings for 3 of the four have since been removed. We tried contacting the one in Espanola but the seller was quite rude and wouldn't respond once asked if more images were possible. He didn't even say "no", he simply began ignoring us.

There's one left listed as being in the Taos but it's been listed for a month now. I assume you've tried contacting them, since I noticed you've posted on local craigslist under Wanted: tercel wagon.

http://santafe.craigslist.org/cto/4289514993.html If you haven't asked, you could always try them,
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Petros
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by Petros »

welcome to the forum!

search craig's list in all your nearby states and markets, also, if you do not mind a fixer really good deals are often found in back yards, side yards, garages, etc =. Just keep your eyes out for them. People like these cars they hate to part with them, but when they need repairs they will often park them intending to fix them later, buy another car and than forget about the Tercel needing repairs. If someone says they are willing to buy it and fix it up they are often happy to have it out of their yard and know someone will fix it and like it rather than send it to a wrecking yard.

good luck.
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Gottolovem
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by Gottolovem »

Gottolovem wrote:Any reason you don't wan't an 84-84
:oops: :oops: :oops: HAHA
bcbarnhart
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My tercel:: 85 Tercel 4WD sr5
Location: KC,MO & Taos,NM

Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by bcbarnhart »

well, i am interested in the 85 and up - the gear ratios had been slightly adjusted that year and so they perform better in the mountains.

unfortunately, after we made the recent decision to go with a tercel, i had JUST MISSED all of the ones for sale around here. i am not aware of the one in espanola. any chance its still around? contact info? there was a beautiful one in denver i barely missed.

thanks for all the great advice! we are going to have a baby, and after the great 12 year experience with my tercel, i think it is the best car for mountain families on a tight budget.
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irowiki
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by irowiki »

I actually figured the old ratio would be better than all the highways we have.
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by Vienna »

bcbarnhart wrote: i am not aware of the one in espanola. any chance its still around? contact info?

Sadly it's gone, the person had been sitting on it a while wanting 1.2K and after weeks of it not selling he relisted for 800 and it went within a couple days.
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Gottolovem
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by Gottolovem »

I have driven both 3.73 and 4.11 gears and the diffrence is hardly noticeable you are still going to have to down shift to get over a mountian pass in either one!
Don't pass up a GOOD 83 or 84 just because of gear ratio?
I have a 84 comming in this week i bought sight unseen to save from the dreaded California crusher.
It will be for sale for under a grand but i think it's a fixer i know it's a runner because it's currently registered and being driven.
Good luck with your search
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irowiki
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by irowiki »

On long highway drives I think it'd be noticeable?
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Gottolovem
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by Gottolovem »

There is definitely a difference but in my opinion not enough to turn down a good low mile car. Either gear ratio is way better than an automatic tranny for highway driving.
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irowiki
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by irowiki »

This is true!
Former Tercel Enthusiast (not a practical family car anymore but they still have a place in my heart)

Site administrator, if something is broken, PM me!

87 Corolla FX16, 105k
94 Jamboree RV (Ford E-350), 90k
95 Camry Wagon, 170k
97 4runner, 275k
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Petros
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by Petros »

I have owned and driven both final drive gear ratios. Interesting they both get about the same fuel economy, the 3.73 is a bit quieter at highway speeds (some added sound deadening might help that), and the 4.11 is better from a stand still and in steep terrain. I suspect with a stock engne the 4.11 might accelearate a bit faster too, but is definity easier to start from a stop on a hill, particularly in heavy traffic.

I have noticed however that with little more power out of the engine, either from a modified 3ac or a 4ac swap, the disadvantage of the 3.73 goes away because the extra power makes up for the taller gearing over a stock engine. I have not had the chance yet to see what more power in a 4.11 ratio Tercel would do, if it would be even better than the higher powered 3.73.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
tercel4wdrules
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Re: Want to Buy 1985-1988 SR5 4WD Tercel Wagon

Post by tercel4wdrules »

I have driven both as well and I can confirm that driving in hilly areas will be more enjoyable with the 4.11. The 4.11 with a stock engine feels better when accelerating in 5th gear and also overall better response when you have passengers/cargo, but it is noisier when cruising at 70+ mph. A member posted a UK review of the Tercel and the magazine found that the 3.73 with a 70 hp 3A-C accelerated faster to 60 mph than the 4.11 with the same engine, but overall response was better with the latter. Therefore, I would agree with Petros' assumption that a modified 4A-C would be ok with the 3.73 since the extra torque would make up for the taller gearing.
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