Tercel 4WD 2.0

[Toyotise]

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[Nordical25]

There were at least 3 generations of estate Sprinter Carib 4wd. Finnish Toyota dealers received them too but second one was sold either as Corolla Tercel 4wd or as Corolla 4wd and third one was called Corolla 4wd. But they all are rare.

Did they sell 2 generations of Corolla 4wd in the US?

[Toyotise]

There were at least 3 generations of estate Sprinter Carib 4wd. Finnish Toyota dealers received them too but second one was sold either as Corolla Tercel 4wd or as Corolla 4wd and third one was called Corolla 4wd. But they all are rare.

Did they sell 2 generations of Corolla 4wd in the US?

I know this of course. In the USA we got two generations: the AL25 know as the Tercel 4wd and, the AE95 known as the Corolla all-trac. This is an JDM AE115.

While I’ve never driven an AE95 in my opinion they’re different beasts than the AL25 Tercel 4wd wagons.
The spirit of the AE115 is much more in keeping with the original styling and shared many elements of the design philosophy of the first generation AL25’s. Hence Tercel 2.0. They are based on a modified Toyota Corolla engine, chassis/ body with a “lockable” AWD drivetrain similar to that found on the US market first generation RAV4.

Very thoughtfully executed vehicle. Unfortunate they were never sold in the US market.

From Toyotas own official design narrative:
https://www.toyota-global.com/company/h ... index.html

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An additional link to the original Japanese sales catalog:
http://www.toyota.co.jp/jpn/company/his ... tml#page=5

[Toyotise]

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[Mattel]

I have a AE95 after a couple of AL25s. The AE95 has lockable centre diff as well and is very similar to your AE115 being based on the Corolla sprinter body and engine layout (east west) than the packaging of the Tercel with its north south engine and part time 4wd. I think you have independent rear suspension though whereas the AE95 has the same live rear diff as the AL25. We never had the third iteration of the Sprinter Carib (AE115) in Australia. Just the AL25 and AE95. I would refute the AE115 is more like the AL25 than the AE95.

[Toyotise]

I would refute the AE115 is more like the AL25 than the AE95.

Maybe according to some metrics. The driven spirit of this car though feels another matter. It carries the spirit of the AL25 Tercel into a new era. The AE115 is in our era what the AL25 Tercel was to its peers, a smaller, lighter, more reliable, more durable, more economical, better engineered, capable vehicle. Even comparing it to mainstream AWD vehicles in current manufacture it matches their functional capabilities even though it is 27 years older than them. With a great selection of affordable low mile vehicles now available to import from Japan I believe the AE115 has the capability to be the new torch bearer of a more excellent way in the same way the AL25 wagon was.

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The AL25 is almost 40 years old and with unobtainable new/ aftermarket replacement parts and feedback carburetors systems they will only be practical for so much longer. They’re becoming the car of curators, collectors, modifiers, and indicative that their time as practical vehicles is closing, callously as an instrument of last hurray in destructive rallies.

The AE115 shares the same engine as the US market Corolla, and while I need to investigate further to confirm I believe the core of its AWD system is similar/ or identical to the first generation RAV4, parts for both of which are readily and abundantly available.

[Nordical25]

Ok, our third corolla looked bit different to Japanese 3rd generation Sprinter Carib 4wd. It looked much more like ordinary Corolla station wagon with 4wd system. The Japanese one looks more cool and is way more detailed.

It seems that Toyota wanted to sell bigger cars in U.S.A & Australia during 90s so maybe that's why they left Corolla 4wd out of the program. On the other hand, you received much bigger Toyota 4wds like 3rd generation 4runner, which we never got here. Now cars are getting more global and I think every continent should receive both Corolla and Corolla cross.

[dlb]

Toyotise, how did you come across your AE115? Do you mind telling us how much it cost you? I know some people consider price a private matter so no worries if you'd rather not discuss, I'm just curious.

[Toyotise]

Ok, our third corolla looked bit different to Japanese 3rd generation Sprinter Carib 4wd. It looked much more like ordinary Corolla station wagon with 4wd system. The Japanese one looks more cool and is way more detailed.

The euro version got that “bug-eye” front end. Toyota called that the “Rosso” facelift. An AE114 if I’m not mistaken?

[Toyotise]

Toyotise, how did you come across your AE115? Do you mind telling us how much it cost you? I know some people consider price a private matter so no worries if you'd rather not discuss, I'm just curious.

I paid for it to be imported. Bit of a price range depending on how you do it. $5500 on the low side for a self brokered deal if your knowledgeable about such things and paperwork savvy. As high as $12,000 for one all inclusive and in perfect condition.

Depends a lot on (self)/brokerage choice, trans- oceanic shipping prices, vehicle condition, and destination port. The vehicle itself is a quarter to half of the total cost involved.

Beware some states can make it prohibitively expensive / nearly impossible to register (California) .

[Toyotise]

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I believe that is a Fourth generation 2012 to 2016 Subaru Impreza in comparison photo.

[Nordical25]

Ok, our third corolla looked bit different to Japanese 3rd generation Sprinter Carib 4wd. It looked much more like ordinary Corolla station wagon with 4wd system. The Japanese one looks more cool and is way more detailed.

The euro version got that “bug-eye” front end. Toyota called that the “Rosso” facelift. An AE114 if I’m not mistaken?

I checked this morning one VIN number & type marking of Finnish 4wd Corolla and they are also AE115 Corollas. The front is different but rear section of body is highly similar to your Sprinter Carib 4wd.

The bug-eye front is actually pre-facelift. Facelift ones had wider lamps and newer engines, see attached picture. I tried to google 4wd facelift ones but I did not find any clues. So maybe Toyota stopped selling them here after facelift.

[Toyotise]

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[Toyotise]

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Carib is smaller by almost all metrics.