1991 Eagle Vista 4wd

[So_Powerful]

I'm looking at purchasing this vehicle for $450. Looks like another neat little Japanese import from late 80's early 90's with 4wd. Loads of space inside (7 pass). It's like a hybrid minivan and station wagon. It's got AC, power windows, cruise control, remote start, 4wd, manual tranny and roof rack. Unfortunately the 4wd is on all the time and you can't switch in and out of it, or at least I couldn't see any shifters or buttons that do that. The front right strut is busted but that isn't a hard fix. Should be an interesting vehicle to work on. Engine bay is really crowded though. I'm buying it as a vehicle I can abuse for camping trips. For taking a load of guys on outdoor trips. http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicle ... Z295531267

[Petros]

I have always liked that little van/waon, it is made by Mitsubishi I beleive. I almost bought one a number of years ago. Unfortunatly they were not very reliable and most of them went off the road fairly early because they were not worth fixing. Now finding parts for them is a big problem since they have been long out of the wrecking yards. In contrast there are 4 or 5 Tercel4wd in the north county area where I live, and when I drive to one of the major cities in the Puget sound area I always see 2 or 3 TErcel4wd in driveways or in front of houses. I rarely see a Vista anywhere, not in a wrecking yard, not driving around.

The one I test drove had a push button 4wd, it was normally in FWD and a button on the dash in front of the shift lever engaged a solonoid on the trans for 4wd. It did not work.

[splatterdog]

I can confirm their lack of reliability. Parts availability/price was an issue way back when they were all still around.

[ARCHINSTL]

I would echo the remarks of Petros and splatterdog - a customer had one of these back in the early '90s and she regularly asked me if I came across any new swear words, as she had run out of them. My store was right across the street from a Mitsu store and she visited me regularly while waiting for her husband to pick her up. It got to be a running joke that "My husband is getting suspicious about always picking me up at the bike shop."
Tom M.

[So_Powerful]

Well thanks for the advice. I declined in purchasing it. I guess I will hold out for a Toyota Van 4wd. I really like those also.

[CathodeRayTube]

Iv seen a couple of these around here in my neighborhood in PA...i thought maybe one would make a fun sacrificial car for mudding and trashing in the woods...things that would be really fun but that the tercel and my other vehicles are too nice for...