Should I trade my Tercel for friend's '89 AllTrac?

[rustblueguy]

Hey folks,
I have an opportunity to sell my '83 Tercel and buy a friends '89 AllTrac Corolla. As much as I love the Tercel, i've heard these Corolla's are possibly superior. My friends car is an actual Japan-built model- everything, engine, body,etc, made in Japan. Also, she's had it since '97 so i have a reliable history of it. It has 220k miles, while my Tercel has 210k.
I am seriously considering this deal, and i would like some expert opinions on the technical side. I mean, i'm trying to keep emotional attachments out of this decision:)
Thanks,
Nick. (
p.s. Also, i fixed my frame last week, so the Tercel drives straight now!)

[dlb]

i don't think it really matters. both are very good--i dare say the best--cars around so you can't go wrong with one or the other. both are very reliable, economical, cheap to fix (if you can do it yourself)...i don't have any experience with getting new corolla parts so i would worry about the availability of some parts but i'm sure it's not a big issue.

considering your frame damage, i might think about ditching the tercel because of that just so that you have something more structurally sound but really, if you straightened it then it's not an issue. i think all-tracs have a higher resale value but if you intend to drive your car into the ground (which i do) resale value doesn't matter.

probably the biggest edge the tercel has over the all-trac is this forum. the all-trac forums that i've found have been nowhere near as helpful as this one and if you do work on a car yourself, that base of knowledge and experience is invaluable.

i'd say stick with the tercel, i guess.

[Petros]

They are very different cars, I have owned both. I drove the all-trac for about six months, the Tercel much longer. I choose to sell the all-trac and keep my tercel. The all-trac has a much better engine with efi, but the extra power is not as beneficial since the car is heavier. It also has less ground clearance and it rides soft. The tercel is much easier to work on as well.

You have to drive the all-trac for a few days or even weeks if possible to see if you like it. It is for a very different type of driving, the people that would want an all-trac would not like a Tercel. You will have to decide for yourself.

[Mattel]

I've had both Tercs for 10 years and all-trac for last 18 months.. Agree with what Petros says. The Corolla is better for me as there are more parts in Australia for this model.. I see 5 alltracs for ever 1 terc around and they are a lot quieter at cruising speeds which I tend to be doing of late... over 6000kms in the last 4 weeks - I just like mine because it has a lot more standard equipment. They are 2 different answers to the same brief for a small 4wd wagon. I upgraded my suspension with some new king springs for a stiffer handling package. Good luck either way it just depends on what you need.

[ARCHINSTL]

While probably already investigated - will your insurance company make any surcharge for it being a RHD vehicle?
Some years ago I investigated getting a really nice Morris Minor which was RHD (from a current MO owner and not a new OZ, NZ, or UK import); my insurance company said the rate would go up because of RHD. I checked with one or two more and got the same answer. While it was not the only factor in not getting the Minor, it was enough to give pause.
Did I misread your post as to it being RHD?

Oddly, an AT '89 version just popped up on Craigslist somewhere in IL with "some rust."
Tom M.

[rustblueguy]

I appreciate the advice everyone. I think what i will do is just drive my friends Corolla AllTrac for a few weeks to see if i really prefer the added power, EFI, and quieter ride over the Tercel. Do they have similar fuel efficiency? I swear my Tercel gets nearly, if not exactly 30mpg. I've read the corolla gets about 20-25 (or a bit more?).
Petros- thanks for ground clearance notation. I hadn't realized the Tercel is higher. I think the Tercel is too low anyway, so i might not like anything lower. If i keep the Tercel i plan to replace the shocks soon and with an added 2" if i can figure out how.
DLB- I appreciate the heads up on the lack of a comparable AllTrac Forum. (but is this because Corolla's dont break down as much?). It is impossible to overstate how helpful this forum has been to me over the years.

I'll update soon.
Thanks folks!

[dlb]

my buddy's automatic all-trac gets very good mileage, in the high 20's and he mainly does city driving.

[EliRush]

The engines in All-Tracs are transverse mounted, correct? So they don't have the 6 speed tranny? I think it is a whole different beast...but yeah the body is a great evolution of the Tercel wagon.

This is just my opinion, but the Tercel 4WD's are built more like trucks (longitudinal drivetrain, pickup rear dif) , and the All-Trac is more like the economy cars of the time period. I would hesitate a little before taking an All-Trac into the woods. Just a little. The All Trac does look nice inside and out, though.