I was wondering if anyone has any experience with either of these vehicles? Reliability, mpg, etc. I am looking for a commuter vehicle with 4wd capability. Thank you for your time.
I used to have a 84 Tercel 4wd wagon. With a good set of tires, that thing was unstoppable in mud or snow; it took a surprising amount of effort to get it stuck. Underpowered at speed - a 1.4 liter transverse FWD/4WD with a single barrel carburetor and a 3 speed auto...
It's not a speed demon. But it was reliable. I think I got 220,000 trouble free miles out that beast before the drivers side suspension finally gave way and the wheel came off. I was sorry to see it go.
Funny story - I got popped by a county mounty on highway 51 near Rhinelander at about 3 am one day in 95 or 96. He said he pinged me doing 95 in a 55 in that car. Everyone knows that car couldn't go that fast if you threw it out the rear of a C130, but he wrote the ticket anyway. A month or so later, I dutifully reported for court and tried to talk the prosecutor into throwing the ticket out, to no avail. We got in front of the judge and as I laid out my case, the judge mentioned that he had one of a similar vintage and condition. He asked me if I was speeding, and I replied that I probably was, but it couldn't possibly have been that much.
So, he wrote it down to 9 over, no points, 40 dollar fine. And the dirtiest of dirty looks from the prosecutor.
Great little car. But honestly, I'd be impressed if you couldn't find something more modern and reliable for the same money.